Ordinarily most people tend to have cats and dogs as pets around the house. Ferrets, like cats and dogs, are carnivores, however they have certain demands and requirements that are different from your regular pets.
You should never keep them caged unless for a particular reason and for a short time. You should allow them the freedom to roam about the house and express themselves. However, you need to be sure to arrange things so that they cannot hurt themselves and make sure you do not leave dangerous objects around the house.
They are primarily creatures of habit, but will often feel like doing different things at different times. A good owner will spend time playing with them and embracing their personality and should never consider this a chore.
Another thing that you can enjoy doing together is going for walks, like walking your dog. At the right time of year when its light and dry, a walk of several kilometres is certainly achievable.
Being social animals its always a good idea to have more than one ferret. Whilst there is no guarantee that they will get along great, most will often play together. Consider getting two kits at the same time and have them grow up together. If you can, get them from the same litter and they will be far more likely to bond.
Another reason to have at least two ferrets is in case of the loss of one of them. A young kit cannot replace a ferret you have lived with for years. Having at least two will therefore allow you to replace your deceased ferret whilst maintaining the others you already know and love.
They can indeed be quite expensive to purchase and its important that you get all the vaccinations and insurance for them incase of accident. However, with all the time you spend playing with them, you may find that you save money elsewhere. Try to make sure that they have constant supply of water and food available to eat at their leisure.
Ferrets do a very good job cleaning themselves and maintain a gorgeous fluffy fur coat without the need to bathe them. However, you may need to clip their nails if they do not spend much time outdoors. Running on hard surfaces will help to grind down their claws. For litter training you need not worry, as they easily grasp it as young kits.
If you really want a fun and playful, curious and mischievous pet then look no further than getting a ferret. They are slightly alternative to your regular cat, but will provide just as much, if not more, entertainment.
Toby Rutherford is a popular specialist on ferrets. To get all your questions responded concerning getting a ferret home visit his blog on pet ferret.
