How To Buy A Ferret
Before even thinking of getting a ferret you need to think of legal requirements and legislation in your country or state. There are countries, states, and cities around the world where ferrets are illegal to keep as pets. For example, New Zealand passed a law in 2002 banning the sale, breeding, and distribution of ferrets. Some places in the United States ban ferrets, including Hawaii, California, and New York City. In Australia, ferrets are banned in the state of Queensland and Northern Territory.
how to buy a ferret
As with any animal, it is important to know what you are getting into before you buy a ferret. While ferrets are small and sleep a lot, they can still be quite high maintenance. There are a lot of things you need to know about ferrets to keep them happy and healthy, including:
We always have and always will be the biggest advocates of getting your ferrets from a credible ferret shelter. Ferret shelter owners and volunteers are generally huge ferret lovers, with a wealth of knowledge gained through years of experience. They handle the ferrets in their care, get to know them, some toilet train them, vaccinate, and desex them, and they will be able to match you up with a perfect ferret to suit your needs. There are hundreds of cute little ferret faces waiting to be adopted into their loving forever homes all around the world in ferret shelters. Make sure to check if there is one in your area.
Unless you are an experienced ferret owner who is financially capable of looking after a sick ferret, then it is best to start off with one that is younger and healthy. That way you will have a bit of experience looking after a ferret before it gets older or sick. A good ferret shelter will help you pick out a ferret that is suitable to your needs. However, if you go to a pet shop or a breeder here are a few things you should look for:
Before you get a ferret, make sure there is a good ferret-knowledgeable exotic vet in your area. Ferrets need to see a vet for a check-up at least once a year when they are under 5 years old and twice a year once they are over 5 years. Ferrets are also prone to injuries and a variety of diseases, so you want to make sure you have a good vet nearby. Unfortunately, not all vets know about appropriate ferret care.
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Looking for a ferret for sale near you? Check out our list of the best places to buy a ferret around the world, with links to top ferret shelters. Want to know how to best prepare for your new ferret? Check out my TOP (sometimes surprising) supplies you need for your ferret.
A ferret for sale can cost anywhere from $100 to $500 depending on where you buy them. A ferret from Petco is typically $349. Prices have gone up quite a bit in the last 3 years (from $150 in 2020). If you choose to get a ferret from a private breeder, they can cost up to $500 for specialty breeds like angora (long hair) or hybrid (part polecat). Keep in mind buying a ferret is just one of the costs. Make sure to also budget for the latest recommended ferret supplies as well.
Just like a puppy or kitten, baby ferrets will require more time with their owners than adult ferrets. They will need your help with potty training and learning other basic behavior (like how to stop nipping).
The first ferret we ever bought was an 8 week old kit (baby). We dedicated 6 hours per day to spending time with him, litter training him and teaching him to cuddle. Now he is 5 years old and the sweetest ferret we have ever known.
The second ferret we brought into our home was a 2 year old female. She was extremely aggressive and bit us constantly. We believe this was due to the lack of interaction she received from her previous owners. We spent 4-6 hours per day for 30 days straight teaching her not to bite. And while we ultimately succeeded in retraining her, it was not easy. We ultimately adopted her out to another ferret owner because she kept bullying our other ferret. This is an adult ferret I would NOT recommend for a first time ferret owner.
The third and fourth ferrets we adopted were also adults (both 8 months old when we got them). Before they came to live with us, they lived alone in a dark garage. They did not bite, but they were poorly trained. Now, 3 years later, they are part of the family. They still struggle with potty training but the minor hassle is worth the joy they bring into our home. Unlike our second ferret mentioned before, these wonderful adult ferrets would have been perfect for a first time ferret owner.
Ferrets are extremely social creatures and require a lot of attention to stay happy. Do you have 4-6 hours to devote to playing with your ferret each day? If not, we recommend getting at least two ferrets so they can keep each other company.
If you are looking to buy a ferret for sale, it is important to consider what kind of pet you are looking for. Are you prepared to spend hours training a kit (baby) or would you prefer a ferret who already knows how to use a litter box?
Hi! my name is Sophie. I have a couple questions to ask about your ferrets. #1. Where can I get a private breeder? #2. Does Petco really have ferrets? #3. If you had a private breeder, what would the life span of ferret be?
While a pet ferret should also be eating meat, their intestinal tract is not adapted to consuming raw meat in the same way as their wild counterparts. In fact, pet ferrets can develop severe intestinal infection with toxic bacteria such as Salmonella.
Pet ferrets should be fed commercially formulated, high-protein/moderate-fat/low-carbohydrate diets that contain all the nutrients that ferrets require. These diets have also been prepared to eliminate potentially harmful bacteria.
Ferrets can contract and pass on rabies. Therefore, in many of the states in which they are legal as pets, ferrets are required by law to be vaccinated for rabies at 4-5 months of age and then annually after that.
Even if pet ferrets are kept indoors, they should receive annual booster vaccines against both rabies and distemper viruses for life. This is because their owners can track distemper virus inside their homes on their shoes, and pet ferrets might also have contact with wildlife, like bats, which can carry the deadly rabies virus.
Just like cats and dogs, ferrets are susceptible to flea infestation and deadly heartworm infection. This is true even for ferrets kept indoors, as fleas can come in from outside, especially if there are dogs and cats in the home. Mosquitos can also make their way indoors and transmit heartworm disease to indoor ferrets.
If you decide that a ferret is right for you, you can rescue a ferret from one of several shelters across the United States, purchase one from reputable pet stores, or adopt one from a private breeder.
If you are rescuing a ferret from a shelter, be sure to quarantine them from other pets, as animals from rescue facilities can carry illness (e.g., GI parasites, mild upper respiratory tract infections, etc.) that they could potentially transmit to other ferrets or to cats or dogs.
Early Neutering!To avoid pet overpopulation and prevent health problems, every Marshall Ferret is neutered (spayed/castrated) and descented before being shipped. Two tattoo dots on the right ear identify that these procedures have been performed. By neutering our ferrets, problems that occur during normal mating season are avoided.
We Guarantee Them!Every Marshall Ferret shipment is accompanied by a USDA Veterinarian Health Certificate and a baby ferret guarantee card. The Marshall guarantee certifies that the ferret is neutered, descented and covers congenital health problems for one year. To validate the ferret guarantee, you must register your ferret online at marshallferrets.com. After registering your ferret, you will be able to print out your Official Marshall Ferret Birth certificate for your new pet. 041b061a72