Are ferrets really worth it?

Question

Me and my parents are considering getting a ferret, but we are not sure if a ferret is worth a the hassle. Ferret proofing, expenses, life span, etc. Please give me a clear and informed answer. Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

i got my first ferret about a year and a half ago. and it was the best gift i ever recieved. they are great. he smells a tid bit when i dont bathe him but other than that hes awesome. they are so smart and funny. i think you would enjoy having one a pet. i can tel you like specifics if you want. just email me

Answer 2

To me they are. they are entertaining, fun to play with and be around, and so darn cute! it's true they are expensive, you have to ferret-proof, and they have a pretty long life span but when i had ferrets, i found that the pros outweighed the cons.

Answer 3

ferrets are so much fun! not much trouble. they only p**p in one corner so you just scope it up over there then when they are going through the teething stages you burn this special sour stuff you spray on you fingers and they bite you then do the cutest little sour face and they then know that they are not supposed to bite you. they are like dogs...(:

Answer 4

Ferrets are fun but they are a lot of work. NOT ALL OF THEM p**p IN CORNERS. I have one that flat out refuses to use his litter boxes and doesn't choose a corner he just goes which we are working on lol. They can be costly but they will amuse you all day. They do need time out and if you only have one you need to be sure you play with him/her a couple hours along with time for them to explore. They are stinky that smell never leaves them (make sure to not over bath them because if will actually increase the smell.) you need to clean the cage daily. so basically:

pro:

They are very amusing.

They love to play.

They can be cuddly.

They are very smart.

They can really bond with you over time.

Cons:

They stink.

They are a lot of work.

They are expensive.

They need time with you every day.

They can get into little places you never thought possible.

-I hope this helps-

Answer 5

Not for everyone, but for me they are. Will it be worth it for you and your parents? You probably won't know for sure until you actually get one, but if you're having doubts then I don't recommend getting one. I suggest you look around for a ferret rescue in your area and spend a lot of time volunteering there. Other than getting your own ferret, this would be the next best way to find out if a ferret is something you would really enjoy.

Ferret proofing can definitely be a challenge, but limiting the space your ferret has access to will help. My ferrets are confined to one room for the majority of the time. Mine share my bedroom, but if you have an empty, spare room, that would be even better. You could set up a ferret play room and the only thing in it would be ferret safe toys and furniture. You would still have to check the room for any holes that might lead outside, into the walls, etc.

As for the life span, for me, that's one of the harder parts of having ferrets. US pet shop ferrets usually average 6-8 years, which isn't long. For some people that's not a problem, they don't want to make a commitment to a pet that might be around for 20 years or more, but personally, I wish they lived longer.

There's definitely a lot of expenses involved as well. I recently had my five ferrets to a vet for a check up and that was almost $400. They'll be going back the end of August for blood and dental work, which is going to cost about another $3000. My one is being tested for adrenal, so if that comes back positive, that will be even more expenses on top of the $3400. Keep in mind, that's for five of them, one would be a lot cheaper and prices also depend on your vet (I think my vet is a bit high, but she's the best in the area). It's going to be hard shelling out the $3000, but they're totally worth it.

If I had to go back and do it again, I know I'd still get them, even if knew then what I know now. They entertain me, they make me laugh, they're loyal and loving, and just so much fun to be around. Some people can't tolerate their high energy, but that's one thing I love about them. They have great personalities and always make me smile. I can be having the worse day, but as soon as I come home to let them out, all of the day's problems just melt away.

You just have to decide for yourself if they're worth it or not. Ferrets definitely aren't for everyone. They can be hard to care for, are always testing your patience, require alot of time, and, of course, they're very expensive to keep. Like I said, find a ferret rescue to volunteer with, I think that will really help you decide if they're the right pet for you. If you have any doubt, then I say it's best to not get one. You can also check out some of the ferret groups and forums I have listed on my profile and talk to some other ferret owners out there.