If you are new to the pet world, one of the first things you are going to consider is whether or not the pet you are looking to bring home is one that will be a good addition to your family. When it comes to a less common pet like a ferret, are they good pets?
Ferrets make good pets because they are intelligent, small, inexpensive, easy to care for, social, friendly, quiet, avid sleepers, happy to transition from cage to open spaces, can be walked, will let you know when they are happy, have distinct personalities, love treats, and are long-term pets.
Ferrets are rather uncommon when it comes to animals that most people seek out to bring home, however, they have been found to make incredibly fun and entertaining pets. Ferrets are energetic, curious, rambunctious, and very social, but they also require a minimal amount of care. With this combination, they are sure to be a winning pet for owners so continue reading to know exactly why ferrets make such great pets.
How Do Ferrets Make Good Pets?
When considering what a good pet entails, the standards can be a bit skewed depending on the individual owner. However, for most individuals, a good pet is an animal that is going to bring joy into their daily life, does not require an extensive amount of care, will interact with owners to a degree, and will be around long enough for bonds to form and relationships to blossom between pet and owner. When it comes to ferrets in particular, what makes them so great?
Ferrets Are Intelligent
When it comes to small pets, many people may be inclined to believe that the animal’s intellect matches its size, for ferrets though, this could not be further from the truth. Ferrets are incredibly intelligent and cunning animals that can be easily trained with the right amount of work, patience, and treats for encouragement. They are great with games that require serious thinking and love any challenge that is presented to them in the form of a puzzle.
Ferrets Are Small
Although their intellect may be big, their frames are small. One of the greatest advantages of having a ferret as a pet is that they take up a minimal amount of space. The only room that you need to make for them is space to put their cage. Other than this, when they are out of the cage, you would hardly notice they were there if it were not for their playful and rambunctious behavior. Their size makes them a great choice for people who don’t have much room to spare.
Ferrets Are Inexpensive
If you are thinking of saving a bit of space within your home for a pet, you may also be thinking about saving a little money. When it comes to the average price of ferrets bought from pet stores, the average price tends to fall around $100 dollars for the pet. With supplies included, you can expect to spend around $100 – $200. However, after the initial costs, it only cost around $15 to $25 dollars a month to keep them fed and supplied with fresh bedding.
Ferrets Are Easy to Care For
Speaking of food and supplies, one of the most appealing aspects of ferrets for many owners is how easy it is to care for them. They require a very strict diet of only high-quality ferret-formulated food that is high in protein. Food should be given to them daily as well as fresh water, but other than this, that is all they require. Along with a clean cage and fresh bedding, ferrets require very little fussing when it comes to overall care.
Ferrets Are Social
Thinking beyond the logistics of owning a ferret and their level of intelligence, another important aspect to many pet owners is that the animal is social. Not everyone wants a pet that is as social as a dog, but not everyone prefers a pet that is as antisocial as a frog. Meeting somewhere in the middle is the ferret. These animals love to play and are happy to be held, but prefer to scamper about on their own accord while their owners play along.
Ferrets Are Friendly
Beyond being naturally social, ferrets are also incredibly friendly animals. They are not the type that will typically run up to you and lay on your lap, but they are happy to meet anyone and be within their company. Their personalities are not inclined to be aggressive, and although rather rambunctious, they are not the type to typically react illy to anyone who approaches them. This is great for those who have lots of bodies coming in and out of their homes.
Ferrets Are Quiet
One of the biggest drawbacks to some animals is that they are loud. When you are living within a community setting or are living in an apartment, this can be a major problem when it comes to being respectful of neighbors. If you are in this position or you simply have no desire for a noisy pet, a ferret may be the perfect choice for you. Ferrets make hardly any noise besides the rustling of their bed and make only squeaking noises occasionally.
Ferrets Are Avid Sleepers
Going off of the fact that ferrets are quiet, this has a lot to do with the fact that they sleep about 20 hours per day! Ferrets are very serious about their sleep and you will, more often than not, find them curled up in a ball within their cage snoozing the day away. For those of you that want a pet that is just as curious as it is laid back, ferrets are a great choice and they are fun when awake, but certainly know how to rest.
Ferrets Are Happy to Transition From Cage to Open Areas
Some caged animals are not particularly inclined to be moved from their cage to an area that allows them to move about without restraint. This may be fine for some pet owners, but for those who would like a pet that can be taken from their cage and put in open areas, ferrets are more than happy to go along. Due to their curious nature, you will notice that your ferret’s personality is particularly revealed when it has the freedom to move about within your home or outside.
Ferrets Can Be Walked
Speaking of open areas, ferrets may not seem like the typical pet that will go for a walk, but with the right type of training and plenty of patience, many owners have found that their ferrets quite enjoy being leased and heading out on an adventure outside. Body harnesses are best for ferrets to best accommodate their small bodies and always be sure that if you are walking on pavement, the surface is not too hot for their sensitive paw pads.
Ferrets Will Let You Know When They’re Happy
One of the best parts of ferrets is that, although they are typically quiet, they are also very expressive. These rambunctious animals have a way of letting their owners know they are happy as can be. This can be confirmed if you notice that your ferret is running around enthusiastically while also flipping its little body and letting out a few chirping sounds. This odd behavior is a verification that your ferret is happy and healthy.
Ferrets Have Distinct Personality
Ferrets are very obvious when they are happy, but even more than this, every ferret has a way of showing its individual personality. The longer you have a ferret, the more you will notice when it is irritated, when it wants a new brand of food, when it is not fond of its old ball, and when it simply needs a bit of peace and quiet. Every ferret has a distinct personality, making them pets that owners quickly find themselves attached to and love dearly.
Ferrets Love Treats
Ferrets have a very strict diet due to the fact that they are carnivores and are not able to process complex carbohydrates, but this doesn’t mean they aren’t capable of being treated. Ferrets love treats and can be given along with their normal everyday food and this is a great way to bond with your pet. Consider giving them pieces of cooked eggs, cat food, and small pieces of chicken, turkey, or lamb to add variety to their diet.
Ferrets are Long-Term Pets
People may be inclined to believe that ferrets are a type of animal that won’t last them too long once brought home, however, ferrets can actually live anywhere from six to ten years. With this lifespan, people who are looking for a long-term pet that will not require the kind of care that more typical pets do can find a great choice in ferrets. A ferret can easily become a pet that will be with your family for years and years to come.
Ferrets Are Cute
This last note may be a bit objective, but it would be hard-pressed to find someone who really and truly does not consider ferrets to be cute. On top of everything else that an owner must consider before bringing a pet home, they also want something that is going to be cute and cuddly once it has arrived. Ferrets have sweet little faces, tiny paws, and soft cuddly bodies, only helping to enhance all of their other great qualities.
