Buying a Ferret? Important Information You Should Know

Before you buy your ferret, it's important to be prepared when you bring him or her home. Proper feeding, grooming, house-proofing and understanding of ferret behavior will help you keep your new pet safe and happy.

Ferrets have a delicate metabolism and cannot eat plant food. Even though some ferrets want to eat certain vegetables, it can cause digestive problems with your new pet. Ferrets also love sugar, but should not eat that either, for the same reason. While it's safe to give them a few raisins now and again, any other high sugar/fructose foods should be avoided.

Ferrets love eggs. Fried eggs are a real treat, but boiled eggs are where the fun is at, for both you and your new pet. They are extremely cute while eating whole boiled eggs. (warning: they also like to roll the eggs around on your carpet). A ferret needs a consistent diet of protein rich foods with high fat content. Buy ferret food, it is specially formulated. You wouldn't expect a bird to survive on dog food, don't expect your ferret to live well on anything but ferret food. Ferrets look very sleek and small but they like to overeat just like humans and other pets, be sure to feed them appropriate amounts of food or you'll face a fat ferret with health problems!

Play time for a ferret is just about anytime he or she is awake. They are very active for the 5-6 hours they are awake during the day. Expect a lot of "chattering", (the sound ferrets make for attention) if you don't pay them enough attention. Playtime means anything that looks like a toy; socks, shoes, balls, string, pens, is fair game. Toys have a way of disappearing into the night, never to be seen again (or found buried in your sofa cushions among a pile of other stolen objects). Play with your ferrets or face the consequences. Alternatively ferrets are very social animals, two ferrets enjoy each other's company. Having lots of toys available is also a good alternative. Ferrets have an affinity for certain objects and will play with the same toy for ages.

While it may seem cruel, keep your ferrets safe in a cage when you're not around. Ferrets have very poor eye sight and can get hurt easily by walking off balconies or down stairs. They also are very inquisitive and are known to get stuck behind fridges and washing machines, where they can get hurt. Their cages should be very large and can include tunnels, which ferrets love. You can find some cheap ferret cages here, or through Google.  They should also have a cat box and water bottle and a soft spot to sleep.

Ferrets are beautiful, sweet, funny creatures that will bring joy and laughter into your household. Have a happy homecoming!

There is probably a lot of information about ferrets which will surprise you. For instance, did you know you can litter box train a ferret? How about that ferrets are known to be cleptomaniacs? Ferrets can also be taught to walk on a leash. 

I present to you fifteen factual ferret facts:

1. Did you know ferrets love to crawl in tubes, like hamsers and gerbils? You can make little tube tunnels out of empty paper towel rolls. They also sell tubing for gerbils that ferrets can also use. 
2. Ferrets live quietly, and more safely, when housed in a cage. Ferrets don't see very well, so left of their own devices. without supervision. they can walk into walls , doors, down stairwells and even off your balcony. EEP! It's much safer to keep your ferret in a cage when unattended.
3. They like to sleep nineteen hours a day. Sleeping is the favorite pass time of ferrets. They love to snuggle though, so cuddle with them while they sleep. Ferrets can also sleep very soundly so its better to have them snuggle with you when you're awake. Theres no fun in a flat ferret!
4. Ferrets love to chew things, but rubber, wood, metal and rawhide are dangerous. There are specially made chew toys just for a ferret's delicate stomach
5. Ferrets can be taught to walk on a leash. And they never get too heavy to put on your  shoulder and carry.
6. They love to ride around on your shoulder. Ferrets love to perch and be in high places.
7. They love to play tag and chase.  Usually a chatter signal or grabbing your pants starts the chase. Once they're caught, it's your turn to run.
8.  Ferrets steal anything thats not nailed down in your house. They're cleptomaniacs disguised as cute bundles of fur. Its especially important to keep your socks out of reach!
   
9. They have the cutest costumes of all animals.  
10. Ferrets like to hoarde their stash of stolen objects in hiding niches. Then they move them and rehide them periodically.
11. Its never a good idea to give a ferret veggies. They can't process them in their delicate stomachs.
12. Boil eggs and they become a toy and food for ferrets. Probably not a good idea to do this on your carpeted floors!
13. Ferrets wag their tails in excitement! Not when happy or sad, but when they want to play or are feeling feisty.
14. A female ferret, that can breed, is called a Jill. 
15. Ferrets bite 5 times less than dogs.

So there you have 15 facts about the fabulous fantastic ferrets (say that aloud 5 times now). I hope it encourages you to get a ferret of your own. They are such wonderful jesters.