If earlier only cats or dogs lived in city apartments, but someone had aquariums with fish, today the variety of pets is simply surprising. Owls, squirrels, chinchillas, hedgehogs, decorative piglets, snakes and crocodiles - which only people do not get. However, today we noticed that in the bird markets they began to sell domestic ferrets. Surprisingly cute creatures at first sight fall into the soul, and people decide to purchase them for themselves, or even as a gift to friends. I would like to warn you against a rash purchase, which is why we decided to devote our article to these amazing creatures. So, on the agenda is the question: "What are ferrets like pets?" We will try to fully reveal the pros and cons of such a neighborhood.
Description
Ferret - this is the name of one of the subspecies of forest ferrets, which are now tamed by humans and often become almost the most beloved and desired pets. This is a brisk mammal with an oblong body and a fluffy tail. Colors of ferrets are very different - from white to black, with all the intermediate variations. At the same time, females are slightly smaller than males, and their fur coat does not look so luxurious. Their habits also differ, which we will discuss a bit later.
When choosing a future pet, think about whether it will dissolve against the background of your interior. It will be more difficult to find a light ferret on a white background, because these dodgers can climb into any gap. That is why it is preferable to choose dark or striped pets, the benefit of the colors of ferrets, or rather, their diversity, allow this to be done in full.
Life span
An important question that every host should ask. Knowing how many domestic ferrets live, you will be more adequately tuned to acquire the animal and have a long life with it. A fluffy handsome man with proper care will stay with you for about 7-9 years - a good period for a small animal. And for the owner this is an occasion to once again think about whether to take responsibility, because this is not about a hamster that will live only a couple of years, and even then it will spend most of the time in a cage.
Attention is provided to you
Indeed, no matter what breed of dog you choose, there are hundreds around, no one will pay attention to your furry miracle. And it’s a completely different matter to take a ferret for a walk. Small, nimble and graceful, he will quickly become the darling of the whole yard. However, admiring the neighbor's beast is one thing, and living with him under one roof is already another. Therefore, you should not immediately run to the pet store, it is better to read the necessary information first, and then consult with your family members. The rest is up to you to decide if ferrets are right for you as pets. The pros and cons we will try today to consider from all sides.
Weigh Your Opportunities
Since it is about taking responsibility for the life and health of a living creature, you need to think carefully. In fact, these are very cute, charming and inquisitive creatures, real angels, especially in photographs on the Internet. But did you know what ferrets really are like pets? Pros and cons should be very carefully studied and balanced, so that later you do not have to advertise, they say, I will give the cute animal in good hands.
There is reason to think
- Are you ready to fork out for the purchase of high-quality feed and vitamins, accessories and a reception from a veterinarian? Do not think that a tiny animal can eat leftovers from your table. This is a carnivore that will fall ill and die without proper nutrition.
- Do you have enough free time? If you belong to the category of constantly busy people who have no time to call friends again or watch TV, it is better to choose a turtle or fish. In this case, you can approach your pets only to feed, and also when there will be a free minute. A restless and sociable ferret will require you at least 3 hours of attention and care a day.
- Patience and patience again. This should be said to everyone who is interested in ferrets as pets. The pros and cons in this case are balanced, but not every owner is able to love his pet enough to forgive his endless thirst for activity and prudence.
- This moment follows from the previous ones. Any pet can ruin something in your home. Dogs chew on shoes, cats sharpen claws on sofas, and the ferret does everything at once. Therefore, once again look around the apartment, remember the last repair. Are you ready to accept the possible damage that the polecat can cause to carpets, furniture, home flowers? If not, the recommendations are the same: get the fish.
- If you have children, and they beg to buy a fluffy pet, soberly weigh your strength. Material support, as well as the need to control the games of children and a ferret, will fall on your shoulders.
These creatures are cute and friendly, they are always ready to fool around and play. Rarely does anyone look like a ferret does not cause a smile, and playing with him will cheer up anyone. However, its maintenance in a city apartment costs a lot of money.
Choose a breeder
If you are still willing to take a chance, then you need to choose a good breeder. Often these animals are sold in bird markets, but no one here guarantees that you will take a really young, vaccinated and adapted to life with a person creature. Most often, for mass sale they are grown in nurseries, in a semi-wild state. Do not flatter yourself with their calm appearance: the effect of the sedative drugs with which they were given a drink will soon cease.
It is much better if a young ferret, born in a loving family, accustomed to rest in a cage and play in the evenings with the owners, vaccinated by age and examined by a veterinarian, falls into your hands. Of course, such individuals are more expensive, but it will definitely be a ferret home, which is easily adaptable and will get used to you.
Male or female
Here we will not be original. If a person still has not dealt with the maintenance of animals of any breed, he will be offered to take a female. Ladies ferrets are more obedient and soft, they are easier to learn and are much more intelligent than males. Numerous reviews emphasize that girls quickly get used to their tray and to the new territory, spending almost all their free time studying it. The ferret home can be a real friend, smart and funny, if you approach the issues of his choice and education. However, one cannot fail to say that girls are big fidgets. They are constantly in motion, they need to stick a curious nose into each crevice, try everything on the tooth. Therefore, a female ferret is suitable only for a person who has enough time and energy to engage with her.
Males are more imposing and sedate, in a magnificent magnificent fur coat. They are more attached to their master, less playful and more calm. For such a pet, the person of the owner is more important than the territory, so more time for a walk he will be spinning around you. However, do not expect too much from him. If females play with children and willingly go into their arms, then males can do this only occasionally, in the mood.
Ferret Reproduction
The ferret in the apartment can regularly bring offspring, so if you want to see what the kids are, you can do breeding. Pregnancy lasts about 40 days, at which time animals sleep and eat a lot. You will need to adjust the menu, introduce additional minerals, vitamins and minerals into it. The mating process occurs only on the territory of the male, and it is very noisy and emotional. If you want to avoid this, then there is nothing easier, especially if the pet lives alone. But during the rutting season males mark the territory, become uncontrollable and vindictive. In this case, the ferret will be the best solution.
The material side of the issue
At the first moment, a person estimates only the cost of the animal itself. However, your expenses do not end there. However, even this first investment will require from 2 to 20 thousand rubles. In addition, you need to equip a convenient cage for him, without which the ferret’s content becomes simply impossible. A puppy and a teenager are able to turn the whole house over, cripple and ruin everything that they can reach. Therefore, leaving home, you must definitely close it. A cell costs from 3,500 to 12,000 rubles. In addition, you will need to buy a drinker and a bowl (250 rubles), a carry for trips to the veterinarian (300 rubles), a tray (50 rubles). So that your pet can rest, he needs a house, a bed and a hammock, which means that boldly lay another 1,500 rubles in expenses. A harness and a leash, as well as a clipper, is another 200 rubles for each item.
Ferret maintenance will require the acquisition of quality feed. The cost of the diet is approximately 800 rubles per month, plus vitamin supplements, which will amount to another 300 rubles. A vet exam costs about 500 rubles, preventive vaccinations - 600-700 rubles. In case of illness, the check can be up to 30,000 rubles, depending on the treatment required. As you can see, a ferret in an apartment is not a cheap pleasure.
Food
Each owner has two options: buy ready-made feed or practice natural nutrition. The cost is approximately the same, but the second option is time consuming. In any case, the owner must remember that this is an exclusively carnivorous animal. Fruits and vegetables, food from our table will do more harm than good. Sometimes you can treat your pet with a mouse or egg yolk, it will only benefit him, and he will be very pleased. Not all owners like predatory disposition, but what to do, such is this fluffy in essence. In principle, it depends on the quality of the diet how many domestic ferrets live. He can be taught to eat crackers and drink milk, even a carrot will be eaten by a hungry animal, but he will be provided with illnesses and quick death.
Instead of a conclusion
Let's summarize. Starting a ferret, you can count on the following pluses. This is an animal that does not allow to be bored. This is an active and cheerful creature with high intelligence, which can be taught everything you want. An undoubted plus is the compactness of the animal. It can even be placed in an ordinary bag if you need to go to the vet. These animals do not need walks, like dogs, and use the trays well. And if you wish, you can always make a promenade, the main thing is to buy a good harness. He easily accepts the rhythm of the hosts' life and will not make noise at night, although this is his native schedule in nature. Finally, ferrets are hypoallergenic, which is important for many people today.
But there are also disadvantages in apartment maintenance. Ferrets tend to mark territory, as a result of which an unpleasant smell is firmly fixed in the apartment. In addition, specific glands of the animal can emit a smell, which are activated, however, only in extreme conditions. These animals have a huge craving to dig holes, and they will use all the options, including trying to dig a hole in the couch. It is almost impossible to wean pets from this. Nimble and nimble, they constantly get confused underfoot, and in addition, they tend to chew and spoil things. So buy or not? The choice is yours.