Ferrets are very charming, they are flexible animals, with charming grace and silk wool, curious and nimble. Their popularity as pets is growing year by year, and this is not surprising with such an external appeal. But in order to become a good host and give a ferret a happy life, you need to learn a lot and weigh your decision.
General information
This is a small, predatory animal of the marten family. A cheerful and mischievous tangle weighs no more than 2 kilograms (adult) and does not exceed half a meter in length. The body is elongated, due to which this sneak can climb into any gap. The fur is very thick, dense and soft. Let's immediately distinguish between the concepts of wild (domesticated) ferret and pet. Taken from nature or from a fur farm where they live in a semi-wild state, they can never become tame.
You need a home breeding ferret with several generations who have lived together with a person. How much does a ferret grown at home cost? A lot, but the result is worth it. These are smart and funny animals, communication with which brings a lot of joy. They live up to 10 years and do not lose activity with age, their behavior remaining puppies forever.
Pet choice
Most often, the future owner is concerned about the question "how much does the ferret cost", although in fact there are a lot of nuances that are more important than the price. Get a puppy or teenager? It is difficult to answer unambiguously, it depends on the conditions in which he grew up, how he was brought up, whether he is accustomed to hands and toilets. If you have the opportunity to talk with the breeder and find out all these points, then, of course, a grown ferret is more convenient, since the baby will have to learn everything from scratch. Ferrets come to the pet store from different breeders, conscientious and not very, in this case, it is better to choose the smallest and grow them yourself.
Better to buy a male or female? It already tastes and color. Males are calmer, more attached to the owner, females, on the contrary, are nimble and brisk, but they are easier to accustom to the tray. If you take a ferret for the first time and do not plan on breeding, it is better to sterilize the animal immediately, so you will avoid changing behavior during the rut.
And of course, weigh your desire to have at home this shy and cunning creature, comparable to a small child. It is not so important how much the ferret costs if the owners are disappointed in their choice, or decide too late that they cannot afford it. Then he (bought for a lot of money or donated) is waiting for one fate - a pet store and a long wait for a new owner in far from the best conditions.
A cat, unlike a ferret, is more independent, the dog is much more attached to its owner and requires much more time to spend with it. The ferret will gladly play with you and take a nap in his arms, and also without any worries he will sleep all day in a hammock while you are at work. You can walk with him of your own free will, when the weather and mood have it. But you shouldn’t leave him in the room without supervision, it is dangerous for your property and the most curious animal.
If you have weighed the pros and cons and decided to start a ferret, it's time to think about where to do it.
Where is it safe to buy an animal and how much does a ferret cost
It is not recommended to buy future family members at the bird market or from street vendors. Having found out how much the ferret costs in these places (from five hundred to several thousand rubles), do not rush to rejoice, as the purchase can upset you.
You may be sold a wild animal from a fur farm, whose calm behavior is explained by a dose of tranquilizers. Then you are guaranteed bites, and the ferret at best lives in a cage.
You can never determine the age of the animal, and the seller is unlikely to tell the truth. The lack of a veterinary certificate and the assurance that all vaccinations are delivered at home can result in high costs for the veterinarian or the death of a pet. Another minus is the unknown origin of the ferret. Breeders selling animals through the market may mate between relatives and not comply with the conditions for keeping and feeding a pregnant female and puppies. It turns into congenital diseases, weakness and high mortality of young animals.
The best option is clubs or private breeders. Be sure to go see how the parental family is kept, in what conditions offspring are growing. Only in this way can domestic ferrets get to you. The price for them, of course, is high - from 8,000 to 15,000 rubles - but you can be sure of your future friend.
Content
Ferrets are extremely playful and curious, all the cracks under the sofa, fridge and washing machine are favorite places for games. Boxes with linen are even more interesting, they passionately love to delve into them. These games cannot be avoided by the palace, sofa and chairs - the ferret will dig them diligently, spoiling the upholstery, and it is almost impossible to wean them from this. Flower pots also do not fit well with ferrets; animals are happy to dig earth out of them.
Therefore, a cage is needed where the animal will spend time while the owner is busy, or if guests have arrived, because a crafty beast can slip into the ajar door. Another feature: ferrets do not tolerate heat and feel great in the cold (up to minus 25). Keep this in mind when equipping a place.
Before buying a pet, plan your budget. Maintaining domestic ferrets is expensive. In addition to buying the animal itself, you will need: a well-equipped cage (15,000 rubles), carrying (1000), harness for walking (800), nail clipper (500), sterilization (1500), vaccination (1500 annually), consultations with a veterinarian (from 150 up to 1500 if the pet is sick), high-quality feed (2000 monthly) plus vitamins and hair care products. When finding out how much a ferret costs in a pet store, do not forget about these costs.
Cage equipment
It must be large so that the active animal can frolic in it. Normal dimensions are 1 m (height) x 1 m (length) x 0.5 m (width). In the darkened part you need to build a house and hang a few hammocks. Be sure to fix the tray, feeder and drinker in the corners. It is good to supplement the cage with fixed pipes along which the ferret can climb, as if by holes.
Feeding
You cannot feed animals from your table. Consult with the breeder how he fed the pregnant female and what lure he gave to the babies. The basis should be high-quality specialized food, as a treat is given meat and fruit. Be sure to have clean water in the cup.
Disease, Prevention and Treatment
Since there are few experienced veterinarians who know these animals, diseases are easier to prevent than to treat. A balanced diet, high physical activity, timely vaccinations - all this guarantees the long life of your ferret.
Thus, we can conclude that the ferret is an animal, the choice of which should be balanced and deliberate. For all the cuteness, this is a Skoda creature that cannot be left unattended in the room for a minute. The costs of acquiring a healthy ferret and related equipment are quite high.