After almost a decade of working with ferrets, here are the 10 most common ferret owner mistakes I keep seeing (and how to fix them).
There’s a lot of work that goes into caring for a ferret specifically, so it makes sense that mistakes will inevitably be made. I’ve made mistakes, and I know many of you guys have as well. It’s part of being human! BUT the more we learn, and the more we share with others what we’ve learned, the better care we can ultimately provide for all our ferrets.
No Research Before Getting a Ferret
The first mistake I see a lot of new ferret owners make is doing the wrong research or no research at all before they buy a ferret. They don’t take the time to learn about this animal that they will likely have for the next 5-9 years of their life! Maybe all they do is look at the little pamphlet from the pet store with just a couple bullet points on it.
They don’t take the time to watch a bunch of videos on Youtube to see what it’s really like to have ferrets. They don’t reach out to current ferret owners to pick their brains… And then when something gets tough, like their baby ferret starts biting and they have no idea what to do, or their ferret starts developing adrenal disease, they give them up. These types of impulse buys lead to a lot of ferrets ending up in shelters.
I made a Ferrets 101 video that goes over a lot of ferret basics, so I’d recommend watching that too.
Also, check out the books I go to for solid information on ferrets as well.
Ferret Products to AVOID
The next on my list of ferret owner mistakes is I see a lot of new ferret owners make is that because they didn’t do their research beforehand, they end up buying the wrong supplies. This looks like a cage that is way too small, treats and food that contain unhealthy ingredients that are hard on your ferret’s digestive tract, as well as buying unsafe toys.
Unfortunately, sometimes the information provided at a pet store is not always accurate, so it’s important to look elsewhere for ferret supply recommendations. There’s some great online groups out there, as well as other social media pages. Talk with actual ferret owners to hear about their experience.
I have an in-depth video I made on my favorite ferret product recommendations so make sure to check that out.
I also have a pretty in-depth video outlining the minimum size requirements for a ferret cage, as well as comparing the most popular ferret cages out there… so feel free to check that out as well.
Lastly, check out my recommended ferret food and recommended ferret treats here. Learning about ferret nutrition is sort of a rabbit-hole (no pun intended) so fair warning.
If you’d like to see the list of ferret toys I recommend you can see them here.
Are You SURE You’re Ready to Care for Ferret?
The third ferret owner mistake I want to mention has to do with you, the owner. Are you really ready for a ferret? Or are you maybe the wrong owner -at least right now. In my experience, the wrong owner could look like a very young child begging for a ferret as a first pet. Then a parent will most likely end up being the primary owner. Do you as a parent really have time for that? Or another wrong owner might be a full-time student with a part-time job on top of that -maybe a lot of family obligations too- and almost no time to spend with their new pet. Ferrets require a lot of time. They are super social and are looking for someone that wants to hangout a lot.
Baby Ferrets or Adults?
The fourth mistake I see I’m calling ‘picking the wrong ferret’. What I mean is, a lot of people assume the only place to buy a ferret is at a major big brand pet store. And that the only age ferret you should get is a baby. But maybe a baby ferret is not right for you. Maybe a calmer adult ferret is better for your stage in life.
There are likely shelters nearby that you can look into, as well as ferrets that need to be re-homed that you can find on various websites or social media. Of course, be very careful when you do these types of things -but you may be able to really help a ferret in a bad situation find a better home.
And though it’s harder to find, there are also reputable breeders around the country too.
My point is, big pet stores are not the only place to get ferrets, and perhaps not the best place either.
Free Roaming Ferrets Safely
The next mistake I want to talk about has to do with how people set up the wrong environment for their ferret. Many ferret owners free-roam their ferrets, like I do, and so that means that they are likely to get into quite a bit of trouble in your home if you let them. There are a lot of dangerous things lurking around that you may have not even be aware of.
This is why I created a really in-depth Youtube series on how to ferret-proof your entire house, room by room.
Another thing to keep in mind with the environment is the temperature. According to Ferrets for Dummies, ferrets should not be in spaces that are hotter than 80 degrees Fahrenheit, or even less if it’s humid. This means on hot summer days, you’re going to need to remember to leave the air conditioning on at home while you go to work or school.
Ferret Cage Time
The next on my list of ferret owner mistakes is I often see is people implementing the wrong routine with their ferret, or having no routine at all. Just like humans, pets in general appreciate a routine they can count on.
Though its important to add novelty and excitement to your ferrets life through new enrichment items or maybe a surprise trip to the park, there are certain aspects of pet care that serve you and your pet better on a schedule or routine. Try to clean your ferret’s cage on a regular, consistent basis. Feed them at the same time every day. Change their potty pads or litter box often.
According to Ferrets for Dummies, ferrets sleep 15-18 hours a day, so that means they are up and ready to play 6-9 hours per day. Make a point to play with them for extended periods of time consistently every single day, and you should also set aside time to update their play rooms or designated areas for play time when you are away. My point is: set a routine to be a reliable, present pet owner.
I actually made an example ‘daily ferret routine’ video that you’d probably find helpful in understanding this better.
Finding a Ferret Vet Near Me
This is so common when it comes to ferret owner mistakes! A lot of people choose the wrong vet or no vet at all until it’s too late. What does the wrong ferret vet look like?
You’d be surprised how many vets are not comfortable seeing ferrets or they are not up to date on the latest ferret care. And something to keep in mind is your ferret is going to need vaccines and regular checkups throughout the year. This means you can’t just look for one when an emergency arises.
The biggest thing you can do is call around and ask local vets how much experience they have treating ferrets, and if they don’t have any, ask for recommendations in your area.
My general advice is to find not only a good ferret vet, but a backup just in case. Then, as I have learned more than once, also find an emergency 24 hour vet that is willing to see ferrets -That way when you need to take your ferret for an emergency x-ray for a possible impaction at 2:30 in the morning (been there done that), you know where to go and don’t have to waste any precious time googling!
How Much Do Ferrets Usually Cost?
A lot of new ferret owners have the wrong budget in mind when it comes to what this pet will cost. Ferrets are surprisingly expensive! Their cage is expensive -I’ve paid over $500 in ferret cages alone. Their food is expensive –especially if you try to feed them a more species appropriate diet -and also their vet care is no joke!
I’ve paid over $160 for surprise vet visits when Moose was acting funny.
I paid almost $600 when Moose needed to have the tip of his tail amputated.
I paid $116 to test a tumor on Newt’s neck only to find out it wasn’t cancer -just fat.
All three of my ferrets ended up needing Deslorelin implants for their adrenal disease, which costs around $200 each per year, per ferret.
And this is not even including regular vaccines and checkup appointments! Ferrets are seriously expensive!
Sadly, ferrets are prone to a lot of health problems and so the costs really add up. Check out my personal experience with three sick ferrets at once (in the description below). It was a lot!
How to Train a Ferret
Next up is training. A lot of people are doing the wrong training when it comes to their ferrets. They don’t know how to potty train them. They don’t know how to stop them from nipping and biting. And also, they don’t realize how many fun behaviors they can actually teach their ferrets!
From what I’ve found, if people don’t bond with and train their ferrets properly, they tend to keep them locked in their cage for longer periods of time. This can be really detrimental to your ferrets health, and its probably also not why you got a ferret in the first place.
Please check out my potty training video, as well as my resources on bite training. The better trained your ferret is, the more you will probably enjoy spending time with them. Also, if I can just give a quick shout out to my friend, The Trained Ferret on Youtube. Her training videos are incredible and she’s got a lot of great tips, so make sure to check her out!
Ferret Myths and Misconceptions
A lot of new ferret owners or people thinking about getting a ferret have the wrong assumptions.
One community member put it really well. Essentially she said “people assume that because ferrets are small, they require less care and commitment than a dog or a cat”
Small does not equal easy!
Ferrets are more work than you think! Their upkeep is a serious commitment. Like I mentioned before, their required vet care is regular and at times expensive. They are prone to getting sick or getting hurt which is hard on your wallet and your heart. They are smarter than most people initially realize, which means they require more enrichment and mental stimulation than you may be prepared to give.
A super common misconception people have is that ferrets are rodents, which is something worth clearing up before they ever bring one home. This mistake could lead people to buying the wrong food, cage, and enrichment items.
Another common misconception is that ferrets should spend most their time inside a cage. The truth is that many ferret owners like me free-roam their ferrets. But you have to know how to do it right so they don’t get hurt. This is another topic I’d like to cover at some point.
A last thing I feel obligated to mention when it comes to wrong assumptions: ferrets poop A LOT -probably a lot more than you expect! It’s something you need to be mentally, emotionally, and spiritually prepared for. And again, they aren’t rodents, so they don’t have small little orderly poops. They have like… little dog poops. Everywhere. Anyways!
Conclusion
I think this whole blog could be summed up with one simple point: In order to avoid these 10 common ferret owner mistakes, you need to do your research before committing to caring for this pet for the next 5-9 years of your life. Talk to people who have owned ferrets for a long time. Call a shelter owner.
If you already have a ferret and you have made or are making some of these mistakes, be gentle with yourself and understand we all started somewhere!
If you guys have more you’d like to add to this list, please leave a comment below. Also, I’d love to hear your suggestions on what topics you’d like me to cover next.
10 Common Ferret Owner Mistakes:
- Not Researching Ferrets Before Getting One
- Buying Dangerous Ferret Products Without Realizing It
- Getting a Ferret for a Young Child
- Buying the Wrong Age Ferret
- Not Ferret Proofing Your House Properly
- Not Giving Your Ferret Enough Time Outside the Cage
- Not Finding a Vet Before Getting a Ferret
- Not Saving Enough Money Before Getting a Ferret
- Not Training Your Ferret Properly
- Believing Common Myths About Ferrets that Can Hurt Them
