What To Consider Before You Buy A Ferret
Lovable, sweet. and playful. Most ferret owners use these words to describe their pet. Maybe that it the reason that you have chosen to buy a ferret.
Hopefully, you haven't made you final choice about the specific ferret that you are wanting to buy. Although you're definitely on the right path, looking to find a lovable little pet with all of those great qualities.
But you also need to go one step farther. You should evaluate your ferret on characteristics such as:
- Health
- Gender
- Age
- How many?
- And more!
Of course, the adults are the ones that need to be concerned with these characteristics. Just make sure that the adorable animal the child falls in love with is healthy and will be compatible with your family. Just like a cat or a dog, a ferret is an individual animal and will have his own personality.
If you've never had a ferret before, here are a few things to keep in mind on your first (yes, I said first) trip in search of the perfect ferret. Look for a ferret that has soft, shiny, full fur that has no patches of fur missing. The undercoat should be clean and healthy looking. Also look for bright, clear eyes. Make sure there is no discharge from the eyes, nose or the ears.
Before you decide on your ferret, consider how many ferrets you'll buy. Are you thinking of just bringing home one or do you want two? Some people get talked into to buying two, because they've been told they'll be happier. This is true, especially so, if you're not planning on letting them roam around your house. It all depends on your lifestyle.
If there is usually someone at home that can play with ferret and give him lots of attention, then no, I would not recommend getting a second ferret. But, if the ferret will be home alone a lot, you might think about getting a second ferret. And why not, you're already taking caring of one. Most ferret lovers will suggest that you two of these playful little companions regardless of your lifestyle.
If you choose to get two ferrets, you do have to decide on the gender. For the most part, ferrets enthusiasts say that it's much easier to introduce ferrets of the opposite sex. That is, “altered” ferrets of opposite sex.
Unless you want a litter, you need to make sure that they are neutered. But if you decide that you want to have two ferrets of the same sex, then it may be best to choose males. Oddly enough, people say the odds are much greater that two altered males will get along easier and quicker than two altered females.
In addition, you really don't need to be concerned, if you buy more than one ferret, about these guys being very territorial. At least not in the same way dogs are. Ferrets in the same house will share just about everything without any problems. Although, every once in a while, they may stake a claim to a certain section on their beds.