#if you’re in the US never buy from a pet store (Marshall farms is a cruel mill)

[william-snekspeare]

Here’s a helpful illustration for you

Got any tips for someone who wants ferrets as pets?

How often do your toes get bitten by creatures on average? A ferret will say that that number can and should be higher

[elvenferretots]

hey, do you have any ferret care resources or tips? i wanna get some but want to find a reliable source so i dont make mistakes!

Unfortunately, I did the bulk of my ferret research during the first ten years of pre-research and ferret ownership, about a decade ago. Everything from there has been experience and keeping up with studies and research. Since then, most of my favourite starter resources have either shut down (eg - Ferrets Magazine) or aged out enough that while I still recommend them, they should be taken with the appropriate grain of salt (eg - my favorite book on ferret care by Deborah Jeans. Definitely order a copy, but know that the medical and nutritional information in particular is ancient by pet care standards). Ferrets had a very big boom in popularity as a trendy exotic pet in America during the 00’s, and since then both their decline due to being so high maintenance and the rise of the internet has squelched many solid reliable resources.

My first advice would be to get a physical book, followed by articles from people who’ve been in the ferret community a while. A big favourite is Ferrets for Dummies. As far as other books and articles, I’m a fan of Bob Church, Deborah Jeans, Alexandra Sergent-Cohlburn, and Gerry Buscis and Barbara Somerville. Again, my resources are old, so take with a grain of salt and supplement with all the new scientific studies you can. There are also forums and message boards. Take anything “holistic” or raw fed with an even bigger grain of salt; the line in that side of the community between good advice and hokey and unsafe is shaky at best. As with anything on the internet, look for professional/medical sources and healthy ferrets with shiny coats and eyes as backup for your information. This leads into the next piece of advice I have.

I cannot stress enough the importance of a good exotics vet. Ask your breeder or shelter (never EVER buy from a pet store, and be prepared if you rescue a pet store ferret for the associated health issues and shortened life span) for recommendations in your area. You want a local vet if at all possible, because when ferrets go downhill, they go downhill fast. When you find someone you trust, run stuff by them. Your vet’s job is to keep up on medical studies and health breakthroughs, so when you’ve found something you’re interested in or have doubts about, talk to them. Read articles by other exotics vets and ask questions. And when in doubt, call the vet. Better to take your ferret in for nothing than have them suffer/die of something common or preventable.

The biggest general advice pieces aside from that I can think of off the top of my head are: your ferret is as smart as a small primate; if you wonder if the ferret is smart enough, he is. Treat puzzles for feeding, dig boxes, dryer vent tunnels, and fleece blankets and towels/newspaper under water bowls and litter pans will save your carpeting and woodwork; seriously. Kibble is not your enemy, not reading the label is: minimum 35% protein and 20% fat with most of the main ingredients meat are key, many people prefer to avoid grain or peas altogether. At least a couple hours out of cage/room time isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. Not acting right? Call the vet. Never feed or buy from Marshall Farms; the product is either unhealthy or offered cheaper elsewhere. Scruffing and timeouts are useful tools; never ever hit your ferret, even if he hurts you; he won’t get it. Ferret Depot and Fosters and Smith have all the products your big chain pet stores don’t carry.

If you have any other questions, or just want to chat ferrets, my ask box and messages are always open. I’m always glad to help. Good luck researching your little one(s)!