Ferret

We always have lots of ferrets to choose from, each with their own individual personalities, so we can help you find a ferret to adopt.

Ferrets are delightful and mischievous creatures, known for their playful personalities and inquisitive nature.

However, to ensure they lead happy and healthy lives, it’s crucial to provide them with the proper care and attention they need.

If you’re a first-time ferret owner, our advice can help you prepare for bringing your furry friend home.

Costs

The cost of ferrets can vary depending on sex, the colour and length of their fur and what type of veterinary treatment they’ve had. It’s often more economical to adopt a ferret, and costs just £20 from one of our Centres.

You’ll also need to consider the cost of a spacious enclosure and bedding area as well as food, enrichment items and any veterinary treatment or procedures they may need.

Time and effort

Ferrets require daily attention. They are very sociable animals who thrive on company so make sure you have plenty of time to show your new pet all the love, care and attention they need.

Ferrets need a lot of physical and mental stimulation to keep them happy. Not giving them enough handling, interaction and opportunities to be active can lead to behavioural problems such as biting or being nervous around people.

Environment

A well-socialised ferret is a happy ferret. They typically get on really well with their own kind so you should consider rehoming more than one.

However, it’s possible for single ferrets to live happily provided they are getting enough interaction from their human companions.

Ferrets can live indoors or outdoors with the correct heating but are not animals who can just be left in a cage. They need space to run around and play, and they like to get plenty of exercise in.

Ferrets explore the world with their mouths and it’s common for them to nip or bite. If you have children living in or visiting your home, be particularly careful. They are sensitive to loud noises and don’t like sudden movements around their faces because they are short-sighted. However, ferrets can be adopted to homes with children providing introductions are done properly and interactions are supervised to ensure your ferret and the child are happy and safe.

Other Pets

Ferrets are usually very sociable animals and can get on well with other ferrets. They should live in their own enclosure and never be mixed with rabbits or other small pets like mice, rats, Guinea pig and birds.

Some cats and dogs can live around ferrets but they should never be forced to interact with one another or be left unsupervised as they could hurt one another.

Responsibility

On average, ferrets can live for around ten years and prefer to live in pairs or groups. This means you need to be prepared to care for your ferrets and cover their expenses long-term. You must also be able to spare plenty of time each day handling your ferrets and providing enrichment. This is even more important if you have a single ferret.

You also need to think about who will take care of your ferrets if you go on holiday or need to be away from home for a period. If you can’t make arrangements with someone you trust, do some research into pet sitting and boarding services in your area.

Where should you get a ferret from?

Rescues always have plenty of ferrets available so please consider adoption from one of our Centres. Remember to keep checking the website as we have new ferrets ready for rehoming daily.

Every ferret available for adoption is health checked by a member of staff and referred for a full veterinary check if there is a problem. If adoption isn’t an option for you, please take your time to find a responsible breeder.

A reputable breeder will be able to provide paperwork on the ferret’s veterinary history and tell you about the level of interaction they have had with people and other animals.