| So, you've decided to get a pet ferret, but do you | | | | will need to change this fairly frequently. Ferrets will |
| really know the price of buying and owning a ferret? | | | | often take food and toys into their beds and stash it |
| Firstly there is the cost of the animal itself. This can | | | | away in a corner. In a short time this will start to go |
| range from anywhere between $50 and $400 | | | | off and your ferret will not want to sleep in a dirty |
| depending on where you are getting him from. | | | | bed any more than you would. You can provide |
| Generally cheaper animals can be found in rescue and | | | | washable bedding - items such as fleece blankets or |
| adoption shelters and the highest prices tend to | | | | old fleece tops that you are no longer using. That |
| come directly from specialist breeders with pet | | | | way you can take it out, wash it and replace it. If it |
| stores offering them somewhere in between. | | | | looks as if it has been badly damaged through |
| Remember that this is a one off cost and over the | | | | chewing then you can throw it out and replace with |
| lifetime of your ferret will probably be the smallest | | | | a new one. The same will also apply to any |
| amount you pay. If you live in a state which requires | | | | hammocks or sleepsacks that you have provided. |
| you to have a licence to keep ferrets then you | | | | Veterinary bills are possibly going to be the biggest |
| should also factor this cost in here, as well as the | | | | cost you have, not in the least because not every |
| cost of housing your ferret. | | | | vet will treat ferrets and their care can be highly |
| Your ongoing costs will include food, bedding, | | | | specialized because of the number of things that |
| veterinary bills and general upkeep. Because ferrets | | | | they may catch. Any neutering, spaying and |
| need a highly specialised diet you will not always be | | | | microchipping costs will be a one off for each ferret |
| able to find this in your supermarket or local grocery | | | | you have but you should take him for regular health |
| store so you will have to buy from a pet store or | | | | checks and of course get him treated when he is ill. |
| look online. You cannot get away with feeing ferrets | | | | These are just a few of the ongoing financial costs |
| anything other than a good quality ferret food | | | | that you will have when caring for a ferret of any |
| although in an absolute emergency an extremely high | | | | age, but the joy and rewards you will get from |
| quality cat food will suffice as a short term solution | | | | having a happy and healthy ferret as part of your |
| only. | | | | family will be worth the expense. |
| Bedding is also going to be an ongoing cost as you | | | | |