| Choosing a family pet is a huge decision that | | | | home (cage) and food. When purchasing a cage |
| needs to be thoroughly considered before you | | | | for your ferret, it is essential that there is ample |
| make your final selection. Is your home and yard | | | | room to sleep, play, and do their business in. |
| large enough for a pet? Does anyone in the home | | | | Cages can average about $50 - $200. You will |
| have allergies to pets? Who will look after it? | | | | need to add a food and water dish, a soft |
| Clean after it? Feed it? Take it to the vet? And | | | | sleeping area, such as a blanket or sleeping |
| most importantly - how much will it cost? No | | | | hammock ($5-10). You can also make a hammock |
| matter what pet you opt to take home, you | | | | out of old clothing or material. Toys are also a |
| must factor in the costs involved - this means | | | | must. Ferrets are very energetic and tend to |
| much more than the initial cost of buying the pet. | | | | have short attention spans. You will want to |
| Finally, you have decided to bring home a baby | | | | provide a wide selection of stimulating toys and |
| ferret for your family. You essentially have three | | | | tunnels. Most of these can be picked up at any |
| choices of where to buy one. An animal shelter is | | | | toy store, and can range from $1 to even $100, |
| one place to start. They pick up strays and take | | | | depending how extravagant you want to go; but, |
| in unwanted pets from other people, including | | | | you can save a significant amount of money by |
| ferrets. These shelters will examine the animals | | | | making them yourself. |
| and make sure that they are healthy; providing | | | | Ferrets require specific food and nutrients in their |
| any medical assistance as required. Animals from | | | | diet to keep healthy. Their diet must consist of |
| a shelter are relatively inexpensive, compared to | | | | high animal fats and proteins, and low |
| other options. The disadvantage is that you don't | | | | carbohydrates and fiber. Brand names are more |
| know where the ferret came from. If it was not | | | | beneficial to the ferret; however, they do tend to |
| treated properly, it may not be a very | | | | cost more than generic. Again, if you spend a little |
| affectionate animal, and this may be disheartening | | | | more to ensure that your ferret is healthy, you |
| for your family members who are looking | | | | could be avoiding the cost of high veterinarian bills |
| forward to a cute, cuddly pet. You can also | | | | in the long run. |
| purchase a ferret at a pet store, which is also a | | | | On the subject of veterinarian care, regular |
| reasonable alternative when it comes to price. | | | | checkups are essential to ensure that your ferret |
| Most pet stores have their animals neutered, | | | | has not contracted an illness or disease. All |
| de-scented, and have their vaccinations | | | | vaccinations should be up to date, and your ferret |
| up-to-date. | | | | should be neutered and de-scented. Depending |
| A third option, and probably the highest | | | | where you purchased it from, this may have |
| recommended one as well, is to buy a ferret | | | | already been done. Neutering your ferret can cost |
| from a breeder. The cost will be significantly | | | | approximately $60-90, and de-scenting would be |
| higher than a shelter or pet store, but the | | | | about $100 - 250. Annual vaccinations can run at |
| benefits make this option well worth it. A breeder | | | | about $20 for each shot, depending on the actual |
| is picky about which ferrets mate. Their goal is to | | | | type. |
| produce kits with desired traits and less chance of | | | | After considering the about information, if you |
| hereditary defects. In the long run, this high initial | | | | have still decided that a ferret is the pet for you |
| cost may save you on future veterinarian | | | | and your family, you also need to remember that |
| expenses. | | | | it is not only money that needs to be invested, it |
| The next cost factors to take into account are a | | | | is also love and time. |