So do you want a pet ferret? Determination of the cost factor
Choosing a pet for the family is a big decision that should be carefully considered before making the final selection. Is your house and yard big enough for a pet? Does anyone in the household have allergies to pets? Who will take care of it? Clean up after? Feed it? Do you take him to the vet? And most importantly: how much will it cost? No matter which pet you choose to bring home, you need to consider the costs involved; this means much more than the initial cost of buying the pet.
Finally, you have decided to bring home a baby ferret for your family. Basically, she has three options of where to buy one. An animal shelter is a place to start. They pick up stray animals and take in other people’s unwanted pets, including ferrets. These shelters will test the animals and make sure they are healthy; provide any medical assistance as necessary. Shelter animals are relatively inexpensive compared to other options. The downside is that you don’t know where the ferret came from. If not treated properly, it may not be a very affectionate animal, and this can be discouraging for members of your family who are hoping for a cute and cuddly pet. You can also purchase a ferret from a pet store, which is also a reasonable alternative when it comes to price. Most pet stores have their animals neutered, deodorized, and up-to-date on vaccinations.
A third option, and probably also the most recommended, is to buy a ferret from a breeder. The cost will be significantly higher than a shelter or pet store, but the benefits make this option well worth it. A breeder is picky about the ferrets they mate with. His goal is to produce kits with the desired traits and less chance of hereditary defects. In the long run, this high initial cost can save you future veterinary expenses.
The next cost factors to consider are a home (cage) and food. When purchasing a cage for your ferret, it is essential that there is enough space to sleep, play and relieve itself. Cages can average $50-$200. You will need to add a food and water bowl, a soft sleeping area such as a blanket or hammock to sleep in ($5-10). You can also make a hammock out of old clothes or material. Toys are also essential. Ferrets are very energetic and tend to have short attention spans. You’ll want to provide a wide selection of stimulating toys and tunnels. Most of these can be picked up at any toy store and can range from $1 to even $100, depending on how extravagant you want to go; but you can save a significant amount of money by making them yourself.
Ferrets require specific foods and nutrients in their diet to stay healthy. Your diet should consist of high animal fats and proteins and low carbohydrates and fiber. Brand names are more beneficial to the ferret; however, they tend to cost more than generics. Again, if you spend a little extra to make sure your ferret is healthy, you could avoid the cost of high vet bills in the long run.
On the subject of veterinary care, regular check-ups are essential to ensure that your ferret hasn’t contracted a disease or illness. All vaccinations must be up to date, and your ferret must be neutered and deodorized. Depending on where you purchased it, this may already have been done. Neutering your ferret can cost roughly $60-$90, and removing the scent would cost $100-$250. Annual vaccinations can cost around $20 for each shot, depending on the actual type.
After considering the information about, if you have still decided that a ferret is the pet for you and your family, you should also remember that not only money should be invested, but also love and time.