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| | | Ferrets are very playful and mischievous animals, especially when it comes to hiding items around the house. The males grow to twice the size of females and they each live about 8 years and come in a variety of colors. | | |
| Typical costs: | - White Albino ferrets have a creamy coat, red eyes and a pink nose and cost around $50 -$130. Black Sables have dark eyes and nose and run about $75 -$250. Other colors and mixes include chocolates, sables, silver tips and blacks that run about $130. A "mitt" is a ferret with another color on his paws that travels up his legs like a sock.
What should be included: | - A current health certificate.
Additional costs: | - Ferrets need several hours daily of free play time and can get into trouble. Ferretproof your home with tips from Ferret Central.org. When they need to be contained, a cage should be at least 2x3x2-feet, which costs $80 -$155.
- A travel cage or carrier for trips away from home runs $15 -$50.
- A ferret diet is naturally high in meat-based protein and fat. They have a high metabolism and should have constant access to both food and fresh water. Ferret feed is about $2.25 per pound, or about $4,50 a month.
- Tip: Keeping a ferret as a pet is illegal in California and Hawaii, in some cities including New York, Dallas, and Salt Lake City and on most military bases. Other states and cities have ferret restrictions which include keeping a current permit or license. Some cities require a $5 -$10 annual permit for neutered ferrets and around $25 for unaltered pets.
- Common veterinary costs include neutering and descenting. Females who have not been spayed or descented and are not used for breeding are subject to health issues. Neutering runs $46 -$80, or $100 -$240 for neutering and descenting. Spaying costs $74 -$100 and $125 -$270 for spaying and descenting. Ferrets sold at pet stores that have already been spayed, neutered and descented will have two dots tattooed on one ear. Ferrets receive canine distemper and rabies vaccinations at around $20 each. FerretGuardian.org has compiled a Ferret Lifetime health chart with average costs for veterinary care.
Shopping for a ferret: | - Ferrets Unlimited charges $75 for a single ferret adoption, $125 for a bonded pair or $150 for a bonded triple.
- Petco sells ferrets in allowable locations. Check the store locator, then call ahead for price and availability.
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Article updated September 2007 |
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