How to Buy a Ferret as a Gift

Ferrets are very social animals that love interacting with humans. They can make wonderful gifts, but only if the owner has both the right temperament and enough time to devote to her new pet.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Exercise Pens For Ferrets
• Ferret Ear Cleaning Solutions
• Dry Ferret Food
• Ferret Cages With Starter Kits
• Ferret Deodorizing Sprays
• Ferret Hammock
• Ferret Shampoo
• Ferret Toys
• Litter Boxes For Ferrets
• Ferret

1. Read a few books about ferrets, or visit some Web sites. Learn a bit about the animal before you consider buying one for your special someone.

2. Consider giving a gift certificate for a ferret and letting the recipient pick out her own animal.

3. Choose a ferret from a pet store, shelter or breeder. Experts recommend going to a shelter, where there are hundreds of unwanted ferrets. The shelters are also trained to match ferret personalities to prospective owners.

4. Think about the recipient of your gift. Ferrets have very distinct personalities; some are hyperactive, some can't tolerate cigarette smoke. Try to match up the owner to a similarly minded ferret.

5. Expect to pay about $100, plus $100 to $250 for a cage and supplies. A ferret from a breeder will cost considerably more than one from a shelter.

Tips & Warnings

• Ferrets need to run around for a few hours each day. Since they love to explore, the owner's house will need to be animal-proofed.
• The animal can be trained to use a litter box, but won't be 100 percent reliable.
• Ferrets have a distinctly musky scent that some people find offensive.
• Keep in mind that a ferret can live for 6 to 10 years.
• Call (888) FERRET-1 for expert advice about giving a ferret to a friend and for information about how to locate a ferret shelter in your city.
• Ferrets are illegal to own as pets in California, Hawaii, and Washington, D.C., as well as a few cities in Texas and Ontario, Canada. Although ferrets are legal in New York and Minneapolis, they can be ticketed and confiscated there for even minor animal infractions. Permits are required to own ferrets in New Jersey, Rhode Island and Illinois.

[genesispenguin]

on 7/15/2008 THANK YOU Anonymous! I think it is ABSOLUTELY INSANE to give a ferret to a child as a gift. I would even go as far as saying not to give one to anyone if they have not experienced having a ferret as a pet or at least read up really well on ferrets. Ferrets are different from cats and dogs, and their energy levels are multiplied x10. it just shocks me how many people buy animals for the "Cute factor" and not take into consideration the time and finances it takes to take care of them.

on 8/8/2006 There is too much involved and too much to consider to surprise someone with the responsibility of a living animal, especially a child. And especially if the parents don't agree or haven't been involved in the decision. This is one of the reasons why we have overpopulated animal shelters.

Don't give live animals as gifts.

Stuffed animals work much better, and were meant to serve the purpose.

on 11/22/2005 Please do NOT give a ferret as a gift. The idea of giving a gift certificate for one is a great idea. When you give the certificate, give a good book on ferret care as well like Mary Shefferman's "The Ferret: an owners guide to a happy healthy pet"

on 11/22/2005 Right now ferrets are banned in New York City, but ferret owners are fighting the law. For more information on this topic, visit http://members.aol.com/NYCFerrets/ and see what you can do to help.

on 11/22/2005 Ferrets are obligate carnivores, which means they must eat foods that are high in meat protein, not vegetable protein. Look for a food with 34-38% protein and 19-22% fat. The first three ingredients should be meat products and no corn (very unhealthy!).