Last Updated on November 15, 2023 by Fumipets
How Much Does a Ferret Cost?
Understanding the costs associated with ferret ownership is crucial for individuals considering these playful and curious pets. The expenses involved go beyond the initial purchase of the ferret itself, encompassing various aspects of their care and well-being. By delving into the financial considerations, potential ferret owners can make informed decisions and ensure they provide a comfortable and enriching life for their new furry friends.
Ferret
Whether you live in a large home or a tiny apartment, there are numerous little animals to choose from when seeking for the ideal companion. Ferrets are highly well-liked and may make wonderful pets, particularly in the correct setting. However, when you include in both the upfront and ongoing fees, they may be rather pricey.
Ferrets are no different from other pets in that the expenditures of getting the correct setup, food, and doctor appointments may rapidly mount. Additionally, it’s essential to be ready for the unexpected, particularly given how expensive emergency circumstances may be. Continue reading for additional details on how much it will cost you to own a ferret if you’re thinking about buying one:
Bringing Home a New Ferret: One-Time Costs
There are various expenses you must consider before taking a ferret home. It’s important to be ready to pay fees or a price for your ferret whether you’re obtaining one for free, adopting from a shelter, or buying one from a reputable breeder.
Age, physical condition, and housing costs are just a few of the many variables that might affect the final sum. Except for free ferrets, adoption and ethical purchasing may be pricey. Let’s examine each option to see what the prospective expenses would be:
Free
Unfortunately, ferrets are often bought on a whim, which puts their futures in doubt. Numerous ferrets are given away for free on Facebook, Craigslist, and even Instagram as a result of these hurried judgments. Getting free pets online usually has a risk, even if it could appear better for your pocketbook.
Unknown genetic health difficulties in the future may result from not knowing the ferret’s origins, which is another worry. The safest options for ferret pet ownership would be adoption or buying from a reputable breeder.
Asking your friends and relatives if anybody is rehoming a ferret is the exception to receiving a ferret for free. It’s still a better “free” alternative than meeting a random stranger online, even if health and genetics may still be a danger given that the majority of rehomed ferrets come from pet retailers.
Adoption
If you can locate a local ferret rescue, adoption is a fantastic method to get a ferret. While purchasing a ferret won’t offer you that choice, ferret rescues may assist you in finding a ferret that fits your lifestyle and personality.
Going to a ferret rescue is also a good idea since most of the ferrets there have previously been handled by humans, which is much better than buying one. Most ferrets up for adoption will be at ease with humans or at ease enough to be handled without incident.
Last but not least, ferret adoption costs less than buying one from a breeder; they often range from $150 to $200. The majority of the time, adoption is more affordable, and it supports ferret rescues, which are generally managed by volunteers and donations.
Breeder
Due to the fact that pet retailers seldom “vet” their kits for hereditary health and behavioral abnormalities, buying a ferret from a breeder is a fantastic alternative. A ferret’s deafness is sometimes overlooked by pet retailers, which may be problematic for new ferret owners. Knowing where the ferret comes from and promoting ethical buying are two benefits of purchasing from a breeder.
The majority of states have at least one reliable breeder, despite the fact that there are as many ferret breeders as there are dogs or cats. Adopting is a preferable choice if you can’t locate a local breeder. The last resort should always be a pet shop, therefore it’s crucial to explore all other alternatives first.
While purchasing a ferret from a breeder is the greatest choice, it is sometimes the most costly. A kit (a baby ferret) may cost anywhere between $100 and $500, while an adult can cost between $100 and $300. In order to compete with breeders, pet shops often offer them for less money, but cheaper isn’t necessarily better.
Essential Ferret Supplies
Although the actual cost of buying or adopting a ferret may seem inexpensive, there are several items you’ll need to acquire when obtaining a ferret for the first time. Some purchases are often one-time, while others need regular payments every month or year. You must make an investment in your pet ferret if you want it to not only survive but also flourish in its new environment. Although expenses might rapidly mount, it’s crucial to keep in mind that dogs are often pricey. Before bringing your ferret home, you’ll need the following things, listed in general order and their respective prices:
Annual Expenses
$250-600 per year
Due to the fact that you don’t need to purchase a cage and other equipment every year, annual expenditures are lower than beginning costs. With the economy and other elements like several veterinary appointments and medicines, annual costs will rise. One ferret typically costs between $250 and $600 a year in both monthly and annual expenditures. Your yearly costs will be modest if your ferret is healthy and doesn’t need many visits to the veterinarian. It’s crucial to keep in mind that expenditures might exceed $500 and that this is only the average.
Health Care
$100-300 per year
To ensure everything is healthy and working properly, your ferret has to have an initial examination when you first obtain it and ongoing checks. To make sure your ferret’s requirements are fulfilled, this may include x-rays, vaccinations, and bloodwork. Annual checks should only cost $100 to $300; however, if a health issue is discovered, the cost may increase. Ferrets must have a yearly vaccination as well as a series of booster doses in kits to protect them against distemper and rabies. Additionally, they need procedures like dental cleanings and parasite preventatives, which may rapidly add up.
Check-Ups
$50-100 per year
Although some veterinarians charge extra for “exotic pets” and other tiny animals, annual examinations shouldn’t be prohibitively costly. A ferret’s checkup may or may not involve bloodwork, stool tests, dental cleaning, and x-rays to examine the spine. The cost of your visit will rise if anything is wrong, depending on how severe the medical situation is. Whatever the case, you should check on your ferret at least once a year to make sure it’s healthy.
Vaccinations
$15-20 each per year
Every year, ferrets need the same vaccinations that dogs and cats do. If your ferret is still a kit, a series of booster vaccinations will be given at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, and 20 weeks, then yearly after that. The immunizations are intended to protect against the potentially fatal diseases distemper and rabies, both of which are spread by humans. A ferret needs care even though it is a tiny animal, which includes vaccinations.
Dental
$10-50 per year
Maintaining your ferret’s teeth clean and free of accumulation, which might lead to dental damage, is a crucial part of caring for them. Although your veterinarian should provide an annual cleaning, twice-monthly at-home brushings are strongly advised for ferrets. Even though it’s much easier said than done, regular care is crucial to avoiding dental issues. Plaque and tartar accumulation may be avoided with the use of even a rubber finger brush or a soft-bristled cat toothbrush.
Treatments for Parasites
$10-30 per year
Heartworm, among other parasites, not only infects dogs and cats, but also ferrets and other small animals. Ask your veterinarian how to administer Ivermectin or Selamectin, the two major heartworm medications, correctly. You may get a variety of preventatives from your veterinarian at the annual checkup, including chewable tabs, tablets, and liquids.
Emergencies
$100-500+ per year
Even with the most diligent animal owners, emergencies may sometimes arise. Being inherently inquisitive creatures that can squeeze into the tiniest of places, ferrets are prone to significant injuries. They are also more vulnerable to a range of health problems, some of which may cost more to treat annually. Even a simple examination at a hospital with a 24-hour emergency room may be expensive, not to mention any necessary x-rays or medical procedures. In general, it’s important to plan financially for any unexpected excursions to the veterinary hospital.
Medications for On-Going Conditions
Even in ferrets that have been carefully produced by respectable breeders, medical issues might develop. The cost of medication and other medical treatments may be high, particularly if a patient needs ongoing care. Medication costs may rapidly rise, depending on the disease and your ferret’s capacity for recovery. Unfortunately, since certain medications are much more costly than others, there is no precise estimate of the cost of medication. As previously said, it’s critical to have money set aside for your ferret, even if just to cover current and potential medical issues.
Food
$50-100 per year
Due to its quick digestion rate, which is comparable to that of rabbits and guinea pigs, your ferret will need to have access to food at all times. Even though ferrets are tiny, the cost of their food might mount up if you want to keep more than one. Around $15 to $20 per month will be spent on ferret kibble, with more quality diets being more costly. Although most kibble will suffice, your veterinarian may prescribe food based on your ferret’s needs.
Environment Maintenance
$35-50 per year
It is crucial for your ferret’s health to keep its cage clean, particularly since an unclean cage might cause respiratory problems for your pet. A hand vacuum, pet-safe wipes, and litter box liners are a few items you should get to keep the cage where your ferret lives clean. At least every two weeks, the cage should be cleaned and disinfected, and the litter boxes should be removed. In order to maintain the hammocks clean, you should also wash them once a month in a dye-free detergent.
It’s crucial to acquire toys and other stuff to keep your ferret securely engaged since ferrets often grow bored and don’t mind discovering methods to amuse themselves. They particularly like running in tubes, but cat toys will also do. Since ferrets are quite intelligent and will work hard for a reward, you may want to buy a couple tunnels and even a puzzle toy. The curved surfaces of the hamster wheel and the runner ball that you place your ferret within might harm their spines, therefore we don’t advise using these.
Total Annual Cost of Owning a Ferret
$250-600 per year
Ferrets, despite their tiny size, may be costly to own. Although the typical yearly cost might fluctuate and potentially exceed $600, these charges will be significantly lower than the setup, ferret, and first doctor visits costs. However, yearly expenses may mount up over time, so it’s essential that you have the money to maintain your ferret’s wellbeing. It’s wise to put off getting a pet until you have more solid finances if you’re unsure you can afford the yearly fees.
Owning a Ferret On a Budget
It is still feasible to keep a ferret without all the frills for those on a lower budget. You don’t need to spend a fortune on your ferret for it to have a long and healthy life as long as you can afford vet appointments, food, litter, and toys. However, having a ferret may not be the best choice if your finances are unstable enough. A ferret will often cost less than a dog or cat as long as you can meet its basic nutritional and medical requirements.
Saving Money on Ferret Care
Preventing medical issues, which are the most costly aspect of keeping any pet, is the easiest method to save money on ferret care. Your monthly and yearly care costs will be less if you can maintain your pet’s dental health at home, take preventive measures against parasites, and keep the cage clean. Similar to people, it is simpler and less expensive to avoid health issues than to cure them. We advise speaking with your veterinarian about any reductions that could be available if your vet expenditures are starting to stack up.
Conclusion
Being a ferret owner may be gratifying, particularly because they make unusual and well-liked pets. Ferrets, however, may be pricey, just like any other animal. Ferrets have criteria for thriving in their new homes, from veterinarian appointments to a three-story enclosure. They need monthly and yearly upkeep, which adds up rapidly.
Ferrets may also cost more than other tiny animals, so you must be prepared financially before getting one. We hope this guide will offer you a general sense of how much a ferret would cost if you’re interested in buying one. Whether you live in a large home or a tiny apartment, there are numerous little animals to choose from when seeking for the ideal companion. Ferrets are highly well-liked and may make wonderful pets, particularly in the correct setting. However, when you include in both the upfront and ongoing fees, they may be rather pricey.
Ferrets are no different from other pets in that the expenditures of getting the correct setup, food, and doctor appointments may rapidly mount. Additionally, it’s essential to be ready for the unexpected, particularly given how expensive emergency circumstances may be. Continue reading for additional details on how much it will cost you to own a ferret if you’re thinking about buying one:
Frequently Asked Questions About the Cost of Ferret Ownership:
1. What Are the Initial Costs of Acquiring a Ferret?
The initial cost of purchasing a ferret varies based on factors such as age, color, and breeder reputation. On average, prices range from $75 to $250. Adopting from a shelter may offer a more economical option.
2. What Ongoing Expenses Should Ferret Owners Anticipate?
Ongoing expenses for ferret care include high-quality ferret food, bedding, toys, and regular veterinary check-ups. Budgeting for these necessities ensures a healthy and happy life for the ferret.
3. Are There Any Unexpected Veterinary Costs?
Yes, unforeseen veterinary costs may arise. Ferrets require vaccinations, spaying or neutering, and potential treatment for illnesses. Having an emergency fund for veterinary care is advisable.
4. Do Ferrets Require Specialized Accessories?
Ferrets need a cage, litter boxes, harnesses, and other accessories. Investing in durable and safe items is essential. Initial purchases of these accessories may incur additional costs.
5. Are There Any Long-Term Financial Considerations for Ferret Ownership?
Ferrets have a lifespan of 6 to 10 years, leading to long-term financial commitments. Owners should budget for potential age-related health issues and adjustments to their care as they age.
