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Things to Consider Before Getting a Ferret

Lisa Selvaggio
by Lisa Selvaggio
Published:  July 30th, 2025

Ferrets can make great pets, with their high energy level and fun-loving personalities, but they aren’t right for everyone. If you’ve been thinking about bringing a ferret into your family, there are several things to consider before you do. As with any type of pet, you want to be sure you know what to expect, and you want to be certain you’ll be able to provide your ferret with the care they need.

Roman Chazov/Shutterstock

What should you think about before bringing a ferret home? Here are a few things to consider to determine if a ferret is truly the ideal pet for you and your family.


Ferrets Are a Long-Term Commitment


While some types of pocket pets have shorter average lifespans, such as rats who live an average of two to three years, ferrets have a longer lifespan, requiring a longer commitment from their caretakers.


How long do ferrets live? They can live eight years, on average, but some even reach 12 years of age.


The better you care for your ferret, including getting them veterinary care in the form of checkups and treatments for any conditions they develop, the longer they might live. So, in addition to considering the cost of food and supplies, also consider the long-term cost of an exotics veterinarian and any preventive care or medications your ferret might need especially as they get older.  


It’s Best to Get More Than One Ferret


Ferrets are social animals, so you should get two or more. They can keep each other entertained and snuggle together, and they will all enjoy interacting with you when you take them out of their enclosure to play every day. That’s right: even if you have more than one ferret, you still need to give them attention and affection daily.


Caring for more than one ferret means higher expenses because you’ll need more food and supplies to keep them happy and healthy. It also means more veterinary expenses. So, as you weigh the pros and cons of keeping ferrets as pets, don’t forget to consider your budget and whether or not you can afford to look after more than one.


Ferrets Need a Large Enclosure and Various Supplies


Ferrets also need a lot of space. They should have a large enclosure with multiple levels so they can climb and move around freely and have plenty of room for playing, sleeping, eating and drinking, and relaxing.


The Midwest Ferret Nation Double Unit is a good example of what you should aim to get for your ferrets. It comes with two leak-proof pans, two adjustable shelves, and three ramps, along with ferret-proof door latches.

Your ferrets’ cage should be cleaned daily to remove waste, and it should be more deeply cleaned and disinfected regularly as well, such as weekly.


Also, the enclosure should be secure so your ferrets don’t end up escaping, and it should be placed in an area of your home that maintains a comfortable temperature and won’t expose your pets to drafts or direct sunlight.


In addition to a high-quality enclosure, your ferrets will need:


  • Bedding that’s soft, safe, and comfortable, such as paper bedding
  • Food and water bowls
  • Hammocks and hideouts
  • Toys that are safe and non-toxic for ferrets
  • A litter tray like the Kaytee Hi-Corner Litter Pan and ferret-safe litter like paper pellets

Ferrets Are Active, and Should Be Let Out of Their Cage


One of the best things about ferrets is they love interacting with people. This is a smart and curious pet who needs to come out of their cage to run and play with toys, so make sure you have the time to dedicate to them. 


Letting your ferrets out of their cage for a few hours every day will ensure they get plenty of exercise and let their energy out in fun ways. But make sure there aren’t any hazards in any area of your home where they can explore, and supervise them the whole time.


Ferret-proofing your house is necessary, as you don’t want your ferrets chewing on or consuming anything they shouldn’t, and you don’t want them getting stuck anywhere or hurting themselves.


Ferrets Have an Odor


Here’s something that a lot of people don’t know: ferrets can be stinky—really stinky—thanks to their anal glands and scent glands. A veterinarian can remove the anal glands during a de-scenting surgery, which can be done when your ferret is neutered or spayed, and doing so will cut down on the smell.


But even after anal gland removal and desexing, ferrets will still have an odor, albeit milder, thanks to the other scent glands throughout their body. So, this is just something to expect, and you need to be okay with it if you really want to share your home with a ferret.


Ferrets Can Be Perfect for the Right Families


Overall, ferrets can make excellent pets because they’re intelligent, playful, and social with one another and their humans. But they are also high-maintenance pets who need a lot of time and attention. Only after weighing the pros and cons of ferrets can you decide if they are truly the right addition to your family.


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Lisa Selvaggio
Lisa Selvaggio

Lisa Selvaggio is a freelance writer and editor, and our resident cats-pert, with certifications in pet nutrition and pet first aid. She enjoys producing content that helps people understand animals better so they can give their pets a safe and happy home.

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There are few sounds as jarring as waking up in the middle of the night to the sound of your dog heaving. Your first instinct is to rush to their side, flipping on the light to check if they are okay and clean up the puddle of yellow or greenish liquid.This specific type of vomit, a clear sign of bilious vomiting syndrome (BVS), is a surprisingly common occurrence for many dog parents. While seeing your dog feeling ill is never easy, understanding what’s happening and how to help is key to making them more comfortable.In this blog post, I’ll explain what BVS is, why it might be happening to your dog, practical ways to manage and prevent it to help your dog feel their best, and when you should contact your veterinarian. What is Bilious Vomiting Syndrome?To truly understand what’s happening, you need to first understand the role of bile in your dog’s system. What exactly is it? Think of bile as a natural digestive detergent. Produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, this yellowish-green fluid plays a key role in breaking down fats during the digestion process. It’s normally released into the small intestine to help with this process after your dog eats.So, why would your dog be throwing up this important fluid? Bilious vomiting syndrome occurs when your dog’s stomach is empty for a prolonged period, usually after a long stretch between meals, such as overnight. This causes the normal contractions of the stomach to slow down or even stop. Bile from the intestine can reflux, or flow backward, into the empty stomach at this stage.The presence of bile, along with stomach acid, can irritate the sensitive lining of the stomach. It is this irritation that triggers the feelings of nausea, ultimately leading to vomiting. The tell-tale yellow or yellowish-green appearance of the vomit is simply the bile itself, and because there’s no food in the stomach, it comes up as a liquid. This is the key sign that you’re dealing with bilious vomiting and not your dog throwing up an undigested meal.Why, Exactly, Does Bilious Vomiting Syndrome Happen?The most common trigger is simply a long gap between meals. Many dogs, especially those fed only once or twice a day, go 10 to 12 hours or more between their evening meal and their morning one. This long period of fasting allows bile to accumulate and irritate the stomach lining, which is why BVS is most often experienced first thing in the morning.However, an empty stomach isn’t the only factor at play. Other issues can contribute to or worsen BVS. For instance, irregular feeding schedules can disrupt your dog’s digestive rhythm, making them more susceptible to reflux. A dog whose system is used to eating once a day is less likely to have a problem with this time between meals than a dog who is normally fed three times a day and misses a meal or two.While not a direct cause, eating something they shouldn’t (like garbage) can also throw their digestive system into a state of upset, leading to a period of nausea and subsequent vomiting.More complex digestive issues may also be responsible for your dog’s struggles. If your dog is experiencing issues with gut movement, like slow or abnormal digestive patterns, it can cause a backup of fluids and lead to BVS. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also known as acid reflux, can cause a similar type of stomach irritation.It’s also important to be aware that BVS may be a symptom of a more serious underlying medical condition. Pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or even a gastrointestinal obstruction can all cause episodes of vomiting. Because of this, what may seem like a simple case of BVS may actually be a sign of a more serious, developing problem. This is why paying close attention to the frequency and other symptoms is so important.When to Contact Your VeterinarianKnowing when to be concerned is an important, but sometimes challenging, part of being a dog parent. The occasional, one-off episode of bilious vomiting in an otherwise happy and healthy dog may not be an immediate cause for alarm, especially if it happens after a long period of fasting. However, if vomiting becomes a regular occurrence or is accompanied by other signs of trouble, it’s a clear signal that a vet visit is warranted.Here are some red flags that indicate it’s time to see a vet:Frequency: Your dog is vomiting bile multiple times a day for more than 24 hours.Accompanying Symptoms: The vomiting is accompanied by other signs of illness, such as lethargy, a significant loss of appetite, diarrhea, or signs of abdominal pain.Changes in Vomit: The vomit contains blood, which can appear as bright red streaks or have a dark, coffee-ground-like appearance.Signs of Dehydration: Your dog shows signs of dehydration, such as sunken eyes, lethargy, or loss of skin elasticity (the skin stays “tented” when you gently pinch and release it).Unproductive Retching: Your dog is repeatedly trying to vomit, but nothing is coming up. This could be a sign of a potential obstruction or a serious condition like gastric dilation-volvulus (GDV), also known as bloat, which is a life-threatening emergency.Your vet can perform a thorough physical exam and, if necessary, run diagnostic tests such as blood work, fecal analysis, or abdominal X-rays to rule out other potential medical conditions. A proper diagnosis is essential because if a more serious underlying issue is present, addressing it is the only way to truly resolve the symptoms of BVS.

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