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Ferrets are often compared to cats and dogs. Like cats, they sleep a lot and can be trained to use a litter box. Like dogs, ferrets are social and crave the company of people. But the truth is, ferrets are in a category all their own. With their friendly, inquisitive natures and furry, cuddly bodies, ferrets make great pets, given the right pet parents. If you’re considering purchasing a ferret, learn more about their care needs, including what you’ll need and how to keep your ferret healthy, below.

Consider the following details as you determine whether or not to purchase a pet ferret:

• Their environment: ferrets have a reputation for being escape artists, and Johnson recommends single- or multi-level, open wire cage designed for ferrets with a solid floor and a secure door for your ferret’s home. Due to lack of ventilation, glass enclosures (such a fish tanks) are not recommended. The cage should be located in a quiet area where the temperature can be kept between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and should include bedding (like a towel, blanket or old shirt) that should be washed a minimum of once per week. A litter box that fits in the cage should be filled with recycled newspaper products or aspen shavings. Avoid cedar and pine shavings, which can irritate the respiratory tract, and clay or clumping cat litter, which may be ingested by ferrets, Johnson said. Clean the litter box daily.
• Their diet: ferrets are carnivores and should eat premium commercial food that is high in fat and protein and specifically formulated for ferrets. They should not be fed dairy products, fruits, vegetables, or foods high in fiber, carbohydrates, or sugar, Johnson said. And, of course, ferrets should have fresh water every day.
• Their activity: because ferrets like to chew and swallow things, their toys must be sturdy and have no small parts that can be broken or pulled off. Toys made of foam rubber, latex, or plastic that might be chewed should be avoided, Johnson said. If possible, create “ferret-proofed” area for playtime by covering openings into walls, blocking spaces behind cabinets and removing any appliances or breakable items. Ferrets love interacting with their people, so be sure to spend time at least one hour with them every day and consider having more than one ferret to help keep them entertained.
• Their coats: ferrets are naturally clean animals and groom themselves often. They shed twice a year, however, and should be combed during these times to remove loose fur, in addition to regular nail trimmings and monthly teeth-brushing, according to the AFA. Regular baths with shampoo made for ferrets can help tame a ferret’s naturally musky odor but should not be given too frequently.

Health Issues for Ferrets

Johnson says the biggest misconception about ferrets is that because they’re small and live in a cage, they won’t be expensive, but ferrets are susceptible to variety of health problems, including ulcers, gastric problems due to ingesting foreign objects, and diseases of the adrenal glands and pancreas.

Adrenal gland disease can also occur in ferrets over two and the cause is unknown. The most common signs of the disease are hair loss, particularly on the tail, hips and shoulders, Johnson said. Adrenal gland disease can be treated by surgery to remove the gland or through hormone therapy.

Insulinoma (a tumor of the pancreas that produces excessive amounts of insulin) is common in older ferrets, the most obvious sign of which is the animal’s sudden collapse that can last minutes or hours and, in severe cases, seizures, Johnson said. The progression of insulinoma can be slowed with drugs including the steroid prednisolone or surgery to remove a portion of the pancreas followed by drug therapy.

Preventive Care for Ferrets

Ferrets should have a complete physical examination every 6 to 12 months from a veterinarian who has experience with ferrets, in addition to the following preventive care:

• Annual vaccinations for canine distemper virus and rabies
• Annual fecal examination for parasites
• Examination for ear mites as recommended
• Year-round use of heartworm and flea preventives year-round
• Annual dental cleaning
• Routine blood tests and measurement of fasting glucose level as recommended
• Toenails trimming as needed

Hamsters are adorable, and if you had one as a kid, you probably remember them being easy pets to care for. That is, of course, because your parents likely took care of your hamster. As you can imagine, it isn’t as easy to care for a hamster as it looked as a kid, but once you get into it, you may find that it isn’t all that hard either. 

If you are thinking about getting a hamster for your child, it would be best if your child is in elementary school or older.

“Unfortunately, this isn’t the perfect small pet for young children. Hamsters require a lot of care, can get nippy [and] are not always great in tiny hands,”

said Laurie Hess, author, exotic animal veterinarian and owner of the Veterinary Center for Birds & Exotics in Bedford Hills, New York.

If your child is old enough to handle a hamster carefully and help clean the cage, however, then Hess says a hamster can be a good, fun, educational pet for families. When heading out to the pet store, you’ll want to pick up the following:

• Your hamster: whether you buy one or two depends on your preference and, more importantly, the type of hamster you’d like. Syrian hamsters should never be put in pairs, as they will violently fight over territory once they reach maturity, said Cindy Cribbs of Haven for Hamsters Rescue & Sanctuary. Dwarf hamsters, Russian or Chinese, are also popular hamsters, and while they can be territorial, they do well in pairs only if they are littermates or a mother and child, Cribbs said.
• A cage: purchase a cage at least 15 inches long by 12 inches high, but opt for something larger if you can to give your hamster more room to exercise and explore. Make sure the cage is also escape-proof.
• Bedding: as a general rule, the best and healthiest type of bedding is one that isn’t made of wood shavings. Try to find bedding made from cellulose or plant-based paper fibers and avoid cat litter, corn cobs, newspaper and any scented bedding (which contains chemicals that can cause respiratory trouble).
• Toys: an exercise wheel is a must to prevent boredom, and you can also purchase a ball for your hamster to run around a room in under your supervision.
• Food: you can buy bags of hamster mix, which will generally have a blend of fruits, vegetables and seeds and grains, but you’d do well to also give your hamster small pieces of fresh vegetables and fruit, Hess said. You’ll also want to give your hamster access to fresh water at all times.

Not all greens are good for hamsters, neither are all fruits and vegetables. Stick to broccoli, parsley, apple, pear, carrot and turnips while avoiding onions, garlic, chives, leeks, lettuce, raw potatoes and oranges. As hamsters can be prone to diabetes, you’ll want to give them fruit (which is laden with sugar) sparingly.

Not everyone is suited to be a pet owner. Like children, pets require attention and medical care, and because they cannot get paying jobs or open up bank accounts, they need your financial support as well.

If you want to be a pet owner, you must be willing to put in the money, time, and effort required to keep your favorite furry friend healthy and happy.

The sad truth is that up to 10 million pets end up in shelters every year. According to the Humane Society, more than 70 million stray and feral cats roam the streets. Too many poor and helpless animals are neglected by irresponsible owners who cannot — or do not — take care of them.

Unfortunately, pets who do not receive regular quality pet care often end up in animal hospitals or emergency veterinary clinics. By making sure your pet gets frequent checkups, you are doing everything you can to ensure that your furry friend enjoys a long and happy life.Pet owners who do not schedule regular vet visits put their pets at serious risk for all sorts of conditions.

Besides the financial responsibility of owning a pet, you must also take into consideration the time it takes to properly care for them. While cats are generally more independent creatures, dogs require a significant amount of your attention and affection. If you work long hours and cannot be home to train and play with your puppy,the puppy will have issues.

If you are considering becoming a pet owner, think about your current lifestyle and make sure you have the time and resources to properly care for a pet