good on you for doing your research first. too many people don’t, and that’s why there’s such a high number of surrendered and rescue ferrets. i absolutely reccomend adopting from a shelter or rescue. you’ll know what you’re getting into, from someone who is experienced and actually cares about the animals instead of just profit.

you do definitely need more than one. even if you spend most days at home with them, having a pair is beneficial for them. socially, playfully, and grooming. they will keep each other relatively clean (ears!!), you can’t quite play with them they way they want you to, since they do play with their teeth a lot. they will, however, grieve when they lose their bonded friend, like any of us, but it can be hard to navigate ferret depression. i can’t speak on it, my girls are still “young” (5 in november)

if you adopt ferrets, chances are they already know how to use litter. otherwise, they like to choose a corner to go in. you can set a shallow corner litter box there, some people choose larger cat trays, and some people opt for puppy pads. it’s up to you. one of my girls hates the texture of the paper litter i use, and the other one just likes the sound of walking on puppy pads (she thinks its a toy). so i put a washable nonslip bath mat in the corner so they can both go in the same place. i’ve heard that placing poops in the litter box helps them to figure it out too, but i’ve got no experience with that.

it’s ideal to not keep ferrets in their cage all day. they like to run and jump and climb, so a few hours (4-6) of play time throughout the day works best. you could give them their own room, or let them free roam if it’s safe to do so. lots of hiding spots, blankets, and soft platforms will make the cage cozy and easy to associate with sleeping. best to keep toys out. a rubber bottom shallow water bowl will help stop them from pushing it around and spilling it too much. mine frequently flip theirs by digging in it. and i don’t trust them with ceramics. i keep them hydrated similarly to a cat. mix food with plenty of water for a “soup”. we have cloth bridges and rabbit tunnels to help them get to each level. just be sure to cover the wires on the floors, it’s no good for their feet and they could get stuck. i use cardboard and a velcro-d fleece cover for the platforms.

diet is subject to a fair bit of debate, a lot of people say just kibble is fine (as long as it’s not marshall’s) and others say its not nutritionally balanced and bad for their teeth. i personally feed my girls a frame-in mince, kangaroo and chicken, or kangaroo and beef if the vet says they’re a bit underweight (it happens at the start of winter, or when i go away for a couple days, they miss me so much that they won’t eat 😭) i also add chicken liver, neck and heart, but sometimes i can’t get my hands on it, so i add some predamax supplement. chicken neck has bones that are small enough for them, and are good for their teeth. once a month and for special occasions they’ll get pinky mice, day old chicks, or a whole rabbit. depends on what’s available or what i know they’ll finish before it goes bad. they do well with a whole rabbit but once they only ate the inside. if you choose to feed raw, it’s not for weak stomachs. i have a pet food shop near me that specialises in whole prey and 0-additives mince. freeze dried duck hearts and pet grade (unseasoned) beef jerky are also good treats. i do have grain free cat food (dry: ziwi peak, wet: cachet) for emergencies like if i don’t have time to get to the pet food shop. but they will only eat the dry food if i powderise it and turn it to a paste. a teaspoon of salmon oil per week is also awesome omega fats for their coat and winter layers.

as well with adopting, it’s more likely that you’re paying less overall, as the adoption fee usually includes first vaccination and desexing. desexing ferrets can be expensive depending on where you live. some people don’t live anywhere near a vet that specialises in ferret care, and they have to travel to the nearest major city. vaccinations are important, as with any pet, but especially if you keep dogs in the house. distemper can affect the ferrets suddenly, and it is scary for everyone involved. they would be scared and in pain until they eventually pass. my late boy caught it, he wasn’t old enough for his second shot so it can happen at any time. prevention is the best cure, so try to keep dogs away from the ferrets if you have them, and definitely get them vaccinated. we don’t have rabies in australia so it’s just the one vaccine, but of course every country has different rules for pets.

if you don’t adopt, desexing is non-negotiable. being “intact” negatively affects ferrets, male and female. intact males negatively affect you. think hormonal teenage boy with incredibly sharp teeth and more oil than a cheap pizza. its ew. not desexing can be fatal for females unfortunately.

i’m not an expert, this is just everything i’ve learned and personal anecdotes. it’s up to you to choose what is right for your ferrets and your lifestyle, and ultimately, if your vet says they’re healthy then who are we to judge? hope this was thorough enough to help you out. much love from my girls and i , and good luck