3. PICK OUT YOUR FERRET

There are four questions that you should ask yourself when picking out a ferret:

Where should I get my ferret?
How old should my ferret be?
Should I get a male or female ferret?
What else should I be on the lookout for?

Where should I get my ferret?

Yes, many pet stores do sell ferrets, but some of these ferrets are separated from their mothers too early and are not socialized enough with humans. You may get lucky, but obviously, these ferrets are more likely to need special care and patience. So our advice is that you stay away from pet stores. Instead, check the classifieds to see if breeders in your area have ferrets for sale. These ferrets are usually kept with their mothers and have constant interaction with the breeder, so they grow up to be well-socialized ferrets instead of bitter Gary Coleman ferrets.

Don't overlook the benefits of getting a ferret from a local shelter. Shelter ferrets are usually a little older than kits (that is, babies) from a pet store or breeder, but the adoption cost (around $50-$100) is cheaper than the purchase of a kit (around $150). A shelter worker will know the full details of each ferret's personality, and shelter ferrets are more likely to be litter-box trained and nip-trained. As we said earlier, there are so many ferrets out there that need good homes, and adopting a lonely shelter animal can be much more rewarding than training a baby ferret. Check out this list to find a shelter near you.

How old should my ferret be?

Yes, tiny baby ferrets are as cute as a pre-bitter Gary Coleman, but you're guaranteed to suffer through litter box training and nip-training (with the baby ferrets, not with Gary Coleman). Older ferrets are usually trained, but they may come with some bad, hard-to-break habits like pooping in the middle of the floor. So spend time with any ferret before bringing him home to see if his true colors match yours. Also, keep remembering that ferrets live 5-10 years, so if you buy a 9-year-old ferret, don't expect him to accompany you to Shady Pines.

Should I get a male or female ferret?

There are no set personality differences between male and female ferrets. Un-neutered males can be more aggressive, but most people get their ferrets neutered, so it shouldn't be too much of an issue. Males are generally larger (2.5-5 pounds) than females (1.5-3 pounds). Some owners prefer the petite sizes of the females, while others like the bulkiness of the males.

What else should I be on the lookout for?

Check for clear eyes, a healthy coat, strong whiskers and teeth, and an alert and inquisitive nature. While kits haven't developed their full personality at 8-10 weeks, you'll get a taste of things to come. If a kit likes to cuddle, chances are he'll always be a bit of a couch potato. If a kit is a squirming bundle of energy, it's likely you're bringing a cute dose of trouble into your home.