How Much Does a Ferret Cost in 2023

Ferrets are awesome! On my priority list, they’re next to cats and hamsters. Just look at their cute faces. They always have this clueless expression, which can make you go ‘aww.’ It makes me want to snuggle them so hard.

But befriending a ferret can cost you something. Yep, I’m talking about real cash here. You see, you can’t always get the wild ones. Plus, they are unlikely to be tamed. So, that leaves you with going to a pet store.

However, do you know how much does a ferret cost though? If you’re shaking your head, here’s all you need to know.

How Much Does a Ferret Cost?

The question may arrive like this, and it differs from place to place. In different pet stores, it varies somewhere between the $50 to $250 range. But in addition to the cost of the animal, you have to pay for its vaccinations. That will add up another $100 or $150, bumping up the cost in the $350 to $400 range.

A Little Nerdy Explanation

Ferrets can be of two types: domesticated ones and wild ones.  Usually, domesticated ferrets don’t tend to be a threat to humans, but the kind isn’t entirely meant to be a pet. But people go for their fluffy faces anyway.

They have fur all over their body and a cylindrical long body shape. Their fur can be of a different color, such as a brown, black, white, white body with black eyes, a mixture of black and brown, and so on.

They weigh on an average 0.5 to 2.5 kgs. And in length, they can go up to 20.5 to 46 centimeters. The black-footed ferrets are considered wild kind. They previously were thought to be extinct but truly are not.

Although there is a stigma about owning a ferret as a pet, did you know a domesticated ferret cannot survive more than a day or two outside the house? Yes, so I don’t think it’s really that much of a deal to own a ferret if you can ensure a safe space for the poor animal and shower them with love.

Should I Get a Ferret?

Well, that is not such a simple question because there goes a lot of commitment, patience, and emotional investment on a pet. No matter if it’s a cat, ferret, or a dinosaur per se.

At first, ask yourself if you are ready to take responsibility for a life. A pet is no toy that you can play with and throw away when you’re done. You have to invest your time in it. Especially if you’re thinking of owning a ferret, that’s going to take up a lot of your time.

Ferrets are naturally playful, friendly, and absolutely adorable as pets. That playful nature of them does require some supervision in their playtime, or they can hurt themselves. Plus comes the responsibility of keeping them fed, clean, and tending to their needs at times.

If you are up for a furry friend that needs love and care almost like a human baby, then go ahead and get one.

Do Ferrets Smell?

There is one common frequently asked question about them is that do they smell? Well, don’t we all? Ferrets are no different. They do have a distinct musky smell. Primarily, they release it to mark their territory. What is different about ferrets is that they have an entire sac of scent near their anus.

This is what makes them smell more. That sac can be removed, but that poses a serious threat to the animal’s health. So, I don’t recommend doing so at all. If you want to mask the smell a bit, then neutering is an option. That way, they won’t search for a partner by leaving their odor in places.

The point to be noted here is that they do release a certain smell if they feel frightened in any way.

What Do Ferrets Eat?

They are not vegetarians. Ferrets are meat-eaters, and since they are almost a few in numbers, you do need to take special care of them. They need a lot of fat and protein in their diet. Some try kitty food for ferrets, which is a viable option.

Kibble in the demanding food of choice for the ferret community now. Of course, a fresh bowl of water has to be there at all times. One very important thing that you should remember is that the protein found in vegetables is not digestible for them. It can lead to an upset stomach, so don’t feed them veggies.

Try to go for 35% of the protein in their diet. Chicken or chicken by-product food can be it. If I were you, I would avoid dairy for any pet. So, do not feed them milk or any other dairy products that can also lead to indigestion.

How Much Does It Cost to Own a Ferret?

You have to pay for their food, their medications if needed, their vaccinations, and other maintenance stuff. So yeah, it can roughly cost about $50 to $100 for maintenance. And vaccinations can cost around an extra $100 to $150.

Neutering can add up to a little bit more. All in all, having a pet, in general, isn’t cheap. But the joy of having a constant companion who won’t judge your ways is priceless.

How Much Does a Ferret Cost at Petco?

At Petco, ferrets can cost you about $150 or so. Petco is a popular pet shop, so you can trust them with the price. Talking about only Petco makes you wonder about PetSmart. So, how much does a ferret cost at PetSmart? About $65 to $250 is the number for that store.

With all these said and done, owning a full-grown ferret is the smartest thing to do because they will need less maintenance. But if you really would like to get a baby one, then go ahead. As for baby ferrets, they cost about $75 to $250.

You have to be aware of the fact that it’s only the cost of the animal itself. Additional charges are required. And, they have already been discussed above that it can cost you an additional $200 or more.

Other Ferret Needs

You might need a cage for them. If you’re going to the vet or coming back or sometimes just for a little time off, consider getting a cage for the ferret. So, how much does a ferret cage cost at Petco? The range is super wide.

You can find cages that cost $250 or $300, as well as those which cost one-third of the price or less. Like there are cages at $30 to $35. So, it really is your call what you want for your pet ferret.

Other needs are things like toys. Ferrets are really playful, and one thing I learned from TikTok that they love balls! Colorful balls are something they love playing with and other squishy toys.

If your ferret likes to sleep in a cage, that’s good; otherwise, you can get a comfy bed too.

Learn their pattern first and make sure that whatever you’re doing, they are comfortable with it.

Legalities

There are some controversies around owning a ferret as a pet, although I’m not sure why. But there are some big states and cities where ferrets are illegal. Such as New York City, Hawaii, California, Puerto Rico, Washington, D.C., etc.

If you bring a ferret there, you can face some legal issues; they might even confiscate your pet from you.

Some Notes about Ferrets 

Some pointers I would like to give you about the adorable animals.

• Get a hammock for your ferret. They love to lounge and get lazy sometimes too.
• Use a weighted dish for serving food; otherwise, they might knock it over.
• Always supply them with clean water, or they’ll fall sick easily.
• They are carnivorous, and their natural instinct tells them to prey on things that are smaller. So, small birds, small reptiles, young rabbits should not be in front of them.
• They are good with children. So, you can trust them with yours, but please do not leave them unsupervised.
• They only require a bath every two or three months. If they smell really bad, then just live with it or ask your vet before bathing them.
•  Don’t feed them dairy products or vegetables.

Final Words

No matter how much does a ferret cost, it’s an absolutely lovely experience to have a pet. It makes you more responsible and endearing as a person. The experience makes you kinder, and the pure joy of loving something unconditionally is beyond what words can explain—a truly worthwhile experience.

Robert Grapentin

Hello, I am Robert Grapentin. I’m a furniture buff, with many years of experience in the nitty-gritty of furniture as well as the cost. I would like to share with you the basics involved in getting cost-effective, long-lasting furniture in an easy and stress-free way. The very purpose of this will be to shape you into a furniture expert like myself or something close to it.