True Cost of Ferrets : REAL Owners Answer

[@dhender85]

My wife and I are discussing purchasing a pair for the kids as a "family Christmas gift" (though they're really for me as I've wanted one my entire life) so I'm currently researching, and learning as much as I can. My local pet store, not Petco or PetSmart, has then for about $200 each. But right around a grand is what we figured for the initial set up cost, including 2 ferrets.

[@TheModernFerret]

Great! thanks so much for sharing your numbers/experience. I wish you the best of luck.

[@ferox965]

As a ferret ower from 1986 to 2018-the vet bills are the things prospective ferret owners need to be educated about most. I've had some scary bills that thankfully I was able to cover.

[@vger9084]

OMG YES! You'll go to town to buy yourself a pair of shoes, but instead you'll come home with a bunch of ferret toys! True Story! 😂😂😂

[@TheModernFerret]

#accurate

[@laylayplayzadoptme]

​@@TheModernFerret#VERYACCURATE

[@Rae_HairUAre]

Sounds about right with a couple you missed. I've been preaching the $1000+ initial outlay for several years, but ferrets have gone up here. Marshall Ferrets are going for $499-599 in Missouri, US. I haven't checked my state. If the ferret is young, that initial vet visit goes up to include rabies and two boosters for distemper (requiring three visits to space them out properly @ your low cost of $44, locally I pay the same, but other vets are much higher) plus the vaccines ($30 each), and first heart worm prevention ($15). It is also recommended by up-to-date vets to do a prophylactic implant for adrenal in the first spring after maturity ($250). That all just added an additional $686-786+ to your initial cost.

[@TheModernFerret]

I really appreciate you taking the time to list these numbers. I have a feeling new ferret owners will look to comments like this to become more informed!

[@Rae_HairUAre]

@@TheModernFerret I really hope they do. You're welcome, I'm happy to help, I've been owned by many of them :)

[@TheTrainedFerret]

What a great informative video! Those interested in getting a ferret need to watch this and understand how much is involved in their care so they can see if it’s something they can afford.

[@TheModernFerret]

hi friend!! thanks for watching!

[@Emzotic]

I love it!! Great job on this video and managing new ferret owners expectations around ferret finances!

[@TheModernFerret]

Thanks friend

[@Mr.Ferrets]

Thank you sooo much Haley!

[@TheModernFerret]

happy to do it! and thanks for your continued support and encouragement on all my videos :)

[@Mr.Ferrets]

@@TheModernFerret yeah! No problem. You are my absolute favorite channel! I look forward to every video you post! Thank you

[@bemeyers0914]

I went to Petco in December 2022 and picked up my 2 ferrets, for $350 each. Yep. $700. The last time we had a business of (7) ferrets back around 2005, they were about $100 a piece. Still worth every penny for us!

[@xX_Zieva_Xx]

This seems pretty accurate, tho I spend a lot more on food. One ferret eats kibble (3 different kibble mixed which gets spendy) and he came from a store. However, my private bred ferret only eats raw, FDR, and mice which costs a lot more.

[@TheModernFerret]

That's a good point!

[@markcollins3453]

I was a ferret owner years back, one of them live to be 9 years old. My vet could not believe it. To be a ferret own is Priceless They are so cute and fun to watch. My first ferret had free roam of my apartment. At bed time my ferret would crawl inside my pillow case. I just wanted to say i enjoy your videos. Very Educational and spot on. Just curious, Do you have a video of the tunnel system behind you?

[@TheModernFerret]

Thanks for watching! At this time I don't have a video about the tunnels behind me. I wanted to wait until I had good ones to recommend, which I don't have right now.

[@Fairyxleila]

In the uk as there are many ferret breeders there are people selling them from £5 to £100 it’s literally so cheap and they usually don’t get sold in pet shops

[@CoSxRBXGAMES_YT]

Yes, the costs and everything is so much lower ad even the cages can be cheaper

[@FrankyG-rd6ss]

I'm not sure how old this video is, but ferrets are currently going for $600 at Petland in Nevada. The cheapest I've ever seen was $300 in 2022 from a breeder in California.

[@TheModernFerret]

Omg! I haven't seen them that high around here!

[@emelykun]

I went to the vet last weekend for the annual check up and vaccines update of my 3 ferrets and I spent around 600 dollars… I thought it was ok…until one of my ferret started to develop an allergic reaction. Fortunately she is ok now but that day we spent more tha 1000 dollarss on exams, ultrasounds, ICU, medications, etc… but again it was all worthy. I’ll do everything for keep my ferrets happy and healthy :)

[@TheModernFerret]

I really appreciate you watching and sharing your personal numbers. I think a lot of people will be reading the comment section on this video.

[@nmcduff4891]

Hi Haley. Long time subscriber, love your vids. The main thing that you have missed is breakages. My baby girls can knock anything over. vases and waste bins are a favourite. They dig out my potted plants. They tear open food packages (pasta, rice, etc). I tell them off, but they look so innocent so I just melt and get the vacuum out. It's not the costs, it's the value. I would recommend ferrets (plural), to anyone in their senior years and who can't walk a dog. Best wishes from England.

[@TheModernFerret]

that is an important consideration! I've lost a lot of plants to my ferrets. They love to dig everything up!!

[@howlingjustice9420]

Crazy prices over in the US you would normally find a ferret here in the UK from £25-50 its jard to find critter nation cages here but would be similar for about £150-200 food wise i feed raw but you could find a 30kg bag of kibble for around £30

[@TheModernFerret]

thanks for sharing your experience!

[@briannabeasley7302]

I have 4 boys, all about 3 years old now, all raw fed. I order the bulk of my ferret’s food from Hare Today. I place orders with them every 1-2 months depending on what I need more of in their deep freezer. My order last month was just over $350 and this months order was just over $400. They eat like crazy during the fall apparently. Normally they eat about $250ish of meat each month between all 4.

[@abbiedeacy824]

I'm from the UK and it only costs £46 per month to feed 3 female ferrets a raw meat diet, we buy preprepared 80/10/10 meat from a raw pet food store, we do mix in eggshell powder which costs £14 and lasts 2 months, they get treats of freeze dried chicken and fish, salmon oil and 2 eggs a week between them. Altogether it costs about £60 for the 3 of them - £20 per ferret. Also ferrets are much cheaper in the UK, ferrets usually cost between £10-50 pounds and angorras cost about £150-200

[@abbiedeacy824]

I think we spent about £450 to get all the supplies at the start including cage, hammocks, blankets, tubes, food, treats, litter box, puppy pads, toys, clippers. The ferrets were £20 each from a family that couldn't afford to look after them all

[@gneissnicebaby]

This was super helpful! Thank you! I'm currently saving to buy my first house, and I really want to add a ferret to my home after. So this will definitely help me plan for the added expense(s) once that time comes 😊

[@markreadman4367]

i am looking into getting a ferret and was wondering is it ok to light a candle in the house when you have a ferret?

[@Julmara]

i expected around 1k for upfront costs however the monthly costs are lower than i expected also haoppy you are more active on youtube again

[@Julmara]

@@HaleyTheModernFerret and how much home space would one need for a ferret i just have like two rooms with already not much space for myself i mean i can reorganize my lil home to fit a cage and stuff but might not be enough for a ferret to explore and derp around

[@LaQueenaSterns]

@@HaleyTheModernFerret why are you pretending to be the owner of this channel? Lmao

[@TheModernFerret]

@@LaQueenaSterns sorry that was another account that was connected (it was me though lol)

[@LaQueenaSterns]

@@TheModernFerret oh gotcha! I was about to say 🤣

[@OscarB-ok2xs]

Thank you, I am making a google doc to add up all the expenses.

[@davidmasik9634]

where did you purchase the tubes mounted on the wall for the ferrets to run through.

[@Music_is_the_best_therapy]

The price surprised me a lot I would buy a cage from marketplace! Also the food and stuff u buy everytime is much less!!

[@tab3598]

I love your videos they help me tons

[@TheModernFerret]

thanks for the kind words

[@tab3598]

I watched all your videos and I'm trying to get a slinky

[@pillowkitty6]

Just swung by Petco yesterday and employee told me they have not stocked ferrets for months cause of the distemper outbreak. Only just started to get stock again recently. There even exists a reservation list.

[@TheModernFerret]

wow! thanks for the heads up! Where are you located?

[@pillowkitty6]

@@TheModernFerret Without doxxing either myself or the store- somewhere in northern Illinois. Went back to said store the following day because I was told they'd be up for sale. Reservation was holding them up. That person no showed cause all three were up for grabs the next day. Had to ask the cashier since they were not on the store floor. Was taken by handler to outside of aquarium section employee backdoor room. It was like a scene out of Pokemon. Pick your starter. Each was a different color. Two boys and a girl. Gender bent darker version of my late Coconut, whom I have named Kiwi, won me over easily with his delicate grabbing of my face in his paws and gentle sniffing of face. He is already living up to his predecessor and has puppy pad trained wonderfully. Uploaded some dirty home footage of him. Paperwork puts his age around 15 weeks. Vet appointment already setup! Only difficulty I've had with him is food transitioning. I did not buy whatever it was they were feeding them because I've normally never had an issue. Turned his nose up to two different brands of treats and even chew sticks. Thankfully with some quick thinking I discovered he likes egg yolk. Softened the kibble I do have and applied the yolk to it. He is finally eating! As for yet another heads up google lied saying $350. It was $400 and at employee's suggestion I subscribed to Vital Care Rewards to get 20% off. $10 saved me 80. Might not keep that subscription for long as new little one is the only animal inside the condo so the savings down the road aren't going to be much on my end.

[@cal1027]

can’t WAIT to get my dvm and be the primary care vet for all my animals

[@marnieschagunn7310]

My ferret is Raw fed, I purchase his food from Raw Feeding Miami & I order in bulk. I spend on average $207, this will last me 3 months. I order 5 different proteins for his main meals(which are meat, bone & organ grinds), chicken necks & gizzards for snacks. I also get quail eggs. The cost to feed him per month is around $70. I purchased my ferret from a breeder, he is half angora & I paid $350 for him & I also had to pay for his neutering & shots, which was around $400.

[@TheModernFerret]

I have heard of Raw Feeding Miami, yes! Do you just have one ferret? Thanks so much for providing these numbers. It's super helpful!

[@marnieschagunn7310]

I have one ferret.🥰

[@Holisticbrit]

We need help!!! So we bought two ferrets for our kids without doing our research first…that’s our bad completely and we didn’t realize how much work and maintenance they are. We bought them a huge four story habitat and decked it out, but the problem is, my husband and me build homes for a living and sometimes work 12-14 hour days and by the time we get home we are exhausted and then we HAVE to get the ferrets out and play with them because I feel awful keeping them caged up for the day while we are gone. We just don’t want to give them to anyone, we take good care of them and make sure they have everything they need and want to be sure IF we send them to another home that they will be in an even better home than they are now. We want the best place possible for them. They have a $400+ cage/habitat and tunnels and toys and all kinds of stuff that would go with them. What should we do! Where should we go to make sure we find them the best home possible?? Please anyone’s advice will help! I’m aware of how irresponsible this purchase was so I don’t need to hear that, we already feel bad enough…

[@KOAnonymously]

My Girlfriend and I just got a couple Ferrets and everything together cost us 1,400$ there’s still a few things we need like toys and tubes. I’m sure there’s places where You can get stuff cheaper We went to a local pet store so it was really expensive. Also helps to do some research before because I got ours a water bottle instead of a bowl and found out after that it’s bad for their teeth. People don’t realize that You should get Ferrets in Pairs. It’s messed up to keep them alone.

[@Mollz_lolz8]

Btw i love your videos! Im planning of getting a ferret some day and i guess im prepping for it now lol

[@TheModernFerret]

I love that!! thank you so much for watching!

[@hughgordon6435]

As a brit??? With only rescue ferrets! My costs are £10 donation for rehoming? £80 for neutering and a weekly cost of cat food? My most expensive costs to date are cages, and having to euthanase cancer ferrets. My toys and bedding come from charity shops?

[@TheModernFerret]

thanks for sharing your experience!

[@theferretof87]

I’m British too, I paid £60 for both a ferret and a hutch as well as food and various other things

[@elliebellie1127]

Your food shouldn't be cat food, so I'm not sure feeding cheap quality cat food is something to boast about.

[@hughgordon6435]

@@elliebellie1127 mixed with raw eggs and ferrettone?

[@elliebellie1127]

@@hughgordon6435 they’re not supposed to have eggs every day and if you google ferret one you’ll see it has cancer causing agents in it, dunno why you’d give ANY of that to your ferret without research and think it’s good

[@Bagel1664]

All the pricing in this video is a shock to me :0 (from the UK) most expensive ferret i've ever bought is my new kit which cost me £80 but hes also from a known breeder in my area (hes a semi-angora hob) 😅 i've actally bought all my ferrets at quite a high up price all over £30... ;3 compared to america this seems like nothing!

[@akk8091]

What are the tubes made out of behind your videos? Are they for the ferrets?

[@elvinocasio1518]

I want a family of like 20 ferrets! I love them so much!

[@TheModernFerret]

that would be a lot of poop haha

[@jessicawelch7541]

Desperate to know where you got the supplies and how you made your tunnel walls 😭 I would LOVE to do this for my babies

[@MARinaAguilar-hv7hl]

This helps me a lot even thought don’t have a ferret

[@elliebellie1127]

Just wanted to add my two cents for anyone wondering about other ferret owners. I've had five ferrets. TWO of them so far have been diagnosed with illnesses that result in death in months to years, but are able to im,prove quality of life with treatment. One of those was systemic coronavirus (no not covid19) which is rare in ferrets and required me to visit a vet who didn't know what was wrong then be referred to and a University hous away to have her tested for TONS of stuff including lymphoma and adrenal etc (and had to stay overnight so had to get a hotel room) That wasn't helpful, so I had to drive another few hours the other way to ANOTHER specialty vet, who finally diagnosed the coronavirus and prescribed the expensive medications (about $100 per month total for all the meds). That kept her going for about 8 months, when eventually she was just too tired and she had issues walking and couldnt clean herself, so we made the hard decision to put her down since she lacked quality of life anymore. In total in tests, travel, and treatment, she alone cost around $6500. NEXT was another ferret who was recently diagnosed with adrenal after i noticed a tiny patch of missing fur on his tail and wanted to get him tested to be safe. In total so far with testing and the implant, he has cost $1000. Ferrets aren't cheap. Most have health issues because they come from Marshall farms which breed so much that illness is rampant. I never ever recommend buying one from a pet store, but the sad reality is that even if you do as I do and adopt from people rehoming, you're likely going to get a Marshall ferret and will almost always have a health issue with one of them.

[@TheModernFerret]

This is so helpful for people thinking about getting a ferret! I have another video coming out the middle of next month that goes over vet bills and I hope you are able to share your experience in the comments on that one as well!

[@Crafty-Wolf.]

Can I ferret proof my room/the room their cage will be in and let them free roam that room only while I’m at school? Also this room connects to another room so they have x2 the space. My house is pretty big so I don’t think they will roam my whole house but a couple rooms.

[@jones231]

Interest in a video about cost of vet bill for common illness.

[@alisandrapantoja7681]

Thank you for this video ❤️

[@TheModernFerret]

thank YOU for watching!

[@frances-w1j]

hi can someone please list good items for a small price I rlly want a ferret for my collage dorm and they only allow small critters! (I did the research for them and found a good vet)

[@Mollz_lolz8]

OMG IM ACTUALLY EARLY TO ONE OF YOUR VIDSSS!!!

[@TheModernFerret]

I'm celebrating over here!

[@MelissaCaballero-y7z]

Can I keep one of your favorites? I’m in Mexico, New Mexico.

[@Just_a_man420]

My ferret keeps flipping his water bowl and I don’t know how to get him to stop. What should I do?

[@TheModernFerret]

I found 2-in-1 feeders to be really helpful. I use this one: amzn.to/45wGBg6

[@Just_a_man420]

@@TheModernFerret thank you

[@Stoned2TheMaxx]

Hey,I have 2 ferrets that are extremely attached attached eachother both around 2-3 years and I can no longer keep them,it's not my choice and I don't trust the petstore either because I know they'll just give them to anybody so I was wondering if you could possibly take them?I really need someone to give them to that I can trust and I know your really nice and know what your doing,I could give them to you for free so you know this isn't a scam,they're both males and named arrow and ghost, please consider❤(I know I already commented this on your other video but I wanted to comment on a more recent one so you would see it)

[@joshwitvoet2855]

I geting a ferret soon want treat should i buy for the ferret

[@TheModernFerret]

I like to use this one: amzn.to/3OIUxh3

[@musicwarrior7630]

honestly im suprised how cheap it was considering thats the cost of some dogs and cats

[@Cattotwo2]

Bro where I live its like 35 to 85 pound

[@melissalong3931]

Our upfront cost with every thing was around 975 bucks

[@Fridalikesfoodverymuch]

uhhh, i bouht two ferrets for 1000 USD. i thought it was a normal price... (got them from professional breeders)

[@LyleVertigo]

Just in the food alone, for two ferrets cost me $110 a month as I raw feed.

[@TheModernFerret]

Wow! Where do you source your food?

[@LyleVertigo]

@@TheModernFerret I used to make my own grounds for many years, but as the price of meat has gone up and I've gotten older it has been much more convenient to order pre-mixed grounds online. I used to use Hare-Today, as they have excellent grounds and wide selection, but they changed their shipping options and it's much more expensive now to ship it delivery. I now use Raw Paw Pet Foods, they offer free Fedex shipping with plenty of cold packs over $200 purchases and now have a good selection as well. My only complaint about them is that their grounds isn't always consistent. At times it is finely gorund and others they come more course. I've gotten into the habit in adding a note to the order to make sure to finely ground as the ferrets don't like large bone chunks, but I always add eggshell powder anyway as it's the best absorbing calcium source.

[@joshuajones5791]

ferrets at petco are closer to 400$ atm

[@pillowkitty6]

In 2018 it cost $170 USD for a ferret from Petco. If only their lifespan matched the inflation

[@TheModernFerret]

yikes!

[@Pboogers_fan_page]

For raw i probs spend like 30 bucks a week on ferrets for two ferrets

[@trasheaters1548]

I’m probably gonna save around 2.5k before I buy my ferrets, I want to be prepared for everything and spoil the little guys. Plus I want 2 so it’s extra cost

[@heathermarchesani2995]

There expensive but well worth it

[@TheModernFerret]

agreed!!!

[@sabrinabeardmore730]

I have 6 rescues ferrets,2 girls and 4 boys they all don't get along except the girls .they get the best food treats and bedding they love our old shirts they even have the own washing detergent no harm full chemical in it.becuase my Chester has an allergy to lavender. They get chilled bottled water and Mazzuri Ferret food but switching soon to oxbow ferret food because Haley you recommend it. And more toys than toddlers they prefer to have squeaker toys so I babysit them with that. But not so much on vet bills yet.just general checkups not so expensive. I spend monthly about in food alone $250.00. But they get the best of everything because I promise them a good healthy environment and happy life because there life wasn't good being with others Luna,coco,and cosmo,came from a coworker do to they said they smell to much and Chester was from pet land in a cage that was gross with bugs crawling threw it .and opal Jane belong to my son and went into the military, and Clyde James someone threw away in the garbage because they thought he was dead . But we know ferrets and there sleeping habits ,so I have and mini farm and they share our Florida room,with my chinchilla and rabbit.my family my children. Couldn't imagine my life any different.

[@TheModernFerret]

thank you for sharing your experience!

[@sabrinabeardmore730]

@@TheModernFerret can't wait Haley for what's next I'm learning so much for my 6 little toebeans.

[@deltacharlieecho4732]

My albino ferret cost $450 last week from Pet People.

[@TheModernFerret]

Wow! Prices continue to get higher

[@L00MIE_BRACS3ETS]

The petco cost now is 500 😅

[@bobwarfield3621]

Insulinoma is your biggest problem in the US due to bad breeding by Marshals.

[@Sophia-ty5bf]

Can ferrets eat beer meat?

[@Ryann_xoxo]

No😭😭

[@bugbearz]

first comment!

[@TheModernFerret]

Nice job! You rock!

[@abdullahkhan-qc5ss]

Here in the UK u can get one for like 20£ god how cheaper🦦🦦