Most pet shops sell ferrets for about $100 to $139, depending on how cute
the ferrets are (babies sell more expensively), coloring (depends on what
you are looking for), temperment, etc.
 
As for items to get, you should have *at least* the following items:
 
- Wire Cage (large, to give your fuzzie room to move around)
- Linolium (to cover portions of cage bottom to aid fuzzie's walking around)
- Hammock (or other hanging items so your fuzzie can climb in to sleep.
  They sometimes like to sleep suspended, which reduces pressure on their
  skin)
- 1 - 2 old T-shirts (snuggle stuph, prefer used--your old ones would
  be best)
- Golf Ball (or other small, hard ball) for your fuzzie to amuse themself
  with
- Fuzzie-style litter box (use non-clumping litter, if at all possible)
- Water Bottle (Large, if possible)
- Heavy food bowl (or one that clips to the wire on the side of the cage)
- High-grade cat food (IAMS, ProPlan, Science Diet) or High-Quality ferret
  food
- Ferretone (vitamin supplament)
- Pet nail clippers (to clips JUST THE POINTS of your fuzzie's nails)
- Some empty tissue boxes (you can put an old T-shirt or smaller piece
  of old clothing inside so your fuzzie can have a sleeping box! :))
- Large cardboard tube (film development places may have some) for your
  fuzzie to run in and out of
- Some plastic bags (for your fuzzie to play in while outside of cage)
- A paper bag (so fuzzie can hide in there while playing)
 
You may also experiment with toys...ferrets are all different...one may LOVE
a particular toy, while the next ten ferrets couldn't care less about it.
Treats are another thing to look into...many ferrets like raisins, "craisins
(made with cranberries)", peanut butter, ice cream (in VERY small amounts),
peanuts, small bits of chicken (such as those that come in Chicken Fried
Rice from a Chinese food restaurant), grapes, dates (pits removed) and small
pieces of hamburger.  Remember though...these are treats and shouldn't be
given in large amounts, or substituted for regular food.
 
Probably the *BEST* thing you can provide for your fuzzie is LOVE!  Play
with your fuzzie, talk to your fuzzie, pet your fuzzie, spend time with your
fuzzie.  Your fuzzie will love you with all of it's tiny little heart!  :)
 
Todd and the (happy-go-lucky) Fuzzbutt Rodeo Clowns!
 
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[Posted in FML issue 2269]