Ferret care, do I have everything?

Question

I have had lots of small pets including rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, and hamsters, but in a few years when I don't have more than 1 other pet I am considering getting a ferret. i have been researching them a lot and so this is the list of things I need that I came up with. I won't be getting a ferret for at least 2 years, maybe more, depending on how long I have my rabbit/guinea pigs, but I want to get as much information as possible. I will be getting Ferrets for Dummies as I heard this was a good ferret book, other recommended books and websites would be helpful too.
Cage: Midwest Pets Ferret Nation Double Unit
Ferrets: Adopting 2 ferrets from Lane Area Ferret Shelter and Rescue
Travel Cage: Small dog carrier
Toys: Tunnels, metal cat toys w/ bells, squeaky toys, paper bags, golf balls, cardboard boxes, digging box, ping pong balls, stuffed animals, bins, old jeans/clothing
Bathing: Ferret shampoo or baby shampoo, planning to bath a few times a year
Litter: pelleted- Healthy Pet Dust Free cat litter (cellulose) or Yesterdays News 
Heavy ceramic bowl
Securely attached water bottle
Bedding: towels/ cloth/fleece
2 litter boxes 
1 hammock (total of 2 hammocks because the rescue gives you one)
Gerber Duck Soup chicken baby food
Diet: Whole prey--- getting healthy, humanely killed, mice rats and chicks from The Gourmet Rodent
Questions:
Is a heavy ceramic bowl good when feeding a whole prey diet or if not what is?
How can I switch the ferrets to a whole prey diet from a dry ferret diet?
What is the minimum amount of time the ferrets need out of their cage a day? (I can ferret proof my room and play with them for a few hours I just want to know the requirements)
What should I look for when picking a pair of ferrets from the shelter?

fark · Accepted Answer

Sounds like youve got just about everything you need! Dont forget nail clippers (the ones for small dogs/cats are best) as their nails grow very fast and are very sharp. I also had a brush and some spray for mine, just freshened their fur up. I only had one ferret when I had mine but it was okay because he was best friends with my cat and they played constantly. I usually just left his cage door open when I was at home, he'd come out and play if he wanted to, but he would go get back in his cage and go to sleep when he was tired all by himself.
 Ferrets for dummies is a great book!

Be warned though...I was super prepared like you and got everything I needed, and I just couldn't handle having a ferret. I have had all the other small pets, hamsters, g. pigs, rats, bunnies, etc...but nothing prepared me for a ferret.I loved him, he was super cute and sweet and playful, but the smell of the cage is just overpowering. Realistically, it needs to be cleaned EVERY time they poop or pee (my guy never learned to use the litterbox, so he would just go wherever he wanted to) or else the smell is awful. I re-homed mine, which was sad for me, but necessary..

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Ferret care, do I have everything?

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