How long do ferrets live on average?  Many of you have had multiple ferrets, these are our first.
Thanks, 
Amy

Hi.  
I know a lady who used to do rescues and she said she had a few that lived to 10 or 11.  That was out of about 64 ferrets.  The oldest I've ever heard of was 13, but that came from the owner on facebook, who i did not know personally.  Could be a total fabrication.  
My wife and I have had 25 fuzzies.  We know that 2 have made it to 8, and possibly a couple more whose exact ages we didn't know.  I have rescued a few myself.  All that  said, the average life expectancy I have seen, whether mill or private breeder, kibble or raw fed, is 6-7 years.  I moderate this and another popular ferret forum and have been on forums since 2008.  I know people who spend thousands of dollars on expensive food and testing and treatments when they get sick but 6-7 is the average.  
I would guess that Eddie was 7, and possible Rocky and Moe.  Ours have all been Marshall ferrets except 2.  Kahlua was probably a Marshall's (ear tattoos) bought in Canada and made it to 7 with adrenal and later got insulinoma.  She lived to just over 8.  Prissy is a Real Canadian and going on 9 now, but she is almost blind and deaf and incontinent and has a hard time walking. She looks old.  We are surprised every morning she wakes up.  She is the oldest we've had that we know.  Jaffa was from a private breeder and died of adrenal at 6 years 2 months.
None of this considers accidents, intestinal blockages from eating stuff they shouldn't, escaping, juvenile lymphoma, or sudden unexplained passing.  75-80% of them will get one or more if The Big 3 (lymphoma, adrenal disease and insulinoma).
Sad, and I really don't want to scare you, but that's ferrets.  I sincerely hope that you and yours live long and prosper.

THE DOOKS OF HAZARD

I have had one live to 10 I had him from the time he was 7 wks old he never was adrenal nor did he get insulinoma he just fell asleep and didn't wake up one night. Bandit was his name. Many of mine make it to 8 yrs and a few 9 yrs but like Chris says most are around 7 or 8 yrs old when they die. I have had a total of 45 ferrets and I wish they would live longer but settle with just making sure they have a good life while they are in mine. Right now I only have 13 ferrets and they are all around 6 years old not going to get anymore till I get down to about 2 or 3 I am getting older and don't want a lot of pets for people to rehome when I go. I am not looking forward to the next few years because I will lose most of the ones I have now.

That is good to know. We are doing the best for them. Big pen exercise and healthy food. I just want tho make sure the boys know what is expected with them. We love them other than the not going in the box that i can do with out. Thanks for helping us know what to expect with ferrets.

It was raml i was referring to  [;]

THE DOOKS OF HAZARD

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