How to Pick a Ferret Cage

Ferrets are domesticated animals and enjoy running around houses much like dogs or cats. Their mannerisms sometimes make them seem as though you can allow them to run around in your home, but they need to be contained when they're alone or having a "time out." By picking a great ferret cage, your pet won't mind staying in it for a few hours before its next play time.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Carpet scraps
• Substrate
• Ferret toys
• Heavy ceramic dishes

Identify Ideal Cage Characteristics

1. Look for your new ferret cage online (see Resources) or at a reputable pet supply store.

2. Know that wire cages should be used instead of glass. Aquariums do not provide adequate ventilation for your pet.

3. Allow as much space as possible for your ferret's cage. They need room to run and play, and are unhappy in cramped spaces.

4. Aim for a cage with "easy cleaning" features. These can include pull-out trays or simple solid bottoms in coated metal.

5. Look for a cage with several divisions for sleeping and eating. Ferrets are clean animals and prefer to eliminate in corners away from those areas.

6. Find a cage with several doors. Ferrets like to run around when inside the cage and can make it difficult to remove them from their enclosure.

7. Look for lock closures that snap or clip. Ferrets can find ways to escape from any enclosure with an inadequate lock.

8. Think about cages with tubes, tunnels, and hideaways. Ferrets love to explore dark places.

9. Purchase your new ferret cage and get ready to decorate it for your pet.

Furnish Your Ferret Cage

10. Cut strips of carpet to fit each of your ferret's cage levels.

11. Add corner litter boxes to your ferret's cage. Ferrets like to use litter boxes that have a high back and low front sides.

12. Put soft substrate in the bottom of your ferret's cage. Look for shredded recycled paper or pellets, and avoid cedar shaving and clumping litter.

13. Buy toys for your pet ferret and leave them in the cage. When your ferret needs a time out, it will be able to play before and after its nap.

14. Add heavy ceramic dishes for food and water to your ferret's cage.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have a coated wire cage, make sure that your ferret is not chewing on the wires. Ferrets sometimes scratch and chew at items that can damage their digestion.
• Consider purchasing a second small cage if you have more than one ferret. This can work well if you need to separate your ferrets due to illness or even roughhousing.
• Ferrets can harm their feet on wire mesh cage bottoms, and require padding from fabric strips or carpet for their sensitive footpads.

Resources

• Find ferret cages and supplies at Ferret.com.
• Check out the ferret cages at Martins Cages for inspiration.
• Access lists of ferret organizations at Ferret Central.

[Lynnie29]

on 6/25/2008 what sex of ferret is best for a beginner and what housing is best indoor or outdoor