How to Make Ferret Hammocks
Domesticated ferrets will spend the majority of their day sleeping in a hammock. It replicates their wild instinct of survival in a dark warm burrow where they feel safe. If you live in the northern part of the United States, your ferret will be more comfortable in a thicker hammock, though a single layer of felt or cotton is sufficient for warmer climates. The Humane Society of the United States notes, "Ferrets sleep much of the time, but when awake are both curious and highly active." Future ferret owners should supply their pets with an adequate hammock and several hours of playtime per day.
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Things You'll Need
- 3 foot by 3 foot piece of material
- Measuring tape
- Sewing marking wheel
- Scissors
- Hole punch
Instructions
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Lay the piece of material flat on a table and measure 1 inch from the edge on all four sides. Mark with a sewing marking wheel. Cut along the 1-inch line with scissors and set the four pieces aside.
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Use a hole punch to make a hole in the material about 1/2-inch from the tip of each corner. Insert a 1-inch piece of material into each corner hole so that the middle of the piece is in the middle of the hole. Tie a knot so that it is tight but does not draw the material tight enough to gather. There will be two ends loose in each corner.
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Hold the hammock inside of the pet's cage and tie the two strings from one corner onto a cross member in the cage's ceiling. Tie the side opposite the first side next so that the hammock can hang down naturally without stretching it tight. Tie the last two corners in the same manner.
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Tips & Warnings
Any material is usable for a ferret hammock. An old T-shirt, sweatshirt, felt or blanket works well. If you want to make a thicker hammock, you may sew two pieces of material together with a layer of batting in the middle.
Using a hole punch for the corner holes will keep the fabric from unraveling as opposed to cutting the holes with scissors.
Swivel clips in each corner will allow the hammock more turning freedom without tangles and twisting. If you use swivel clips, you will need to use another clip in the top of the cage to hang your hammock. Bathroom shower curtain clips can hang from the ceiling to attach the swivel clips.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit christmas ferret 6 image by Caroline Henri from Fotolia.com
