How to House a Ferret

Ferrets are intelligent creatures and can become bored easily. To keep your ferret's cage a stimulating environment, make sure it has plenty of space and plenty of toys. Proper bedding, the litter box and the type of litter you use are also important components of your ferret's new home.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Exercise Pens For Ferrets
• Ferret Ear Cleaning Solutions
• Small Water Bottles For Pets
• Dry Ferret Food
• Ferret Cages With Starter Kits
• Ferret Deodorizing Sprays
• Ferret Hammock
• Ferret Shampoo
• Ferret Toys
• Litter Boxes For Ferrets

1. Choose a metal or hard plastic-coated wire cage and make sure the wire openings are not bigger than 1 inch by 1 inch. Avoid using glass aquariums, as they prevent airflow.

2. Make sure the cage is large enough for your ferret to exercise and play. Aim for a cage that's about 18 inches by 30 inches by 36 inches, with at least two full levels, for a single ferret or a pair.

3. Use square litter pans rather than corner pans. Most ferrets prefer to have all four feet in the litter pan when they use it. At least one litter pan should be available in the cage, usually on the bottom level.

4. Choose a wood or recycled newspaper pellet or corncob litter.

5. Line the wire bottom and levels with newspaper or linoleum to protect your ferret's sensitive paw pads. This also makes cage cleaning much easier.

6. Provide a plentiful amount of bedding, as ferrets love to burrow. Hammocks, T-shirts, sweatshirts, baby blankets and snuggle sacks are some favorites for bedding.

7. Place the food and water bowls and bottles on a separate level from the litter pan.

8. Add extras to the cage, such as tubes, toys and treats.

9. Place the cage in a cool spot, out of direct sunlight and away from heating vents. Ferrets cannot tolerate high temperatures, as they cannot sweat. The optimal temperature range is 60 to 70 degrees F; a little colder than that (50 to 60 degrees F) is also OK.

Tips & Warnings

• Edible treats can be attached to the cage with a metal shower curtain hook. This provides hours of fun for your ferrets.
• PVC-coated wire cages are the easiest to keep clean. The dirt washes right off, whereas metal cages tend to rust and will not last as long with repeated scrubbings.
• Ferrets can die of heat exhaustion in just minutes in temperatures above 80 degrees F. Exposure to direct sunlight can also lead to heat exhaustion.
• Do not use cedar shavings as bedding or litter. Ferrets have sensitive respiratory systems, and shavings can cause health problems. Also avoid clumping or clay cat litter.
• Avoid latex, rubber or bean-filled toys. When chewed and swallowed, any of these can cause a fatal intestinal blockage.
• Toys inside the cage need to be inspected on a regular basis to make sure they are still safe. If stuffed animals are used, make sure that all the unsafe parts have been removed (i.e., plastic eyes, nose, buttons and so on).

on 8/8/2006 Some ferret owners have harnesses with bells on their ferrets while they play, it helps locate the ferret and lets owners know when they are underfoot. A bell can also help locate a ferret if he has escaped while he has been playing.

on 7/29/2006 Remove a rocking or regular recliner from the home if you let your ferret explore the house. I have been told the number 1 cause of death for ferrets is them going under them and getting smashed to death. This also applies to couch beds. One more tip, check the dryer before you start it, they love to hide in them.

on 6/30/2006 Ferrets can snag their collar on their cage or a toy, always take the collar off a ferret when he is inside the cage.

on 11/22/2005 Make sure to ferret-proof the area your ferret is going to be in. Start by clearing the floor of pieces that the ferret can swallow. A ferret loves to chew on things so pretty much every object is going to be in it's mouth. If he swallows something not intended for his digestive system it could cause a blockage. Make sure there are no areas that the ferret can escape from. Use this rule: Any space a ferret can get it's head through it can get it's body through. There are a lots of things to do to ferret-proof a room. But mainly you have to use common sense.

on 11/22/2005 It's important to remember that ferrets are not like hamsters and guinea pigs. They are not meant to be in cages 24 hours a day. Ferrets need room to play, to run, and to explore. Do not keep them in a cage all of the time!