Getting a ferret as a pet is an exciting and rewarding experience. Ferrets are inquisitive, playful creatures that can bring a lot of joy into your life. However, ensuring your ferret’s health and happiness requires properly setting up their living space. Choosing the right ferret cage and accessorizing it properly is key to your furry friend’s wellbeing.
In this article, we’ll explore 22 creative ferret cage ideas to help you design a stimulating comfortable home for your pet. Whether you’re working with a small space or want to go all-out on a “ferret room” there are plenty of options to meet your needs.
Pick the Right Base Cage
The foundation of any great ferret cage is the base cage itself. There are several styles to choose from:
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Ferret Nation or Critter Nation cage These multi-level cages made by Midwest are popular choices They offer plenty of space while being easy to clean The single unit is great for 1-2 ferrets, while the double unit provides even more room.
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Feisty Ferret cage: For energetic ferrets that need extra durability, the Feisty Ferret cage is a good option. It has a heavy-duty build.
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Kaytee cage: Kaytee cages feature a simple, plastic tray base that makes cleaning a breeze. They’re easy to move around and good for small spaces.
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C&C cage: If you want total customization, C&C cages are made from modular grid pieces like LEGOs. Design the exact shape you want.
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Glass aquarium: Although not ideal for permanent housing, a large aquarium can work for a kit or sick ferret needing temporary confinement. Make sure to secure the top.
Give Them Room to Roam
While ferrets shouldn’t spend all day in their cage, giving them extra room to explore makes for happier pets. Consider these roomy ideas:
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Connect two cages together using tunnels or custom attachments. Double the space!
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Attach a wire playpen to give your ferret a safe, expanded play area when you can’t actively supervise.
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Let ferrets free roam in a fully ferret-proofed room during their outside cage time. Watch them scamper and play!
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For outdoor ferrets in warmer climates, build a large hutch-style cage or wire enclosure in the yard. Make sure to prevent escapes.
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Convert a whole room into a “ferret room” with tunnels, obstacles, and toys to climb on. Supervise play time.
Keep It Clean
Ferrets can be stinky pets, so optimize your cage for easy cleaning:
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Use cages with deep plastic trays that collect waste and pull out easily for cleaning.
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Place litter boxes on the lowest levels near cage doors for easy access.
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Cover ramps and platforms with removable canvas or vinyl liners to protect cage flooring.
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Spot clean litter boxes daily and do a full cage scrub down weekly to control odor.
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Use pellet litter instead of clumping clay litter which can harm ferrets if ingested.
Give Them a Good Night’s Sleep
Ferrets sleep up to 20 hours a day! Set up a cozy sleeping space:
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Hang soft hammocks on the upper levels of the cage away from food and litter areas.
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Sew fabric tunnels or cubes as dark, enclosed hideaways for napping.
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Use an old T-shirt or towel as bedding rather than loose substrates they can kick out.
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Try a hanging shoe organizer with pouches for individual sleeping sacks.
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Let them snooze inside cardboard boxes, but remove regularly as they soil easily.
Feed Them Properly
Arrange food and water stations for easy access and minimal mess:
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Place bowls on the highest levels on the opposite end from litter boxes.
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Select no-spill bowls or bowls that can clip to cage wiring to limit waste.
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Use water bottles with sipper tubes in addition to bowls to ensure hydration.
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Offer kibble in puzzle feeders or treat balls to stimulate natural foraging behavior.
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Provide a consistent diet of quality ferret kibble and occasional treats. No fruits/veggies!
Entertain Their Inquisitive Nature
Ferrets need mental and physical stimulation. Add fun activities:
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Put sturdy plastic tunnels on the cage floor for them to run through.
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Include cat toys like balls with bells, crinkle toys, and popup mice. Avoid small parts.
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Attach a hanging bird toy or wind chime for pawing and interaction.
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Stash ping pong balls in a soil-free digging box for hide and seek fun.
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Rotate new toys regularly to pique their curiosity and avoid boredom.
Final Touches
Personalize your ferret habitat with these creative ideas:
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Decorate with holiday themes! Halloween decor or Christmas lights make it festive.
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Go girly with soft pink fabrics and accessories for a feminine touch.
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Hang photos and art for visual interest. Just avoid items in reach to chew on.
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Add a cage cover or canopy for privacy and security when they sleep.
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Affix a name sign or custom art piece to the outside with your ferret’s name.
With so many options for designing a fun, safe habitat, your ferret cage can be both practical and personalized. Use these 22 creative ideas as inspiration when outfitting your pet’s home. Proper housing enriches your ferret’s life and deepens the bond you share. Let your imagination run wild and build them their dream home!
A Vet’s Advice for DIY Ferret Cages
Dr. James R. Talbott of Belle Forest Animal Hospital says that, admittedly, it’s much easier to buy a commercial cage.
However, if you prefer your own homemade enclosure, Talbott suggested on eHow, “If you’re going to make one, you’ll want to design it close to those types of specifications. The first thing is you want a ferret cage to be long enough to where a ferret can move around and play. The second thing you want to think about is it needs to be tall enough to where ferrets can move in a multi-level fashion as well.”
The veterinary expert also suggests that you use a coated wire as the primary material, not only for hygienic purposes but for safety and durability as well. Your ferret should not be able to escape the enclosure by squeezing through the bars, so make sure you get the spacing correct.
Hammocks and other loungers
Your ferret’s sleeping area will change according to the seasons, ideally. Experts from the American Ferret Association (AFA) recommend fleece sleepers as the go-to bed; however, cotton fabric is much better during the summer because it’s cooler.
You’ve got a few options here: You can get a custom-made hammock for your ferrets or find DIY tutorials online relatively easily. In fact, you can find an entire list of homemade ferret hammock ideas and DIY tutorials on the Holistic Ferret Forum, courtesy of an Administrator.
A few examples of these do-it-yourself ferret hammock and accessory guides include:
Although it seems that ferret cage enrichment is just for fun, these accessories play much more of a role in your ferret’s health than you might think.
Like all companion animals, ferrets need a significant amount of cognitive stimulation, especially when they’re cooped up in their cage while you’re either sleeping or away. Without it, they’re likely to develop lots of pent-up frustration, leading to escape attempts and potential injuries from reckless behavior in the cage.
AFA experts advise, “Choose toys that have no chance of breaking and causing a chewing or choking hazard. This would include balls with bells inside and plush toys with squeakers. Hard plastic balls and ‘road kill’ style toys are recommended.”
(Note: Be very careful about squeaky toys. It’s not safe to allow your ferret to play with these without supervision since these critters can easily rip fabric toys apart, thereby introducing the risk of choking on the plastic squeaker.)
The organization also warns ferret owners to avoid hanging ferret toys from the top of the cage – that is, unless you hang it by a metal or hard plastic shower ring. Suspending anything from a rope will tempt the little weasel to chew on and ingest the material.
Best Ferret Cage REVIEW: Ferret Nation vs. Feisty Ferret vs. Kaytee
FAQ
Can ferrets live alone?
- Social Nature: Ferrets are naturally social creatures and enjoy the company of other ferrets.
- Benefits of Pairing: Keeping ferrets in pairs or small groups can lead to increased playfulness, reduced stress, and a more natural environment for them.
- Single Ferret Care: If you choose to keep only one ferret, it’s crucial to provide ample interaction and enrichment, including regular playtime and attention from their human companions.
- Potential Issues with Loneliness: Lonely or bored ferrets can develop behavioral problems, so it’s important to ensure they have enough stimulation and interaction.
- Ferrets can bond strongly with humans
- Ferrets still require human attention even if kept in a group
- Some ferrets may not bond as firmly to their owner as single ferrets do
- If you are going to have a single ferret, make sure they have plenty of interaction and enrichment:
Can a ferret survive outside?
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Temperature Sensitivity:Ferrets are more resistant to cold than heat. They can handle temperatures well below 80 degrees Fahrenheit, but they are very susceptible to heat stroke in higher temperatures, especially when exposed to hot surfaces like pavement.
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Outdoor Dangers:Outdoor ferrets are at risk from wild animals, parasites like ticks and fleas, and exposure to harsh weather conditions.
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Ideal Housing:If kept outside, ferrets need a large, secure enclosure with protection from the elements, such as wind, rain, and direct sunlight. They should also have a solid floor to prevent escape and a ventilated area for cool air circulation.
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Alternative Housing:Ferrets can also thrive indoors in a suitable room or enclosure, according to Blue Cross.
How big of a cage do ferrets need?
- Minimum Size: A single ferret should have a cage at least 24″ x 24″ x 36″.
- Multi-Tiered: These cages are highly recommended as they offer more space and climbing opportunities, which ferrets enjoy.
- Space for Multiple Ferrets: If housing multiple ferrets, a larger cage is necessary to accommodate their needs.
- Solid Floors: Solid floors are preferred over wire flooring to protect their feet.
- Enrichment: In addition to cage size, it’s important to provide plenty of toys, play areas, and supervised playtime to ensure their physical and mental well-being.
What do ferrets need in their cage?
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Bedding:Provide soft, comfortable bedding like fleece blankets or towels.
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Litter Box:Ferrets should have access to a litter box filled with appropriate litter, such as paper-based or wood-based pellet form litter.
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Food and Water:Ensure access to fresh food and water in sturdy, untippable bowls or bottles.
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Enrichment:
- Toys: Provide a variety of ferret-safe toys, including balls, squeakers, and small stuffed animals.
- Tunnels and Pipes: Ferrets love to explore and play in tunnels and pipes.
- Hideaways: Include igloos, caves, or hammocks for them to rest and feel secure.
- Platforms: Platforms allow ferrets to climb and explore different levels of the cage.
- Toys: Provide a variety of ferret-safe toys, including balls, squeakers, and small stuffed animals.
Can You DIY a ferret cage?
Leah Schultz’s walkthrough of a DIY ferret cage construction is impressively extensive, guiding viewers through the process of assembling an entirely homemade enclosure using: This design would be best used as either a cage or run since it’s both wide and multi-level.
How do you keep a ferret entertained?
A fun way to keep your ferret entertained is by making tunnels and mazes out of cardboard boxes. Just cut holes in the boxes and connect them together to make a cool pathway for your ferret to explore. They’ll love it because they like going through tight spaces. You can also purchase a good ferret tunnel online if you do not feel like making one.
How much does it cost to build a ferret cage?
The total cost of building a ferret cage according to the provided DIY instructions is approximately $70-80. Please note that this cost is only this low if you already have some of the needed materials at home. If you do not have any of the materials, it would cost more than $80 to build this ferret cage.