How to Choose and Set Up a Ferret Home

I applaud you on your wise choice of adopting a ferret.  If you’re reading this it is most likely your first.  It may be frustrating or seem complex at times, but keep in mind it will be rewarding as well.  That said, it is very important that the ferret home you choose be set up correctly, as certain common mistakes may compromise your ferret’s health.

The ferret home will be one of your major purchases for your ferret, but you don’t have to spend a fortune.  They can run between 50 and 200 dollars for a single ferret home, or substantially higher for multiples.  Even if you do have multiple ferrets, you needn’t break the bank to pay for the ferret home, as long as it covers the criteria of comfort and safety, you’re fine.

I will address safety primarily as the subject of comfort is in part subject to each ferret’s personality and your own desires for ferret care.  In the ferret home, some people will use woodchips.  This is as big of a mistake for ferrets as it is for many other animals.  These woodchips may lead to respiratory problems, so don’t chance it.  If the ferret home has wire flooring, cover it with cut outs of cardboard, linoleum, or anything else hard that will evenly distribute your ferret’s weight.  The reason for this is ferrets tend to have delicate feet and wire flooring will put more pressure on less space.

For set-up, you want to keep your ferret hammock, should you choose to get one, away from the sides of the cage to keep them from getting hurt while swinging.  It is also suggested that you keep their litter tray a distance away from their sleeping area.  I don’t know if it’s a health thing or not, but I know I’d prefer not to sleep in my bathroom.

The sleeping area I mentioned doesn’t need to be an entire compartment (if your ferret home has compartments), but you should know something about ferret sleeping habits for the set up.  They tend to sleep a lot, so how well they sleep is very important and can dramatically change the quality of their lives.  They love dark places to sleep in and also tend to “sleep burrow.”  This is exactly as it sounds, so any soft, excess material will work like a charm on both counts, if they can get themselves down into it.

There is one more parting shot that you’ll thank me for later.  Get heavy food and water dishes that your ferret can’t knock over or they will both become toys to your ferret when it has finished eating.  You can use light dishes if you can manage to tie them down, or if you love having ferret food and water scattered and splattered everywhere.

As always, good luck and enjoy the company of your your incredible new friend.