Setting Up a Cage For A Ferret

The type of cage you select depends on how much time your ferret will be spending in it. If he'll be spending most of his time -- like more than eight hours a day -- in the cage, you want to give him as much space as possible. At minimum, you want a cage that is two feet high, deep, and wide. A smaller cage will serve if your ferret will only be cage-bound overnight.

Ferrets are active and inquisitive little guys, so you should provide some entertainment in the cage. Your ferret may like a hammock or some tubes and ramps, but he may also be really bored and just curl up and sleep. Allowing your ferret to roam as much as possible outside of the cage will ensure a happy ferret!

And don't be disappointed if your ferret ignores the fancy toys you bought him and chooses to wrestle an old sock instead. As long as his toys don't have small parts that can be swallowed, just about anything you currently own can become a ferret toy.

The cage will need two things: a sleeping area and a bathroom area. Provide a small basket or cardboard box for your ferret to sleep in, and pad it with an old sweatshirt sleeve or pants leg. Get a triangular corner litterbox to maximize free space but be sure to change the litter EVERY DAY. Ferret waste can be very odiferous. Use a quality litter, but try to avoid the kind that clumps -- it tends to get stuck to your ferret's rump.

Your ferret set up will also need food and water. Any pet should have access to water all the time. A water bottle attaches easily to the side of the cage, but you can also offer a water bowl. Just like with rats, make sure the food and water bowls are heavy enough to NOT tip over.

As far as feeding goes, you can offer your ferret cat food like Iams or Science Diet, but don't give them dog food. Only actual ferret food or certain high-quality cat foods have enough of the proper nutrients for your ferret. You should think about offering a daily vitamin as well.