Why Ferret Cages are an Essential Part of Keeping Ferrets as Pets
So, You're Getting a Ferret!
There are some essential items you will need if you are considering owning a pet ferret. Possibly the most important of these is the place your new pet will call home. You will need a ferret cage. Don't even dream of buying your pet until you have a proper ferret cage. This is a big deal, and you just cannot skip it. Without a good cage, the issue of where to safely keep your new friend can turn into a major issue in a hurry. You should already understand that you will need to spend a little bit of money if you are keeping ferrets as pets. A ferret cage is something you will need to keep your ferret safe and healthy. You may or may not want to buy your pet a bunch of toys, clothes, and other accessories, but don't skimp on the cage. Really. Now with that said, you shouldn't panic. Sometimes local pet shops drastically mark up ferret cages and supplies. I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to spend $300 or more on a "starter kit", but you don't have to spend that much. Click Here to see less expensive alternatives, or, read on...
Some Ferret Basics
As far as pets go, it is important to remember that your ferret is not the same as a cat or a dog. I've heard some ferret owners try to give descriptions of ferrets relative to both of these common pets, but ferrets are definitely their own distinct animal. They have been domesticated for over a thousand years, but they should not be taken on with the expectation of them acting like either a dog or a cat. For example, you should never allow your ferret to get outside on its own. Most people avoid doing this with dogs and cats as well, but they usually end up returning safely when they do get out. An escaped ferret however, is in a much more precarious situation. She is simply not equipped to handle the wilds of your neighborhood, and could end up in a very bad way if she escapes. This is why ferret proofing your house and providing a safe, secure living area (such as a ferret cage) is so important for your ferret's safety.
The ferret cage you choose should be big enough to let your pet stretch its legs a bit!
One of the most important items when it comes to basic ferret pet supplies is the ferret cage. As you would probably expect, you can find a wide range of styles available for your ferret to call home. You will find that you can spend quite a bit of money on a cage if you really want to do that. That probably is not necessary for most people, but you probably should not base your search on finding cheap ferret cages. As with so many things, you usually get exactly what you pay for, and focusing on getting the cheapest of anything usually just buys you a large lot of regret. You can find a quality cage at a fair price without too much trouble online. Locally, I can't make any promises. I personally have had a tough time finding them for sale anywhere near my home. The one I did find at a local store was available for a lot less when I checked online.
How Big of a Cage Do I Need?
Ferrets can sleep a lot. When they are awake however, they crave exercise and stimulation. Think of how you feel when you have been cooped up all day inside of your house (or work cubicle) for one reason or another. Your ferret needs something to keep its mind sharp and some room to move. Ideally you will be letting your ferret out to play with you at least once a day, but you can't walk around holding it during every waking moment. Your ferret's cage should be at least 12 cubic feet for one ferret. That works out to about 3'x2'x2' for non math fans. Bigger is actually better, but your budget and the amount of space available in your home could be limiting factors. Ferrets usually enjoy having playmates, so a lot of people end up buying more than one of them. If you do, please remember that you will have to get a bigger cage. Even animals need their own space, and cramming two ferrets into a small cage is not going to make for happy pets. Here are some good starter cages.
Watch Out for Escape Artists!
When you decide on a cage for your ferret or ferrets be sure that it is secure, so that your pet does not escape and get itself into trouble, or worse. Check to be sure that your ferret cage has openings that are small enough to prevent escape. Get something that is built to handle any potential escape artists. You should be able to securely fasten the door shut. Also be sure that there are no openings that could trap or injure your pet ferret. If you end up buying a used ferret cage, you should also give it a very thorough cleaning. You will never know with absolute certainty what was kept in there before you and your ferret came along. Better safe than sorry in this case. Although I'm personally a big fan of saving money by buying used items, I draw the line at pet supplies. I figure that the money I'd pay the vet to deal with a sick ferret would easily wipe out any savings from buying a used cage. That's just me though.
As I'm writing this, I'm realizing that several pages could probably be devoted just to buying ferret cages. There are many styles that include variations of a very basic ferret cage up through large, multi level outfits built to house multiple ferrets. You will have to decide what is appropriate for your specific situation. Before I leave the topic of ferret cages though, I want to mention that you should provide some kind of safe haven in your ferret's cage where he can go to just chill out or sleep. They like to have some type of cover where they can escape from being in the wide open spaces. This might be bedding or an actual ferret safe structure that gets put in the ferret cage. You should also make sure that there is some kind of bottom to your cage other than plain wire. It is a comfort thing. Would you want to walk around and sleep on that wire grating every day? I wouldn't. One more thing to remember is that your ferret will use what you put in its cage as bedding, so it will eventually get stinky and/or dirty. This bedding will need to come out for cleaning from time to time. Get a cage that can be cleaned easily. You will be glad that you did. If you are going to take a ferret as a pet, you owe it to her to provide decent living conditions. A quality cage is a good place to start. There are many cages to choose from out there. I've compiled a short list of some of the most popular models. Click Here to see them.
