Which Ferret Cages Are Best?

by TW Bell

If you've been to a really NICE zoo (San Diego is a good example) you know the importance of proper presentation. Everything is so much nicer when the enclosures are well-maintained and roomy, especially if they're able to closely replicate actual habitat conditions for the occupants. Life can be very good for these animals (even though they are essentially captives). If you're a ferret lover and keep them at home as pets proper living conditions are also essential. Your choice of ferret cages will play a big role here.

Maybe you've also had the displeasure of visiting a zoo with lower standards of upkeep and 'presentation'. Maybe it's a bare-bones cage so small the animal within barely has room to turn around (or even a larger enclosure that just holds too many occupants). You know these animals are not as happy (or healthy) as their counterparts who have ample or even 'plush' accommodations.

Getting back to the discussion about pet ferrets, it's basically the same thing just on a smaller scale. Ferrets are inquisitive and exploratory animals and when they're not being personally supervised in their activity they're best kept in an enclosure of some type. Here's where you might want to pay special attention to your options.

Finding a ferret cage has never been easier, especially in this day of immediate Internet access. The Web is full of sites selling all types of pet supplies and thousands marketing specifically to ferret owners. Often someone will see something at, say, a garage sale that looks like it might work as a ferret enclosure. People have tried using dog crates, bird cages and even fish aquariums as an alternative to an actual cage made to house ferrets. This is not the best idea.

The best advice here is to GO through the trouble and expense of getting a piece of equipment designed expressly for ferret use. If you get a good cage it will be a one-time purchase that can return long years of convenience and function for both you and your furry friend. Ferrets are active, fast moving critters and they need lots of room to play (even while in their cage). In this case, bigger is better and TOO big isn't really a problem. Too SMALL, however, is a big problem and most unfair to the pet.

To house a single animal, cage size should be at least two feet square and three feet tall. This is as a minimum but remember, bigger is better. The more room your critter has to romp around the happier he'll be. There are hundreds upon hundreds of different models of cages available and, being designed specifically for this type of animal, most are built with his habits and natural tendencies in mind.

A ferret cage requires good airflow, making wire the best material for construction. Every configuration of accommodation imaginable is available and some are really, really nice (and not exactly inexpensive). You can choose anything from a single-story unit to a high-rise, five-level model (and everything in between).

Ferret cages that provide lots of room for the animals to actively 'be themselves' are preferred. Distractions such as toys and obstacles will provide more fun for your pet and more entertainment for you. It's definitely worth the time and trouble of finding just the right cage!