Manitoba ferret association

Before you bring your new baby home.. you should make sure you have everything prepared for his/her arrival.. This way your time will be spent bonding with your precious gift.. rather than trying to figure out what you have forgotten.

These are MUST-HAVES for any little furry to live safely.. and comfortably with you..

The House - • Cage •

When you are not around to supervise your ferret.. the safest place for him/her is in his/her cage.. I highly recommend having it setup where you & your family spend your time most.. This way they will always feel a part of the family.. I have 4 cages setup in my livingroom.. since this is where most of my time is spent..

In the very least.. the cage should at least be 3 ft wide by 2 ft deep by 2 ft high.. keep in mind.. this is only for one furry baby.. it should never house more than one.. The cage should never be enclosed.. never use anything such as an aquarium.. They need constant air flow.. Just think.. the bigger the better.. make sure he/she has ample room for the bathroom.. bedroom.. kitchen..and playroom.. Think about it.. you wouldn't want to eat.. drink.. sleep.. or play in your bathroom.. nor should any fuzz butt have to..

You can find a suitable cage at any of these places.. used cage store.. pet store.. ferret shelter.. pet supply store.. ferret speciality catalog.. or you could even make your own.. Just know that if you decide to get a cage that has a wire bottom.. please protect your furries feet by placing a carpet.. thick blanket.. piece of linoleum..anything of that nature on top of it.

There are many on the market.. some can be simple.. single levels.. all the way to multi levels.. Just keep in mind the following when cage shopping.. Ample Size.. Good Ventilation.. small openings between wire and secure doors.. ( yes they can push open doors with their heads.. they happen to be the smartest escape artists ).. also make sure the cage is sturdy and easy for you to be able to clean.. and please.. NEVER get a wooden cage.. as their urine and feces does get absorbed in it.

Bottom line.. do your research and shop around.. it could save you alot of money.

The Bedroom - • Bedding / Hammock •

Ferrets love to tunnel and snuggle up in their bedding.. and curl up in a hammock.. or a hanging sleep sack.. NEVER use wood chips or shavings..ever.. as these can cause respitory problems or liver disease..

There are not only many products out there which you can purchase.. such as hammocks.. sleep sacks.. but there is alot you have in your home that can be used.. or if your good on a sewing machine.. knit.. or crotchet.. you can make these yourself.. and save alot of money to.

Items around the house are.. that I personally use.. old towels.. baby blankets.. old sweatshirts.. pillow cases.. knitted or crotchet blankets.. bunting bags.. have an old pair of jeans..?.. cut the legs off and you have yourself a tunnel..

The Kitchen - • Food Bowl / Water Bottle •

I highly recommend a heavy duty plastic dish that attaches to the cage.. mine have yet to master the removal of one.. Boomer will place his nose near the bottom of his and flip it up.. food gets all over the place.. but that's expected.. I simply pick it up..

As for the water.. ferrets love to play in water.. tip water dishes over.. and they drink ALOT of it.. so I would recommend a bottle.. that holds at least 15 ounces.. this should be hung from the outside of the cage.. and changed daily or every second day.. Keep in mind.. if you wouldn't drink it.. they shouldn't either..

It's also a great idea to put the food on one level and the water on another.. so they have to get exercise in order to get both.. but if you happen to have an old or ill ferret.. you may want to keep them closer together.. but always away from the litter box.

Please make sure that you don't put the food dish too high up or too low on the cage as well as the water bottle so they cannot reach it.. You don't want them having to strain to get either their food or water..

Also.. depending how many ferrets you have in one cage.. you might need more than one food dish or water bottle.

Continued on the Ferret Owner Checklist Part 2