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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2015 6:41:39 GMT -5
Please be brutally honest. Much as I'd get a kick out of hearing that I've done well it would be more useful to hear what I've done wrong or what could be better. I've only been a ferrent for two days and I'm here to learn! I'm using a box as a step in front of the cage for now - I had made a ramp at first out of thick cardboard, but I hadn't realised that ferret feet aren't very grippy and it was too steep. This resulted in a very slippery first exit from the cage and a fall off the side of the ramp halfway down. Also I needed to reattach the ramp every time I opened and closed the cage. I'm going to get a plastic storage box today to keep there as a step and use it to store toys and litter too. I made Chups a hideaway from a cardboard box as I'd read that she'd need a dark enclosed box to nest in and feel safe, especially when she first came home. Obviously it can't be cleaned so it was intended as a temporary solution. She went in once, rearranged the blankets and scratched around inside for about a minute and hasn't been back in since. I'm going to try her with a plastic storage box stuffed with blankets and with a cut out entry hole and see if she likes that any better. My barrier wall is a temporary thing too, but I haven't decided if I'm going to get rid of it completely or replace it with something more permanent and taller. Photos are a bit big so hopefully these thumbnails will work as links to the full size pictures:   |
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Post by bitbyter on May 28, 2015 6:49:08 GMT -5
The cage didn't come with a ramp? That's odd. Normally they have a wire ramp (that NEEDS to be covered with something, wire ramps are dangerous). Now regarding the room...
1. Don't assume that window is to high. Determined ferrets can climb curtains.
2. A natural salmon oil or herring oil is better than Ferretone.
3. What is that piece of hardware plugged into the wall?
4. Everything else looks pretty good. Unless he is a kit, he won't show interest in raw food, you'll need to teach him.
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2015 7:01:25 GMT -5
My bookshelf sits on the floor like that. Mine have peed and pooped on my books so now the bottom shelf is blocked off.
Mine would tear the newspaper to shreds. Is she using her litterbox 100%? The other thing that comes to mind is that pee would spread throughout the paper, which would get gross. I use fleece, but mine are 90% collectively at using the box. You could also use puppy pads to absorb the accidents.
My litter box is zip tied to the cage because mine would move it and throw it around if it weren't. I also have to use lock-on crocks for water because they like to tip it over.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using proboards
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Post by unclejoe on May 28, 2015 7:03:21 GMT -5
Hmmm. Ours love sleeping in boxes. Can you put a hole near the ramp so it's easier to get in? or move the ramp?
Marshall playpens make good barriers, but they need to be attached to the walls
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2015 7:32:49 GMT -5
The cage didn't come with a ramp? That's odd. Normally they have a wire ramp (that NEEDS to be covered with something, wire ramps are dangerous). Now regarding the room... 1. Don't assume that window is to high. Determined ferrets can climb curtains. 2. A natural salmon oil or herring oil is better than Ferretone. 3. What is that piece of hardware plugged into the wall? 4. Everything else looks pretty good. Unless he is a kit, he won't show interest in raw food, you'll need to teach him. Thanks for the tips, this is great and just what I need. The cage has a ramp to go from the floor to the shelf which has a fleece cover, but it didn't come with a ramp to use from the cage to the outside world. There is a ramp available ( this one) but I'm in the UK and I couldn't find a stockist here. I'm going to have to rework the curtain situation then. At the moment she's fully supervised (she's good at showing me where things aren't working so well) and while she hasn't tried to climb the curtains yet I'd rather get them out of the way before she works out how! Ferretone vs Salmon oil - yes! I bought two 'reward' supplements before I'd done a great deal of research. One of them is a malt paste, which is widely sold as a treat here and the first two ingredients are 'malt extract, water, dextrose'. Malt extract is just a variety of sugars produced by germinating grain and dextrose is just sugar, so we've got 'sugar,water,sugar'. Not good. I've not used that one. The other one was the Oil you can see in the picture, she does like this but I'll get some salmon oil on your advice, thank you! Ugh. The heating system in this building is terrible. We all have built in electric heaters which cost a fortune to run and we can't change. If I owned the place I'd take that one out, but I'm a tenant so it has to stay. I've just ordered some cable protectors from Amazon, flexible hard plastic covers that I'm going to be fitting throughout. Chups is a rescue, and they give raw chicken and rabbit to their ferrets as well as kibble so I thought I was going to have an easy time of it. What I think probably happens is that the ferrets get bowls with kibble, and the raw stuff but can actually just pick out the kibble if they like. Chups just ignores the raw I've tried her with so I've bought a blender and will be making soup this afternoon and I'll be signing up for mentoring. Thanks for your input and time! |
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Post by RedSky on May 28, 2015 7:42:35 GMT -5
Looks like a great start. My biggest thing would be a friend... Assuming that she's not on her own because she hates all other ferrets??? I'm always for any potentially sociable creature having a friend of the same species to interact with. I have the same hammock! My three love it and will all get in for a nap together, it's a bit of a squash but them seem happy enough and prefer it to other beds. Have you seen these too? www.amazon.co.uk/Little-Friends-Rodent-Hive-Ferret-Chocolate/dp/B00BEW4O2I/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1432816166&sr=8-2&keywords=ferret+ratI can put a blanket in here for them too, and for colder nights there is a heat pad that fits lovely at the bottom www.amazon.co.uk/SnuggleSafe-Microwave-Wireless-Heatpad-Fleece/dp/B0014LJKUA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1432816234&sr=8-1&keywords=snugglesafe+heat+padI make sure it doesn't get too hot and the cover is on fully and then wrap it in an extra blanket so they can't get into touch the heatpad. Not really needed at this time of year and inside but just an idea. Great for any poorly ferrets too, just make sure she doesn't over heat. I agree with elenners, newspaper isn't the best bedding. Often when it gets wet the ink can 'leak' and will get on her, not sure if it would be toxic or not? I too use fleece blankets and with a ferret nation they can easily be wrapped around the pan base. I get most of mine from The Original Factory Shop. I'm lucky as we have one in our little town, but B&M also sell nice baby or pet fleeces that aren't to expensive. There are lots of threads and youtube videos on how to make pan covers, hammocks and other things for the ferret nation cage, if you've got a sewing machine it's definitely worth it. The hammock I bought (like yours) gets spoilt easily after a few watches. Our fleeces are still going strong and at the moment I'm washing every other day (one of my boys has problems). As for the 'playpen', my female would use the cage and be over that in no time. It's amazing how some of them climb. Even the marshalls playpen isn't escape proof and isn't cheap for us in the UK. I tried a pen from Pets at Home but 2 of my 3 can climb out. We resorted to going to B&Q and getting some MDF boards, some hook and eyes (picture frame hangers) and painting the boards (waterproof, wipe clean paint is best) and using the eyes and the metal 'poles' from the P@H playpen to make a similar design out of wood. Since B&Q will cut the MDF to size, and the 'eyes' are so easy to get into the edges the hardest part is moving and painting them. It's easy to add to and much cheaper than a marshalls playpen. You can make it as tall as you need and no bars for the most nimble of ferrets to escape. As long as nothing is near it and it's higher than they can jump... |
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2015 7:43:44 GMT -5
My bookshelf sits on the floor like that. Mine have peed and pooped on my books so now the bottom shelf is blocked off. Mine would tear the newspaper to shreds. Is she using her litterbox 100%? The other thing that comes to mind is that pee would spread throughout the paper, which would get gross. I use fleece, but mine are 90% collectively at using the box. You could also use puppy pads to absorb the accidents. My litter box is zip tied to the cage because mine would move it and throw it around if it weren't. I also have to use lock-on crocks for water because they like to tip it over. Sent from my Nexus 6 using proboards I might block the shelf off like you then. I'll see how things go, but she's been good with litter tray use out of the cage so far. She does tear up the newspaper! It gets replaced several times a because she likes trying to get under it, pulling it out and ripping it to bits and then peeing on it. I do want to get a blanket down but we're struggling a bit with peeing in the tray so something easily disposable is better for now but you're right, the newspaper doesn't really absorb well. I hadn't thought of using puppy pads but I am going to add them to the shopping list that this thread is generating. Likewise zip ties for the tray. She doesn't tip it over but she does nose it out of the way so she can pee behind it. Thanks for the ideas  |
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Post by bitbyter on May 28, 2015 8:13:00 GMT -5
Just buy a few puppy pads at first. I found they didn't work for my girls because they would shred them.
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2015 8:45:59 GMT -5
Looks like a great start. My biggest thing would be a friend... Assuming that she's not on her own because she hates all other ferrets??? I'm always for any potentially sociable creature having a friend of the same species to interact with. I have the same hammock! My three love it and will all get in for a nap together, it's a bit of a squash but them seem happy enough and prefer it to other beds. Have you seen these too? www.amazon.co.uk/Little-Friends-Rodent-Hive-Ferret-Chocolate/dp/B00BEW4O2I/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1432816166&sr=8-2&keywords=ferret+ratI can put a blanket in here for them too, and for colder nights there is a heat pad that fits lovely at the bottom www.amazon.co.uk/SnuggleSafe-Microwave-Wireless-Heatpad-Fleece/dp/B0014LJKUA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1432816234&sr=8-1&keywords=snugglesafe+heat+padI make sure it doesn't get too hot and the cover is on fully and then wrap it in an extra blanket so they can't get into touch the heatpad. Not really needed at this time of year and inside but just an idea. Great for any poorly ferrets too, just make sure she doesn't over heat. I agree with elenners, newspaper isn't the best bedding. Often when it gets wet the ink can 'leak' and will get on her, not sure if it would be toxic or not? I too use fleece blankets and with a ferret nation they can easily be wrapped around the pan base. I get most of mine from The Original Factory Shop. I'm lucky as we have one in our little town, but B&M also sell nice baby or pet fleeces that aren't to expensive. There are lots of threads and youtube videos on how to make pan covers, hammocks and other things for the ferret nation cage, if you've got a sewing machine it's definitely worth it. The hammock I bought (like yours) gets spoilt easily after a few watches. Our fleeces are still going strong and at the moment I'm washing every other day (one of my boys has problems). As for the 'playpen', my female would use the cage and be over that in no time. It's amazing how some of them climb. Even the marshalls playpen isn't escape proof and isn't cheap for us in the UK. I tried a pen from Pets at Home but 2 of my 3 can climb out. We resorted to going to B&Q and getting some MDF boards, some hook and eyes (picture frame hangers) and painting the boards (waterproof, wipe clean paint is best) and using the eyes and the metal 'poles' from the P@H playpen to make a similar design out of wood. Since B&Q will cut the MDF to size, and the 'eyes' are so easy to get into the edges the hardest part is moving and painting them. It's easy to add to and much cheaper than a marshalls playpen. You can make it as tall as you need and no bars for the most nimble of ferrets to escape. As long as nothing is near it and it's higher than they can jump... Thanks for replying, I really appreciate the pointers. I struggled with whether or not to bring one or two ferrets home with me for some time. I am a terrible pessimist and had all sorts of worries about how I'd manage with two of them. Now that I've had Chups for two days I'm realising that actually having two wouldn't have created the chaos that I was imagining and that I could definitely have coped. When I picked her up from the rescue centre I talked to them about the one/two/more options and they suggested that I take one, with a view to adding another once I'd realised that yes, I can do this. Long story, but I've had to stop working and am unlikely to be in full time work again for a long time so I have time on my hands to play with Chups whenever she's awake. All the same I know she'd benefit from a playmate her own size and species. I want to get things a little more sorted out here and I'm giving it a week to be sure, but unless anything changes drastically I'll be calling the rescue centre again to sort out getting Chups a buddy. Now's the time I wish I'd been a bit more confident and started with two, but you live and learn! I did see those kinds of homes online, but I wanted her to have somewhere dark - I can't remember if I read it somewhere, but I had a feeling that she would need a really dark enclosed sort of nest. I may have imagined it. I wasn't sure if something like that hive would be ideal for a ferret, so thank you for reassuring me that yes, it would! I'd like her to have a selection of comfy cushiony places to sleep, at the moment the cage looks a bit more like a prison than a home. I have an Original Factory Shop nearby too, and I'm going to The Range this afternoon for boxes and I'll see if they have fleece blankets there. Newspaper really hasn't been good at all. After your advice I'm going to get several blankets and just put them in the wash as often as they get soiled. I've read about your poor little boys problems - how awful for him and you! I'm so sorry that you're both having to go through this, it must be an absolute nightmare and you have my every sympathy  You've confirmed my suspicions that making an escape proof barrier is going to be a bit of a big job. I've been trying to work out how tall it would need to be, and come up with the answer "very tall". I think unless I get that bookcase out so I can get the cage away from the wall it just won't work. I need to look at my furniture again. Thanks so much for all your advice, I really appreciate you taking the time, especially with all you have going on at the moment  |
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2015 9:20:39 GMT -5
Hmmm. Ours love sleeping in boxes. Can you put a hole near the ramp so it's easier to get in? or move the ramp? Marshall playpens make good barriers, but they need to be attached to the walls I wonder if that's why she doesn't like the box, the way in is a bit out-of the way. I've just made her another entrance opposite the ramp. I thought this might wake her up, but nope, she slept through the rearrangement. I'm going to try her with a different sort of home like the one that RedSky has suggested next as well as a plastic box. I'll keep offering Chups options until I find something that she approves of. The barrier is going to be tricky. I'm a tenant and I'm not allowed to drill into the walls here, which is going to make things a lot more difficult. I think I'm going to get the other things sorted out first before figuring out what to do about it. I'm also going to go around and measure all my furniture again and see if I can get the bookcase fitted in elsewhere. At the moment either the cage or the bookcase need to be against the barrier, both of which offer a fairly easy potential escape route. If I move the bookcase then the cage would go in the corner. Hmmm. I need to do some measuring. This is going to take some thinking. Thanks very much for your input, I do appreciate it |
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2015 9:29:48 GMT -5
Everyone has made some great suggestions. You are off to a good start.
Ferrets don't see well, so they are clumsy. You would think they are agile but they are not.
They really can climb. I've found mine at the top of my closet on the top shelf.
They do climb curtains. I have several curtains that are now tucked up and away from reaching.
I have two dresser in the guest room, they climb regularly.
That makes open windows dangerous.
Toilet lids need to be keep shut. I know that goes against the "Man Rule Book", but they tend to be fascinated by them. Chups will want to jump up and see what you're doing.
One idea for an escape proof barrier is to put some pvc pipe on top. You ask the store to cut a long thru it lengthwise and then fit it over the barrier. It makes it harder to grasp on and pull themselves over. There are You Tube videos of how to ferret proof a playpen.
You're already such a loving and caring ferrent. Nice Job.
:thumbsup:
When you are ready for another, ask at the shelter where Chups came from. Did she have a special friend. Ferrets form a bond and if she has a special friend, she might be missing them.
I use puppy pads. They don't shred them on the floor. They will shred the package that they come in. So, when I get new pads, they go in the closet quickly.
Fleece is cheap and easily sewn. Look for specials on it. Drugstores carry it for pets and it's often on sale.
Speaking of that, have you tried blanket rides yet? That's a favorite game. Waggle the blanket at her and once she hops on, pull it along. She will go nuts.
Some ferrets prefer a plate to a bowl for their food. A bowl will cut off their line of sight. Natural instinct makes them feel vulnerable during feed time and they can't see when their head is in a bowl.
Water bowls are fun time. They make heavy crocks just for ferrets. Otherwise, they tend to push them around, spill water and snorkel. I can't tell if your bowl is heavy or not. Just wanted to put that out there for you.
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Post by Blue on May 28, 2015 13:22:42 GMT -5
A problem to be aware of: when you have furniture against the walls and your ferret is a climber, there's always the possibility that they'll fall down the back and get stuck between the furniture (or cage!) and the wall. Several ferrets have met their end this way It's best to keep the furniture away from the wall by at least a ferret-width (yes, that is an official measuring unit) or make really sure it's flush to the wall, securing it with screws or something. My ferret really likes the away from the wall method because it gives her little corridors to run around in. You can also put a tunnel there if she's in danger of pooping there. Also, it's good to have something blocking the furniture away from the wall, so that it doesn't accidentally get pushed back in. Oh, also, and this is much less dire, it's good to put blanket covering the entire cage. It's less fun for us but it will feel much safer for Chups. Also, it diminishes her exposure to light, which is a trigger for adrenal. Also, Bob Church's cheap and easy way to save your ferret's sanity: a nest box: books.google.com/books?id=B81UEcbj28gC&pg=PT86&lpg=PT86&dq=bob+church+saving+fuzzy%27s+sanity&source=bl&ots=ejXADD1apQ&sig=--xQGG2TWuV8l8V3BKn5u5B88Dg&hl=en&sa=X&ei=flxnVcmPJs6cyAS3vYCYCw&ved=0CB4Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=bob%20church%20saving%20fuzzy%27s%20sanity&f=falseYou have a great setup and you are taking wonderful care of Chups! :thumbsup: |
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2015 13:33:45 GMT -5
Its so strange to me how clumsy she can be at times and yet at others manages the most amazing acrobatic feats! The thing that causes her big problems here are the rooms with tiled or vinyl floor, on the carpet she's like a guided missile but struggles when the surface is smooth. lol, I spend years being trained to put the toilet seat down and now I have to start again with the lid as well! I'm going to have to be really strict about that as there's potential for a horrible disaster there. That's interesting about the food bowl, as she won't actually eat out of it at all, she takes a bit of kibble out and chews it next to the bowl or hides it somewhere. Chups hasn't turned over the food or water bowls yet, and although the label at the pet store said they were 'heavy' they really aren't - at least not for a ferret. I'm not too worried about her kicking them over yet, but things could get really sticky once she moves on to raw so I'll look into a more stable and heavy bowl. I'll try her with a blanket ride later, I'm sure she'll love it. Thank you for your insights and thank you too for the thumbs up and complements |
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2015 14:09:19 GMT -5
A problem to be aware of: when you have furniture against the walls and your ferret is a climber, there's always the possibility that they'll fall down the back and get stuck between the furniture (or cage!) and the wall. Several ferrets have met their end this way It's best to keep the furniture away from the wall by at least a ferret-width (yes, that is an official measuring unit) or make really sure it's flush to the wall, securing it with screws or something. My ferret really likes the away from the wall method because it gives her little corridors to run around in. You can also put a tunnel there if she's in danger of pooping there. Also, it's good to have something blocking the furniture away from the wall, so that it doesn't accidentally get pushed back in. Oh, also, and this is much less dire, it's good to put blanket covering the entire cage. It's less fun for us but it will feel much safer for Chups. Also, it diminishes her exposure to light, which is a trigger for adrenal. Also, Bob Church's cheap and easy way to save your ferret's sanity: a nest box: books.google.com/books?id=B81UEcbj28gC&pg=PT86&lpg=PT86&dq=bob+church+saving+fuzzy%27s+sanity&source=bl&ots=ejXADD1apQ&sig=--xQGG2TWuV8l8V3BKn5u5B88Dg&hl=en&sa=X&ei=flxnVcmPJs6cyAS3vYCYCw&ved=0CB4Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=bob%20church%20saving%20fuzzy%27s%20sanity&f=falseYou have a great setup and you are taking wonderful care of Chups! :thumbsup: I'll be moving things away from the walls. That'll make me feel safer and be easier than trying to get them flush with the wall and I know that Chups will enjoy the extra 'tunnels' that it makes. Also, covering the cage makes a lot of sense for the sense of security, and I had no idea that the light could lead to health problems. At the rescue centre she was in an outdoor hutch with a wooden nest box so I know that she's used to having a dark hidey-hole, and this room gets a lot of light in the afternoon. I feel like a bit of a fool - I bought Ferrets for Dummies at Christmas and read it straight through, then promptly forgot at least 99% of what I read, including this bit about the nest box but as soon as I saw it I realised I'd seen it before and that's what I've had in my head as the sort of nest box/hidey-hole I've been imagining. Makes me wonder what else I've forgotten. I think I should get it out and read it again! Thank you for the tips, especially for the furniture/wall safety advice, and also for the thumbs up and encouragement, it gives my confidence a boost |
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