Which cage idea would be best for a ferret?

[dt241]

note:

these are not my images! they are used as merely a general reference/ visual. if I were to choose one of these designs, I would make it from scratch and make it ferret proof (not copy identical aspects in the pictures) so no worries of the large space between the wires and etc!


www.myaperturelabs.com/furniture-dog-kennels/furniture-dog-kennels-friday-favorites-wood-block-floor-and-a-beautiful-dog-kennel-yes-i-said-dog-kennel/

or



2) tinyscratches.tumblr.com/post/145025430605/ill-be-moving-in-a-month-so-i-wanted-to-get-a-few

basically I can't decide from a wooden structure similar to#1, or an all clear plexiglass enclosure like #2. 

OR if either of those are bad options? 

I would make the cage dimension 4'x8' and the height is still unknown, BUT it *will* support hammocks and what not (so again pictures are mainly for reference, not identical ideas). critter nations seem to be the most popular cage for ferrets, but im having a hard time understanding why.... they are quite small (though super tall) but they are only 2'x3' in dimension.. and not to mention pricey and not the prettiest to look at. 

would that be too big for a ferret? i only have 1 that i recently got from someone on CL. I would love to get another ferret in the following year/ 2020+ (but who knows maybe i'll get one sooner!) however, I'd love to plan ahead to get one from a reputable breeder (sadly most are in the eastern US, with one being in texas but have not gotten a response back yet when asked about 2019 litters, and where the majority of US ferret breeders are that's a 15-16 hour drive from where I am.... anyway topic for another time). but point is, I would like to anticipate having 2 ferrets in the future for the cage I would like to build. 

anyone have any opinions on the cages i posted? yay nay for a ferret? there will be ferret appropriate items such as hammocks, hidey house, litter box, and more so don't like the structure of those pics confuse you - the beauty of DIY!

[peacexlovexpets]

I would say the first option would be the better option (bar cage) as plexiglass/glass in general are very poor sides to cages because they have such poor ventilation and small pets tend to have very sensitive respiratory tracts. My main thing against a wood cage though is cleanliness-Critter/Ferret nations may not be the nicest to look at, but all of the panels can be taken apart and sanitized quite easily in a bathtub, which is a must for some owners. You could get a plexiglass sheet cut for the bottom of the cage perhaps to give it a better liner that is easier to clean/won't hold onto pee.

If you do go with one of your current options, make sure you add some "vertical space" as ferrets are quite the little climbers and diggers. As in, add a solid half length panel that they can climb onto, not just hammocks.

[dt241]

thank you for your message!

Yes i agree, and so with the plexiglass option it would probably have an open top / no roof or at least a partial roof.... i haven't quite decided.. my main priorities are obviously comfort and happiness for my ferret, cleanliness/ convenience, and not a priority, but a preference - looks (although my kiddie pool, toys, and tubes are already an eye sore so in the end it doesn't matter).

hmmmm... yes the levels are a great idea! thanks. I definitely would want that in there! Im leaning more towards the wooden cage idea due to the fact I could easily drill levels in there as opposed to the plexiglass where I would need to buy and do way more complex things since I wouldn't drill directly into the plexiglass with no support...

[caitmonster]

First option, for a permanent cage. And there's no such thing as too big of a cage. Although width is better than height (ferrets don't have good eyesight or sense of self-preservation when it comes to heights), unless you're able to construct intervening whole-floor levels like what's in the Ferret/Critter nations. They're used so much because they're the most sturdy and, unlike nearly all other cages marketed to ferrets, the doors open up one whole side. I have a cover over mine to keep it dark, anyway, but I know the hammertone steel look isn't for everyone.

My worry about the second one would be the seams. Keep in mind any sort of barrier needs to be at least 29" high to prevent jumping out, too. Ferrets are a lot stronger and more determined than rats and it's not inconceivable that they would try to push their head through where the edges of the sheets meet. If you read the review from March 7, 2017 on this listing for a playpen that uses plastic panels--admittedly they're more flexible than plexiglass--the customer left her ferret in it and came home to find him stuck in between the panels: KOUSI Small Animals Plastic Playpen. If you're wanting something collapsible, a couple of Marshalls playpens would probably cost about the same.

[dt241]

Thank you that is helpful info - i am a new owner (to ferrets!) so its really appreciated!

and i heard about that which is just so scary and awful, which is why im afraid to purchase things like that as i was thinking about it before i realized i could make my own...

I agree perhaps a wooden one would be better... while i would seal the ends of the plexiglass, if there's any give or airflow i can imagine how a ferret would relentlessly dig at it and who knows what could happen over time (plus a wooden one would be cheaper to make... and in turn be cheaper to do any renovations in the future as well).

i think i am definitely leaning towards a wooden structure so it is more sturdy (and with the possibility of getting another ferret in the next year or so I can't be too careful).

thank you

[Charlie]

When deciding on how you will be making your structure, keep in mine easy cleaning. I used an extra large rabbit cage for my single ferret. It was ok for the time being but it was not easy to get into to clean. The entrance was too small to reach all corners easily. The reason I went with a ferret nation is that the whole side opens up for easy cleaning and it doesn't take up a large amount of space on the floor and still provides lots of room vertically, also I can move it if I want to. My ferret does have access to a whole room though too.

With that being said, I do like the dog crate idea.

[Heather]

I've had many different cages down through the years. The dog one will not work...your jill/sprites will be able to escape with ease. The second is too flimsy, to contain anything except the most passive ferret. The only cage I can recommend is a Ferret or critter Nation. It has it's flaws but it's the best bang for your dollar. It's easy to clean, the others require you to be a contortionist to clean. The flimsier cage will allow a stronger ferret to actually pull the bars apart but this might also trap him between the bars and cause death if he can't figure a way to get out. The ferret nation though built on the vertical, is a very easy cage to look after, clean and set up. It's one of the safest set ups I've seen
ciao

[dt241]

Hey heather, are you sure the dog crate won't work? its not an identical look. I plan on blocking all small bars with plexiglass or something, but obviously having lottos ventilation. so i don't see why it couldn't be ferret proof (also making the insides water resistant...). none of the plans i listed above are identical because obviously they are not suitable as is for a ferret (makes sense, they weren't made for a ferret in the images!).

but i totally agree and have ultimately ruled out the plexiglass idea... not logical.. and pricier to build. I am also having another idea in mind... I haven't decided..

i.pinimg.com/originals/26/89/d7/2689d72861e3fe2e46081ca10df9fa7d.jpg

what about something like this? 40% is indoor in a cage, and the rest of the 60% in in a run / open space environment? I would make the walls for the run area tall. again, that picture was made for a rabbit (assuming) not a ferret, so its not going to be indentical AT ALL. *just the rough concept, not specifics*

so would that idea work? essentially the same thing as the dog crate idea (again... not a dog crate, just a wooden cage idea, is better said), but with a run. can't decide if ferrets like that stuff?? i know rabbits would enjoy a run area, but what about a ferret?

[peacexlovexpets]

Mar 7, 2019 22:02:28 GMT -5 dt241 said:

i.pinimg.com/originals/26/89/d7/2689d72861e3fe2e46081ca10df9fa7d.jpg

If you went with an idea like this, you may ultimately need to make a top to the run area as ferrets will find a way out (my boys would be out in 2 minutes flat, they are crazy good climbers and jumpers).  You would also need to put a solid bottom on it, as ferrets would dig at the carpet and potentially even wedge themselves underneath the edge of the run and squish their heads.  It also looks hard to clean.

Perhaps if you made something like this, you could make the side of the house structure a door that you can open all the way (maybe make a wooden door with dowels for the open side/kind of like a bar side cage?) and then get a pan from a dog crate that can slide in and out easily when the door is open.  Dog create pans tend to be pretty much the same as the ones in a critter/ferret nation, so it should be okay in there.

Again, I don't care for solid sides in any animal enclosure, unless it is in a really drafty area.  Even if you drill holes into a solid side, the stinky fumes from poo and whatnot will settle and build up making the cage smelly and making it harder to breathe for your little pets.  In shelter settings, it is a big nono to have plexiglass fronted cages because it increases upper respiratory tract infections like none other.