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Post by bee3142 on Jan 4, 2022 21:34:11 GMT -5
Hello all,
I am new to keeping Ferrets. I have had them for less than a week and they are 10 week old boys. They are doing well on their way to bring litter trained in their cage. Having fun exploring my house.
I did my research and put lots of enriching things in the cage as they will only have about 2-3 hours out of the cage a day once I am back at work. This includes toys, hammocks, rope ladders, climbing frames etc.
My question is it normal for ferrets to not climb… like at all, they haven’t been on any of the items attached to the top of the cage.
They are both pretty shy and timid at the moment still but will have moments of playfulness especially when I put the dig box and ball pit out for their playtime.
The nipping is also a little concerning but have read that it will take time for that to stop. I am changing the tone of my voice and saying No when they do it and putting them down and ignoring them for a bit.
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Post by abbeytheferret6 on Jan 5, 2022 6:01:41 GMT -5
Hey and welcome. We are so glad to have you and your little ones as part of the forum. Concerning climbing, ferrets are more burrowing type critters. Tunnels made from plastic drainpipe would be great for them. See at the website below. I had a piece behind my couch and a few in ferret room. Not to say they will not climb. I had a mattress leaning against the wall and found my ferret on top. I have also found them on top of a Critter Nation two story cage---but you really want to avoid this because they do not have the spring like a cat and squirrel if they fall. They are not too keen on coming down objects as easily as they go up them. So, they can be stuck in places for a while. I had to cut off my hanging shoe thingey in my closet because I found my Didi on a top shelf. Like I say, it would have been bad if she fell. www.lowes.com/pd/ADS-4-in-x-10-ft-Corrugated-Perforated-Pipe/50163591?cm_mmc=shp-As far as toys, get some with embroidered eyes no buttons---no styrofoam beaded filled toys. Absolutely no rubber or rubber like materials like rubber balls. Ping pong balls are ok. Watch ur cell phone(the rubber protector) Ferrets love chewing. Many have died from blockages from chewing stuff. Sorry for all the negativity, but have experiences and have read some bad stories. |
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Post by unclejoe on Jan 5, 2022 10:59:28 GMT -5
Yeah, I don't think you should really encourage climbing. They will figure it out on their own, and it's not always a cute result. This is going to be a contest pic once the thread is opened. This was Dar24's dresser  IMG_1612 by unclejoe1158, on Flickr to the right you can see some laundry stacked next to the dresser, which he climbed. It took Bobo about 15 minutes to cause this destruction. A couple drawers were left open and dirt got into some clean clothes. Ferrets are not as agile as kats and they don't have the righting reflex to land on their feet. You can use the tubing that abbeytheferret6 described to make a safe climbing tunnel. There are clear ducts as well so you can see the little buggers www.amazon.com/s?k=dust+collector+duct&i=tools&crid=38TZNC9Z7PUF3&sprefix=dust+collector+duct%2Ctools%2C250&ref=nb_sb_noss_1Welcome to the group and to the exciting world of ferrets! |
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Post by Corvidophile on Jan 5, 2022 20:06:33 GMT -5
Ferrets won’t climb rope toys and the like as rodents can, they will climb obstacles and ladders and cage bars though. Yes, they can definitely hurt themselves falling, so make sure there’s something soft to land on if there’s an opportunity to get to heights in or out of the cage.
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Post by lyles on Jan 7, 2022 2:10:33 GMT -5
Yeah, I don't think you should really encourage climbing. They will figure it out on their own, and it's not always a cute result. This is going to be a contest pic once the thread is opened. This was Dar24's dresser IMG_1612 by unclejoe1158, on Flickr to the right you can see some laundry stacked next to the dresser, which he climbed. It took Bobo about 15 minutes to cause this destruction. A couple drawers were left open and dirt got into some clean clothes. Ferrets are not as agile as kats and they don't have the righting reflex to land on their feet. You can use the tubing that abbeytheferret6 described to make a safe climbing tunnel. There are clear ducts as well so you can see the little buggers www.amazon.com/s?k=dust+collector+duct&i=tools&crid=38TZNC9Z7PUF3&sprefix=dust+collector+duct%2Ctools%2C250&ref=nb_sb_noss_1Welcome to the group and to the exciting world of ferrets! hahahaha! That's great! Mine work as a team. Sean is the agile jumper who will attempt to reach high places and if he is successful, knocks everything down, then Aron gets to work doing as much damage as possible. I have every high place unaccusable except for a night stand by the living room recliner, the recliner itself, the coffee table and that's it. I sometimes place their toys up there for him to knock down, if there is nothing up there too long he'll throw fits so I keep'em busy  |
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Post by Charlie on Jan 7, 2022 21:24:57 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum!! Ferrets don't climb ropes but they can climb curtains. Yeah, like the others have said, don't encourage them. lol You will want to ferret proof your rooms that the ferrets will have access to and provide enrichment toys for them. They will be really good at finding trouble! lol
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Post by unclejoe on Jan 7, 2022 22:41:53 GMT -5
we figured Goober got onto a porch chair, then onto the gas grill then the railing, and gone. Never to be seen again. That's some climbing and jumping, but all we could guess  |
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Post by pablos27 on Jan 7, 2022 23:03:01 GMT -5
Yeah, I don't think you should really encourage climbing. They will figure it out on their own, and it's not always a cute result. This is going to be a contest pic once the thread is opened. This was Dar24's dresser IMG_1612 by unclejoe1158, on Flickr to the right you can see some laundry stacked next to the dresser, which he climbed. It took Bobo about 15 minutes to cause this destruction. A couple drawers were left open and dirt got into some clean clothes. Ferrets are not as agile as kats and they don't have the righting reflex to land on their feet. You can use the tubing that abbeytheferret6 described to make a safe climbing tunnel. There are clear ducts as well so you can see the little buggers www.amazon.com/s?k=dust+collector+duct&i=tools&crid=38TZNC9Z7PUF3&sprefix=dust+collector+duct%2Ctools%2C250&ref=nb_sb_noss_1Welcome to the group and to the exciting world of ferrets! Wish I could say I have never experienced anything like that. Far too many times!!! LOL |
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Post by bee3142 on Jan 7, 2022 23:39:47 GMT -5
Hello all,
Thank you! I will get some tunnels for them. I have some in their play pen but will get some smaller ones for their cage. They are enjoying the balls and soft toys I got them and anything with a bell on it...
I am loving my little ones and they are so playful! I am slowly ferret proofing my place and letting them only in the rooms I have finished, but I am expecting some messes like your photo Uncle Joe.
Thank you again!
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