Do you cage your ferrets?
By randyw
@randyw (216)
Russell, Kansas
November 10, 2006 1:44pm CST
We let our ferrets have the run of the house. Potty training can be a challenge, but if you get that under control, it's much better than keeping the poor guys in cages. I just don't think ferrets are meant to be caged animals. They're not hamsters, they're just as smart as dogs and cats!
What do you think?
11 responses
@linns31 (213)
• United States
3 Dec 06
Well I know people who do both. I have one friend who has 2 ferrets and they have the run of the house, they seem very happy. I have another friend who has 15 ferrets and they are kept in this HUGE cage that takes up half his living room. 2 of his ferrets like to chew on wires tho so I can see why he keeps them in the cage. Yet it is such an elaborite cage with different sections and they all seem to very happy. I guess I can't say one way or the other if they should be caged but if they chew on things like electrical cords then I would have to say they should be a cage since they might get hurt from their actions.
1 person likes this
@Jadedgreeneyes (16)
• United States
13 Nov 06
Ferrets are the greatest! They are a never ending source of entertainment. Our little monster runs around most of the time..he does have accidents occasionally because he's still a baby. If the smell really bothers you air purifiers really work wonders!
@cikedo (3483)
• United States
10 Nov 06
I've always wondered what it would be like to have a ferret. From what I've read they can be a bit stinky and love to chew basically everything. How has your experience with your ferrets been? I don't believe in caging animals if it can be helped. The only thing I would be worried about is them getting into mischief.
@randyw (216)
• Russell, Kansas
11 Nov 06
Well, ferrets are all about mischief! I've never seen creatures who are so interested in exploring. They remind me of 2-year-old kids, getting into everything. In a good way though. But just like you child-proof your kitchen, etc., you can ferret-proof whatever rooms you give them access to.
They smell, but no worse than any other animal. It's just a different kind of smell, which is why I think ferrets get a bad rap for their smell. I'm completely used to it these days and don't even notice.
I've never known any of our ferrets to be big chewers. Our dog does all the chewing in the house.
I highly recommend ferrets as pets, but would caution that the absolute worst part is cleaning their waste. They take a dump every time they wake up from a nap! But otherwise, they're great.
@misskatonic (3723)
• United States
3 Dec 06
My two have a very large cage they spend the night and times when we aren't home in. It's 8 feet high by six feet wide, so they have plenty of room in there.
I don't think there's anything wrong with caging ferrets as long as they are in a large cage and have plenty of time to run around the house as well.
@the_vicar (1477)
• United States
11 Nov 06
Cage them ONLY if you have a really large cage otherwise let them out to exersize. We used to have two ferrets and they are really cute. You have to be careful that they don't bite electrical cords though.
@sassybratky (872)
• United States
13 Nov 06
ahh so cool..i want to get a couple of ferrets i have been checking every website i can find on them figuring out all i should have and need before getting one though..will probably have to drive 5-6 hrs to buy one though but i dont mind...wanted to get one from a rescue but alot of them wont let you adopt out of state ..and none in ky ..but i do have one question if you wouldnt mind answering...i read that if your dog has a big *prey* sense that you shouldnt get a ferret? cause it could bring it out more and they could be problems? how do i know if my dog would have a prey sense? he barks at stuff he dont know..we had a hedgehog and he didnt bother it at all.but we have a chipmunk in the yard he goes crazy over so i am jus wondering what you think?
@mygreyparrot (1461)
• United States
28 Nov 06
I love my ferrets! All 8 of them. They have their own bedroom full of cat furniture, toys, tunnels, etc. It's ridiculous, really. LOL. They are out of the cage unless it's at night..Then I want to know where they are in case of an emergency.
@minnie_98214 (10557)
• United States
28 Nov 06
Mine are caged when im not around to watch them but i am a stay at home mom so they are out most the time. I beleive it is ok to cage as they sleep alot anyways but they do need out everyday.
@LittleStars (318)
• United States
3 Dec 06
When we had just our male we would let him run the house pretty much. But he wasn't potty trained. =( We had litter boxes and the stinker would go right next to it and then jump in and play in the litter box...lol. Now we have a male and a female and I will only let them out during the day for a while. My kids have a habit of letting them outside, on accident of course. So they are out during the day under supervision so I don't lose my fur babies to the great out doors. =)
I know that they def do not like to be caged for a long period of time, at least my male doesn't. My baby girl could care less if she was in her cage or running around the house.
