Are Ferrets Friendly?

Not only are ferrets cute to look at, they are also becoming increasingly popular as pets. However, these are pets that are not necessarily easy to keep, so keeping ferrets is often judged to be much easier than it is and in the end, many problems arise. So it is important to take many subtleties into account here, which not only affect the diet of the animals, but also the accommodation and other criteria that make up species-appropriate husbandry. The ferret is not a typical small animal, but rather a small predator that needs a lot of space to romp and play. The diet of carnivores should not be underestimated either. This article is about the welfare of ferrets and the different options you have as a ferret owner. In this way, you can get detailed information in advance to see whether the ferret is really the right pet.

Ferrets need space

Ferrets are not typical small animals. They need a lot more space in order to be able to exercise themselves physically every day. In the case of animals that have too little exercise, it can be observed again and again that they do not grow as old as animals with which exercise is generously made available. In addition, it can happen that affected animals get sick more often, lose the desire to eat or sleep more than usual.

The Animal Welfare Act even stipulates that a ferret enclosure for two animals should never be smaller than two square meters, although this is the minimum size and ferret owners should use even larger enclosures. In addition, it is forbidden to keep the ferrets in a commercially available cage, as these are designed for animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs or hamsters. It is even best that a complete and separate room is used for keeping ferrets. If you still have to use a cage, in addition to the minimum size already mentioned, it must be ensured that the ferret cage also has several floors in order to offer the animals the important climbing opportunities. The facility itself should of course also be as varied as possible and changed from time to time.

• At least two square meters for two ferrets;
• It is best to provide a complete room;
• Ferrets need lots of exercise;
• Do not use typical rabbit cages;
• If kept in cages, ensure daily exercise;
• Offer climbing opportunities;
• Accommodation should have several floors;
• Set up varied.

Buy a ferret cage – but beware

The market only offers a very small selection of really high-quality and also suitable ferret enclosures. These are usually much too small and hardly allow for a species-appropriate attitude, in which the animals have a lot of space to move. But you can use rabbit cages, which are connected to an outdoor enclosure, for example. These are also available ready to buy. However, ferret owners who cannot provide their darlings with their own space should rather use the brand self-build and build their own accommodation for the little robbers. There are numerous building instructions for this on the Internet and of course it is not a problem to get creative yourself, so that the individual rooms can be used optimally. In this way, the cage can be perfectly adjusted, corners and niches can be used and thus as much space as possible can be created for the ferrets.

It doesn’t work without peers

Hardly any animal should be kept alone and many only feel really comfortable in animal company. It’s the same with ferrets. Please never keep ferrets alone. These small predators only feel comfortable in small groups, so at least two should be kept. Ferrets need each other to play, to cuddle and exchange little tokens of love, to groom themselves and yes, even to fight. We humans just can’t provide the animals with the species-specific qualities of play and cuddling that another ferret would. Of course, ferrets can also be kept in larger packs, but this can quickly become a space problem for many. In addition, you should of course also think about it financially, because a visit to the vet can quickly become very expensive. Otherwise, there are no upper limits as far as the number of ferrets is concerned, as long as they have enough space to move freely or to avoid each other.

The right setup

Ferrets don’t just need lots of space to exercise. They also want to play and romp. For this reason, the facility also plays a particularly important role. Always ensure there is sufficient activity, which can be offered both inside and outside the enclosure. Ferrets love to dig, so a digging box in the enclosure or in the outdoor room is very well accepted. Sturdy cat toys are suitable for playing. However, you should always make sure that the toys cannot become dangerous. So cords can quickly tear off and be swallowed, causing serious damage inside. Even small parts must always be removed in advance. In addition, you can use hammocks, drainage tubes or dog beds or cat baskets, which are ideal as a place to sleep for several animals. It is important that the toy is stable and does not break immediately. If you change this from time to time, they can also provide a great variety.

• Sand box with sand;
• Stable cat toy to play with;
• Use toys without ties;
• No small parts – choking hazard;
• Hammocks to swing;
• Cat or dog bed to cuddle for two;
• drainage tubes;
• Change toys from time to time so that it doesn’t get boring.

When it comes to nutrition, it’s not that easy either

Many also imagine that feeding ferrets would be easy, but it is not. The ferret is a real gourmet who likes to leave food unattended. The small animals have high demands on their food, which means, however, that the animals’ diet is really not exactly cheap. Straw and lettuce are not on the menu here, as is the case with rabbits or guinea pigs. Ferrets demand juicy cuts of meat, although of course not everything is allowed here. Pork should never be fed raw because of the possible germs and pathogens. Raw beef, raw rabbit or raw turkey, on the other hand, are not a problem at all and should therefore be firmly integrated into the diet. You can also use cat food, although not all types are suitable here. The cat food must be of very high quality and have a particularly high meat content. It is important that ferrets are provided with food around the clock. This is mainly due to the very fast digestion. Ferrets are therefore almost always hungry and eat more than other animal species. Incidentally, dead day-old chicks, eggs, and vegetables are also part of a well thought-out diet for ferrets.

• Juicy pieces of meat;
• Raw meats like beef, rabbit, chicken, and turkey;
• NO raw pork;
• day-old chicks;
• vegetables;
• Raw and boiled eggs.

Make the environment ferret-proof

Ferrets are not only very playful and always hungry, they are also particularly curious and want to discover and learn about everything around them. For them, life is a pure adventure full of exciting moments. Since ferrets are not only kept in a cage, but also need free exercise in the apartment every day, it is always important to secure the environment. You have to be particularly careful with doors, windows or balconies in the future, because ferrets will find every exit, no matter how small, in order to break out and get to know the wide world. In addition, an open window can of course also be life-threatening for ferrets.

Small holes and cracks can also be dangerous and should therefore never be underestimated. Ferrets can make themselves pretty small and flattened, so they can fit through slits that you consider harmless. In addition, it can of course also happen that the ferrets misjudge and, in the worst case, get stuck.

In addition, it is always important to know that ferrets can jump really far and are real climbers. For example, a ferret jumps 80 cm from a standing position and distances of 160 cm are absolutely no problem for the little animals. As such, it’s a good idea to move breakable items out of the way and to safety in rooms where ferrets enjoy exercise.

In addition, it can be observed again and again that the little rascals have a lot of fun digging around in potting soil. This not only makes a huge mess and a lot of dirt. If fertilizer has been used or if the plants are poisonous, the animals can quickly become endangered. Of course, ferrets should not have any access to chemical agents such as cleaning agents. Cables should also be stowed away in such a way that the ferrets cannot eat them. Please also check every time before you turn on your washing machine or dryer whether no animals have crept here to rest, because unfortunately there have also been terrible accidents here in the past, which the animals unfortunately often paid for with their deaths.

• Always keep windows and doors closed;
• close cracks;
• to make holes;
• Ferrets can get stuck in windows, holes and cracks;
• Check electrical appliances such as washing machines, dryers, etc. before turning them on;
• Keep small parts safe;
• No cables lying around;
• No fragile items like vases;
• No poisonous plants or plants with fertilized soil;
• Remove chemical agents such as cleaning agents.

Ferrets as pets for children?

Ferrets are by no means the perfect animals for small children. So they are not necessarily uncomplicated. The ferret is therefore not a cuddly toy that comes onto the owner’s lap to be cuddled and shows him his love day after day. For example, some ferrets will never be tamed. For this reason, we definitely advise against keeping ferrets in a household with small children. With older children, on the other hand, who understand the needs of animals and respect their boundaries, the problem naturally does not exist. However, if you want to get an animal to love and cuddle with, everyone should be aware in advance that unfortunately, you will not get this affection from ferrets.

Our final word on the subject of keeping ferrets

Ferrets are small and wonderful predators and it is simply a great pleasure to watch them play and run around. They are agile, full of joie de vivre, and have their own will, which they try to enforce. But ferrets are anything but easy to keep. If you want to offer your darlings a species-appropriate attitude, you have a lot to do here and should be aware of the responsibility right from the start. It starts with the space ferrets need and goes all the way to the finances, which are not to be underestimated when it comes to keeping ferrets. However, if all points in keeping ferrets are taken into account, you will enjoy the little rascals for a long time.