A suitable environment for ferrets

Make sure your ferret has a suitable place to live 

Facts 

• Living in a draughty, damp, poorly ventilated or dirty environment may cause your ferret to suffer and become ill.
   
• Ferrets are very agile and lively and need lots of space in which to explore, play and exercise to stay fit, happy and healthy.
   
• Ferrets sleep for up to 20 hours per day and are most active at dusk.
   
• Ferrets are very inquisitive and exploratory and need the opportunity to forage and explore their environment. However, if there are hazards, for example, poisonous plants, electric wires, heights within their environment, they may easily injure themselves.
   
• Ferrets are intelligent animals. If your ferret is bored, and doesn’t have enough to do, he/she may suffer.
   
• Ferrets require separate places to eat, sleep, explore and eliminate.
   
• Ferrets can be toilet trained and need regular access to an appropriate place to go to the toilet.
   
• Ferrets cannot stand extreme cold and hot temperatures. They are most comfortable at temperatures between 15 and 21°C.
   
• Some ferrets enjoy playing in water, but this depends on the individual ferret.

Things you should do

• Make sure that where your ferret lives is safe, secure and free from hazards. It is especially important to make sure that your ferret cannot access anything that may harm him/her, as ferrets are very explorative and likely to mouth and chew objects.
   
• Ensure your ferret’s housing is well ventilated, dry and draught free, and is of appropriate temperature. A temperature of 15 - 21°C is ideal.
   
• Provide your ferret with a living environment that is large enough for him/her.
   
• If the enclosure is suitable, your ferret should be able to perform a range of behaviours. This may include e.g. exploring, foraging, playing, hiding and resting; marking his/her territory; and grooming. Your ferret may also play in water and interact with a playmate if applicable.
   
• Ensure the size and temperature of any place you leave your ferret (including your vehicle) is also appropriate.
   
• Provide your ferret with a secure, safe place where he/she can go to rest and sleep. For example, this may be a T-shirt, hammock or sleeping box. Also provide safe, dust-free bedding.
   
• Give your ferret access to a suitable place to go to the toilet (such as a litter box filled with safe, dust-free litter material) which is separate to where he/she eats and sleeps. However, do not be disappointed if your ferret uses a number of places to go to the toilet - he/she probably will do so.
   
• Provide your ferret with sufficient daily exercise time, under supervision, in safe and secure surroundings.
   
• Provide appropriate and safe new challenges daily for your ferret to explore and to play with to prevent boredom. For example, this could include toys, tunnels, etc (see Behaviour).
   
• If your ferret enjoys playing in water, provide them with water to splash around in, in a safe and supervised manner. The water bath should be shallow enough to ensure that your ferret can always get out. Never force your ferret to swim.
   
• Clean your ferret’s water bowl, food bowl and toilet areas as needed, but at least once daily. Also clean your ferret’s housing, play and resting areas as needed, but at least once weekly.
   
• When you transport your ferret, make sure he/she is comfortable and safe at all times. Putting familiar smelling items in the carrier and the new environment can help make your ferret feel at ease.
   
• If more than one ferret shares a living space, provide sufficient extra resources, e.g. toys, beds and hiding places, and give them enough space (see Company).
   
• If you are going away, find someone to care for, and meet, all your ferret's welfare needs. Try to find someone who can do this within your ferret’s familiar home.