Does anyone have a ferret and let them run around the house with no cage?

Question

i've always thought that ferrets were like hamsters, not dogs. i've heard that some people let their ferrets run around the house with no cage or anything, but is it true? does anyone out there do that?

Answer 1

What you are referring to is called "free roaming". Some ferret owners do it if they have an extremely well ferret proofed home. But I think it is too much of a risk. My ferrets have a room that is pretty much their own. They have a cage as well and sleep in it at night. Then I have another larger room ferret-proofed that we go out to play in a couple of times a week. Ferrets are definately not like hamsters. They need at least 4 hours of out of cage playtime every day.
When I get my own place I will ferret proof as many rooms as possible but still keep the cage.

Answer 2

My friend owned two ferrets and she let them roam around the house but you should be very careful as they are sneaky and you could lose them outside on accident. Also if you do let them out don't be surprised if you have a hard time finding it. It kinda depends on your relationship with the animal though. My tip would be to buy a ferret ball yes they sell them or even one of those jungle gym things for ferrets

Answer 3

I had 2 ferrets that died of old age @ 7 and 8 yrs old. I did let them have free time outside their living quarters but it was supervised. Recliners can be extremely dangerous when your pet ferret is out. Just remember they can get in the smallest space and can be very difficult to find if you misplace them. If you block an area off so they can play without the danger of getting squished in a recliner or sat on if they climb in your couch, that would be best. Also if you let them out make sure you give them plenty of play toys so they don't get into wires and such. Artie and Isis loved to steal the remote to the TV to eat all the buttons off and hairbrushes so they could chew on the handles. We lived in an old house and Artie was also a very good mouse hunter so make sure you keep an eye on your critter and put all the mouse traps and poisons out of their reach.

Answer 4

I have a friend with a ferret and it has a cage. Because the first one chewed through the electric cord and died. It is best if you have a large cage for them and let them out in a secure room, no cords, nothing that can harm them. I had another friend with one that got crushed in the couch when it got sat on. Talk about a bloody mess!

Answer 5

Yes, my ferret has mostly the run of the house. 'Ducky' share her space with both my two dogs and four cats. There is no discrimination in our household. Visitors to my place always comment on the way my cats walk past the wild birds (magpies, crows, pee wees etc) without looking twice at them.

Answer 6

I have two and they love to run circles around my german shepherd. They also like to catch me not paying attention to my mt dew can and stealing it. They will also leave little piles of poo in a corner here and there, but I've been told that they only go four times a day, so it's possible that if you catch yours just after he goes, you might not have any 'surprise' problems. Anything shiny is bound to disappear, and anything noisy, is going to get louder. But they are tons of fun.

Answer 7

My ferret "willy" can but I watch him carefully im potty training him though kuz hes 7 weeks old. Hes cute.

Answer 8

Don`t do that all day,
You have to supervise them.

Answer 9

yeah my friends friend has one and they did that when i was there. this is true i promise