Do you cage your ferret or let it run free in the house?

Answer 1

I had the opportunity to get ferrets years ago, and the same goes for now as then. I would cage them simply for their safety. I don't mind cleaning up poop when they're out of the cage, that's the responsibility taken when you get a pet.

But there are so many dangers within a human home that a ferret is bound to get into mischief that very well could be life threatening. If I could dedicate a safe room to ferrets where all electrical outlets were elevated or somehow nonexistent, there were no wires, nothing to climb or fall off of, nothing to drown in, no hazards to be ingested, etc. I would probably let them run around more, but I would definitely still supervise. Ferrets can easily be crushed, injured, or killed by any one thing in our houses and it's not worth the risk.

Either way, a ferret needs a large cage to play in whether it's let out a lot or not. Besides, if there's something like a family emergency and you've got to run out, it's better your ferret know and feel safe in its cage rather than run around the entire house without you there because it was too freaked out to be caged. Anything can happen.

Answer 2

I cage my ferrets (I have 3) I would always suggest caging ferrets for there safety and your mind. 1 (my little girl) always gets out though and is now missing. I have been looking for my little girl for 24+ hours now, and I am so worried about her. An escape proof cage is a must in my mind now. I can't believe I was foolish enough to think that letting her have the run of the apartment was going to be OK.

I bought a cage just for her, for when I find her.

Answer 3

I have 4 ferrets and belong to several forums dedicated to ferrets. The rule of thumb is supervised play oytside a cage a minimum of 2-8 hours a day. Many people have rooms specifically for the ferrets and they are able to come and go out of their cage at will. The reasoning? Have you ever tried to exercise in a closet? Big cage or not, it's still a cage. Ferrets are very energetic, curious and social creatures. They require lots of room and attention/stimulation. They crave interaction with those around them, animal and human.

Answer 4

Well I have two ferrets and I keep them in their cage most of the time. I keep toys in their cage so that they don't get bored during the night when I sleep. For about an hour or two each day I let them out of their cage and run around the house(supervised) and play with each other so they can get their excercise.

Answer 5

My four ferrets live in a cage for their safety. There are too many household hazards and chances for them to get outside or lost or hurt.

Also, ferrets have very poor sense of direction and sometimes forget where their litter box is.

I let my ferrets out at least once a day so they can play, but I supervise them and clean up whatever little accidents they may have.

Answer 6

Well neither, actually. I have 2 ferrets at the moment, and have owned others in the past, and am lucky enough to have a room I can dedicate to the ferrets in my house. It's thoroughly ferret-proofed, and filled with cat-trees and tunneling that they can play on and in.

Ferrets are such a ball as play-mates, and I mostly prefer to hang out with them in their room than to watch television. They are a laugh a minute

I couldn't cage my ferrets. It would just spoil their fun!

Edited to add: I did litter-train them when they were young, though, and they have a high hit-score with their litter trays (there are 3 in their room), so I am very lucky, and they aren't gross to have in there at all.

Answer 7

I cage my ferret in a 6 foot tall cage with plenty of "out" time to play.

Answer 8

I've had friends who gave the ferrets two bedrooms in their house to run and play. I've also had a friend who caged one. It's your choice I suppose.

Answer 9

You cage them, of course. If left running in the house, and could hide from you and possibly escape.

Answer 10

umm... i dont have a ferret or n-e thang but i would cage it. most people doo