Ferrets are, no doubt, amazing creatures, and raising them as pets comes with a lot of amazing benefits. That’s so because they are curious, playful, and affectionate. Furthermore, ferrets are known for their ability to sleep for up to 18 hours a day – as such, they are ideal pets for you even if you are the busy type at work.
One of the many questions that pet ferret owners often ask is; how often should they keep their ferrets out of the cage? First, you need to understand that there are lots of reasons why you need to keep your pet ferrets out of the cage once in a while. One of them is that it allows them to exercise, which is very good to stimulate them mentally and physically.
According to experts, ferrets tend to become unhealthy when kept inside the cage for too long. As such, it’s important to let them out of the cage for at least two hours a day to play around. However, before releasing them, you need to be sure that your home is ferret-proofed.
Do ferrets need a big cage? How often should you let your ferrets out of their cages? How much space do ferrets need? Do I have to keep my ferrets in a cage while traveling? As you read further, you’ll find answers to the frequently asked questions above.
Do Ferrets Need a Big Cage?
There are lots of reasons why you need to get a big cage for your ferret. If you’ll be raising one at home, you need to get them a place that it can also call home, and interestingly – a big cage is an answer to that.
One of the reasons why you need to go for a big cage is that the ferret will spend most of its days inside. As such, the cage has to be wide and big enough to accommodate the ferret, as well as other things, such as where you’ll keep its food, water, and toys. That’s not all; the cage also needs to have enough space to accommodate where to place a litter box for use.
As earlier mentioned, ferrets are very playful. As such, you need a big cage to allow it to play freely. Also, the cage needs to have an escape, which will allow the ferret to go out to play for at least 2 hours.
That said, the bottom line is that you certainly need a big cage for your ferret. Depending on your budget, the cage should have a minimum size of about 24″ x 24″ x 18″. Also, the cage needs to be ventilated and secure enough to prevent the ferret from escaping on its own.
How Often Should a Ferret Be Out Of Its Cage?
Letting your ferret out of its game frequently is important for its health. According to experts, keeping ferrets inside their cages for a long time can make them sick, which I’m sure you don’t want to happen.
How long exactly to keep your ferret out of the cage depends on you. However, the best you can do is to let them out for about 2 to 4 hours daily. This way, it’ll be able to stretch its feet, exercise, and improve its health.
Of course, you need to understand that it’s not a must to keep your ferret out for at least 2 hours, every day. There are times when you might decide not to let it out, especially if you’re away for a day or more.
Yes, you can keep your ferret in a cage for a couple of days if you’re away from home. However, you need to avoid doing that frequently, as it could be dangerous to your ferret’s health. Furthermore, if you’re going to keep your ferret in its cage for days, you need to ensure you provide a dependable water source, enough food, and keep the cage in a safe and cool room.
The bottom line is that it’s okay to keep your ferret out of its cage for at least 2 hours daily.
How Much Space Does a Ferret Need?
Ferrets need enough space to accommodate them and allow them to play, especially when they are left unsupervised for days. As earlier mentioned, a wire cage of about 24″ x 24″ x 18″ is enough to house your ferret, as well as its hammock, Water bowls, foraging toys, and food.
The space should even be bigger if you’re considering housing more than one ferret. For instance, for two ferrets, you should consider getting a cage with an internal space of at least 5 cubic feet. This will allow the ferrets to play freely and enjoy their stay inside the cage. For three ferrets, my advice is that you should opt for a cage of internal space of about 7.5 cubic feet. You can check here to calculate the size of the cage for more ferrets.
Do I Have To Keep My Ferrets In a Cage While Traveling?
If you’re considering traveling with your ferrets, you certainly need to keep them inside a secure cage. However, this doesn’t mean you can let the ferrets out of the cage during the trip.
The purpose of using a secure cage for your ferrets while traveling is to prevent them from escaping, which could be very dangerous. Inside the cage, you need to include hammocks – this is very important because ferrets are most comfortable around them.
Once in a while, especially if you’re going on a long trip by car, you can consider stopping your car and letting the ferrets out of the cage. This way, you can take them for a walk in their leashes and harnesses and allow them to stretch their feet.
