Size
Naturally, one of the first things you need to consider when buying a cage for your ferret, is how big it needs to be.
Ferrets need homes that are spacious and provide them with plenty of room as they are energetic and like to move around.
Generally, you should just purchase as big an enclosure as you can, but if you have a certain number of ferrets, it’s best to understand the exact kind of cage dimensions needed to give them their own personal space.
The absolute minimum size for a ferret cage should be 68 x 58 x 50 cm and if you own more than one, it needs to be even bigger!
For every extra ferret, your cage requires an extra 50 cm of width, so you might have to consider a large outdoor hutch if your home is unable to accommodate a very large structure!
Remember that this is also just an absolute minimum amount of space, so if you can give them far more than that, do so!
Multi-Level
If you can, it’s always best to choose tower-like options which feature two or three floors.
This helps provide more space without taking up too much room in your home.
This also offers more options for customisation with things like hammocks, tunnels and fun toys for your ferrets!
Multi-level cages are especially important if your ferret is going to be spending long periods of time in their cage (such as when you’re at work/school) and prevents them feeling confined or distressed as they would in a smaller cage.
Security
The entire point of your cage is to make sure your ferret remains safe and secure inside, so
often-overlooked importance like the quality of the metal and its bar spacing is very important!
1-inch bar spacing or less tends to be the standard spacing for ferret cages as they are particularly sneaky characters and can squeeze their way through anything larger!
In terms of the material you’ll probably want to go with wrought iron or stainless steel structure which are both durable and difficult for little Houdini’s to bite their way through!
It’s also important to have locks on the doors which are easy to use for you, but hard for ferrets to open themselves!
Quality
It goes without saying that a good quality cage is always worth the added expense as they are likely to be the safest and secure options for your pet.
Try and avoid cages with plastic coatings as if ferrets nibble this material off, it can cause digestive blockages and poisonings. Instead, choose powder coatings which are more durable and resistant to scratching and chipping!
Ease of Cleaning/ Accessibility
If you ever want to handle your ferrets or clean your cage, you need it to be easy to get in and out of without some tiresome lock process getting in your way or tiny doors making it an uncomfortable squeeze.
Try and plump for something with large expansive doors at the front of the cage so you can have instant access to everywhere you want.
Removable trays to make cleaning the base of your cage fast and simple are also a much sought after feature!
Flooring
Lots of ferret cages model themselves after bird cages by utilising the fantastic idea of a grill and tray flooring base.
The idea here is that droppings and urine fall through the grill and into a tray, separating your animal from their dirt for a more hygienic environment. This tray can then be easily removed and cleaned without having to go into the cage and hand-scrub the area.
However, these grates are not the best option for ferrets! Just think about what it would be like for you to walk on bars all the time and you’ll understand that ferrets can get very sore overtime and permanently damaged on such surfaces!
We instead suggest going for a cage with a solid flooring, that still has a removable, easy clean base.
Ventilation
Ferrets can suffer from a range of health issues in enclosures that are closed off plastic structures, as their droppings cause them to be quickly contaminated by bacteria and ammonia build up.
You should always, therefore, choose a metal-barred cage which provides a constant airflow.
Portability
If you ever need to travel or move your cage around, it can be helpful for it to have a wheeled stand or have features which allow it to easily collapse.
Easy Set-up
Nobody enjoys putting together furniture, but unfortunately, animal cages often work much the same way which means you’ll want to purchase one with fast action assembly and easy to understand instructions. Try and choose models which look secure but uncomplicated – the fewer parts the better!
Accessories
Obviously, it’s better to buy a cage which already provides you with most of the accessories or items needed to take care of a ferret. These definitely should be things like food bowls, litter boxes and a water bottle, with apparatus and toys being a bonus!
Hammocks
Not only are these a fantastic toy/accessory, but hammocks are also the most comfortable bed you can offer a ferret.
