2 years, 9 months ago
what is the best bedding to use in a ferrets enclosure?
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M$1 Answer
Ferrets are extremely clean animal, meaning they always use the bathroom in one corner, or a litterbox. They'll never go in their bed or near their food or water. Because of this, ferrets don't need "bedding" or anything to cover the flooring of the cage the same way a hamster or a mouse would.. these animals have bedding because they use the bathroom wherever they please, and they use some of it to build a nest.
The only bedding you really need for a ferret is for comfort and warmth. Ferret's don't nest, so they don't need to have wood chips or anything like that to build with. They're are creatures of comfort, so they like anything that is soft, fluffy, or comfy. Anything they can bundle up in and hide under is great.
Head to the dollarstore, thrift store, or even your closet and gather some small blankets, soft t-shirt (nothing with beads or itchy decorations and ink), towels, old curtains, that kind of thing. Receiving blankets work great, or anything made of fleece. I found some small, soft "pet blankets" at my dollarstore that work perfect. Just give them one or more (depending on the area of the cage and how many ferrets) and wash them occasionally. I rotate mine about twice a week.. If you leave them too long they can start to smell and the ferrets will start to avoid it.
A ferret hammock is also great, because it's cozy and allows the ferret to kind of ball up in the bottom. If you have more than one, you'll notice they'll all pile in together. I've never met a ferret that didn't love a hammock. Mine loves to sleep in the hammock with a blanket. If you don't want to dish out the cash for a real hammock (they can be expensive) just cut a shirt or some fabric to a proper size and tie it up to create your own hammock.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2225/2089824997_bbb325eb49_o.jpg
Another big hit for bedding is a tube. I got a crinkle tube, but the octopus and fish from mashalls have great reviews as well. This allows the ferret to feel safe because it's closed off, and it's nice and dark. My lazy butt ferret likes to back one end of the tube up against the wall (for protection and darkness) and push her food and water to the other end so she can wake up to eat and drink without getting up.
http://www.freewebs.com/crittercity/Misc%202008/New%20revised%20misc/ferret%20toy.jpg
Try to pick at least one blanket or tube in a dark color that can block out light, especially if you have the ferret is a high-traffic area of the house. Ferrets sleep quite a lot, and they need darkness. It's believed that lack of complete darkness for at least a few hours a day can increase the risk or adrenal disease in ferrets. You should try to keep them in a shadowy corner, or at least out of direct light.
If your cage or enclosure has a wire floor (rather than flat), it's a good idea to find some sort of covering. Wire is painful for a ferret to walk on. You can either cut some plexiglass or carpet scraps to fit over the bottom of the cage, or clip pieces of fabric down. If you have a popular cage (like a ferret nation) you can often find fabric covers for the floors and ramps that you just slide on. http://www.craftycreatures.com/forferretsonly/cages/fn_cage_access.html
Traditional wood chip bedding used for small animals is unnecessary for a ferret, and certain types can even be damaging to the lungs.. It would just be more annoying than anything for the ferrets!
Just remember to wash the blankets with a fragrance free detergent, and skip the fabric softener!
Enjoy your ferrets, and feel free to DQ me if you have any more questions, and check out http://www.mahalo.com/ferrets
The only bedding you really need for a ferret is for comfort and warmth. Ferret's don't nest, so they don't need to have wood chips or anything like that to build with. They're are creatures of comfort, so they like anything that is soft, fluffy, or comfy. Anything they can bundle up in and hide under is great.
Head to the dollarstore, thrift store, or even your closet and gather some small blankets, soft t-shirt (nothing with beads or itchy decorations and ink), towels, old curtains, that kind of thing. Receiving blankets work great, or anything made of fleece. I found some small, soft "pet blankets" at my dollarstore that work perfect. Just give them one or more (depending on the area of the cage and how many ferrets) and wash them occasionally. I rotate mine about twice a week.. If you leave them too long they can start to smell and the ferrets will start to avoid it.
A ferret hammock is also great, because it's cozy and allows the ferret to kind of ball up in the bottom. If you have more than one, you'll notice they'll all pile in together. I've never met a ferret that didn't love a hammock. Mine loves to sleep in the hammock with a blanket. If you don't want to dish out the cash for a real hammock (they can be expensive) just cut a shirt or some fabric to a proper size and tie it up to create your own hammock.
Another big hit for bedding is a tube. I got a crinkle tube, but the octopus and fish from mashalls have great reviews as well. This allows the ferret to feel safe because it's closed off, and it's nice and dark. My lazy butt ferret likes to back one end of the tube up against the wall (for protection and darkness) and push her food and water to the other end so she can wake up to eat and drink without getting up.
Try to pick at least one blanket or tube in a dark color that can block out light, especially if you have the ferret is a high-traffic area of the house. Ferrets sleep quite a lot, and they need darkness. It's believed that lack of complete darkness for at least a few hours a day can increase the risk or adrenal disease in ferrets. You should try to keep them in a shadowy corner, or at least out of direct light.
If your cage or enclosure has a wire floor (rather than flat), it's a good idea to find some sort of covering. Wire is painful for a ferret to walk on. You can either cut some plexiglass or carpet scraps to fit over the bottom of the cage, or clip pieces of fabric down. If you have a popular cage (like a ferret nation) you can often find fabric covers for the floors and ramps that you just slide on. http://www.craftycreatures.com/forferretsonly/cages/fn_cage_access.html
Traditional wood chip bedding used for small animals is unnecessary for a ferret, and certain types can even be damaging to the lungs.. It would just be more annoying than anything for the ferrets!
Just remember to wash the blankets with a fragrance free detergent, and skip the fabric softener!
Enjoy your ferrets, and feel free to DQ me if you have any more questions, and check out http://www.mahalo.com/ferrets
source(s):
A bit more about adrenal disease and the link to too much light -> http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/adrenal-disease-in-ferrets-causes... and http://www.ferrethammock.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&...
A bit more about adrenal disease and the link to too much light -> http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/adrenal-disease-in-ferrets-causes... and http://www.ferrethammock.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&...
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
Heehee, thanks!
How could anyone NOT want a ferret :)
I just tipped the question, since you gave such an outstanding answer.
Now you have me wanting a ferret too!!