Making Your Home Ferret-Proof

June 2, 2022

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Here we can see, “Making Your Home Ferret-Proof”

Ferrets are very gregarious animals who require regular exercise outside of their cages. Ferret-proofing must be done thoroughly and thoughtfully. Remember that ferrets are curious, will chew and swallow things, prefer snug, enclosed locations, and have flexible bodies that may squeeze through very small openings when ferret-proofing.

Ferret-proofing is a continuous process, not a one-time event. No matter how well you ferret-proof your home, you should always keep an eye on your pet ferrets because you never know what they’ll try to get into next! Keep an eye on what your ferrets are up to and make any required adjustments.

When ferret-proofing your home, keep the following tips in mind:

Table of Contents

Ferret-Safe Rooms

An excellent technique to ferret-proof your home is to have a single room that is entirely and completely ferret-proofed, in which you can let your ferrets run while the door is closed to prevent access to the rest of your house. If this isn’t possible, you can ferret proof a wider area, but try to keep ferrets out of the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room.

Prevent Escapes

Make sure your ferret has no access to the outdoors. Because a ferret can quickly tear through a window screen, keep windows closed when your ferret is playing. When your ferrets are out, make sure they can’t get to any doors that lead to the outside. Your ferret may dart out if a door is accidentally opened; at the very least, lock the doors when ferries are playing. Check for any minor holes to the outside (e.g., around the plumbing, the dryer vent, etc.) and make sure the ferret can’t get out under the doors. Remember that ferrets can fit into incredibly small spaces.

Also See: Types of Domesticated Ferrets

Appliances

Ferrets can readily fit beneath most appliances and then climb into their workings, which can be harmful if the device is turned on or if the ferret has access to electrical wiring. Ferrets are also attracted to laundry baskets and may be accidentally placed in the washing machine (or dryer) with a basket of clothes. If a ferret gets into the dryer vent duct, there is now an escape hatch! If your ferret has gotten into these rooms, you’ll need to find a technique to seal off the undersides and backs of the appliances, and you’ll want to double-check the inside of all appliances before using or closing them.

Furniture

Ferrets also enjoy creeping under and then climbing up into the inner workings of furniture. Because ferrets may easily chew through the flimsy fabric commonly used here, it’s a good idea to staple stronger fabric to the undersides of box spring beds, couches, and chairs. Recliners are extremely deadly to ferrets because the reclining mechanism can catch and seriously injure a ferret that is hidden beneath the chair. Rocking chairs are also not a good idea around ferrets. Before you sit down, check the couch cushions for ferrets, as they may burrow under or even into them. Check your cushions to see if the ferrets have gotten into them and are gnawing on the foam (a danger to intestinal blockages).

Keep an eye on what they consume.

Blockages in the digestive tract caused by something a ferret has swallowed are a common medical condition, especially in kits. Foam, styrofoam packing, soft rubber toys, neoprene, erasers, elastic bands, and rubber squeaky toys are among the most challenging objects for ferrets to chew up and even swallow. Ferrets’ digestive systems can become clogged with indigestible objects, requiring surgery to remove them. You must also keep an eye on your ferret to ensure that he does not consume dangerous items like cleansers, poisonous plants, or drugs.

Also See: What Kind of Toys Can My Ferret Play With?

The list below is a decent starting point for ferret proofing, but it is not exhaustive. To completely discover all the methods you need to ferret-proof your home, you’ll need to keep a close eye on your ferret in your own home.

Appliances – If at all feasible, limit access to the laundry and kitchen. If not, create a barrier around appliances (fridge, stove, dishwasher, washer, dryer, and freezers) to prevent ferrets from getting beneath them or into the workings (e.g., where the motor or wires are located). Before turning appliances on or closing their doors, double-check for ferrets.
Laundry baskets – Before placing the clothing in the washing or dryer, double-check it.
Dryer vents – Secure the dryer duct (keep an eye on it for gnawing) or your ferret may use it to escape or enter the dryer.
Air ducts – If your ferrets can get into the heating/air ducts, they could become trapped, wounded, or wind up outside.
Boxspring mattresses – To keep ferrets from climbing inside the boxspring, cover the bottom with heavy cloth or wood.
Recliners – When using recliners, make sure your ferrets aren’t near the mechanisms, or better yet, don’t use them at all when they’re out.
Rocking chairs – When ferrets are out, it’s best to stay away from them.
Couches, chairs – To keep ferrets from sneaking under and up into the furniture, secure the bottoms. Before you sit, look under the cushions to make sure there isn’t a ferret napping there. Ferrets will not dig into the cushions if slipcovers are used.
Look for signs of regular chewing on the couch cushions, furniture, and pillows.
Small spaces – Make sure your ferret can’t get out of the house or into the walls through any minor openings. Remember that if they can get their heads into a crevice, they can typically get their bodies into it as well. Examine areas near cabinets, piping, ducting, and doors in particular.
Under doors – Keep an eye out for wide gaps that ferrets can squeeze through. You can also use a plastic chairmat (which can be trimmed to suit), thin plexiglass, or linoleum under the door to keep ferrets from digging out through the carpet (but watch for chewing on these).
Windows – When ferrets are out, make sure all windows that are accessible are closed. Window screens are easily chewed by ferrets.
Bathrooms – There is a danger of drowning. Overall, keeping ferrets out of the bathroom is the safest option, but keep toilet seats down at all times. Ferrets may fall in while trying to get a drink.
Standing water – A sink, tub, or even a bucket of water, like toilets, can lead to drowning.
Cleaning supplies – Most cleaning agents are poisonous or harmful to curious ferrets. Keep it out of reach at all times.
Cupboards – The majority of ferrets will simply gain access to your cupboards. Invest in magnetic child-proofing latches for your cabinets (most of the plastic locks allow the cupboards to open a bit, which is enough for most ferrets to get in).
Electrical cords – To avoid chewing, encase it in plastic tubing.
Houseplants – Poisonous plants should not be kept while other plants should be kept out of reach (ferrets will dig in the soil and might chew the plants)
Knick-knacks – Make sure that any breakable or fragile goods are out of reach, and that no heavy items fall or are pulled over onto your ferret.
Bookcases and High Tables – Ferrets enjoy climbing up and on objects, but they can’t always get down. Their lack of fear, on the other hand, will often lead them to try jumping from great heights, so make sure there is no high furniture for them to get trapped on.
Open railings – Fearlessness may lead to falls around stairwells and other areas where there is a lack of fear.
Garbage – Cover it securely or keep it out of reach.
Chewing and Ingesting – Things like foam, soft rubber or plastic, styrofoam, sponges, rubber bands, pen caps, cotton swabs, textiles, and anything else that your ferret might chew and swallow should be avoided. Buttons on remote controls are a favourite target.
Keep ferrets away from fans, space heaters, candles, and fireplaces.
Toys – Make sure they aren’t being demolished and consumed on a regular basis.

User Questions

Can ferrets chew through plastic?

Ferrets enjoy chewing, thus all foam plastic and rubber things, such as shoe inserts, ear plugs, kid’s toys, pet toys, erasers, rubber bands, balloons, speaker foam, headphone foam, swim goggle liners, and so on, must be kept out of harm’s way.

How many hours should a ferret play?

Ferrets are high-energy, gregarious animals who thrive on play and interaction. Ferrets need at least 2 to 4 hours outside their cage each day to stay healthy.

Also See: Bathing Your Pet Ferret

Can a ferret live in a glass tank?

Because of the amount of pooping and peeing your ferret will be doing in there, glass tanks have very poor ventilation (air circulation), and your ferret could be exposed to hazardous levels of bacteria. Not to mention that their urine (pee) will eventually turn into ammonia, endangering your ferret.

Can ferrets be left alone for a week?

Young, healthy ferrets can be left alone for a weekend if they have access to a reliable water source and enough food to survive the duration of their absence, but it is safer to have someone check on them on a daily basis.

Can you use a bird cage for a ferret?

The cage of a parrot is not ferret-proof. These cages were made to keep ferrets out, not to keep them in. The little doors that provide access to the food and water bowls in many bird cages do not have locking mechanisms.