Do-it-yourself ferret cage

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Ferrets have been domesticated by humans for a long time. In some countries, they have replaced domestic cats. In the natural environment, these animals settle in deep burrows. They still have well-developed natural instincts. That is why it is impossible to leave pets at home unattended. Then the question arises, how to make a cage for a ferret. But first things first.

Characteristics of animals

There are two types of ferrets sold in pet stores: steppe and forest. They are found on the territory of Russia. They are distinguished by a beautiful color and large population. They live in burrows, which consist of many rooms. Life expectancy up to eight years. However, it all depends on the comfort of living.

If a pair is acquired, after a while it will have offspring. The offspring of ferrets happens up to three times a year. A large family needs a lot of space. That is why a large ferret cage is needed.

But even one pet needs a lot of space for an active life. Otherwise, he will mope and be prone to disease. And who is interested in watchingdrooping animals?

Types of cells

Today, keeping exotic animals is not something incredible. Ferrets are considered quite popular pets. Over the years, many cage options have been developed for ferrets, chinchillas and other domesticated animals.

Comfortable housing options:

• Plastic or iron factory construction.
• Housing made of plywood and timber, made by hand.
• Thick plexiglass house.
• Wicker homemade box.
• Temporary house out of the box.
• Iron mesh construction on a frame.
• Construction from an old converted wardrobe.

Why a DIY cage is better

Of course, the easiest way is to purchase a ready-made cage for a ferret. But there are two nuances here. Firstly, it may not fit into the interior of the room, including in size. Secondly, truly spacious cages are very expensive.

Often, ferret owners make their pets a home with their own hands, taking into account all the features of their lives. It is important that it be divided into several zones that will play the role of a toilet, a dining room, a place for rest and games.

The minimum dimensions of a ferret cage must meet the following parameters:

• width - 60 cm;
• length - 80 cm;
• height - 50 cm.

It is also important to consider where the cage will be. If the area of the apartment allows, it can be madeas big as possible.

Wooden structure

There are owners who can build a ferret cage out of plywood and wood with their own hands. First you need to create a drawing. It will depend on where the structure will stand. It is at this stage that the owner decides how many floors the cage will have.

Next, the necessary materials are prepared:

• wood bars of different sizes;
• metal grille;
• plywood sheet;
• platbands (attach the grate);
• piece of linoleum;
• accessories for the door (handles, awnings, latches);
• fixing materials.

Work begins with the assembly of the frame. For this, wooden bars are used. Partitions are cut out of plywood. With their help, the floors of the cell will be divided. Linoleum is laid on the bottom. It will make cleaning easier. In order for floors to withstand all the loads of a moving animal, their fastening must be very strong.

The roof can be made in the general style of the room, decorated with decorative elements. The window in it will allow you to watch your pet from different angles. The back side of the structure is made from a single sheet of plywood. On the front side, it is worth installing a small door. It is better that it consists of two wings.

Between the floors you need to make through holes. There should be a high curb on the lower floor. Then the area around the house will not be heavily clogged. The windows are covered with metal mesh. In a wooden multi-storey cage, the pet will be spacious andcomfortable. And the owner will be pleased to know that all this is done by hand.

Construction from improvised materials

There are other options for creating a cage for a ferret. So, a frame made of timber can be sheathed with thick plexiglass. In such a dwelling, it is important to take care of good ventilation, so a few through holes on the roof and doors will not interfere.

Looks good home, created on the basis of an old closet. Its exterior remains intact, while the interior changes to suit the needs of the ferret. Instead of glass, a mesh or thick plexiglass is mounted.

A cage made of iron tubes as a frame and a metal grid can be put on wheels. Then it will become a mobile home.

Whichever option is chosen, it is important to securely fasten all parts and avoid sharp corners and bare surfaces.

A finished cage with a pet can be placed on the balcony, in any living space. The animal is not afraid of frost, but does not tolerate drafts. It is fatal for him to be near heating appliances and central heating radiators. He could die from heatstroke.

Cage Arrangement

When it became clear how to make a cage for a ferret with your own hands, it is worth discussing its occupancy. Walls alone will not be enough for a pet.

Stairs should be placed between floors. The tray that will serve as the toilet should be at the bottom. A bowl with a drinking bowl is placed on the opposite side of the tray. On the second floor there is a houseclosed on all sides. It contains a soft pad. In order for the pet to enter it, it is enough to make a hole with a diameter of fifteen centimeters. There the ferret will rest away from prying eyes. The role of the house will be played by a wooden box, ennobled with your own hands.

Sometimes an animal refuses to sleep in a wooden house. Then it should be built from fabric. The walls are sealed with foam rubber. On different floors there are devices for games in the form of balls, hanging toys, devices for claw points.

The role of the hammock in the cage

Animals love hanging out in hanging fabric structures. Therefore, a cage for a ferret without a hammock is unthinkable. They are sold ready-made in stores, although there is nothing complicated in their production. You need strong fabric and reliable lacing. The size of the canvas should be thirty by thirty centimeters. Although it all depends on the size of the pet.

Soft hammock making process:

• fabric folded in half, stitched;
• an improvised fabric envelope is filled with padding polyester or foam rubber;
• lacing is sewn along the edge.

The hammock is attached to the bars with lacing. A window grill located on the roof of the cage will do. If it is not there, you need to drive in four nails and bend them with loops. Less traumatic if you drill four holes in the cage and thread the lacing into them. A ferret can rest for a long time in such a hammock alone or with his companion, if a couple lives in a cage. There can be several hammocks in a dwelling, hung on differentfloors. This will increase your pet's comfort even more.

Pipe system in a cage

In their natural habitat, animals build burrows that, with all moves, stretch for a hundred meters. Caged pet ferrets need to move a lot. To do this, they must be released from the home for several hours a day. A piping system can also solve the problem. It can be purchased ready-made or made from plastic materials, the diameter of which is ten centimeters. They are sold at any hardware store, in the plumbing department. In addition, you need to purchase tees and adapters. The pipe bend must be at an angle of 45°. If you make the angle sharper, the ferret will get stuck. The structure stretches through all floors, imitating natural living conditions. You can take it out of the cage. Then there will be even more places for walking.

The finished piping system has its undeniable advantage, because it is made of a transparent material. The animal can be observed as it moves inside her.

In general, you can experiment with the arrangement of the cage all the time. Moreover, ferrets are not inclined to gnaw their utensils, so this design will serve for a long time.