Have you ever looked at the top ferret cages online and thought about customizing them, or even better, making your own? There are many ways to build and set up a ferret cage; it is up to you to decide which cage type suits your space and pet the most. However, there are a few rules you must remember before you start building any kind of cage for your ferret.
Unlike other pet cages, the cage of a ferret is always different. Hobs and jills are very flexible, curious, and active creatures. They also have the ability to break their houses with their sharp teeth. When you try to build a cage, doing so incorrectly can result in you having to start over or fix it over and over.
Apart from this, they require a spacious and safe room. You can’t contain them in a small space and expect them to stand or sit still like a cat or dog. It is imperative for them to have some activity inside the cage to stay happy and healthy. This means more than just having room to move – it means having a designated area to go to the bathroom, several toys to play with, and ideally a companion to chase around and expend energy with.
To resolve your ordeal, we have some steps that are beginner-friendly and help you build a cage yourself with little cost.
Step #1: Plan The Cage
Planning is the first and most important step when it’s time to build anything, let alone a multi-story ferret cage. Without planning, you will just waste your time in the long run. The planning involves many things, such as space, nesting area, food and water dishes, play area, litter box, etc. Furthermore, you need to pick the spot in your home which can have a multi-storied nest for more than one ferret. Ideally, you will have prepared a room in advance for your pet ferrets, because the more space you have, the better.
In this step, you need to keep three important factors in mind.
- Your ferret requires a lot of room to play.
- He is an ‘escape artist’; he tends to escape at any given chance.
- Even for a single ferret, it is good to have a multi-story cage.
Step #2: Determine The Size
This is the most confusing part, but it’s not particularly difficult.
If you follow the right size guide, actually building the cage will be quite easy and it will complement the lifestyle of your pet for many years.
Most experts who own ferrets recommend 3 (length) x 2 (height) x 2 (depth) ft. size for a single ferret. In case you are interested in building a multi-story cage, you can increase the height according to your wish and space.
For more than one ferret, you don’t need to double this size ratio. Just add one more foot to each length for each additional ferret.
Step #3: Frame & Flooring
For both frame and flooring, you can use either plastic or plywood.
Both are fine for keeping these special pets secure. We personally recommend corrugated plastic, since you can trim it very easily while building the cage. This is something you can’t do with the plywood; you have to cut it through the saw time and time again.
While creating the frame or flooring, you must be careful about the spacing between the pieces for the health and safety of your ferrets.
The ideal space between the bars/pieces is 2.5 cm or less. This space won’t allow your ferret to squeeze through it.
Step #4: Use Rabbit Wire
Using rabbit wire is also a good option to make the cage breathable.
It is great for keeping pets like ferrets out of unwanted areas like gardens etc. But we are going to use it here as a fence so that it becomes impossible for them to escape.
For installing rabbit wire, you have to get the right tools. Because you have to cut out pieces of it for different purposes. You won’t just cut the wire for holding the frame, but also for making the base self-supporting.
The thing we personally love the most about using rabbit wire is the ferret can’t curve its weld easily. Therefore, using it on the cage means your cage is quite secure.
Step #5: Build The Cage Door
A 6-by-6 inch rabbit wire can be used for building the cage door. We recommend rabbit wire, and many people build their ferret or other pet cage with this.
The size of the cage door isn’t specific; it depends on your will also. If you are planning on building a big cage, it is fine to build multiple doors or a large door for more than one ferret. Some people like to have a door on each story which is a good idea as well.
Bear in mind, if you are using rabbit wire for the door, ensure there aren’t any rough edges as they can hurt your fur baby.
Sometimes the sharp edges of the door appear when you open the door which can injure you and your pet… So, cover the edges well.
Step #6: Portability Option
Keep the portability option in the mind.
Portable cages are usually small and have small tires which assist in moving them on roads. They are like portable briefcases, but their design is a bit complex.
For instance, the things inside them are fixed, like food and water bowls.
Furthermore, you don’t make an entire wire cage as wires can hurt your pet when you are moving. Instead, you use plywood or plastic at the bottom and ensure they have smooth edges. To make things more convenient, you can add a top handle on it too.
One of the best examples of a portable ferret cage is the Prevue Small Animal Home, shown above.
Step #7: Time To Decorate
Now, it is time to decorate your model and make it look like heaven for your furry friend.
Decoration can be done in multiple ways. You can either color the entire cage or use lighting outside of it to make it look innovative. But here we want to highlight those things that can keep your pet entertained for hours each day.
We highly recommend placing a hammock inside the cage.
Ferrets love it and rest on it as much as they can. It is like a toy for them too; they rest on it and observe other things around them.
Apart from a hammock, put toys inside the cage that ferrets love the most, such as stuffed toys and plastic balls.
Conclusion
If some step is tough for you, you can always consider just buying. We have a ferret cage buying guide if you decide to go that route.
For example, there are pre-made frames and doors that are easily available online. All you need is to put them together with the help of clips and hooks to turn them into a cage.