| Best for | Product |
|---|---|
| Best Overall | PREVUE PET PRODUCTS Feisty Ferret Home |
| Sturdiest Cage | Ferret Nation #181 – Single Cage |
| Best Budget | Yaheetech 69-Inch Extra Large Wrought Animal Cage |
Ferrets make entertaining pets for anybody searching for a cute, cuddly, energetic, interactive furry friend. These adorable, slinky animals are the mischievous, cunning cousins of otters, badgers, and weasels. Because these energetic animals are also excellent escape artists, it’s important that you invest in an appropriate cage.
Selecting a ferret cage is more difficult than many people believe. There are a number of factors to consider and characteristics to sort through. Plus, there are a plethora of brands to choose from, each claiming to be the greatest. Unfortunately many of the “ferret cages” on the market are not actually suitable for ferrets. That’s why we narrowed our recommendations down to the top three, which are all spacious, well designed, and durable.
We’ve also included a brief buyer’s guide that covers the most critical factors to consider when selecting a cage for your pet.
Check Chewy Check Amazon- Large cage, 4 ½ feet tall
- Features two different platforms
- Comes with escape-proof doors
- Built-in hammock
Check Chewy- Measures 31.9 x 18.3 x 69’’ (WxDxH)
- Bar spacing: 0.4’’
- This wrought-iron small animal cage features a water- and oxidant-resistant finish for improved strength and durability.
- Three levels with cross shelves and ladders
- Features two front doors and 10 smaller doors for food and water, etc.
A-Z-Animals’ Top Picks for Best Ferret Cages
#1 Best Overall: Prevue Hendryx Feisty Ferret Cage
Our choice for the #1 Best Overall ferret cage is the Prevue Hendryx Feisty Ferret Cage. This large ferret cage measures 31″ x 20″ x 54″ and features four levels of living and play space! Whether you’ve got one ferret or two, they’re sure to enjoy scampering up and down the three plastic ramps.
This spacious cage even includes a hatch door between floors so you can create two separate units.
It’s designed with powder-coated steel that’s durable and stands up to chewing to keep your ferret safe in its home. Speaking of safety, there are two escape-proof doors that can give you peace of mind when you leave your ferret alone.
If that’s not enough, the Prevue Hendryx Feisty Ferret Cage has a built-in hammock that gives your furry friend the perfect place to snuggle up and nap. Pet owners appreciate the easy-roll wheels that make it a breeze to maneuver the cage when needed. Lastly, there’s a built-in shelf under the cage where you can store cleaning supplies, bedding, litter, and other goodies.
Several ferret owners wrote long, detailed reviews regarding design issues. We recommend that you read these reviews to determine whether this cage is right for your ferret and for you.
Pros and Cons of the Prevue Hendryx Feisty Ferret Cage
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This large ferret cage measures cage measures 31″ x 20″ x 54″. | Several ferret owners wrote long, detailed reviews regarding design issues. |
| It features four floors of living and play space and three ramps. | |
| You can create two separate units by closing the hatch door between floors. | |
| It’s made of durable, chew-resistant powder-coated steel. | |
| This cage has two escape-proof doors. | |
| It includes a built-in hammock. | |
| You can move it from place to place with its easy-roll wheels. | |
| It features a built-in shelf under the cage where you can store cleaning supplies, bedding, litter, and other necessities. |
- Large cage, 4 ½ feet tall
- Features two different platforms
- Comes with escape-proof doors
- Built-in hammock
2. Sturdiest Cage: Ferret Nation 181 Single Level Cage
If you’re looking to avoid a flimsy cage at all costs, consider the Ferret Nation 181 Single Level Cage. Ferret Nation is known for trusted and durable cages that ferrets and their human parents love!
MidWest ferret cages are made exclusively for ferrets, so you can rest easy knowing that your fur babies will have plenty of space to play, roam, and sleep comfortably. The Ferret Nation single-level cage is ideal for one or two ferrets and has various characteristics that set it apart from other ferret cages.
When it’s time to play, the cabinet-style doors lock firmly and open easily. Thick plastic pans underneath are extremely robust and easy to insert and remove, making cleanup less of a chore.
Because the width of all bars and wire was created exclusively for ferrets, you won’t have to worry about your sneaky friend escaping, as you may with lesser cages. The Ferret Nation 181 may also be used with the Ferret Nation 183 add-on cage, allowing you to extend to two floors later if you prefer.
A sole reviewer said that this cage was difficult to assemble.
Pros and Cons of the Ferret Nation 181 Single Level Cage
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Ferret Nation is known for making durable cages designed specifically for ferrets. | A sole reviewer said that this cage was difficult to assemble. |
| This single-level cage is ideal for one or two ferrets. | |
| The cabinet-style doors lock firmly and open easily. | |
| The thick plastic plans are easy to insert and remove, making cleanup less of a chore. | |
| The bar spacing and the wire itself was created specifically for ferrets, so they won’t escape from this cage. | |
| You can connect the Ferret Nation 183 add-on cage if you’d like to expand this cage to two floors in the future. |
- Very durable cage
- Made exclusively for ferrets
- Cleanup is very easy
- Easy to extend
3. Best Budget: Yaheetech 69-Inch Extra Large Wrought Animal Cage
While the Yaheetech 69-Inch Extra Large Wrought Animal Cage isn’t exactly cheap, it is less expensive than the other options on our list. This large cage measures 31.9 x 18.3 x 69’’ so your ferret will have plenty of room to explore and play.
This towering cage features three levels with cross shelves and ladders. It’s constructed from a water- and -oxidant-resistant wrought-iron for strength and durability. You can access your ferret friends via the two front doors. The cage has 10 smaller doors for food and water, etc.
Since this cage was not designed exclusively for ferrets, it includes six wooden dowel perches, eight feeder cups, and a rope toy that are intended for birds. You’ll undoubtedly want to remove these since your ferret can’t use them.
One reviewer said that this is a good sized cage for two adult ferrets, but one of them managed to escape. Another said that “ferrets might possibly be contained, but they are crafty.”
Pros and Cons of the Yaheetech 69-Inch Extra Large Wrought Animal Cage
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This is the most affordable ferret cage in this review. | Since this cage was not designed exclusively for ferrets, it includes six wooden dowel perches, eight feeder cups, and a rope toy that are intended for birds, which you’ll need to remove. |
| It measures 31.9 x 18.3 x 69’’. | Ferrets may be able to escape from this cage. |
| It features three levels with cross shelves and ladders. | |
| It’s constructed from a water- and -oxidant-resistant wrought-iron for strength and durability. | |
| This cage features two front doors and 10 smaller doors for food and water. |
- Measures 31.9 x 18.3 x 69’’ (WxDxH)
- Bar spacing: 0.4’’
- This wrought-iron small animal cage features a water- and oxidant-resistant finish for improved strength and durability.
- Three levels with cross shelves and ladders
- Features two front doors and 10 smaller doors for food and water, etc.
Filling a Ferret’s Cage
Once you’ve chosen a cage, you’ll need to provide it with bedding, a litter box, food and water, and toys to keep them occupied while you’re away. Let’s take a look at everything your furry friend will need in their new home to be comfortable, safe, and healthy!
Toys
Ferrets like having fun! Many people imagine them as two-year-olds who never mature. A restless ferret is typically a disruptive ferret, so having toys available is in both your and your ferret’s best interests. Tunnels, bins with shredded paper, balls, noisy toys, and soiled socks/clothing are some of the toys ferrets enjoy.
You will always be their favorite toy, so make an effort to engage with your ferret as often as possible. Plush animals, rubber toys, and anything else they can break apart and consume should be avoided.
Bedding
Your ferret will almost instantly show you that he or she enjoys burrowing beneath items. This is true both when they’re playing and when they’re sleeping. Because your ferret will spend most of their time curled up and sleeping when you are not with them, make sure they have lots of items to tunnel in and sleep beneath.
The cage’s bottom can be left uncovered, but if it’s constructed of wire mesh, covering it may be gentler on the ferret’s feet to put something down. Old carpet remnants, a fitting piece of tile or Plexiglas, a fleece blanket, or any other imaginative covering may be utilized to cover the bottom of any cage.
You may offer your pet pretty much any kind of fabric to sleep in or on, but many ferrets will consume particular materials or plastics, which can create blockages. This implies that anything you place in your cage, you must examine it on a regular basis to ensure that he or she does not mistake it for a feast!
Litter
There are a lot of misunderstandings regarding what sort of litter ferrets should use. The health of your ferret is the most important factor to consider when choosing a litter. Clay-based litter, such as regular cat litter, is not suggested for ferrets since it can hurt them.
Clay litter can be eaten while the ferret cleans itself, or it can make its way into the anal orifice, causing a block or rectum prolapse. Cement is made when the clay is mixed with any liquid, including urine, saliva, tears, and other bodily fluids. These bits of solidified clay can cause your ferret a multitude of health issues, including intestinal obstruction.
Newspaper and wood pellets are just a few examples of suitable litter on the market. One word of caution: corncob litter and regular newspaper are not particularly absorbent, and hence will not absorb odor well. The aim of any litter should be absorption, which recyclable paper litters and wood pellets appear to do rather well and in a safe and competent manner for your furry friend! Wood pellets are, without a doubt, the most cost-effective litter.
Choosing the Best: What to Look For
When looking for the finest ferret cage, there are a few factors to consider. The majority of the items are related to the cage’s construction, but the cage’s inside is also crucial.
Minimal Dimensions
Some experts say that if you’re getting one or two ferrets, your cage should be at least 24″ x 24″ x 18″. Others recommend that ferret cages be 36″ x 24″ x 24″. The cages we selected are somewhere in the middle of these two sizes. In general, you should buy the largest ferret-appropriate cage you can afford that will fit in the space allocated to it.
If you wish to keep more ferrets, you should use larger cages with levels. Multi-level cages are excellent choices since they provide additional space for your ferrets and allow you to separate a bathroom from the sleeping and feeding areas. In the cage, a ferret should have as much space to play as he does to sleep or eat.
Cage Construction
We should emphasize that glass tanks, as well as fiberglass and wooden cages, are not suitable for ferrets. Cages built entirely of glass or fiberglass have no ventilation and are unsuitable for any hairy creature, particularly ferrets, in the heat. Heatstroke is a common occurrence in ferrets, and keeping them in a glass tank on a warm summer day will result in one in minutes.
Ferrets should not be kept in wooden cages because they can ruin them, particularly if you have a persistent ferret that wants to dig his way out. They can destroy the wood, and their feet, and even ingest wooden fragments that might cause obstructions by burrowing on the hardwood floor.
A ferret cage made of a blend of acrylic and metal is the best option. Wires are long-lasting, easy to clean, and enable enough cage ventilation.
Accessories
The ferret cage’s ramps, flooring, and levels should all be made of plastic. You’re putting your ferret’s paws at risk if you buy a metal ferret cage with a wired floor. Your ferret may become entangled in the floor mesh. He may become agitated, attempt to escape away, injure his paw, or even tear off his nail.
That is why such elements should be made of plastic to prevent holes in the floor. Plastic elements are significantly easier to clean than floor wiring. All you have to do now is wipe the plastic with a suitable cleaning solution.
Bar Width
Bars make up wire cages, and they shouldn’t be too far apart. Ferrets are adaptable and can squeeze through tight spaces. As a result, the spacing between the bars should be around one inch wide.
Ferrets do not consider bars that are an inch apart or less as an escape route. Your ferret may acquire the notion to escape via the gap if the wires are spaced more apart. If a ferret gets wedged between the bars, this might result in additional injury.
High-Quality Doors and Locks
Multiple doors are included in multi-level ferret cages. It’s a smart option to get a cage with large doors so that you may clean it from the inside. Those doors must be large enough for you to easily access every part of the cage. Also, make sure you can get everything out of those doorways, from hammocks to litter bins.
Avoid cages with narrow doors that prevent you from putting your hand inside. Another way for a ferret to flee is via doors. They will try opening the doors further if they find a little opening and finally get out. That is why it is crucial to inspect the doors and their locks.
If you have the opportunity, try opening the doors from the inside if there is more than one. This is a great way to assess how difficult it is for them to open the cage. Whatever you do, the doors should remain in place.
Wheels
Owning a high-quality cage implies the cage is large and well-built, thus it will be hefty. To make transporting easier, most high-quality cages come with wheels.
Grab the cage with wheels if you want to make your life easy because you won’t have to pick it up to relocate it for wiping behind it. However, make sure the wheels have brakes; regardless of how level your floors are, you must hold the cage in one position.
The Different Types of Ferret Cages
There aren’t necessarily different types of ferret cages. A lot of the ones on the market are relatively similar. Pay attention to the materials it’s made with and steer clear of wire flooring. Make sure the bars aren’t too far apart to prevent an escape.
A major benefit of a cage is a bottom tray that collects debris from the cage that can easily slip out for cleaning. You may want to look for a cage that has plenty of accessories like tunnels, slides, or a hammock to prevent your pet from becoming bored.
Up Next
- The 4 Best Ferret Litter Pans: Reviewed and Ranked
- Ferret Toys: What To Get Your Pet Ferret To Play With
- 10 Incredible Ferret Facts
| Best for | Product |
|---|---|
| Best Overall | PREVUE PET PRODUCTS Feisty Ferret Home |
| Sturdiest Cage | Ferret Nation #181 – Single Cage |
| Best Budget | Yaheetech 69-Inch Extra Large Wrought Animal Cage |
How to Choose The Best Ferret Cage FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
How do I maintain a ferret cage?
The ferret cage should be cleaned thoroughly once a month, and the litter box should be cleaned every day. The cages themselves don’t need much attention; just make sure they’re secure and loaded with the ferret’s favorite objects, such as a bed, hammock, and toys. Some cages come with a hammock. If not, they’re readily available online.
You may close the compartment where your ferret is while cleaning the open compartment, which is a handy technique for preserving and washing the cage while your ferret is still within the cage. For this reason, most ferret cages include at least two compartments.
Clean all of the cage’s edges and bars with some unscented bacterial soap. After cleaning it with soap, wipe it off with a towel, and the ferret cage will be like new! Due to ferrets’ tendency to create messes, you may need to clean some spots. If you need to clean the entire cage without the ferret inside, let it out for some fun while you clean!
Why do you need a ferret cage?
Some individuals may believe that having a cage for their ferret is unnecessary. Why should ferrets be housed in a cage if dogs and cats aren’t? Here’s why ferrets aren’t like other pets.
Ferrets spend most of their days sleeping, so they’ll spend the majority of their lives in their bed. A cage provides a safe, enclosed place for the ferret to do what it does best: sleep.
They’re energetic for the short hours they’re awake. It’s common for their humans not to have time or be awake for this, which might be an issue. If ferrets don’t have an outlet for burning off their energy and they don’t have a companion, they may destroy the house or injure your children.
It’s ideal to choose a big cage that can be used as an all-in-one home. It should be roomy, giving your ferret lots of space to relax, play, and use the restroom. Fortunately, there are many ferret cages available for purchase that meet these requirements.
How much time should my ferret be outside its cage?
According to various experts on this topic, you should give your ferret at least two hours of play and exercise each day outside of the cage. Make sure that any harmful materials have been removed from the house before opening the door of his cage. Always keep your ferret on a harness and leash designed specifically for ferrets while taking him outside.
Never attach a leash to a ferret’s collar. It could lead to serious injury or even death.
Should multiple ferrets be housed separately?
Do you have more than one ferret in your home? An apparent question you’ll have to answer is whether you should keep all of your ferrets in one large cage or separate cages. Despite the fact that there is a divided opinion on the subject, those advocating for separate cages for your ferrets appear to have the upper hand.
When it comes to separate cages for ferrets, you can choose a cage with numerous levels. Ferrets require a lot of ventilation which is why you should never use a glass aquarium for a cage.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.
