Purchasing Ferret Supplies for Your New Pet
Choosing the Best Cage and Other Necessities Your Ferret Will Need
Bringing home a new ferret can be an exciting time. But before you bring your new pet home, you need to do some shopping for ferret supplies. Your shopping list should include:
- a ferret cage
- litter and litter box
- bedding
- food and water containers
- ferret toys
The Ferret Cage
The ferret cage is probably the most important item to consider when shopping for ferret supplies.
You will have to choose between many different kinds of cages for your new ferret. When considering the cage, look for a cage of metal construction. Metal will be much easier for you to clean and disinfect than other types of material.
The chosen cage should have removable shelves and a removable floor which are also easy for you to clean. Make sure the ferret cage allows easy access to all levels of the cage for cleaning purposes.
Check the latches on the cage very carefully. Ferrets are smart, inquisitive animals and have been known to learn how to open simple, poorly secured latches. Make sure the latch does not contain a weak spring. Otherwise, your ferret may be able to push the door open and escape.
Choose a cage for your ferret which is as large as is practical for your home and budget. Remember that multiple levels within the cage will also increase the floor space available for your new ferret within the cage.
Make certain the spacing between the bars and wiring of all four sides of the cage as well as the top and bottom of the cage are narrow. You do not want your ferret to get his head or foot caught in the cage while he is exploring.
If you will be using a litterbox for your ferret, make certain that you can fit the litterbox through the door of the cage.
Litter for the Ferret Cage
The choice of litter is an important consideration when shopping for ferret supplies. The choice of litter for your ferret's cage will determine how well odor and moisture are controlled in your ferret's cage. Excessive moisture remaining in the cage can damage your ferret's hair coat.
Litters sold as pelleted bedding seems to be the best litter choice for controlling odor and moisture. Pelleted bedding is also dust free.
Avoid buying pelleted bedding which is composed of pine or cedar as pine and cedar contain chemicals which can irritate the airways of your ferret. Pine and cedar have also been implicated in causing respiratory inflammation in people and even triggering asthma attacks.
While you are purchasing litter for your ferret, do not forget to purchase a litter box as well. The litterbox is also an important component of your list of ferret supplies to purchase.
Bedding for the Ferret Cage
Ferrets like to have bedding in their sleeping area. Bedding should be soft and flexible to suit your ferret's needs and should also be durable and easily laundered to suit your needs.
Food and Water Bowls for the Ferret Cage
Food and water bowls should be weighted to prevent your ferret from tipping them over. You should also be able to fasten the food and water bowls to the side of your ferret's cage so that your ferret cannot burrow underneath of the bowl and tip it.
Bowls made of stainless steel construction are easier to clean and disinfect. Plastic bowls can accumulate decaying debris in small scratches on their surfaces.
Toys for Your Ferret
While shopping for ferret supplies, consider what types of toys your new ferret might enjoy. Favorite ferret toys include:
- ping pong balls
- small metal balls (If these contain a bell, caution must be taken to ensure that the ferret cannot open the ball and remove the bell.)
- paper bags
- hard plastic boxes
- tunnels made from mailing tubes, PVC pipe or a dryer hose vent
Most ferrets prefer small toys that they can carry in their mouth. They also tend to like boxes, bags and tunnels where they can play or curl up and be cozy and safe.
Never allow your ferret to have toys made of latex, foam rubber or styrofoam. These materials can be chewed apart and part of the toy can then be swallowed by your ferret, causing medical problems and possibly even requiring surgery.
Toys with small removable parts like eyes or buttons should be avoided as well because ferrets can also swallow these small pieces and suffer medical problems.
Other Ferret Supplies Needed for Your New Ferret
Obviously, you will need to purchase food for your ferret and probably ferret treats as well.
Shampoos and other grooming aids (brushes, combs, etc) may be considered also.
Buy the Right Supplies for Your New Ferret
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