Ferrets have been domesticated by humans for quite some time. In some countries they 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.
Characteristic features of animals
Two types of ferrets are sold in pet stores: steppe and forest. They are found in Russia. They are distinguished by a beautiful color and large population. They settle in burrows, which consist of many rooms. Life expectancy of up to eight years. However, it all depends on the comfort of living.
If a pair is acquired, after a while she will have offspring. Ferrets have up to three times per year. A large family needs a lot of space. That is why a large cage for ferrets is needed.
But even one pet needs to provide a lot of space for an active life. Otherwise, he will become chandrous and be susceptible to disease. And who cares to watch a drooping animal?
Cell types
Today, keeping exotic animals is not unbelievable. Ferrets are considered quite popular pets. Over the years, many cage options have been developed for ferrets, chinchillas and other tamed animals.
Options for comfortable homes:
- Plastic or iron factory construction.
- Home made from plywood and timber, made by hand.
- A house made of thick plexiglass.
- Homemade wicker box.
- Temporary house out of the box.
- Iron mesh construction on the frame.
- The design of the old converted cabinet.
Why a DIY Cell Is Better
Of course, the easiest way to get a ready-made cage for a ferret. But there are two nuances. Firstly, it may not fit into the interior of the room, including in size. Secondly, truly spacious cells are very expensive.
Often owners of ferrets make their own homes for pets, taking into account all the features of their life. It is important that it be divided into several zones, which will play the role of a toilet, a dining room, a place for relaxation and games.
Minimum ferret cage sizes should correspond to the following parameters:
- width - 60 cm;
- length - 80 cm;
- height - 50 cm.
It is also important to consider where the cell will stand. If the area of the apartment allows, it can be made as large as possible.
Wooden structure
There are owners who can build a ferret cage from 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 cell will have.
Next, the necessary materials are prepared:
- wooden bars of different sizes;
- metal grill;
- plywood sheet;
- platbands (fasten the grill);
- 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 be easier to clean. In order for the floors to withstand all the loads of a moving animal, their fastening must be very durable.
The roof can be made in the general style of the room, decorated with decorative elements. A window in it will allow you to observe the pet from different angles. The back side of the structure is made of a single sheet of plywood. On the front side is to install 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 closed with a metal mesh. In a wooden multi-story cage, the pet will be spacious and comfortable. And the owner will be pleased to realize that all this is done with his own hands.
Handmade construction
There are other options for creating a ferret cage. So, the frame of the beam can be sheathed with thick plexiglass. In such a dwelling, it is important to take care of good ventilation, so several through holes on the roof and doors will not interfere.
Looks good home, created on the basis of an old cabinet. Its appearance remains untouched, and the inside changes to fit the ferret's needs. Instead of glass, a grid or a thick plexiglass is mounted.
A cage of iron tubes as a frame and a metal grill can be planted on wheels. Then it will become a mobile home.
Whichever option you choose, it is important to securely fasten all parts and prevent sharp corners and rough surfaces.
The finished cage with a pet can be placed on the balcony, in any living room. The animal is not afraid of frost, but does not tolerate drafts. Destructive for him to be close to heating appliances and central heating radiators. He may die from heat stroke.
Cell arrangement
When it became clear how to make a cage for a ferret with your own hands, it is worth discussing its occupancy. Some walls will not be enough for a pet.
Between the floors you need to place stairs. The tray that will serve as a toilet should be below. The bowl with the drinker is located on the opposite side of the tray. On the second floor there is a house closed on all sides. A soft litter is placed in it. For a 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 play a wooden box, ennobled with his own hands.
Sometimes the animal refuses to sleep in a wooden house. Then it should be built from fabric. The walls are sealed with foam. On different floors there are devices for games in the form of balls, hanging toys, devices for the claw point.
The role of a hammock in a cage
Animals love to spend time in suspended tissue 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. Need a sturdy 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.
The manufacturing process of the soft hammock:
- the fabric is folded in half, stitched;
- an improvised fabric envelope is filled with synthetic winterizer or foam rubber;
- lacing is sewn along the edge.
The hammock is fastened to the bars with lacing. A window grill located on the roof of the cage will do. If it is not, you need to drive four nails and bend them with loops. Less traumatic if you drill four holes in the cage and pass a lacing through them. A ferret can rest for a long time in such a hammock himself or with his companion, if a couple lives in the cage. There can be several hammocks in a dwelling hanging on different floors. This will increase pet comfort even further.
Cage pipe system
In their natural habitat, animals build holes that stretch for a hundred meters with all the moves. Domestic ferrets in the cage should move a lot. To do this, they must be released from the home for several hours a day. The pipe system can still solve the problem. It can be purchased ready-made or made of plastic materials, the diameter of which is ten centimeters. They are sold in any hardware store, in the plumbing department. In addition, you must purchase tees and adapters. The rotation of the pipe should be at an angle of 45 °. If you make the angle sharper, the ferret gets stuck. The design extends through all floors, simulating the natural living conditions. You can take it outside the cell. Then there will be even more places for walking.
The finished pipe system has its indisputable advantage, since it is made of transparent material. The animal can be observed when it moves inside it.
In general, the arrangement of cells can be experimented constantly. Moreover, ferrets are not inclined to gnaw at their utensils, so this design will last a long time.