FERRET PROOFING: How to ferret-proof your home...

Many ferret owners like to let their ferrets run loose. I, personally, do not recommend this and wholeheartedly endorse getting a cage for your ferret. Not only does it provide safekeeping for your ferret when they are unmonitored, but it also provides a "safe haven" for your ferret. Ferrets like having their own little space or territory that they know they are safe in. A properly outfitted cage provides not only safety, but food, water, and other items that the ferret knows are his and his alone. My ferrets often return to the cage on their own after playing and seek quiet refuge in the hammock or bedding.

What kind of cage you get is a matter of choice, available space, funds, and ferret needs. (More than one ferret will require a larger cage.) For more information on cages please visit my other lens, Ferret Cages & Pens

Creating a safe place for your ferret to play can include using a commercial playpen or by restricting your ferret to one room that has been ferret-proofed. I use both, the bedroom being their "safe room" and a metal wire playpen for travel and rooms that are not ferret-proofed. I also use the metal playpen as a "gate" when I want to keep the door to their room open. It is also a great way to keep the ferrets out when having guests and keeping them safe at the same time. Adding their toys and other items (including the litter box) helps to keep them happy and active while in the pen.

You must keep in mind your ferret's safety at all times. Dangers lurk everywhere in the home for the ferret and are not always obvious. The best way to to see what your ferret can get into is to get down on the floor and see things the way they do. Remember, your ferret will check everything out and can get into places you'd never dream of!

Here are some tips to guide you.

HOLES & SPACES
Make sure that there are no holes or spaces under cabinets, refrigerators, stoves and other appliances and make sure they are blocked off. Cover any holes in walls or mouldings, around plumbing or window frames. Ferrets have flexible skeletons and can fit into the tiniest of places. If the head fits, the body will follow!

FURNITURE:
Ferrets love to climb up inside furniture and mattresses. They will scratch up the stuffing and make a nice bed for themselves. (Mine got into my bed box spring!) Cover the bottom of your mattresses and box springs with either heavy fabric or screening, wood or masonite, anything they can not scratch through. (I stapled screening all along the bottom my box spring.) Always account for your ferrets before sitting in any recliner chair or rocking chair. Look below you before sitting on the couch. Ferrets love to hide in furniture and can be hard to see. Always check first.

ELECTRICAL CORDS & OUTLETS
Some ferrets love to chew on electrical cords. Others like to investigate outlets. Either keep these items out of reach or spray with Bitter Apples to deter chewing. Baby outlet plugs work great too.

CLEANING SUPPLIES
Be sure to keep all cleaning supplies up in the higher cabinets out of reach or in cabinets with strong baby latches. Ferrets are very adept at opening cabinets and drawers. Common household cleaning supplies can be deadly for the ferret.

WINDOWS & DOORS
Check all your windows and doors. Are they properly closed and latched? Make sure the window screens are sturdy and intact, with no holes. The ferret can make even the tiniest of holes larger and escape. Once outside survival is unlikely after a couple of days. Ferrets can not survive in the wild and should be prevented from escaping or running free at all times.

Ferrets should be kept from certain rooms for their own safety. These rooms are fraught with danger and your cute little fuzzie can be seriously or FATALLY injured. Your ferret should always be CLOSELY monitored if ever in the following rooms:

THE KITCHEN
Kitchen cabinets and drawers contain a lot of toxic chemicals and cleaning fluids. Ferrets are naturally drawn to investigate and are very adept at opening cabinets and drawers. Ingestion of any of these chemicals can quickly kill your ferret. Ferrets can easily get under or in kitchen appliances such as the stove, refrigerator, dishwasher or trash compacter. These units all have fans, insulation, electrical wires, pilot lights and other components that can be fatal for the ferret. Many ferrets have been fatally injured after crawling inside the refrigerator housing and the fan unexpectedly turned on. Always prevent any access into the appliance housing by covering any cracks or spaces. Other ferrets have died a chilly death inside the refrigerator after having the door closed on them by unaware owners. Make sure you know where your ferret is at all times!

THE BATHROOM
The bathroom also contains many household chemicals that can be dangerous. Ferrets may try to eat bar soaps which can easily clog up their digestive system. Open toilets and bathtubs with water present a drowning risk for your fuzzie who will not be able to climb out if he falls in. Open pipes and plumbing beckon a curious ferret who can become easily trapped or injured.

THE LAUNDRY ROOM
Ferrets love soft cuddley places and your laundry can be very appealing to them. Often they will curl up inside your clothes and because of their size go unnoticed. Always check your laundry before placing in the machine and/or starting your washer or dryer. Many a ferret has died in the throes of a washer or dryer as a result of going to sleep in warm, smelly laundry. Like kitchen appliances, these too present numerous risks for the inquisitive ferret with their electrical components, pilot lights, insulation etc. Be sure to block any access into the appliance housing or dryer hoses.