Bringing home a ferret means preparing for an animal that’s curious, energetic and remarkably good at finding things you didn’t realize were accessible. Before your new ferret starts exploring, focus on a safe living space, reliable food and water, litter supplies, enrichment and — most importantly — ferret-proofing your home.
Ferret-Proof Your Home First
Ferrets can squeeze into small spaces, climb into furniture, dig at flooring and investigate cabinets, appliances and anything else that looks remotely interesting.
Get down on the floor and inspect the rooms your ferret will have access to. Look for gaps under furniture and cabinets, openings around appliances, exposed cords, loose vents and anything small enough to chew or swallow.
Don’t assume something is inaccessible until your ferret has independently confirmed your findings.
If furniture is your first challenge, start with our guide to keeping ferrets from getting underneath a couch.
Set Up a Safe Home Base
Your ferret should have a secure area with comfortable places to sleep, fresh water, food and an appropriate litter area.
Put a litter box in a corner your ferret already uses. If accidents keep happening, see our guide to helping your ferret use the litter box consistently.
A cage or enclosure can provide a safe home base when you’re unable to supervise, but ferrets also need regular time outside it to explore, play and exercise in a ferret-proofed space.
We’ll be adding guides to choosing and setting up cages, bedding and other essentials as Ferret Fix grows.
Provide Fresh Water
Ferrets should always have access to fresh, clean water.
You can use a securely positioned bowl, a water bottle or both. If you’re not sure which setup makes sense, see Should Ferrets Drink From a Bowl or a Water Bottle?
And if your new roommate immediately dumps the water onto the floor, don’t worry. We’ve already met that ferret too.
Here’s how to stop a ferret from tipping over its water bowl.
Expect Digging
Digging is natural ferret behavior, which means carpets, doorways and other tempting surfaces may attract attention.
Protect vulnerable areas and give your ferret appropriate opportunities to dig and explore rather than expecting the behavior to disappear.
If the carpet has already become a construction site, start with How Do I Stop My Ferret From Digging at the Carpet?
Give Your Ferret Things to Do
Ferrets need opportunities to explore, tunnel, dig and play.
Tunnels, boxes, appropriate toys and supervised exploration can turn normal ferret curiosity into something considerably less destructive.
We’ll be building out our Play & Enrichment section with practical ideas for keeping that curiosity occupied.
Learn Your Ferret’s Version of Normal
Every ferret has its own habits, favorite hiding places and preferred forms of household destruction.
As you get to know yours, you’ll quickly learn what’s normal behavior for them. Pay attention to changes in eating, drinking, activity and bathroom habits, and contact a veterinarian experienced with ferrets if you’re concerned about your ferret’s health or behavior.
You Don’t Have to Get Everything Perfect on Day One
Start with the essentials: a safe environment, appropriate food, fresh water, a clean litter area, comfortable sleeping spaces and plenty of opportunities to play and explore.
Then improve your setup as your ferret helpfully identifies every weakness you missed.
That’s basically why Ferret Fix exists.