Setting up a comfortable, safe and clean living environment for a pet is crucial whether you own a goldfish, dog, guinea pig or ferret. If you have a wee ferret in your home, it's important to make sure that the little one has a suitable cage environment for times when you just cannot monitor him closely.
Lining
In lining your pet ferret's cage, opt for a smooth and even fabric. Carpet that can be washed is just one such option. Other appropriate lining choices include blankets, sheets, cloths and towels. You can also use old clothing items that you don't wear anymore, whether sweatpants or sweatshirts. Just make a point to regularly wash any of these things, not only to encourage hygiene and health, but also to minimize any unpleasant accumulating smells. Aim to wash bedding on a once a week basis at the minimum. If your ferret has a bathroom accident, this type of lining can help make your cleanup job significantly less of a headache.
Fragrances
Although regular and frequent washing of lining materials is a must, it's vital to abstain from employing products that consist of heavy fragrances. Look for detergents that are unscented or that have gentle scents, as the chemical content in products with strong fragrances can often trigger allergic reactions in poor ferrets -- not good.
Litter Boxes
Ferrets are frequently litter trained animals, and as a result, their cages often require wee litter boxes that are designed for felines. Make sure that all of the edges of the litter pan are a minimum of 3 inches in height. Newspaper pellet litters, for one example, are useful for ferret boxes. Stay away from pine and cedar shavings, as well as from cat litter that has clumping abilities, because all of these things can be potentially extremely hazardous to ferrets.
Linoleum Tiles
Apart from uber-soft things, such as blankets and old attire, linoleum tiles can also serve as convenient and easy-to-clean ferret cage lining. Always make sure that you have some kind of reliable lining set up for your pet. The interiors of cages aren't exactly ideal for walking, after all.
References
- The Humane Society of the United States: Ferret Housing
- SmallAnimalChannel.com: Ferret Housing Tips
- SmallAnimalChannel.com: Essential Ferret Checklist
- Coastal Humane Society: Ferrets
- Humane Society of Utah: 10 Tips for New Ferret Owners
- PETA: Caring for Ferrets
- SmallAnimalChannel.com: Tips for Keeping Ferret Cages Clean
- RSPCA NSW: Ferrets
- Ferrets; Johannah Haney
Photo Credits
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