What to Buy
Small Pet Products
By
Steven Asarch
Steven Asarch
Steven Asarch is a freelance writer who has worked for a wide range of publications and specializes in product reviews. He loves everything high tech, especially if it's a product that he can use with his cats.
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Updated on 03/08/24
Reviewed by
Natasha Diehl
Reviewed byNatasha Diehl
Dr. Diehl is a passionate veterinarian pursuing specialty medicine with over 6 years' experience with exotic pets. She now works with a team of other experienced vets to provide the best advice and care for their clients' pets.
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Fact checked by
Nandini Balial
Fact checked byNandini Balial
Nandini Balial is a writer and fact checker specializing in a variety of lifestyle topics, including film/TV, literature, and feminism, with work appearing in Slate, Wired, Pacific Standard, and more prestigious outlets.
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The right home for your ferret will keep them safe and secure while giving them space to play. “Ferrets are unique pets because of their playful and social nature," Dr. Gabrielle Fadl, director of primary care at Bond Vet, shared with The Spruce Pets. "Ferrets are highly intelligent, and enjoy interacting with their owners and exploring their environment, but ferrets are also known for their mischievous behavior and love of playing and hiding.” Visibility, access, and a gate that is tricky for a ferret to open but easy for human hands to maneuver are essential. In general the recommended space for an adult ferret is a width and length of three feet and a height of two feet, but if you have more than one ferret, or a very active ferret, you'll need more space. Our favorite ferret cage is the MidWest Homes for Pets Ferret Nation 182 which is equipped with four levels connected with ramps, full-width doors, and a slide-out tray for the easier maintenance. Our Top Picks Best Single Level: MidWest Homes for Pets Ferret Nation Single Unit at Amazon ($180) Best Cage Cover: MidWest Homes for Pets Ferret Nation Cage Cover for Small Animal Cages at Amazon ($22) Best Cage Cleaner: What We Like The two levels can be separated Includes ferret-friendly “Happy Feet” ramp covers Full-width double doors Trays slide out for easy cleaning Strong materials with bar spacing appropriate for preventing ferret escapes What We Don't Like Assembly may require a rubber mallet Shallow trays mean bedding can splatter out This Ferret Nation cage has bars made from cold rolled steel, spaced one inch apart—it’s designed from the ground up for ferrets, so there's no easy escape available. The cage comes with two adjustable shelves, three plastic ramps with ferret-safe ramp covers, plus two leak-proof pans. The sturdy metal cage has full-width double doors and slide-out trays to make cleaning easy, and is designed with ample space for attaching accessories like hammocks, tubes, and toys. If your ferret is a bit frisky and playful, the bedding can spill out of the shallow trays. Ferret Nation cages also have four locking wheel casters for maneuverability, and a wire shelf beneath the cage for storing ferret essentials. The Ferret Nation 182 is the premier ferret cage, and can also be expanded on with a stackable add-on unit. Assembling this cage can be a bit tricky for some and requires the use of a rubber mallet to knock the pieces into their proper place. Dimensions: 36 x 25 x 64 inches | Weight: 93 pounds | Included Accessories: Pans, shelves, three ramps, “Happy Feet” ramp covers What We Like Slide-out bottom debris tray Includes a hammock Two compartments can be isolated from each other What We Don't Like Doors are large, but not full width Wider bar spacing The Prevue Pet Products Feisty Ferret Home is our favorite budget-friendly alternative to the Ferret Nation cage. It may not have the full-width double doors or customer service pedigree of our favorite cage, but it is an easy-to-clean and accessible ferret cage, with a slide-out bottom debris tray and replacement parts available for long-term maintenance. Ferrets are lightweight bundles of energy—females weigh anywhere from 0.75 pounds to 2.5 pounds and neutered males clock in at 2 to 3.5 pounds. This top-rated cage offers four levels of living/play space, including two plastic platforms, three plastic ramps for your critter to climb between them, and a hammock for sleeping. The door on the mid-level floor can be closed off to create two separate cages, should the need arise, though female ferrets and neutered male ferrets tend to get along with each other in same or mid-sex couplings. The two doors to the outside open on one side only and feature brushed nickel, escape-proof locks. Another top feature is the high-quality wrought iron construction that’s powder-coated. It does have wider bar spacing, though, making this more appropriate for adult ferrets. You will have to assemble this one once it arrives—plan on spending anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes to do so. Dimensions: 31 x 20 x 54 inches | Weight: Not listed | Included Accessories: Two plastic platforms, three ramps, plastic debris tray, two metal grilles, hammock What We Like Full-width double door for easy cleaning Can be expanded for more space One-year warranty What We Don't Like A bit heavy The MidWest Homes for Pets Ferret Nation 181 is a single-unit version of our favorite ferret cage. At 38.5 inches tall, it’s roomy enough for one or two ferrets to live comfortably, though it should primarily be reserved for ferrets who spend a substantial portion of their day outside of their cage, since it doesn’t provide as much space to roam and play as the double level version. It does have an adjustable shelf, a leakproof pan, and a plastic ramp with a cover. For a single-level cage, this one is a bit heavy, weighing in at 57 pounds. It does come with a one-year warranty, and you can always expand the 181 Single Unit cage with the Ferret Nation add-on unit. Dimensions: 36 x 25 x 38.5 inches | Weight: 57 pounds | Included Accessories: Adjustable shelf, leak-proof pan, plastic ramp with "Happy Feet" ramp cover What We Like Collapsible Zippered top Portable What We Don't Like Vulnerable to chewing and claws Ferrets need to leave their cage and have play time multiple hours a day. Having a good space where they have the freedom to play with toys or hang around is a must. This polyester playpen by Ruff 'n Ruffus is a perfect space for one to two ferrets, giving them freedom without the risk of getting lost. It has eight sides, each with its own mesh window, and comes with heavy-duty zippers. The playpen can be folded up and stored easily, taking up less space. With a waterproof design, it comes with a collapsible bowl and travel bag. It has reinforced corners and protected seams, though a ferret with enough time and dedication can bite its way through. Just don’t leave your furry friend unattended because then they will get up to the most chaos. Dimensions: 29 x 29 x 17 inches | Weight: 2.4 pounds | Included Accessories: Carry case, collapsible 16-ounce food bowl What We Like Two integrated handles for carrying Large access door in front 1-inch spacing What We Don't Like No accessories included With two integrated handles and a manageable weight of only 12 pounds, the Ferret & Small Pet Travel Habitat from Prevue Pet Products is ideal for any occasion that requires transporting an adult ferret. The wireframe cage has bars spaced 1-inch apart along with one alrge access door in the front. There are two removable platforms and two connecting ramp to give your ferret three levels to play on. There is room for toys and additional accessories, but the cage does not come with any other ferret necessities, like a water bottle. The cage is likely too small to serve as your ferret's full time home, but it can be used as a temporary cottage when moving. It's also suitable for other small pets, including guinea pigs and hamsters. Dimensions: 27 x 17.5 x 23 inches | Weight: 12 pounds | Included Accessories: None What We Like Gives your ferret some privacy Made with black polyester Has hook and loop tabs to keep it from sliding off What We Don't Like Snug fit Not very breathable fabric Ferrets sleep for large parts of the day and sometimes need their fair share of privacy to be comfortable and stress-free. Getting a cage cover, like this one from Ferret Nation, allows you and your ferret to get some peace from each other while still remaining close. The polyester exterior can be attached to a cage using hook and loop tabs to keep it safe and secure. This particular cage cover is designed for Ferret Nation cages, so it may not fit as snugly on a cage from another brand. It’s important to look at the measurements and figure out if it's going to be a good fit or a bit loose. Since ferrets are expert escape artists, it’s important to have a cover that they won’t just pop right out of. Dimensions: 36 x 24 x 59.5 inches | Weight: 1.2 pounds | Included Accessories: Hook and loop tabs What We Like Enzymatic to break down urine and other biological stains Designed for bird and small animal cages Unscented What We Don't Like May stain some surfaces The challenge with a cage cleaner spray is that you want something that will be strong enough to cut through odors, yet gentle enough that it won’t irritate your ferret’s respiratory system. This Nature’s Miracle Small Animal Cage & Surface Cleaner spray delivers on both counts. The enzymatic formula helps to remove odors, rather than cover them up with fragrances—and it doesn't leave behind a strong scent. Remember when you’re cleaning to take not only your pet out from the cage, but also its food, water bottle, and any toys. Final Verdict Our favorite cage for ferrets is the MidWest Homes for Pets Ferret Nation 182 Double Level Cage. It's not only durable and solidly constructed, but is also the easiest cage to maintain, with full-width double doors and slide-out trays for easy cleaning. While it’s not quite as easy to take care of, the Prevue Pet Products Feisty Ferret Home is nearly as good an option for a significantly discounted price. Ferrets need a fair amount of space to roam around and to keep them relaxed, especially when compared to other small animals. Though ferrets don’t weigh much, they can grow to be as much as 16 inches in length—and even ferrets on the smaller size need plenty of room to exercise. That’s why for everyday use, you’ll want a cage that measures at least 24 x 24 x 18 inches. Whatever size cage you get, remember to take your pet out for playtime in a ferret-proofed space for at least four hours a day. Preferably, a single ferret should have a cage that has multiple levels for them to climb on and be at least three feet tall. If you have more ferrets, you’ll need to add more space so that they don’t feel trapped or contained. Ferrets are known to be escape artists, so a cage with a secure lock is an absolute must. Not only could they get lost if they do manage to break free, they might gnaw furniture in your home or chew through wires or a screen door and make their way into the outdoors. Ferrets are known to swallow anything they can get their mouths on, which can make them sick. Examine the lock on your cage closely and if you do notice your pet trying to open it, consider a backup lock. Ferrets are smart animals and need a lot of stimuli to keep themselves happy. You should stock their playpen or cage with toys like tunnels, balls, or stuffed animals. It’s also smart to include hammocks or hideaways, because “ferrets enjoy climbing, hiding, and sleeping in cozy spaces,” Dr. Fadl told The Spruce Pets. There should also be food, water, and a litter box inside the cage. FAQ How big does a ferret cage need to be? According to Dr. Fadl, a cage for one or two ferrets should be at least “three feet long, two feet wide, and two feet tall.” It should also have multiple levels. How do I clean a ferret cage? “To clean a ferret cage, start by removing all of the items and bedding from the cage,” Dr. Fadl said. “Use a pet-safe disinfectant to clean the cage, including the walls, floors, and any accessories. Rinse the cage thoroughly with water and let it dry completely before adding new bedding and accessories.” This article was written by Steven Asarch, a freelance writer and product expert, for The Spruce. A devout cat dad of two, he has expert experience figuring out which products are perfect for them. To get the best understanding of what makes an ideal litter box enclosure, Steven spoke with Dr.Gabrielle Fadl, director of primary care at Bond Vet. Steven looked for ferret cages and items that were durable and well-priced, while still maintaining quality. Steven has previously analyzed testing data, tried out products at home, and provided recommendations for a wide range of cat products, including catnip toys, wand toys, and litter disposal systems. He also wrote an exhaustive list of the essentials you should have before welcoming a new kitten into your home. A previous version of this roundup was written by Anne Fritz, who has been researching pet products for The Spruce for more than two years.Best Overall
MidWest Homes for Pets Deluxe Ferret Cage
Best Single Level
MidWest Homes for Pets Ferret Nation Single Unit
Best Cage Cover
MidWest Homes for Pets Ferret Nation Cage Cover for Small Animal Cages
What to Look for in a Ferret Cage
Dimensions
A Secure Lock
Accessories
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