If you are a new ferret owner, or you are considering purchasing a ferret for a pet, then you need to know about ferret-proofing. The concept is similar to baby-proofing. There are some things that ferrets, by their very nature, like to do. But not all of these behaviors are good for them. Even if they don’t represent a danger to the ferret, they may represent an inconvenience to you. To make ferret ownership a good experience for all parties (you and the ferret), ferret-proofing your residence is a must.
The first step in making your place a good ferret home is to look for and eliminate holes. You will probably be surprised just how many small holes exist around your residence. Generally anything that’s 2 inches square or larger will attract the attention of a ferret. Look along the baseboards and inside cabinets. Holes around plumbing should be blocked. Heating and air-conditioning ducts should be covered with a wire mesh. Blocking off these inviting little exits will protect your ferret from behind the wall wiring and other possible hazards.
Compared to ferret-proofing, baby-proofing is easy. Usually you only have to deal with things within the baby’s reach. Ferrets, on the other hand, are excellent jumpers and climbers. Climbing a gate or jumping onto a shelf is nothing for an active ferret. And their ability to open things will astonish you. As you can imagine, a lot of your ferret-proofing activities will occur after the fact; that is, after the ferret has gotten into something you never dreamed would be a problem.
A special note about sponges. Ferrets love to chew on anything that has a sponge-like texture. Other than the obvious irritation this will cause you, it could be dangerous to the ferret. From time to time, they may swallow small bits of something they are chewing. This exposes them to the danger of intestinal blockage. Scan your home for anything that looks like it would be fun for ferrets to chew on and keep it put away.