As a good ferret owner, there is a good chance that you let your ferret roam and play around your house for a good portion of the time that youâre home. Ferrets are mischievous and energetic, so giving them this freedom definitely makes sense! However, no matter how much freedom you give your ferret, they will end up spending a good amount of time in their cage.
Because your ferret spends quite a while in their cage, youâd want to give them a high quality living space. Youâre most likely tempted to get your ferret the first cage that you happen to see, but the reality is that all ferret cages are not created equal. Ferrets have a certain specific needs for their cage, so weâve created this guide to make the process of finding the best cage for your ferret easier.
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  Product
OUR #1 RATED
MidwestFerret Nation Deluxe Cage
A very spacious and well-built ferret cage that comes with a leak-proof pan and added ramp covers for comfort.
PrevueâBlack Feisty Ferret Cage
This cage has large access doors with a mid-level separator, simple debris tray, and even includes a sturdy hammock.
MidWestâCritter Nation Double Unit
A compact cage that comes with full-width doors for easy access and is very easy to clean thoroughly and move throughout the house.
Prevue484 Deluxe Critter Cage
Very easy to assemble but made from sturdy plastic and metal that makes the cage quite safe and secure.
KayteeMulti-Level Habitat
This cage has strong plastic landings that are connected by ramps and tunnels with an added hammock and several secure doors.
Does My Ferret Need A Cage?
Itâs frequently asked by ferret owners if their ferret actually needs a cage, and the general answer is yes. While ferrets may need differing sizes and features in their cage depending on their freedom outside of the cage, every ferret should have a cage of some sort. This is due to ferrets wanting a sense of security.
Ferrets naturally want to be in a secure place when theyâre doing things that make them vulnerable, such as pooping and sleeping. They are den-dwellers after all. If your house lacks a cage and many places for a ferret to sleep, then they may create their own sleeping space. So, providing your ferret with at least a small enclosed space with a bed and food and water is optimal for their happiness.
Once again, if your ferret has a lot of freedom throughout the day, such as having an entire room to run and play around in, then they will need a smaller cage.
Can Ferrets Live In Other Animal Cages?
Generally speaking, no, ferrets should not live in cages meant for other animals. The reasoning behind this is that ferrets are unique animals, and these cages are not constructed with the ferretâs physical abilities and needs in mind. Therefore, itâs worth the extra bit of effort to find a suitable ferret-specific cage for your carpet shark.
You may frequently see cages, such as bird cages, sold as ferret cages through Craigslist and other similar sites. Many of these cages are too small, not comfortable enough, and not compatible with ferrets without some major modifications. Applying significant modifications to your ferretâs cage can be expensive and harm your ferret if anything goes poorly.
Why Are Bigger Ferret Cages Better?
Many pet owners view ferrets as rodents, and most rodents survive and thrive in cages that are smaller and single-story. Ferrets, however, are not rodents, and have very different housing needs. Their exploratory nature and den-dwelling ancestry means that their cages should be a bit more than basic, single-level containers.
Ferrets love to explore, climb, and play around. Therefore, providing your ferret with a cage that allows them to do this comfortably and freely is a great way to make your ferret happier. Bi-level or even tri-level cages with ramps and stairs connecting the levels allows for a diverse environment for your ferret to explore when theyâre not sleeping.
When there are several levels to a ferret cage and ample floor space, you can also provide your ferret with all of their needs without it feeling cramped and dirty. Generally, the first floor holds a ferretâs litter pan and bedding. Further floors could then contain a ferretâs food and water, as well as access to a hammock. With smaller cages, giving this diverse living experience isnât possible.
If you were to observe the living conditions of ferrets in either an experienced shelter or a reputable ferret breeder, you would be hard-pressed to find ferrets that are kept in sub-optimal cages.
Can I Make My Own Ferret Cage?
You can certainly make your own ferret cage, and a DIY ferret cage can actually save you a good amount of money when done correctly. However, creating your own cage leaves room some problems that could harm your ferret.
Here are the characteristics of a safe and healthy ferret cage:
- At least 36 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 18 inches per floor (We prefer bigger)
- Solid floors as ferrets arenât meant to walk on wire floors
- Very secure door latch
- Ample room for a litter pan, food, water, and bed
- Nothing sharp or consumable
- Not too tall to where a ferret can fall a significant amount
As long as your cage meets all of these requirements, you should meet all of your ferretâs needs. Creating your own cage also gives you a large amount of creative freedom, allowing you to make cages that fit well into a roomâs decor and space.
What Are The Best Ferret Cages?
Weâve taken a look at many different ferret cages, taking into account things such as size, safety, price, and quality of construction. Through this process, weâve found five ferret cages that would provide your ferret with a fantastic home.
Remember that the quantity of ferrets that you have determines the size of the cage required. Because of this, if you have two or more ferrets, you may want to consider the bigger cages listed below.
our #1 rated
OUR TOP PICK
MidWest
Ferret Nation Deluxe Cage
Qualityâ
Valueâ
Our Rating
Ferret nation has held a place as the dominant figure in ferret cage making for a long time, and itâs clear why by looking at this cage. The Ferret Nation Deluxe Cage meets all the requirements to provide your ferret with a quality living experience. The floor space available in this cage is well beyond the minimum for required for ferrets to thrive, and the construction is solid and easy for ferrets to navigate with the provided ramp covers. Additionally, Ferret Nation has separate cage add-ons available to customize it further.Ferret owners have noted that the four levels and convenient ramps are heavily utilized by their ferrets, making for an interactive living space. Also, the quality is noted frequently by owners of this cage, as thereâs no fear of the cage breaking or ferrets being able to escape. Cleaning of the cage is also a breeze due to the flat platforms and their siding.The main downside that customers have noted is that the cage is difficult to put together, as such a secure cage will have a few more less-forgiving parts than other cages. Despite this, when the cages are assembled, ferrets and ferret owners alike enjoy it.
PROSâ
- Very sturdy construction
- Easy to clean
- Easy to navigate
CONS
- Difficult to put together
- A little pricey
our #2 rated
Prevue
Black Feisty Ferret Cage
Qualityâ
Valueâ
Our Rating
A very close contender to the Ferret Nation Deluxe Cage is the Black Feisty Ferret Cage by Prevue Hendryx. Similar to that cage, this one also boasts 4 levels of play space with ramps connecting the spacious levels. Large, secure doors open up to give you access to the entirety of the cage, making cleaning very simple. Additionally, a cool feature of this cage is the second landing platform â a platform that can either act as a passable floor or a ceiling to separate the top and bottom halves of the cage into two separate cages.Owners of this cage have great things to say about the quality and size, with the massive doors and overall floor space being the most loved features. Additionally, this cage is reportedly easier to assemble than the Ferret Nation cage. Some problems were reported several years ago, but Prevue Hendryx listened to customer feedback and fixed those problems.This cage does have a wire floor on the bottom level, which is not suitable for ferretsâ feet. Fortunately, fixing this problem is very simple, with most owners opting to simply lay down a towel or mat at the bottom of the cage. Other than this point, this cage seems to be excellently designed around ferretsâ needs.
PROSâ
- Large, accessible doors
- Added hammock
- Easy, solid construction
CONS
- Wire bottom of cage
our #3 rated
MidWest
Critter Nation Double Unit
Qualityâ
Valueâ
Our Rating
Although it is a smaller cage than the others listed in this post, this Critter Nation Double Unit is an excellent cage for single ferret households. To make it easier to digest what this cage offers, itâs extremely similar to the aforementioned Ferret Nation cage, but just half the size. So for single ferrets or ferrets that are given large amounts of freedom during the day, this cage may be an excellent choice.Owners of this cage say that itâs a great smaller cage for single ferrets. The quality is sturdy and was overall easy to put together. The small size and presence of wheels also makes this cage easy to move about the house so that you can relocate your ferretâs home base very easily.While the cage is mostly flaw-free, many owners report that the floor tray has very short sides. These short sides result in litter and food spilling over the side, which can be a hassle if it happens regularly. Like the wire cage bottom present in the previously mentioned cage, this problem is fixed with a little DIY. Most owners have constructed their own walls to place around the floor, and this seems to work great.
PROSâ
- Great quality
- Compact but big enough for ferrets
- Easy to accessorize
CONS
- Shallow floor tray
- Similar price to large cages
our #4 rated
Prevue
484 Deluxe Critter Cage
Qualityâ
Valueâ
Our Rating
While Prevueâs Black Feisty Ferret Cage is a more widely-used ferret cage, their 484 Deluxe Critter Cage is almost identical in quality and benefits despite the fact it wasnât constructed solely for ferrets. This cage comes with five shelves, three ramps, and a high quality hammock, as well as two massive and secure doors.Ferret owners have made it clear that this cage is very easy to put together and great at housing multiple ferrets. The platforms are all easy to clean, and the storage space underneath the cage is an appreciated feature. Additionally, the construction of the cage is notably strong, with the plastic and even hammock being of high quality.This cage also has the problem of a wired bottom floor, which is understandable since this cage wasnât constructed solely for ferrets. Once again, this problem is easily fixed by placing a blanket or sheet of plastic on the floor. Aside from this, this cage is an excellent choice for ferret owners.
PROSâ
- Five shelves
- Easy assembly
- Strong construction
CONS
- Wire bottom of cage
our #5 rated
Kaytee
Multi-Level Habitat
Qualityâ
Valueâ
Our Rating
This cage by Kaytee is a great budget cage, boasting the lowest price out of the cages listed here. However, not much quality has been sacrificed for this lower price, making this cage a great option for many ferret owners. Itâs substantial size, good construction, and added accessories make it a fun cage for all kinds of owners.Many owners of this cage have had it for many years and note how well it holds up. In fact, I have personally owned this cage, and it lasted throughout the entire lifetime of my two ferrets without many problems at all. The platforms are solid plastic and the floor tray has very high walls .Some owners have noted that the construction of this cage can be hit-or-miss at times, with some owners having no problems and others having a few. Additionally, the accessories are difficult to attach and keep them attached.
PROSâ
- Nice accessories
- Solid platforms
- Fun, unique design
CONS
- Can be hard to clean
- Spotty construction
Our Choice
Every ferret cage that we have reviewed would provide a ferret with a safe and healthy living space. Ferrets have specific environmental needs, and many cage manufacturers take these needs into account when creating ferret-specific cages.
After analyzing each cage carefully, we have determined that the best ferret cage is the Ferret Nation Deluxe Cage.
One of the leading manufacturers in the ferret cage market crafted this ferret cage and easily meets all of the necessary cage requirements. The multi-tiered design, along with great safety and construction, makes this cage a safe investment for an owner of one or several ferrets.