14 replies to this topic

[Iszie]

Hi!

 

Is it possible for a pair of ferrets to live outdoors? 

 

I can't find any reasonably priced indoor ferret cage, all I can find (which are suitably sized) are rabbit hutches. Will the ferrets be fine living outdoors in a rabbit hutch? The rabbit hutch will be located by the wall of my house, where the foxes and badgers don't like going. I will give the ferret time plenty of time outside of their enclosure in the garden, which has secure fencing. The ferrets I'm adopting come vaccinated against distemper. 

 

I also heard somewhere that ferrets need to go on walks on leashes, like dogs. Is that true, or recommended? Can I take them through quiet walks away from traffic, in case they get bored of our garden? 

 

Thanks for your help!

[nebit]

Ferrets are very social creatures that need a lot of human interaction and out of cage time, as such, they should live indoors just like a dog would.

[Iszie]

Ferrets are very social creatures that need a lot of human interaction and out of cage time, as such, they should live indoors just like a dog would.

Okay! 
 

My best friend has ferrets and she keeps them outdoors, but when I’ve gone to see them they seem very happy and healthy. She cares about her ferrets so much and cares for them properly, letting them free roam in the garden with her. Should I tell her also not to keep her ferrets outside, or with the information I gave do you think they are fine? 

[lil BIG dwarf]

For Ferret Cages, I *believe* a double critternation style cage would work? The one Emiology on YT has looks good-maybe connect 2?

[Iszie]

For Ferret Cages, I *believe* a double critternation style cage would work? The one Emiology on YT has looks good-maybe connect 2?

Although it seems good, we can’t afford a £500 cage.

Edited by Sablepaw, 02 May 2021 - 07:55 PM.

[Brownie~s♥️buddy]

Hi!

 

Is it possible for a pair of ferrets to live outdoors?

 

I found this article after a quick google search: https://www.exoticdirect.co.uk/news/can-a-ferret-live-outside-ideal-outside-temperature-cold-hot-weather-housing

 

Short answer is Yes, BUT they must be provided with adequate protection from elements and such! I would definitely talk to your friend and see what they are doing and how they know if their ferrets are healthy & comfortable

[Alis]

I would be a little bit worried about the temperature/condition of keeping them outside? After all, it won't be the perfect condition/temperature all year long ( Rain, storms, hot weather).

 

Personally I would try to go with indoors

[ajuniceuhamsters]

Hi!

 

Is it possible for a pair of ferrets to live outdoors? 

 

I can't find any reasonably priced indoor ferret cage, all I can find (which are suitably sized) are rabbit hutches. Will the ferrets be fine living outdoors in a rabbit hutch? The rabbit hutch will be located by the wall of my house, where the foxes and badgers don't like going. I will give the ferret time plenty of time outside of their enclosure in the garden, which has secure fencing. The ferrets I'm adopting come vaccinated against distemper. 

 

I also heard somewhere that ferrets need to go on walks on leashes, like dogs. Is that true, or recommended? Can I take them through quiet walks away from traffic, in case they get bored of our garden? 

 

Thanks for your help!

Yes, they can live outdoors, but no pets should ever be housed outside imo.

 

If you want them outside you'll need

- a covered and fully sheltered place with heating, a/c and proper temperuature control, floor

- enough money for that ^^

 

Housing outside means a. alot of money spent on a proper outdoor housing place in addition to the cages b. less human interactions which isn't good c. more chance of neglect. My friend used to house her pets outside. Days she was too lazy to go outside, too cold to go outside, etc, etc even though she said she'd be fine with them outside. Just don't house them outside please, there's too many dangers.

 

Rabbit hutches aren't best for ferrets. Ferrets need multiple levels, and rabbit hutches aren't near secure enough. Instead of a double CN/FN, this is cheaper https://www.amazon.co.uk/Prevue-Hendryx-485-Products-Hammertone/dp/B000QFMYWQ/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=ferret+cage&qid=1619969823&sr=8-6I don't know the minimums, but

 

Most of what I've seen is harnesses aren't safe because of how their bodies are shaped and how they react when in danger.

 

Ferrets need to be vaccinated against rabies in north america, I'm not sure about europe. They should also live in pairs or more.

[druham]

I would never do this although it's possible. Ferrets are natural escape artists and they're EXTREMELY vulnerable to heat and hot weather.

[nebit]

Okay! 
 

My best friend has ferrets and she keeps them outdoors, but when I’ve gone to see them they seem very happy and healthy. She cares about her ferrets so much and cares for them properly, letting them free roam in the garden with her. Should I tell her also not to keep her ferrets outside, or with the information I gave do you think they are fine? 

 

 

Although it seems good, we can’t afford a £500 cage.

I think telling a friend how to keep their pets is rarely a good idea, even if they're doing something you disagree with. If they're amenable AND I'm knowledgeable about that species, I might make a friendly *suggestion* and then mind my own business. If the care crosses a line I can't accept, I might reconsider my friendship with them.

And respectfully, if you can't afford a 500 pound cage, you probably can't afford ferrets. They're very expensive. The cage is just a small part of the overall cost of keeping them. They require regular veterinary care, and cancer is pretty much a given these days. The cancers they get are very treatable and NOT treating is neglect at best.

[Sparrow]

I had ferrets in the past. They are vulnerable to changing temperatures. They are extremely social and should be let to free roam as much as possible and be placed in an area where there is a lot of foot traffic - like the family room. We kept our ferrets in a ferret-proofed room with their cage opened at all times, except the night.

The vet bills... If you can't afford the proper indoor cage, there is no way you will be able to afford proper vet care. They need their shots, regular vet checks and might end up needing emergency veterinary care.

Insulinoma is something that is incredibly common and EXPENSIVE to treat. We had a 5 year old female ferret that spent months fighting it. The medication was insanely pricey and by the time she passed away we must have spent close to 3,000 euros.

They are escape artists! Keeping them outside in a rabbit hutch would be a terrible idea simply for the fact that with enough determination, the ferrets might end up finding a way out. If it happens inside a house, at least you would be able to catch them, if it happens outside, they will be gone forever.

Ferrets need levels. A rabbit hutch simply will not provide that. Hammocks, platforms and hanging toys are all extremely stimulating and important to ferrets if they are kept in a cage.

Keeping the ferrets outside will not be in their best interest.

[Iszie]

I think telling a friend how to keep their pets is rarely a good idea, even if they're doing something you disagree with. If they're amenable AND I'm knowledgeable about that species, I might make a friendly *suggestion* and then mind my own business. If the care crosses a line I can't accept, I might reconsider my friendship with them.

And respectfully, if you can't afford a 500 pound cage, you probably can't afford ferrets. They're very expensive. The cage is just a small part of the overall cost of keeping them. They require regular veterinary care, and cancer is pretty much a given these days. The cancers they get are very treatable and NOT treating is neglect at best.

Alright, thanks for the advice!

 

We can afford the £500 cage (sorry I worded it wrongly haha), but we'd rather not buy it, in case something happens to the ferrets (like cancer) and we need to take them to the vet. Sometimes the treatment price rockets, so we want to save quite a bit, as we know there are other suitable cages for less.

[Iszie]

I had ferrets in the past. They are vulnerable to changing temperatures. They are extremely social and should be let to free roam as much as possible and be placed in an area where there is a lot of foot traffic - like the family room. We kept our ferrets in a ferret-proofed room with their cage opened at all times, except the night.

The vet bills... If you can't afford the proper indoor cage, there is no way you will be able to afford proper vet care. They need their shots, regular vet checks and might end up needing emergency veterinary care.

Insulinoma is something that is incredibly common and EXPENSIVE to treat. We had a 5 year old female ferret that spent months fighting it. The medication was insanely pricey and by the time she passed away we must have spent close to 3,000 euros.

They are escape artists! Keeping them outside in a rabbit hutch would be a terrible idea simply for the fact that with enough determination, the ferrets might end up finding a way out. If it happens inside a house, at least you would be able to catch them, if it happens outside, they will be gone forever.

Ferrets need levels. A rabbit hutch simply will not provide that. Hammocks, platforms and hanging toys are all extremely stimulating and important to ferrets if they are kept in a cage.

Keeping the ferrets outside will not be in their best interest.

Thank you so much! I'll keep the ferrets indoors. 

 

As I said to nebit, I can afford it (I worded it wrongly), but we'd rather save more in case something happens to the ferrets. In our area the treatment price can rocket sometimes so we'd rather have more money ready. 

[nebit]

Alright, thanks for the advice!

 

We can afford the £500 cage (sorry I worded it wrongly haha), but we'd rather not buy it, in case something happens to the ferrets (like cancer) and we need to take them to the vet. Sometimes the treatment price rockets, so we want to save quite a bit, as we know there are other suitable cages for less.

Then I wouldn't buy ferrets until you can afford a properly sized, indoor cage, supplies AND have a sizeable vet fund. These things are necessities for ferrets,not optional items that can change later. The do require yearly vet care even for healthy animals which alone can be pricey for routine exams, vaccines, bloodwork, and dental care as they age. The cancer should be treated as a certainty, not a possibility. It's more unusual for it to NOT happen.

[Iszie]

Then I wouldn't buy ferrets until you can afford a properly sized, indoor cage, supplies AND have a sizeable vet fund. These things are necessities for ferrets,not optional items that can change later. The do require yearly vet care even for healthy animals which alone can be pricey for routine exams, vaccines, bloodwork, and dental care as they age. The cancer should be treated as a certainty, not a possibility. It's more unusual for it to NOT happen.

Alright, I'll leave them in the shelter then. I hope they go to a good home, perhaps in the future I'll be able to adopt my own.