Small pets
Ferret cages
Small pets, big personalities.
27 items picked for everyday life with your pet, with shipping estimates on every item.
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All ferret cages
Little essentials. Lots of love.
A little guidance
Help choosing ferret cages
Buying guides and care advice written for this range: what to measure, what matters and what to skip.
From our guides
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- Best Ferret Beds and Hammocks: What to Look For →
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This page holds cages for ferrets: rolling metal cages from two to six levels, tall cages from about 36 to 69 inches with ramps and platforms, two-story cages that lift off their stand, and cages with hammocks, removable trays and several doors. Most also suit chinchillas and other active small animals. It is for new ferret owners and anyone upgrading to a bigger, easier-to-clean home.
How big a ferret cage should be
VCA says a ferret cage should be as large as you can afford, with a suggested minimum of 24 by 24 by 18 inches, and that multilevel cages are preferred for up to three or four ferrets. Ferrets are long, curious and agile, and they use height well, so extra levels add real living space.
Measure the floor area of each level as well as the overall height. A tall cage with tiny shelves gives less room than a slightly shorter one with full-width floors. If you have more than one ferret, choose the largest cage that fits your space.
Features to look for
Rolling casters let you move a heavy cage for cleaning. Removable plastic trays slide out so you can wipe each level without dismantling the cage. Large front doors on every level give you access to every corner and make it easier to lift a ferret out.
Check that ramps have a non-slip surface and side lips, and that wire floors are covered, since ferret paws can be injured on bare wire. Secure latches matter: ferrets are clever escape artists and will test every door.
Floors, bedding and litter
VCA recommends a sturdy, solid floor, with plastic preferred because it is easy to clean and disinfect; wood absorbs urine and holds odor. Cover wire platforms with fabric pads or fleece liners that can be washed.
Ferrets can be litter trained. VCA suggests a fairly high-sided box in a cage corner with recycled paper pellet litter, and warns against clumping cat litter, which ferrets may eat. Put food, water and the litter box on the lower level, and a hammock or sleep sack higher up.
Hammocks and sleeping spaces
Ferrets sleep 12 to 18 hours a day, according to VCA, so comfortable sleeping places are a big part of a good setup. Hanging hammocks, fleece tubes and sleep sacks on the upper levels let ferrets burrow and curl up together.
Wash bedding and hammocks weekly, as fabric holds the musky ferret smell. Having two sets means you can swap them on cleaning day.
Placement and temperature
Ferrets overheat easily. VCA advises keeping the cage well ventilated and at or below 80 degrees F, so keep it out of direct sun and away from heaters, and in a room that stays cool in summer. In hot weather, a ceramic tile or a frozen water bottle wrapped in a towel helps.
Choose a spot where the family spends time, since ferrets are sociable, but away from drafts. A cage in a quiet corner of the living room usually works better than one in a garage or basement.
Time out of the cage
A cage is a bedroom, not a whole life. VCA recommends at least two to three hours out of the cage each day in a supervised, ferret-proofed area, and more is better. Block gaps behind appliances, keep recliners and foam rubber out of reach, and pick up small objects a ferret might swallow.
Play, tunnels and digging boxes keep ferrets busy. If your ferret seems lethargic, stops eating, has diarrhea or loses weight, see an exotic animal vet promptly, as ferrets can become ill quickly.
What size cage does a ferret need?
VCA suggests a minimum of 24 by 24 by 18 inches, but a multi-level cage that is as large as you can afford is best, especially for two or more ferrets.
Are multi-level ferret cages better?
Yes. Ferrets use height well, and VCA notes multilevel cages are preferred for up to three or four ferrets. Check each level has a full, solid floor.
What should I put in a ferret cage?
A litter box with paper pellet litter, a heavy food bowl, a water bottle or bowl, hammocks or sleep sacks, and washable liners over wire floors.
Can ferrets use cat litter?
VCA advises against cat litter because ferrets may eat it, which can cause serious intestinal problems. Use recycled paper pellet litter instead.
How long should a ferret be out of its cage?
At least two to three hours a day in a supervised, ferret-proofed area, according to VCA. More time out is better.