Environmental Enrichment For Ferrets

Environmental enrichment for ferrets is very important to the well-being of this pet. And although this species has been domesticated for over 2000 years, its behavior remains that of a wild animal.

Environmental enrichment for ferrets

You may think a cage is enough,  but ferrets are very picky about it. They need to spend at least two hours exploring the environment outside their cage. 

For this, we can take you for a walk with a harness and great care. Ferrets can enter hard-to-reach holes, which are a risk to them and nature, so ensure your safety.

We can also have a room designed for the ferret to explore without danger.  All wires must be well protected, as well as there must be holes that the ferret can enter and we cannot.

Tubes and hiding places, the best option

Ideally, you will have environmental enrichment devices for ferrets, such as collapsible plastic tube networks. They must be dismountable so we can catch the ferret in case he needs to go back to the cage.

Ferrets love to dig, and ball pools are a great option to encourage this behavior.  We can also use earth, sand, leaves or old clothes to change the substrate.

The ferret’s cage and its exits must be compatible with the 12-14 hours of darkness that the species requires.  We cannot allow environmental enrichment for ferrets to interfere with one of their more specific cares.

To fulfill these hours of sleep, the ideal is to use hammocks and nests away from sunlight. Letting them play with old pants can serve as both a new place to sleep and a new place to explore.

sensory enrichment

Ferret behavior  is very exploratory. This makes stimulating the environment around you through sensory stimuli essential.

So, this kind of environmental enrichment is mainly based on odors.  This is the most important sense of ferrets. Thus, enriching the variety of aromas that he perceives throughout the day will be a great stimulus.

On the other hand, colorful toys won’t catch your eye. The use of aromatic oils, spices or even spraying colognes on objects can be great ways to get your attention.  The ideal is to test several odors, as each one can arouse different sensations in the animals.

nutritional enrichment

Although most ferrets eat from their bowl, this is not the ideal way to feed them. There are many toys on the market that are intended for other species, but that are suitable for ferrets, such as the kong.

However, we can also make homemade toys. Remember that it is important to use materials that are non-toxic, such as cardboard. The use of balls with holes and cardboard rolls are perfect for making food dispensers. This will make our animal exercise to get its food.

Changing the type of food given to the ferret can also work.  Feeding some cooked chicken meat can be a new experience for the animal, as it will tear up the pieces, unlike when eating dog food.

social enrichment

Ferrets are very sociable animals. That’s why the ideal is to have more than one ferret, so they can be entertained when we’re not with them. But even so, we must socialize them with us, so that they don’t become aloof.

Whenever possible, spend time with your ferret. Teddy bears are not a substitute for contact with humans or other ferrets, but they can be interesting toys.  Social enrichment, both with your species and with us, is the best way to avoid stress and unhappiness for our pet.