How to Make a Ferret Cage Out of a Bookcase

Ferrets are curious, active pets so they need to get out of their cages, explore and exercise daily to maintain their health. An unsupervised ferret usually gets into trouble quickly. They are excellent climbers and escape artists and may eat indigestible items. When your ferret is unsupervised, keep it in a large cage with plenty of toys and obstacles for exercise. Large bookcases are appropriate cages for ferrets, if designed properly.

Things You'll Need

  • 1/2 inch plywood
  • Drill
  • Screw driver bit
  • 1/8 inch drill bit
  • Jig saw
  • 1/2 by 1 inch board
  • 1 1/4, 1 3/4 and 1/4 inch galvanized screws
  • 1 1/2 inch flat right angle braces
  • 1 1/2 inch hinges
  • Window latch lock
  • Staple Gun
  • Heavy duty staples
  • Fine grit sand paper
  • Scissors
  • 1/2 inch opening plastic gardening mesh
  • 1/2 by 6 inch board
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Instructions

    • 1

      Check the back of the bookshelf. Many bookshelves are constructed with a cardboard back instead of a wood back. Cardboard degrades and gets soft and moldy when it gets wet. Also, ferrets are powerful enough to dig through a cardboard backing, especially if it is wet. If the back of the bookshelf is cardboard, remove the backing and all nails or staples attaching it. Measure the cardboard backing and use a jigsaw to cut an identically shaped piece from 1/2 inch plywood. Attach the plywood backing to the bookshelf using 1 1/4 inch galvanized screws. Space the screws roughly 6 inches apart.

    • 2

      Create a front door. Measure the length and width of the front of your book case. Cut four 2 by 2 inch boards to form a rectangle or square that exactly matches the front of the bookcase. Connect the four boards at right angles using predrilled 1/8 inch holes and 1 3/4 inch screws. You can also use 1 1/2 inch flat right angle braces to connect the four boards at the corners.

    • 3

      Attach mesh to the door opening. Using scissors, cut a piece of 1/2 inch opening plastic gardening mesh 1/4 inch less in length and width than your cage door dimensions. Attach your gardening mesh to your door frame using a staple gun and heavy duty staples. Staple roughly every 2 inches to ensure there are no openings where your ferret can escape.

    • 4

      Attach the door. Attach your door to your bookcase using 1 1/2 inch hinges and 1/2 inch screws. Make sure the gardening mesh is on the outside of the door so your ferret cannot come in direct contact with the staples. Attach a window sash lock to the opposite end of the door and side of the cage using 1/4 inch screws. The window sash lock, keeps the door shut when the ferrets are inside the cage.

    • 5

      Cut access holes in the shelves. If your bookshelf has middle shelves, remove them one at a time and cut an 8 by 6 inch rectangular hole in the back corner of each shelf using your jig saw. Replace the shelves in the bookshelf.

    • 6

      Create your ramps. Measure the distance from the back wall of the shelf where you cut your opening to the floor of the shelf below stopping about 6 inches from the front of the bookshelf. This is the length of your ramp. Cut a 5 inch wide by 1/2 inch thick piece of wood the length of your ramp measurement using your jigsaw. Align your ramp with the opening in your shelf and allow the ramp to touch the shelf below. Secure the ramp to the side wall of your bookcase using 1 3/4 inch galvanized screws. Create a ramp for each middle shelf of your book case.