Things You'll Need
- Outlet covers
- Bitter spray
- Outdoor carpeting
- Blanket
- Play yard fencing
- Baby gate
- Ferret-approved toys
- Tunnels
- Plastic cat ball toys
- Dryer tubing
- Cat toys on a string
- Ferret beds
- Litter box
- Food bowl
- Water bowl
- Ferret treats
Instructions
Ferret proof an area for the playbox. Choose the corner of a room such as a small bedroom or unused utility room. Cover all outlets with outlet covers. Repair flooring so no loose laminate or baseboards beg for chewing. Treat wall areas with a bitter spray to deter chewing. Cover the floor with a substrate that can be cleaned or removed for cleaning. Use a scrap of outdoor carpeting or an old blanket that can be washed. Erect a dog play yard perimeter of fencing or use a baby gate to block off the entrance of the small room used for ferret play.
Fill the playbox with ferret-approved toys. Choose squeaky rubber or latex toys large enough that they won't pose a choking hazard. Remove any toys that have pieces chewed off.
Add tunnels for exploring. Use ferret-approved extending tubes, or purchase tubing used to vent air from clothes dryers. Place small plastic cat toys in the tunnel for the ferret to nudge with their nose.
Hang cat toys from a string and dangle them into the playbox. Choose feathered toys with jingle bells.
Add spaces for rest. Choose soft, doughnut-shaped cloth beds, raised lounge-style pet beds and pocket-style hideaways. Sleeping and peeking out of the protective cover of a cloth bag is fun for ferrets.
Allow room for movement in the playbox. Don't overstuff the area, causing the ferret stress. (See Reference 1)
Place a small litter pan with biodegradable ferret litter in a corner. Add a small water bowl and food dish to the corner furthest from the litter box.
Maintain the playbox. Clean out the litter box frequently. Wash the substrate often. Rotate toys and activities to give a fresh new feel to the play area. Add new toys as needed. Hide treats throughout the play area for a game of hide and seek.