The Best Environmental Enrichment for Your Pet Ferret

Written and verified by the vet Eugenio Fernández Suárez

Last update: 18 November, 2023

Environmental enrichment is very important for the well-being of a pet ferret. Even though this species is domestic and has been with us for more than 2,000 years, its behavior is still that of a wild animal.

Environmental enrichment for your pet ferret

Even though you might think that having a cage is enough, ferrets are very demanding animals in this sense. They need to spend at least two hours exploring environments outside their habitat.

They can be kept outside on a harness or under close surveillance. It’s necessary to pay attention as there’s the risk that they’ll get into a hole and get lost, never to be found again.

Another option is to have a room set up for your ferret to explore safely. You should protect or cover any exposed wires and avoid having any open holes that the ferret can get into.

Tubes and hiding places, the best options

Ideally, ferret enrichment devices such as removable plastic tube nets should be available. These can be dismantled so that we can recover our pet if we have to take it back to its cage.

Ferrets love to dig, and plastic ball pools can be a great option to encourage our companion’s behavior. We can also use soil, sand, leaves or old clothes to change the substrate. It’s good practice to use some litter or substrate material at least to facilitate cleaning and minimize the necessity to wash/hose down regularly.

The ferret’s cage and its exits must be compatible with the 12 to 14 daily hours of darkness that this species needs. Thus, it’s necessary to arrange environmental enrichment for ferrets to ensure one of their most important needs.

In order to provide your pet with these sleeping hours, the use of hammocks and nests away from sunlight is ideal. Allowing them to entertain themselves with your old trousers can provide them with a new place to sleep and also to have fun!

Ferrets love to dig, and plastic ball pools can be a great option to encourage their behavior. We can also use soil, sand, leaves, or old clothes to change the substrate.

Sensory enrichment

Ferrets are explorers by nature, and their behavior is evidence of this. Thus, arranging their habitat to produce a stimulating environment within their grasp is essential. They need to stay curious and active!

As a result, this type of environmental enrichment for ferrets is mainly based on the use of odors. This is this species’ most important sense. Thus, enriching the variety of aromas they can perceive throughout the day will be a great stimulus.

On the other hand, brightly-colored toys won’t attract their attention. However, the use of aromatic oils, spices or even cologne to impregnate objects can be a great way to catch their attention. The idea here is to try different scents as every animal is unique and can feel attracted to different odors.

Food enrichment

Although your pet ferret can eat using their bowl, this isn’t the ideal way to feed them. There are numerous toys on the market for other species that are suitable for ferrets. One example is the famous Kong toys, originally made for dogs and cats.

However, we can always make these toys in our own home. Nevertheless, non-toxic materials such as cardboard must be used. The use of balls with holes in them or cardboard rolls can be perfect to make feed dispensers for our pets. This way, they’ll have fun while making an effort to get their food.

Changing our ferret’s food type can also work. Giving them some boiled chicken meat will be a new experience, and they’ll need to tear up the pieces unlike when they’re eating normal feed.

Using balls with holes or cardboard rolls can be perfect for making feed dispensers that provide the pet with some fun while getting their food.

Social enrichment

Ferrets are very social animals. That’s why it’s ideal to have more than one ferret at home so they can have fun when we’re not with them. Nevertheless, we should always socialize with them as much as we can or they can become surly.

Whenever possible, you should spend a lot of time with your pet ferret. Cuddly toys are not a substitute for human companions or other ferrets, even though they can be interesting toys.

In sum, environmental enrichment is key, and social bonding with both their species and ours is always the best way to avoid stress and unhappiness for your dear pets. Keeping the furry creatures happy is surely one of the most rewarding aspects of having a pet.