What type of housing and equipment are necessary for ferrets?

wide, 24 inches long, and 10 inches high. This amount of space will sufficiently house a ferret and provide
space for a litter, feeding, and sleeping area; however, a ferret is very active and, if kept in this size of cage,
should be allowed out frequently for exercise.
Cages that are 24 inches wide, 24 inches long, and 14 inches high are more desirable. A cage approximately two
feet wide and four feet long is appropriate for a pair of ferrets; this allows plenty of room for a sleeping or nesting
box, a litter box, and space for exercising. Cages of this size can easily be constructed from wood and wire screen.
Glass aquariums are not desirable because they do not allow air to circulate and can become overly warm
in the summer.
Whatever is used to house a ferret, two things should be kept in mind: (1) If there is a way to escape
from a cage, a ferret will find it. All materials should be of good quality, and latches on the doors should lock
securely. (2) Ferrets enjoy watching activity around them. Cages should be constructed to allow ferrets to see
out and observe what's going on; they want to be part of the action.
Food bowls should be made of earthenware. These are heavy and almost impossible for the ferret to upset.
A constant supply of fresh water should be available; the large vacuum-type bottles used for rabbits and
guinea pigs are ideal.
Ferrets are very playful, and almost anything will make a suitable toy. Toys that are available for cats will
usually work well for ferrets, but ferrets are harder on the toys than cats. Ferrets chew on the toys and can
break off small pieces. Then, they swallow those pieces, causing digestive tract blockages. Soft rubber toys
should be avoided. Plastic pipes that they can crawl through and plastic milk jugs with holes cut in them provide
ferrets with a place to explore and play.