ferret wont climb

Question
I just bought a new ferret and I got him a 4 story cage because everywhere I read said that bigger is better. The cage is about 4 feet tall but only about 2 feet by 2 feet actual floor size. My ferret seems to only stay on the bottom. He doesn't try to climb up the tube, the ramp, or the slide that are in the cage. In fact, when you put him on one of the ledges, he acts kind of scared to go down any of those devices. I don't know if it is because he isn't used to the cage yet, if he is afraid of heights, or if it is just because he doesn't know how. By the way, he is only about 3 months old. What should I do about this?

Answer
Hi Joe:

Congratulations on your new ferret!  I hope you've already gotten yourself a book called "FERRETS FOR DUMMIES" that is just essential for ALL ferret owners. Ferrets are so different than cats, dogs or any other pet, and they require such specialized care, it's vital that as a ferret owner, you make yourself aware of all the things that can be dangerous to your little guy. As carefree as they are, something as insignificant as a rubberband can kill them.  So, it is very very important for the owner to know the things to look for - to ferretproof the home thoroughly, to be sure the ferret gets one-on-one time with their human each and every day for 2-3 hours, that they have a diet that meets their very special nutritional needs - just too many things to even list!  You can usually get a great deal on FERRETS FOR DUMMIES at http://www.half.com  OR you can access a lot of the same information (if you don't mind surfing around on the internet and tracking it down) at http://www.ferretcentral.org or http://www.miamiferret.org .

In regards to your little guy's not climbing the top levels of his cage, since he hasn't been in the cage very long, it's possible that he is just on 'overload' with all the new things in his new home. Is there anything up there that will lure him up - such as a yummy chicken snack?  (NOTE: be SURE you don't give him any sweets/causes insulinoma or dried fruits/causes intestinal blockages because they just don't REhydrate). Your little one may well have been used to being caged with other ferrets and he may be lonesome by himself in the cage, he could be somewhat depressed on his own for the first time. If you are spending a LOT of time with him out of the cage, he could be too tired to play on his own by the time he's finished playing with you. It's just hard to say why he's not exploring the upper levels.

As a general rule, I think large cages are recommended because most ferret owners quickly find that one ferret is just not enough - they want at least two ....or three.  THEN, if you've purchased a small cage, suddenly it's too small, so to prevent that, they just say "buy it big!" in the beginning.  One solitary ferret *can* live in a single level cage about 24"x24"x24" with a hammock hanging, a tube, tunnel or somewhere he can get out of the light if he prefers, a high-backed litterbox, food & water bowls AND a water bottle, some cozy blankies to cuddle into for sleeping.  

The REALLY IMPORTANT CAGE REQUIREMENT I just don't see mentioned often enough is that the floors need to be SMOOTH - NOT WIRES.  Wire cage floors will cause foot deformities and very painful problems for ferret. These can be eliminated by either making 1/4" thick plexiglas floors (best) or 'temporarily' by placing thick blankets over the floors - be SURE to never put any foam rubber (even inside the fabric) in the cage, as ferrets will dig/chew until they get to it and it will give them intestinal blockages that are deadly if not caught and vet care sought very early.

Here is a great "quick check" list of general ferret information you might enjoy, but please, this is ONLY the beginning of what a new owner needs to know:

         http://www.mdferretpaws.org/care/index.html

And, some GREAT sites on ferretproofing any areas he will have access to:

* http://www.ferretcentral.org/faq/part2.html#ferretproofing
* http://groups.msn.com/Ferret/yourwebpage10.msnw
* http://groups.msn.com/Ferret/ferretproofing2.msnw

So, all in all, there's probably no reason for your little one to go in the upper levels. Two or three ferrets in a cage usually will make each ferret seek at least a little place they can call their own. Since he figures the whole place is his, he's probably just kicking back.  It's not anything to worry about as long as he is eating, drinking, pooping and peeing normally.  Those are the things that ferret owners watch very carefully as indications that our kids may be sick or something may be wrong.  I would guess that since there is nobody up *there*, he has no reason to go there :-)   If you hung some jingly toys up there or even some snuggly blankies or something for him to explore (think newspapers run through a shredder - they LOVE it! - do beware of styrofoam, they love it, but again, it's deadly to them...hope you will read soon and learn lots really early in order to avert any potentially life-threatening problems for your little guy. There's nothing sadder than a new owner who says after the fact "I had no idea...wish I would have know that was going to kill him/her..") There are "cornstarch" packing peanuts  - you can tell if they ARE cornstarch by putting one in your mouth, if it melts, it's cornstarch. If not, it will cause your ferret a blockage. They LOVE to dig and tunnel in sand, torn up papers, cornstarch packing nuts; they also love to explore cardboard 'houses' - cut holes for doors and windows - leave one side attached so the door/window can be closed. Ferrets give whole new meaning to what little kids do...they really DO love to play with the boxes more than the toys!!

Enjoy your new little guy - learn lots and he should have a long, healthy life with you!  Never stop asking questions - it's how we pass on our experience to newbie ferret owners. Most of all, have FUN - if you have fun, your ferret will! YOU are your ferret's favorite toy!!

Sincerely,

Jacquie Rodgers