Adapting to Larger Cage

Question
Me again..I am getting a new ferret next week as a playmate for my other ferret.  I have a Marshall ferret mansion with many levels.  I put my older ferret in it and he REFUSES to climb up to the other floors.  No matter what I do he would just stay in one place.plus the shelves are a little small and would like for then to be larger.  What can I do to make my ferret climb up the cage and also do you know of a place i can get more shelves and this for the cage????  Thanks!!!

Answer
Hi Claudia:

I'm not positive, but I believe that they make full floors for that cage.  Definitely call or email the vendor you purchased the cage from and see if they can get full size floors for you.

The other option is to make floors, maybe even out of wood, but if you do, it must be covered with linoleum or tiles that are well glued down (and left outside long enough for the glue small to go away 2-3 days minimum). Anybody who does little handyman projects could come up with something for you, I'm sure.  Just remember that you want a safe, strong (mine is 3/4" plywood with linoleum glued on it) and easy to clean surface.

Your ferret has NO idea there are other places to play in the cage LOL.  In time, he will become curious enough to climb up there and see what it up there. You can even put a treat or two up there for him whenever he does get up there.  Stick with kibbled treats of even a bite or two of his food, he will get the idea and know it was a reward.

He is still unsure of this strange place you've put him - he really will eventually get curious, once he is comfortable in the area he's in, and will LOVE the extra space - especially if you put full floors for them!  I always recommend full floors - lots more area to wrestle around, to play, or just stretch out...I just hate the cages with "perches" as if ferrets were birds LOL.

For now, don't worry - put up his hammock and litterbox, food and water on the bottom level so he can get to them. Stick a treat up above to surprise him if he does get brave and start climbing. Ferrets don't adapt to new surroundings quickly, so just give him time. You'll be surprised - especially when he gets his buddy in there - they WILL be exploring every nook and cranny.  For now, just be sure he has all the necessities where he can reach them.  I'm glad he has a few days in the cage before the other ferret joins him - I try to make as few BIG changes all at one time as possible.  A new house AND a new playmate are both BIG changes!  (GOOD ones, but take some adustment :-)

Let me know how it goes - I bet he's up there within a day or two and definitely when his new buddy arrives!

Sincerely,

Jacquie Rodgers