How to Ferret-Proof Your Home

There are a lot of things to consider before getting the fun-loving ferret, and one of them is how you’ll be able to make your home a safe place for them to play and explore. Check out the tips below to get started.

Ferret-Proofing Tips for Kitchens

From the perspective of a ferret, your kitchen is a risky place, so it’s a good idea to keep this room off-limits. But if you want to be sure it’ll be safe for them in case they somehow sneak in, here are some things to look out for:

• Keep all utensils, especially sharp knives, stored away where your ferret won’t be able to grab them.
• Move all medications, cleaning products, and other potentially toxic items out of reach of your ferrets, such as in upper cabinets.
• Use baby-proofing supplies to lock cabinet doors and drawers, making it impossible for your ferret to get in.
• Look for small spaces that a ferret could squeeze through, such as under your refrigerator, and close gaps to prevent access.
• Ensure appliances like dishwashers and ovens are closed securely, and check them before using them to be sure your ferret didn’t somehow climb inside.

Ferret-Proofing Tips for Living Rooms

Your living room is a place to relax and entertain, and your ferret is sure to love your plush sofa and other furniture throughout the space, but these could be hazardous, so consider the following to keep your pet safe:

• Any areas between walls and furniture can potentially be accessed by a ferret, so try to eliminate small gaps to prevent your pet from getting stuck or hiding.
• Your ferret can get stuck or hurt in a recliner, especially if they’re under there when you open or close it, so preventing access is the best way to ensure their safety.
• Keep your ferret away from your fireplace to prevent injuries, and prevent access to it with a durable screen or door.
• TV stands and other furniture might be enticing to a ferret who wants to get in and explore, so keep doors and drawers locked.

Ferret-Proofing Tips for Bedrooms

Your bedroom furniture and closets might look like mini theme parks to an adventurous ferret, so keep your pet safe by doing the following:

• Store dangerous items (e.g., medications, jewelry, hair ties) in locked drawers or areas that are out of reach of your ferret.
• Lock your dresser drawers with baby-proofing products.
• Ferrets might be able to climb into your dresser drawers by squeezing under the furniture and then climbing up from there, so cover gaps to prevent access.
• Seal off areas like the spaces under and behind your bed so your ferret can’t get through.

Ferret-Proofing Tips for Bathrooms

Like kitchens, bathrooms can be dangerous to ferrets, so it’s best to keep them out. However, it’s also wise to take precautions by doing the following, just in case they make their way into your bathroom:

• Keep medications, cleaning supplies, personal care and beauty products, fragrances, and other dangerous items out of reach.
• Lock drawers and doors on your bathroom vanity.
• Always keep the toilet lid closed, and use products like Wappa Baby Child Safety Locks to ensure your ferret won’t be able to open it.

Other Ways to Keep Your Ferret Safe in Any Room

Here are some other things to look for throughout your home that may pose a risk to a ferret’s health and safety:

• Many plants are toxic to ferrets, so before bringing any plants home, research whether or not they’re safe for your pet. It’s also best to keep all plants out of reach of ferrets who might be tempted to chew on them or dig through the soil.
• Keep the doors of your washing machine and dryer closed at all times, and make sure your ferret isn’t inside before using them.
• Don’t let your ferret near burning candles.
• Use hampers to keep clothes off your floors, as ferrets burrow and may find a pile of clothes a great place to hide and rest.
• Ferrets may chew electrical wires, so cover them with products like the Small Pet Select Small Pet Heavy Duty Cord Cover. It’s also wise to cover electrical outlets.

• Don’t leave windows open unless there are secure screens in place.
• Look for and seal any holes in walls and floors that a ferret could get stuck in.
• Store away small items that can be chewed on or swallowed.
• Prevent access to closets and vents.
• Ferrets can squeeze under doors with large enough gaps, so seal those off with products like the Gorilla Grip Door Draft Stopper.

Ferret-Proofing Your Home Is a Must

When it comes to ferret-proofing your home, try to think like a ferret—what they can squeeze themselves into, what they want to chew on, etc. Understanding these animals will help you more easily figure out how to keep them safe in any room.

To simplify things, choose one or two rooms where your ferrets will be allowed to play outside of their enclosure, rather than letting them roam around freely.

Always supervise your ferrets whenever they’re outside of their enclosure. This is the best way to ensure they won’t get into anything they shouldn’t.  

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