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Ferret Playpen All the Fun Design Ideas
Dr. Abdul Basit Javed (DVM, RVMP)
Ferrets are lively creatures who are constantly on the move, looking for adventure at every step. A playpen specifically designed for ferrets can be a game changer, providing them with a dedicated space to engage in their normal behaviors while ensuring their safety.
In general, a ferret playpen is essential in order to keep them mentally and physically active. Fortunately, you don’t have to buy a ready-made ferret playpen because you can build an even cooler one yourself at home if you have time and are willing to put in some effort.
If you own a ferret and are looking for ideas and guidance on how to make playpens for your ferrets, you’ve come to the right spot. Continue reading to learn how to build a ferret playpen that fulfills your pet’s needs while also being fully safe.
Why Do Ferrets Need A Playpen?
The following are some of the most important reasons why your ferrets require a playpen:
Exercise
Playpens are great to provide ferrets with plenty of exercise. Ferrets like to run, jump, and chase other ferrets in the playpen, and this way they stay physically fit.
Socialization
Ferrets are social creatures. They need a proper place where they can interact with other ferrets and engage in social activities. A ferret playpen is the perfect solution to give them space without allowing them to destroy and rearrange your house.
Training
Playpens are a great place to train and interact with your ferret. Training is a vital part of ferret ownership and it helps to enhance their health and behavior.
Mental stimulation
Mental stimulation is equally important for ferrets as physical fitness. Allowing the ferrets to play with toys and other ferrets keeps them mentally stimulated which helps prevent aggression, fights, and other unwanted behaviors.
Playtime
Ferrets can certainly play in their cage but having a large dedicated space just for enjoyment, playing, and fun is a different thing.
What Things To Remember When Designing A Ferret Playpen?
Following are some of the things to remember when designing a ferret playpen:
Size and Shape
Ensure the playpen for your ferrets is large enough so they can comfortably play and enjoy without getting into fights with each other.
Materials
The materials you will use to build the playpens must be sturdy, non-absorbent and pet safe. Ensure there are no sharp or pointed surfaces around the playpen which can lead to injury.
Enjoyment Features
The playpen that you are going to design for your ferrets must have a lot of enrichment features so they don’t get bored. Such as you should include balls, toys, or other stuff in the playpen which ferrets like playing with.
Assembly
The playpens should also be quick and simple to put together. Also, if you need to disassemble them in the future, they must be constructed in such a way that they can be disassembled quickly and easily.
Design Your Own Playpen For Ferrets: Ferret Playpen Ideas
The following are some of the best ideas if you want to design your own playpen for ferrets:
PVC And Mosquito Net Playpen
This is one of the most basic ferret playpens you can make at home. All you need is PVC pipe, PVC elbow, PVC tee, mosquito net, cable tie, PVC cement, rubber mat, scissors, saw, brush, and cutting list.
Originally it is designed for toddlers but works equally well for ferrets. Remember to add plenty of toys and comfy spots for ferrets to play and rest. Make the sides higher so the ferrets can’t escape, and all of this will cost you around $20.
Cardboard Ferret Mansions
One of the simplest and least expensive ferret playpens you can build at home is from cardboard boxes lying around the house. Cardboard boxes, cardboard tubes, a utility knife, and a hot glue gun are all you need.
Once you’ve gathered all of the boxes and tubes, arrange them in various formations to resemble a castle. Then, cut holes large enough for ferrets to fit through while connecting different compartments and glue it all together.
Remove all glue strings and cardboard pieces so the ferrets do not ingest them.
DIY Ferret Tunnels
Ferrets enjoy crawling into narrow spaces, and you can construct a fun playpen for them by making DIY ferret tunnels at home. You’ll need PVC pipe, paint, flexible plastic pipe, PVC connectors, duct tape, screws, a drill, and a saw to construct a DIY ferret tunnel playpen.
All you have to do is firmly attach various pipes and don’t forget to include turns and twists because ferrets enjoy them.
Just make sure they’re wide enough for ferrets to comfortably slip through. You may put all of this tunnel layout on a wall to save space.
DIY Ball Pit Playpen
A DIY Ball Pit Playpen is for you if you don’t want to put together an exclusive playpen for your ferret and want something quick and straightforward. In fact there are lots of quick and easy DIY ferret games to can put together today.
All you need is a pop-up mesh with a zipper. Fill the netting with different colored balls and zip it up. Your ferret may spend the entire day playing and jumping in the sea of balls while being safe and secure inside the pop-up mesh.
Ferret Race Tunnels
This tunnel playpen is comparable to DIY ferret tunnels. Instead of constructing a long and complex tunnel system, simply attach gutter extenders, PVC pipe, and duct tape to form a big loop in which your ferrets may race and run continuously.
You may see and interact with your ferrets from outside by using a transparent pipe section. The use of narrow pipes should be avoided. To conserve room, you can build this race track set up on the side of a wall.
Cardboard Box And Peanut Packing Playpen
A cardboard box packed with packing peanuts is a low-cost and simple-to-assemble ferret playpen. Simply put your ferret in a large cardboard box full of packing peanuts. If you have multiple ferrets use a larger box.
However, supervision is recommended because packaging peanuts are harmful to ferrets and should not be consumed. Filling the cardboard box with rice is a safe alternative to packing peanuts.