Awesome life hacks by ANGRY ORANGE

Ferret cage cleaning tips

by Jessica Britt

You know how it goes with little siblings. They’re the babies of the family and what they want, they usually get.

So, when my 12 years old brother wanted a ferret for Christmas, of course Santa brought him little Nugget, his first ferret.

After Nugget came Lila, and after Lila there was Pepper. How’s life with 3 ferrets you might ask? Stinky, that’s how it is! Wonderful, but stinky.

Don’t get me wrong, they are great pets, cute as buttons and always curious, playful and mischievous, but they can be quite a bit on the smelly side.

So, of course, as the big and responsible sister that I am, I decided to do some research and teach my lil bro everything he needs to know about taking care of his ferrets, cleaning included.

Here’s my list of cleaning tips & tricks for your ferret's habitat:

1. A clean cage means a happy ferret

First of all, the cage should be big enough for your little pets, the more ferrets you have, the bigger the cage. Ideally, it should have several levels and enough space for a sleeping area, food and water, toys and a litter tray. Make sure to clean the habitat every day, wiping down the shelves, ramps and levels.

2. Use a dedicated product

Make sure to use a special cleaning product, created especially for pets. Angry Orange is a good option as it is organic and safe, and it can be used both as a cleaner and as an air freshener. Spray a thin mist of the Pet Odor Eliminator and wipe down the cage. You can also spray it in the air around the house and in the room the cage is. Make sure you move the ferrets out from the habitat before starting the cleaning process.

Source: Unsplash

3. Keep the food & water bottle sparkling clean

Empty the dishes once a day and wash them in warm, soapy water, using a mild, gentle cleanser. Rinse them thoroughly before drying them and refilling them with water and food.

4. Scoop the litter daily

Never leave the soiled litter in the cage for too long. Scoop the litter once or twice a day, depending on how many ferrets you have. Also, it’s better if you have a litter box for every ferret in the house.

And when it comes to litter, keep in mind, not all litter types are safe for your furry friend. Avoid wood shavings, clumping cat litters, corncob litter or silica-based litters as they can be toxic and create unwanted problems. Your safest bet is to choose paper pellets, corn-based litter or pine pellets.

5. Dust is the enemy

By design, ferrets like to snorkel everything on the ground. Keep their habitat dust free, with no hair or debris. Also, if you let them roam freely around the house, make sure to vacuum very often, so they don’t inhale dust and dirt particles that can make them sneeze.

It isn’t that complicated, is it? Believe me, if my 12 years old brother can do it, you can too! And with a clean environment, all there’s left is to enjoy all the funny mischievous deeds your ferrets will do around the house!