3 Ways to Keep Ferrets in a Home with Other Pets (2024)

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Co-authored byLauren Baker, DVM, PhD

Last Updated: March 29, 2019References

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   Reconsider housing ferrets with other pets. Ferrets generally do better when they are housed with other ferrets instead of other pets. Before you decide to mix a ferret with other pets, determine if there is a really good reason for you to have both ferrets and other pets.^[1]

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   Keep your small pets separate from your ferret. Ferrets are hunters and carnivores, so they may mistake small pets as prey. If you want both types of pets, keep them securely in their cages while the other is out. It is also wise to keep smaller pets in separate, ferret-proofed rooms. Ferrets may attack small pets on instinct even if you are supervising.^[2]

   • For example, rabbits may be around the same size as a ferret, but they are prey animals while ferrets are predators. Letting them out around each other puts them both at risk.
   • Ferrets are very intelligent, and they may be able to figure out how to open small lids and doors. Make sure the doors on all cages are securely latched and shut at all times. Supervise your ferret to make sure that they cannot open these doors.
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   Supervise any interactions with cats. Ferrets do best with cats, but they still need to be supervised. The ferret may play too harshly and the cat may attack with sharp teeth and claws. If your cat and ferret become friends, always watch them when they’re together.^[3]

4. See Also

   Do Ferrets and Cats Get Along? Find Out What Happens - Go FerretsDo Cats And Ferrets Get Along? [Here's How To Make That Work] - TheCatSiteCan A Ferret Kill A Cat – Last Love PetsCan A Ferret Kill A Cat?

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   Exercise extreme caution around dogs with ferrets. Dogs are generally too rough with ferrets because they may see them as prey. Regardless of the dog's breed or temperament, keep the dog on a leash or in a crate until it is used to the ferret. After that, always supervise your dog while it is in the same room as your ferret.^[4]

   • Any dog that is a hunter, like a terrier, does not do well with ferrets. Hunting dogs see ferrets as vermin and prey that they need to hunt. These breeds are more likely to kill the ferret than other breeds.

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   Avoid leaving your ferret unsupervised with other pets. Some ferrets can get along with other pets in your home, but this is not always the case. Even if your ferret gets along with your other pets, you should always supervise them together.^[5]

   • This protects your ferret and other pets from harming one another.
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   Ferret-proof areas where you house smaller pets. Since ferrets will seek out smaller pets as prey, you want to keep smaller pets in separate rooms. These rooms need to be ferret-proofed. Ferrets are very curious and can squeeze into small spaces. You need to make sure that there are no holes or crevices that your ferret can squeeze through to get inside the other room.^[6]

   • Cover up any ways that you ferret can get into the other room, including cracks under the door.
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   Feed the pets separately. When you house multiple kinds of pets with a ferret, you should always feed the ferret separately from the other pets. This eliminates any food-related aggression or competition for food.^[7]

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   Avoid sharing toys between pets. Each pet in your home should have their own toys. Your ferret should not be allowed to play with any dog or cat toys, and other pets shouldn’t be allowed to play with ferret toys. This may lead to aggression or territorial issues.^[8]

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   Provide your ferret with their own space. Ferrets may get upset if you add more pets to the house. To help your ferret get used to having other animals in the house, make sure they have their own space. Give them a cage with all of their belongings, including their sleeping area, toys, litter box, and food. This cage should be their safe haven.^[9]

   • The cage also is where you will keep the ferret when you are not around to supervise them.
   • Keep the ferret's cage in a room where other pets cannot get to it. Make sure that the doors to the cage are securely locked, and keep the door to the room closed at all times.
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   Place secure covers on all tanks. No matter if you have fish, amphibians, or reptiles, they should be protected from your ferret. Ferrets may look at these animals as snacks and try to eat them. Make sure all tanks, aquariums, and vivariums have secure covers on them.^[10]

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   Introduce ferrets to dogs and cats slowly. To allow your ferret and cat or dog to get used to each other, they need to be introduced to one another. This should be done slowly. Never assume you can just put your ferret in the same room as a cat or dog and have them get along.^[11]

2. See Also

   Infectious Diseases of Ferrets - All Other Pets - MSD Veterinary Manual

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   Ask for help from another person. Introducing your ferret to a cat or dog is a two person job. One person will be in charge of the ferret and the other will be in charge of the cat or dog. Ask someone you trust with your pets to hold one of the pets while you hold the other.^[12]

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   Pay close attention to the animals’ reactions when you first introduce them. The way your pets react to one another will help guide you. If your ferret and cat or dog do not seem to like each other, separate them. You can try again later or just keep them separate. If they seem to like one another, slowly let them interact without being held.^[13]

   • Watch the body language of each pet. If they start growling, showing teeth, running away, making their hair stand up, or displaying any other signs of distress or aggression, separate them.
   • Only introduce a dog to the ferret if the dog is absolutely calm and relaxed. If the dog fixates or stares at the ferret while wagging their tail, it means that they see the ferret as prey. This is not playful behavior, and it could endanger your ferret.
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   Allow the pets to smell each other. While holding the animals, let them sniff each other to get acquainted. Provide verbal praise and encouragement as the ferret smells the cat or dog. Use a positive, calm voice to help set the mood.^[14]

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   Allow the pets to watch each other from cages. Another way you can introduce ferrets to cats or dogs is to put them both in cages or crates and allow them to watch each other. They can see and smell each other, but are safe from each other until they get used to one another.^[15]

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   Consider raising the pets together. Cats and ferrets generally do well together when they are raised together from young animals. If you don’t already have pets, you may want to get a baby ferret and a kitten and raise them together.^[16]

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