Is a Ferret Hammock Necessary?
Ferret Bed
All ferrets just love to sleep. On average a ferret will sleep between eighteen and twenty hours a day. They like to hide, too, in soft, dark spaces. So, you need to provide your ferret with a comfortable bed where they can hide and sleep. Just as we like a light blanket when our room is warm and a heavier blanket when our room is cool, so do ferrets. Because of this, you should provide two types of beds for them in their cage. That way they can pick which place they find most comfortable at the time. For a ferret, having a bed is vital to ensure healthy sleeping patterns. If your ferret is uncomfortable it won’t sleep well and this could cause health problems.
Ferret Sleep Sack
One option for your ferret’s bed is a sleep sack, sometimes referred to as a nap sack. These can provide extra warmth when it is required. A sleep sack will lie on the bottom of the cage. Most have an opening at one end for your ferret to crawl into. Some have openings at both ends. When your ferret chooses the sleep sack, it is surrounded by warmth. You can even find some sleep sacks that make crinkling sounds. This can also be used for play time.
Fleece Ferret Hammock
Another option for your ferret’s bed is a hammock. A hammock gets suspended in your ferret’s cage. It provides a comfy, pocketed space that gives your pet a feeling of security while still being partially open. Ferrets are sensitive to heat, so a hammock provides comfort while also leaving an open space for cooling, if necessary. Hammocks are available is all shapes and size and can be fleece-lined or unlined. You can also find some large hammocks that can comfortably accommodate several ferrets and they really like snuggling together when sleeping. Other hammock configurations can be flat or boot-shaped, while still other have a zipper so you can adjust the size of the opening. Hammocks also provide for usable space for your ferret.
When you purchase a hammock or sleep sack, be sure that it is machine washable so you can prevent the spread of disease and to keep it clean. Select a closely woven fabric as it will be more durable and safer. Any time a sleep sack or hammock starts to fray, or if the seams begin to separate, remove it from the cage immediately. A damaged sack or hammock is hazardous to your ferret. Always be sure that the hardware used to attach the hammock to the cage is safe for your pet.
Hammocks are a good idea for your ferret because they can provide a safe environment without putting pressure on the ferret’s body. It also helps place them in their natural sleeping position and gives them another area they can use for play.
