Hello, 

I'm a new ferret parent, and have a beautiful little baby girl. I also have a cat and bird though that isn't mainly why I'm posting.


After doing a ton of research, I have mostly everything down..until the next time I post that is!  I basically have two questions, is it bad to leash your ferret whenever they're out of the cage even if indoors? My main reason is that I'm currently in a ground floor/finished basement apartment. In the near future this will change, but in the short term I'm terrified of my little woozle finding a crevice, nook, or hole that is an unfortunate reality where I live. She gets frustrated when I put her harness on, but afterwards has learned to deal with it and runs and chases the cat despite it. I'm considering modifying the length of the leash so that it's smaller but allows me to tug her out of an undesirable spot while indoors. I know I have to keep an eye on her when she's out but having to actually hold the leash the entire time is a bit of a hassle for both her and me, especially considering the amount of out of cage time she deserves.

Second, she is just so incredibly tiny/skinny that she slips out of the harness! Is this just something I have to deal with until she gets older or is there a harness that will fit a baby to where they can't slip out of it? I'm a nervous parent and watch her like a hawk. If she gets in a tight spot between chairs or something and slips it off I pick her up instantly and reattach the harness (which she hates). 

Anyway thank you for your help, I'm excited for the adventure with my little girl!

-W

Hello and Welcome to the forum! I understand your concern. Have you considered an animal playpen? I have 2 myself. I think there are 8 or 9 panel ones and an 11 panel one. I got mine at ferret.com. You can also buy a top and bottom for them. That way she could run an play and you wouldn't have to worry. 

Be sure and post pics of your baby. 

 
Fuzzbutts Rule!

I feel dense not to have  thought of that! A top might be required as she has already displayed a tendency for climbing. I definitely will invest in one, she'll probably love leash free play time.

I will get her pic up soon! Thanks for the hospitality!

-W

I think I would pass on the leash, free play indoors.  It's accident waiting to happen.

Cat can easily escape to higher ground.  Is there any chance you can put the bird up and away from the ferret while he/she is running about free?

Well free play is a no go. There has to be some sort of limitation because well once she finds a crevice or hole in my basement apartment she is most likely gone forever.

I am going to heed advice of a playpen. Cat and ferret get along splendidly. My bird is a non issue and in a different room where play time occurs.

Thanks!
-W

When are you moving?

Another option is playpen for free-time but also using the leash to see if you can find the potential danger-zones. I definitely needed to do that in our new home to see where they found that they could get into.