Pets

Facts to Know Before Putting a Ferret in a Cat Tower

If you’re like some pet owners, you may have a mixed-pet household. Pet owners with ferrets may wonder if a cat tower is a safe place for their ferret to play. Another concern is whether or not a cat and a ferret can share the same tower. Many also want to know if it is better to buy more than one cat tower.

Ferrets love to climb and enjoy finding special places to hide. They would really enjoy the little tunnels and boxes that are part of many cat towers. However, despite ferrets being considered intelligent animals, they don’t seem to fully appreciate heights, or more accurately, how tall is too tall. Due to this lack of height recognition, it may be a good idea to purchase a cat tree that is on the shorter side.

Ferret owners have reported that their playful ferrets have fallen out of the unit without injury. making sure the base is fully secured so it cannot easily tip over.

There doesn’t seem to be a conflict with cats and ferrets using the same cat tower for enjoyment. In fact, one owner revealed that his older cat enjoyed perching on a high platform to keep away from ferrets while they frolicked on the lower levels.

A word of warning is that your ferret may decide to use one of the bottom boxes as a litter tray. Just be sure to take a few necessary steps to keep clutter to a minimum. After all, they are animals!

Choosing the right cat tower for your pet requires some thought. Like anything else, the furniture you buy for your cats and ferrets is only as good as how it’s put to use. If your cat enjoys the comfort of a soft chair or pillow, look for a cat tower that has a padded perch or rest. If they prefer to rest on top of your table or shelf, then a harder carpeted surface will work better.

You can also condition your ferret and cats to use the tower to rest and play instead of using your “human” furniture. Very quickly, they can be trained to choose their cat tower rest that sits level with the kitchen table instead of lying on the table where you eat!

As for how many cat towers you should buy, that depends on how many pets you have and how much space you have. Owners who have limited space find that a cat tower adds vertical space for their cats and ferrets to play. Some prefer to have a cat tree for more than one room in the house, providing maximum enjoyment. Ultimately, the choice is up to you…with your pet’s permission, of course!