Ferret hammocks: fit, hanging and daily checks

Why ferrets love hammocks

Ferrets are champion sleepers. VCA says they sleep 12 to 18 hours a day, and the RSPCA says up to 20 hours, so a ferret spends most of its life in bed. Both say they need a safe, secure resting place, and VCA stresses that a dark, enclosed sleeping area is critical.

A hammock gives that in a way a flat bed cannot. A pouch hangs like a nest, ferrets pile in together, and the bed sits up off the floor away from food and the litter tray. VCA suggests putting a hammock on an upper level of a multilevel cage, with food, water and the litter box on the lower level. Our ferret cage setup guide shows how that looks.

Types of ferret hammock

What size ferret hammock do you need?

Many small-pet hammocks are sized for rats. If a ferret has to fold itself in half to fit, or the group spills out, size up. A cage needs room for the hammock without blocking ramps or doors; VCA's minimum cage is 60 × 60 × 45 cm (24 × 24 × 18 in), and bigger is better. See best ferret cages.

Which fabrics are safe?

Choose tough, washable fabric with tight seams and no loose threads. VCA lists towels, blankets and T-shirts as good ferret bedding, but warns that if you see your ferret chewing its bedding you should remove it straight away. PetMD lists bedding, cloth, soft rubber and plastic among the things ferrets swallow, and notes that recently weaned ferrets are known for chewing bedding.

• Fleece, cotton or sturdy polyester that does not fray
• Double stitching and no exposed foam or stuffing
• Metal clips or snap hooks rather than thin plastic
• No pom-poms, buttons, bells or loose tags
• No towelling with long loops for ferrets that chew

How to hang a ferret hammock safely

1. Pick the spot. Hang it near a shelf, ledge or ramp so the ferret can step in rather than leap. Keep it away from the litter tray and water bottle.
2. Keep it low. We hang the bottom about 15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 in) above the level beneath. Sleepy ferrets tumble out, so never hang a hammock over a long open drop.
3. Clip every corner. Use all the clips or hooks so the hammock cannot twist or fold shut with a ferret inside.
4. Shorten long straps. Loose strap ends can catch a ferret's neck or legs. Wrap or tie them up out of reach.
5. Test it. Press down hard in the middle. It should sag into a pouch but never pull a clip off the bars.
6. Watch the first night. See how your ferrets get in and out, and move it if anyone struggles.

Older ferrets and those with weak back legs often stop climbing. Lower their hammock to just above the floor, or swap it for a floor bed, and see our ferret bedding guide.

Daily checks and washing

A hammock needs more care than a hide, because it is soft, hangs and gets slept in all day. Check it every time you clean the litter tray.

• No chewed holes, frayed edges or loose threads
• All clips shut and tight; no bent hooks
• Straps not stretched or worn thin
• No droppings or wet patches; ferrets sometimes toilet in corners
• Shake out hair daily; wash weekly in unperfumed detergent

Keep at least one spare hammock so the cage is never without a bed on wash day. The RSPCA says clean toilet and food areas daily and the rest of the home weekly. Our ferret cage cleaning routine fits hammocks into that.

Warm and cool weather

Ferrets cope badly with heat. VCA says keep their cage at or below 27°C (80°F), and the RSPCA suggests about 15 to 21°C (59 to 70°F). In summer, take out fleece pouches and use a flat cotton hammock instead, so a ferret is not sleeping in a sealed bag. In winter, a double-layer or sack hammock helps them keep warm. See our ferret temperature guide.

Best ferret hammocks

We don't make pieces for ferrets yet, so these are from other shops we'd look at.

For more on setting up, see our complete ferret care guide and ferret carriers for vet trips.