Environmental Enrichment for Ferrets

I. Introduction/Purpose

The goal of environmental enrichment for ferrets is to maximize activity while increasing species-specific positive behavior and enhancing animal well-being. The components of the environmental enrichment for ferrets include social housing, human interaction, hiding/resting areas, toys, and food treats.

II. Procedures

A. All ferrets will be provided with environmental enrichment unless:

1. The investigator provides scientific justification to the IACUC as to why enrichment is not compatible with the goals of the study and the IACUC approves the variance.
   ​OR​
2. If, in the opinion of the Attending Veterinarian or designee, environmental enrichment will adversely affect the health or well-being of the animals.

A Husbandry Special Services Request form must be completed and turned in by the responsible party (Investigator group or Vet Services) to the facility supervisor if environmental enrichment is to be restricted or absent.

B. Social housing

1. Ferrets will be group housed in compatible groups by gender.
2. Intact male ferrets will be housed singly.
3. Animals housed singly will be housed so they can see and smell other ferrets, if other ferrets are present in the same room.
4. Single housed animals will receive additional enrichment either in the form of additional human interaction or a food puzzle at least once a week.
5. If aggressive behavior is noted and injuries are occurring, animal care staff will separate the animals, fill out a Sick Animal Report per the SOP, “B.1018 Identifying and Reporting Sick Animals” and notify Veterinary Services immediately.

C. Human interaction

1. ​Ferrets will receive human interaction Monday through Friday, which will include petting and grooming.
2. Toenails will be checked and trimmed as needed.

D. Hiding/resting areas – Housing cages will contain such objects as perches, hammocks, solid non-chewable plastic tubes, nest boxes.

E. Toys

1. Toys will consist of ferret balls, solid non-chewable plastic tubes, ladders and other veterinary approved toys.
2. Toys will be checked daily for fecal contamination, removed if contaminated and replaced with a clean one.
3. Toys will be rotated once every two weeks for sanitizing and to prevent boredom.

F. Food treats – Ferret treats from Marshall Farms will be given as 2 treats, three times weekly, or as approved by Veterinary Services.

G. Implementation of enrichment should be recorded on the Animal and Room Care Log and the Environment Enrichment Log in the animal housing room.

H. New environmental enrichment items can be added with the approval of the Chair of the Environmental Enrichment Committee and the Attending Veterinarian.

III. Approval/Review Dates

SOP Created: 04/15/2003
Last Reviewed by the IACUC: 02/16/2023