Free-roam time is non-negotiable

Ferrets need at least 4 hours of out-of-cage free-roam time daily and will become unhappy and destructive without it. You must ferret-proof any space they use — they can fit through incredibly small gaps, will destroy anything chewable, and will steal and hide anything small enough to carry. Once you've established a safe free-roam area, watching ferrets explore and play is one of the great joys of pet keeping. Just budget time and energy accordingly.