Recent research has revealed that neutering along with too much exposure to light causes adrenal disease in ferrets. Since most ferret owners have Marshall's ferrets or ferrets from other large-scale breeders, there is not much that can be done about early neutering. However, a hide box, cage cover over an entire level of the cage or other method of darkening the cage can help with the issues caused by too much exposure to light.

Ferrets are burrowing animals, their wild cousins spend considerable amounts of time underground in burrows and get little sunglight. Domesticated ferrets usually live indoors in the US, and the amount of artificial light they are exposed to is vastly greater than the amount of light their wild relatives would see on a regular basis. In order to >simulate a burrow without too much modification of your cage, the easiest thing to do is to cover one or more levels completely or almost completely with dark fabric, blocking out light and providing a completely dark space. Total darkness helps the body produce more melatonin, a substance that regulates hormones and helps ferrets (and people) sleep more soundly.

If you don't want to cover up your expensive ferret cage with a cage cover, you can also provide darkness through bedding like cubes with only one hole to enter them. Point the opening of the cube towards a side of the cage that is against a wall or away from windows and lamps and it will provide a dark place for your ferret to sleep. Sleep sacks, pods and pocket hammocks also provide nearly dark sleeping space.

Providing a space for ferrets to sleep free from all artificial light is a good step towards preventing adrenal disease in your ferret.

• Ferret Universe
• Miami Ferret
• Dr. Ron Hines
• Ferret Central/Dr. Bruce Williams