Ferrets are unique creatures, and they are getting favorite day by day in youngsters. They are an excellent alternative to cats and kittens and can be cuddled as well. In contrast, some people do not like them as pets. People usually stay away from them because of their stink. So, How long do ferrets sleep?

But some people love to have them. When we ask them, they are so obsessed with these pets that they want to have more. You are one of those people and love to have these as your new member of the family. You are at the right place. For considering ferrets as your pets, you can see my article: “ferrets as pets” for deeper information.

Now, it is a fundamental fact to know after deciding to have ferrets as pets, which are How long do ferrets sleep?Sleeping is the foremost thing about any pet because you have to know whether he has the time for you in which you can play or enjoy it.

As far as the question of how long do ferrets sleep is concerned? You don’t have to worry much because ferrets are not nocturnal like rodents or badges which have close relations with them. 

Ferrets usually sleep for 2-3 hours and are most active at dawn and dusk-like rabbits. Young ferrets, however, love to sleep most of the time, which is an inbuilt characteristic in them while they are young. 

Adult ferrets can also be sleeping most of the time, but they do wake up after every 2-3 hours to eat and pee. However, ferrets are very flexible and adaptable creatures. They can be easily adjusted according to your schedule. They can sleep straight for 18 hours and then wake up and can easily spend time with you. 

So the thing how long do ferrets sleep which may concern several people. Therefore let’s dig a little deeper about the sleeping behaviors of a ferret. 

Normal behavior = Long sleeping hours:

Most ferrets are from the north; therefore, they are associated with hibernation, a period in which the creature goes to sleep for the whole season. It is the main reason which is stated by several people for their laziness and sluggish behaviors.  However, this is also associated with the age, gender, species, and the personalities of the ferrets as well. 

Also, male ferrets, when observed, are found to be lazier than female ferrets. On average, the period in which they are most likely to be active is  4 hours; the rest of the time, they will prefer to sleep.

Other factors that can affect the question How long do ferrets sleep? Climate changes, changes in temperature, etc. It is also possible that ferrets had been on some kind of medication as well, which may be leading to laziness and less activity. 

In addition to these factors, if the temperature of your house is cold, they will sleep even better because you will be ultimately providing them their natural habitat conditions. 

Remember that like some medicines put side effects on us, they can do the same on the ferrets as well. Therefore observe for the signs like if they are sleeping irregularly and are not eating correctly and behaving weirdly. These things can add up to a severe cause, which can be fatal for the ferrets. 

Ferrets Dead sleep game:

Ferrets do show a weird behavior in which they sleep so deeply that they appear to be dead. So this behavior has a low effect on the question How long do ferrets sleep?

They usually show this behavior and make their owners panic, but in reality, they are just in a deep sleep. To us, they may seem dead, but they are not. 

In this situation, let them be but watch them closely. It is unusual for ferrets to sleep for more than 20 hours and not even wake up to eat and sleep. 

If they show such symptoms, then this is not a dead sleep. Such symptoms are caused when your ferret is suffering from an insulinoma or deficient sugar levels. At a shallow sugar level, ferrets find it hard to wake up from a profound sleep. 

It happens to put some honey on their gums or with sugar syrup and let them gather some energy to wake up again. If they are not still able to wake up, contact a vet immediately. 

Male ferrets are lazier than females:

How long do ferrets sleep is greatly affected by gender. As I explained above, that male ferrets are lazier than females. Males have to take a nap of 20-60 minutes after playing because they get exhausted very easily. 

On the other hand, females can stay awake straight for 2-3 hours, and they don’t have to take a nap, or they don’t have to sleep. 

Remember that when you ask, how long do ferrets sleep? Then the answer is, on average, they have to sleep for 18 hours and at maximum for 22 hours. 

However, after their sleep, they have to be stimulated to wake up to eat and play. If ferrets are on low sugar levels, then they won’t be able to wake up. 

Therefore food and water must be readily available all the time for them. Don’t take its lazy or sluggish behavior as sickness; this is just natural behavior.  

Frequent and irregular ferrets sleep :

Being a ferret owner and regarding the question of how long do ferrets sleep? It is vital to monitor your ferret’s sleep to be aware of their health condition all the time. 

Symptoms like exhaustion are a preeminent factor. If they get exhausted in just no time and need to get a nap very often and very soon, that is worth your attention. 

Loss in weight, and staring at the things and behaving weirdly are all the symptoms of a poor health condition. 

How and where do ferrets sleep? 

Beginners ferret owners are the ones who already have always struggled with the questions: How long do ferrets sleep, and where do they sleep? 

So if you observe them carefully, they will be like an energy bullet at one time, and at the other, they will sleep so low that they may appear dead. So, discussing ferret’s sleep is very important. In the daytime, you will find it mostly sleeping out of its cage at frequent and random places. 

Facts about ferret’s sleep:

• They sleep on average for 18 – 22 hours a day. 
• They don’t want to sleep straight for 18 hours. They will wake up in intervals to eat and pee. 
• Baby ferrets will sleep more than adult ferrets. 
• Young ferrets are more energetic because they are more curious about everything very new to them. 
• Male ferrets are much lazier than female ferrets. 
• Sleep is a crucial factor in a ferret’s life because it can indicate illness etc. 
• During winters, they will sleep more because, in their natural habitat, they will be hibernating. 

Where do they like to sleep? 

The reason is they get tired very often. Therefore it can be found sleeping anywhere. But that is not always okay. You have to keep an eye on them, or else they can sleep in such places where you might don’t even think of. 

Ferret’s liking include cold and dark places to hide and sleep. In addition to this, they are so burrowing animals that add to the ex-factor. 

You can also let them sleep in with you in your bed. However, I don’t recommend that for the night because ferrets have to wake up after 6 hours to eat and pee, and if your mattress is higher, then you will wake up with a gift from your ferret on the bed.

Questions and Answers 

How long do ferrets sleep per day? 

Approximately, they will sleep on average for 18 hours. During this long period of sleeping, they wake up multiple times to pee. Also, ferrets need something to eat during this phase of sleep.

How long do ferrets sleep at a time?

They can play for 2-3 hours, and then males have to take a nap of 20 – 60 minutes. In contrast to this, females are much active and don’t have to take a nap. In addition to this, young ferrets are very functional because of their curious nature. 

How long do the baby ferrets sleep? 

The young baby ferrets sleep more than usual, which is 18-22 hours. Also, when you bring a ferret to a new home, it will take time to adjust and will sleep more. They are most active in the early morning and sunset.