Wheels?

[Elaken]

So my sister got a ferret awhile ago from someone who didnt' want him anymore.  She isn't a bad owner, perse, but she goes through phases where the ferret doesn't get anytime out.  The ferret has a very good size cage but I wanted to buy some stuff to give him more things to do when cooped up in the cage for days.  I don't really care for ferrets cause they are too much of a handful but I do take him out whenever I am there.  But do/can ferrets use wheels?  I am assuming not, but I thought I would ask.

Also, any suggestions for the cage?  He has some hammocks already and I am making him some spare ones, and was going to buy some toys and one of those hanging treat dispensers, to make him do work.  Any other thoughts?  Also, would he be better off having a friend since sometimes he doesnt' get out much or would that be mean to the other ferret?  And if he would be better with a friend are they hard to introduce? 

Any help would be great as I obviously don't know anything about ferrets.

[Scubbs]

I think that 99.9% of ferrets would ignore the wheel or just use it as a sleep spot.  She can try using a wheel, but you'll have to find a huge one seeing as even the largest Wodent Wheel is pretty big, and it'd have to be about double (or even triple) the size for a ferret.

For a cage, especially since you mentioned he doesn't get a lot of out time, I'd suggest a larger one, such as the F-475 by Martin's Cages, one of the two biggest SuperPet cages. or possibly the Ferret Nation cage.  And although a second ferret would more than likely keep him good company, when she's already not giving the first one enough out-time, I don't think it'd be good to throw another into the mix 

Have you tried talking to her about how important it is to give her ferret playtime outside it's cage everyday?  Ferrets are very, VERY playful and extremely energetic.  Keeping one cooped up in a cage is practically cruel.  A ferret needs around 8-10+ hours of out-time daily.  Maybe ferrets aren't the right pet for her?

[Elaken]

Her ferret has the Super Pet Deluxe home.  She use to be really good about letting him out.  He use to always be out of the cage, in her bedroom with her whenever she was home.  But then she got a new boyfriend and a new dog and suddenly the ferret was delegated to the living room.  No one in the family is a ferret person but I think I will tell my mom how much time out he needs, maybe she can start letting him out more.

I completely agree a ferret is not right for her, no animal really is.  I love my sister but she goes through phases of being an awesome pet owner and then neglecting them for something else.  We have talked to her about this to no avail.  But I don't think she realized that a ferret needed that much time out (I certainly had no idea) so I will tell her how important it is and maybe Wrigglesworth can start getting more time.

Thanks SuccubusOfAngels.

[JohariZ]

Really a ferret can live on at least 3 or 4 hours out of their cage a day. That would be minimum. And wheels are a bad idea. Ferrets aren't made to run like that.

[fuzzy_ferret_luver]

I hope I'm not jumping to conclusions, but maybe your sister could get a different pet and give the ferret to someone who would be willing to take care of it all the time?
I'm not meaning to offend you or your sister (I have a twin sister and I can get protective of her so I hope you don't take this that way) but if the ferret is not being properly taken care of, it may be better off with someone else.
Does she like the ferret? Why does she go through phases, like does she not like cleaning the cage? Do you help out any?

For your other questions, ferrets will RARELY use wheels.
Try sleepsacks, soft baby blankets, fleece blankets, old t-shirts and pajamas, sheets, etc. Make sure with ALL bedding though that there are no loops or anything the ferret could get their nails stuck on!
It depends on the ferret about introductions. How old is this ferret? Has he been an only ferret all his life?
I had an only ferret who had been an only ferret for 4 years. Then I tried introducing a ferret to her and it didn't work AT ALL. She hated it.
When she died the next year (R.I.P. Binkie!) I got the other ferret, Hobbes, a "brother". Both Calvin (the new baby) and Hobbes were young kits and hadn't been by themselves for long, so they immediatly liked each other. Even then, you can have a ferret that is used to other ferrets but won't like some. Just like people, you can be friends with some people but others you just dont' like.