Anyone who has owned or owns a ferret will know that they are some of the most fantastically entertaining pets that you can have around the house. Providing them with a wide range of toys to help stimulate them is a great way to get the best of them and keep them happy and entertained. Ferrets tend to play with almost anything, so its important to find toys that are sturdy and will last a while. If you don’t provide them with toys, they will simply use your possessions as entertainment, and may end up damaging important belongings.
A serious danger to the ferrets is swallowing parts of a toy or other items left about the house. It is important therefore to try to get toys that do not have loose parts and remain intact for a long time. Inspect their toys regularly to make sure that they are not falling apart.
There are many different types of toys for ferrets that are perfectly safe for them to use. Cat toys are quite good, such as sturdy plastic balls that they can knock around and carry about the house. Balls with bells attached are also very entertaining for a playful ferret.
Larger balls with holes in them for the ferret to crawl through are also a good idea. In this vein, pipes and tubes can be purchased for the ferret to scurry through, whilst you could easily get hold of paper bags or cardboard boxes for them to rip up and climb in.
Toys that hang from ropes can also be fun, as ferrets enjoy to jump and climb, although its important to watch that they don’t get tangled in any thinner ropes, as this could cause strangulation.
Toys for babies are also suitable, such as rattle. Plastic toys which make noises and squeak are also excellent. For sleeping, provide a cloth bag that they can cuddle up into.
Not all toys are suitable however and there are certain ones that you should look to avoid. Toys made from plastic should be avoided as these can easily be chewed up and bits of them swallowed. Try to avoid toys that have parts that may break off also as again these can cause choking. For the softer toys made from fleece or cloth keep an eye out for loose threads that could also cause a problem.
If you provide a good range of toys and look to rotate them regularly your ferrets should be satisfied. If not they may well end up taking an interest in your own belongings and may cause damage. It is therefore in your best interest and theirs to get some toys for their pleasure so that they don’t go after your own prized possessions.
Toby Rutherford is a known pro on ferret care. To get all your questions responded concerning ferret toys and games visit his caring for ferrets blog.
