ferret play

Question
Hi there.  We bought a ferret about a month ago and, at first she was incredibly (and hilariously) playful.  Nevertheless, it seems that the more we have given her "the run of the house," she is far less playful and usually just follows the same pattern of making a mad dash to the dog's bowl for a bite to eat and a drink, then stores some of the dog food under our sofa, and then nests down in either our craft cabinet or my husband's closet.  How can we engage her in play more often?  I am wondering if her prior owner just kept her cooped up all the time.  She now reminds me of a raccoon with her various runs throughout the house. I wish I had my barrel of fun back . . . Thanks for any help you can give us.

Answer
If not constantly stimulated ferrets can get into ruts. I have a huge toy box full of ferret toys. I bring half of them out and when my boys start to slow down not showing any interest I put those up and bring out the "new" toys and just keep doing that.

You can also try constructing tubes for your ferret to run through out of wide PVC pipes and connectors or dryer hose no ferret can resist dashing through tubes and tunnels.

Dig boxes are also a big hit with almost all ferrets. Get a largish Rubbermaid container fill it halfway with long grain rice, puzzle pieces, ping pong balls, ball pit balls (like in the ball pits at mcdonalds), balled up paper, plastic Easter eggs, Biodegradable Packing Peanuts

Cut the handles off of plastic grocery bags and put your ferret in one and watch the fun (only do this under supervision)

If your ferret likes water and you have a secure place like a playpen outside buy a kiddie pool and put a few inches of water and add ferret.

Then there are "Towel rides". Take a large towel and grab 2 ends. Put your ferret on the other end and quickly walk or slight run through the house ferrets LOVE this and will start dooking like crazy when you stop.

Then there is always the adding a second ferret. No toy is better to a ferret than another ferret to harass and chase around.

Those are a few ideas there are MANY more if none of those work.

Good Luck =D


Cassie