Ferret toys?

Question
Well Mr.Rodgers i went out and bought my first ferret its a little female sable. Born October 14 which is 3 days after mine and the same day as my grandpa. But anyways what kind of toys would you recommed that i but in her cage for her to play with when im not home?

Thanks,
Luke

Answer
Hi Luke:

CONGRATULATIONS on your new little girl!  What did you name her?  A ferret's favorite toy is ALWAYS his/her 'person'...but since you can't be home all the time - and you definitely don't fit into the cage - there are some other things she may play with when you're not home; although most ferrets will just sleep when nobody is there for them to entertain. (Do be sure she gets out to play a MINIMUM of 3 hours a day - for a kit - okay?  After two years old, she can go out 2 to 3 hours a day, or according to her energy level.

During the time she is in the cage and you are in school, the best toys for her are things that she cannot get hurt on such as hard plastic toyso; especially ones that make noise. Some of my kids favorite toys to play with IN the cage are:  Small hard plastic whiffle balls, crocheted plastic eggs with pennies inside to make noise (they crochet over the plastic eggs and that keeps them from coming apart; also the ferrets love the texture of the crocheted covering on the eggs); small stuffed animal as long as it has no little parts (eyes, nose, etc) that the ferret can chew off and get an intestinal blockage from; sisal covered ball with rattle inside it; big (4" across) hard plastic ball with rattles inside; N-Bones ferret chew sticks (DO NOT USE Rawhide bones or pig ears or anything like them, as they cause intestinal blockages; ONLY the gelatin-type chews that melt when eaten); velcro 'crib' type baby toy that fastens firmly to the side of the cage with velcro stretch straps and is motion-activated, has lights that flash and plays songs whenever the ferret touches it (they LOVE this and I have to turn it off occasionally or they literally drive ya nutz playing it constantly).  Usually if they are playing with toys inside the cage and you are home, that is your "call" to come play with them.  Some ferrets won't play by themselves and their best 'toy' is another ferret OR their favorite - you.

Other things ferrets love to do is go for 'magic carpet rides' (you drag a towel, blanket behind you on the floor and they jump on and go for rides), helping 'fold' clothes by rummaging thru clothes you have already folded :-), blanket rides on the bed (two people, one on each side, ferret in the middle of the blanket - each person lifts one corner of the blanket and gently 'tosses' the ferret just a few inches into the air (be careful ferret stays in the middle so she can't fall off AND always do this over the bed so you can put the blanket down in case she gets too silly so she doesn't fall onto the floor); a small plastic children's pool (or big flat plastic box) of children's play sand - keep it moist daily to keep dust down and let her dig in it; OR use long grain white rice (NOT instant rice - dangerous) in a big flat plastic box for her to dig in; cornstarch packing peanuts(ONLY cornstarch, test by putting one in your mouth; if it melts, it's cornstarch) in a cardboard box to play in (bury her and watch her get silly :-)...or toss in a few Totally Ferret Treats (or whatever she likes) and let her dig around to find them by smell in the cornstarch peanuts. NOTE: NEVER use styrofoam peanuts; they cause intestinal blockages and are deadly.  

Mostly when I'm not at home I make sure they have a few safe noisy toys to play with...I also leave the TV on for them so they don't feel so alone when I'm not home. The best thing is to make sure she has a very nice fluffy bed with soft blankies to snuggle down into - she will probably just rest and save her energy to play with you when you get home.  If she sleeps TOO much, consider getting another little ferret (let HER choose so you know they will get along) to keep her company. The only thing more fun than a ferret in the house...is TWO FERRETS IN THE HOUSE!

Here are some other play ideas that you may find interesting:

http://www.everythingferret.com/toy_and_game_ideas.htm

http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/ferrets/a/ferrettoys.htm

http://www.lovingferrets.com/

Again, congratulations on your new family member.  Please don't ever forget that while you have other friends, other places to go and things to do...she ONLY has YOU; please be sure to take time for JUST HER each and every day. Be sure she has a well-fitting harness and leash and consider taking her with you occasionally (but remember to take water and food with you too, as she can't go very long without at least a sip of water and a few bites of kibble). You'll be surprised at what a great little companion these little ones are! Let her know how special she is to you every single day, and she will live to entertain you and be incredibly loyal and faithful to you. With ferrets, whatever love and kindness you put into them, you get back from them tenfold.

Sincerely,

Jacquie Rodgers