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Post by haruchai86 on Dec 2, 2010 0:19:04 GMT -4
My baby ferret is sucking and chewing up her bedding, I took it out because of fear of blockage, what do you all suggest I give her as bedding until she grows out of this?
Thanks.
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Post by Johnny and Demon on Dec 2, 2010 7:32:15 GMT -4
What kind of bedding do you use ?
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Post by Tressie on Dec 2, 2010 9:51:49 GMT -4
That would be my first question as well, that is, what kind of bedding are you using?
I have one ferret who always chewed anything made out of rayon and so I stopped using anything with that fabric in it. Have another one who has a penchant for chewing the fringes off rugs and so I cut off all the fringes on all my area rugs.
Bottom line ... most ferrets DO NOT outgrow this sort of chewing habit.
Fortunately, it is not that common and the best way to deal with it is to narrow down what she is chewing and then eliminate it. For example, if its terrycloth or knitted fabrics or fleece, etc. then you have to make certain she doesn't have access to it ever again.
It gets more tricky if she chews all cloths - then people resort to using heavy canvas as bedding.
There are also ferrets who will chew electrical chords.... so it could be worse!
Tressie
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Bedding
Dec 2, 2010 18:27:11 GMT -4
Post by haruchai86 on Dec 2, 2010 18:27:11 GMT -4
First thing I gave her was a cotton pillowcase, one i noticed that she was chewing it I changed over to the fleece like blankets that they have at the dollarama - I Think they are polyester. I think I am going to try Jean and see how that works :/ She also chews on her hammock and i have no idea what material that is.
I will look into this heavy canvas thanks.
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Bedding
Dec 2, 2010 18:53:56 GMT -4
Post by Johnny and Demon on Dec 2, 2010 18:53:56 GMT -4
Global Pet Foods have homemade hammocks with different fabrics. They are $10 to $15 and from my experienced are really sturdy and "ferret proofed". I've wash mine several time in my washer and dryer and it still looks like new ! The blankets at Dollorama are not really good as I've bought 3 to put in my kitty's travel cage and they became used by time to time. At least they are cheap but I don't use them for my ferrets. Do you have a bit of quality toys for her to play in her cage ? Some ferrets only chews things they have around because they are bored and it stops when you provide them a fun resting place. For example, if I don't put my ferrets' favorite toys in their travel cage, they will start digging their hammock and Johnny chews the clips. As soon as they have their toys around, they are very calm during the whole drive Some bored ferrets will chew their bedding or/and the bars of the cage .. some will tip over the food and water dishes, some will dig the foods and litter out .. It might be the personality of your ferret but it also might be because she is bored and/or stressed. * I bought a strawberry shaped bungee toy for my ferrets which I clip to the top of their travel cage. It keeps them entertained and quiet. You can find the toy at Global Pet Food stores, its called the Marshall Bungee toy. Good luck
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Bedding
Dec 2, 2010 19:22:21 GMT -4
Post by haruchai86 on Dec 2, 2010 19:22:21 GMT -4
Thanks a bunch I will add more toys, she does chew the bars and dumps her food over, I have only given her a few balls to play with as they are impossible for her to destroy or get hurt with and she can't really chew on it. To be honest everytime I go shopping for her I hesitate buying her toys because I am such a chicken that they might cause her harm.
I will visit global pets and those things you mentioned.
Thanks again.
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Bedding
Dec 2, 2010 21:46:17 GMT -4
Post by Johnny and Demon on Dec 2, 2010 21:46:17 GMT -4
Here's the Marshall Bungee toys : The hommade hammocks I told you about are made by the FLSAC ;D lol I love mine, its good quality & If you'd like some toys idea .. here's what my ferrets love (I've bought all toys at Global Pet Food) : Skineeeze dog toys are stuffing free toys and comes with 2 squeakers. For some reasons my ferrets love this toy and love toe make it squeaks lol Demon loves the squirrel from Kyjen Hide-a-Squirrel so I bought him the package of 3 and only give him one squirrel at time. Why ? Because he's pretty rough with this squirrel sometimes and they start falling appart after a year. So typicaly, one squirrel a year for Demon but he loves them lol Another dog toy .. Johnny loves Loopies ! I buy him the "Tiny Jungle" collection so its more easy to grab lol Johnny loves mini Noblly Wobbly .. so I give him one .. and I put the other one in a huge plush Noblly Wbbly. Both of my ferrets love it & for cat toys now .. Well .. the bell balls you have sure do the trick .. but I found out my ferrets, especially Johnny .. loves one of my cat toys more than everything .. its the KONG Wubba As for ferret toys, my furkids enjoy tunnel tubes (such as Super Thru-Way), Octo-Play, Pirate Ship, Plush Hid-N-Sleep, Double Fun Tunnel and crackle tunnels. Well, my furkdis aren't really fussy lol Simply try to found out if the toy seems sturdy, make sure your furkid can not remove any pieces .. & Don't forget ..! If any toy becomes used and starts falling apart .. its time to replace it and put the old one in the garbage
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Bedding
Dec 2, 2010 23:52:37 GMT -4
Post by haruchai86 on Dec 2, 2010 23:52:37 GMT -4
Wow that is just great thank you ! i will be picking up some of these next pay, Cant wait I will let you know how she likes them
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Bedding
Dec 3, 2010 13:43:02 GMT -4
Post by Tressie on Dec 3, 2010 13:43:02 GMT -4
Hmmmm..... sounds like she may not be getting enough out-of-cage time.
Ferrets require a minimum of 2-4 hours out of their cages daily, youngsters (<1year-old) even more.
Toys in the cage are great but they are not a substitute for time out playing with their humans. Think of the cage as a bedroom and not as a house. You wouldn't want to be kept in your bedroom all the time and neither does your fuzzkid.
If your work or school prevents you from committing more time to your ferret, you may want to consider getting another ferret as a companion for her.
These are social critters and will get depressed if left alone for long periods of time.
Tressie
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Bedding
Dec 3, 2010 16:12:54 GMT -4
Post by Johnny and Demon on Dec 3, 2010 16:12:54 GMT -4
Hmmmm..... sounds like she may not be getting enough out-of-cage time. Ferrets require a minimum of 2-4 hours out of their cages daily, youngsters (<1year-old) even more. Toys in the cage are great but they are not a substitute for time out playing with their humans. Think of the cage as a bedroom and not as a house. You wouldn't want to be kept in your bedroom all the time and neither does your fuzzkid. If your work or school prevents you from committing more time to your ferret, you may want to consider getting another ferret as a companion for her. These are social critters and will get depressed if left alone for long periods of time. Tressie I would also like to add, make sure her cage is big enough because small cages are another cause of stress and depression in ferrets, which can lead to ulcers. Just like Tressie said, remember ferrets are social critters, they are not meant to be cagged but because the are so curious, we have to, for their own security. They need time outside the cage to play with you
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TayLa
FLSAC Member
No FerRet LefT BeHinD
Posts: 124
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Bedding
Dec 3, 2010 21:46:40 GMT -4
Post by TayLa on Dec 3, 2010 21:46:40 GMT -4
Have you checked her teeth and gums? She may have a loose or broken tooth or infection or something stuck inbetween her teeth? Has your vet checked her teeth and gums? lv TayLa
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Dec 7, 2010 13:48:26 GMT -4
Post by haruchai86 on Dec 7, 2010 13:48:26 GMT -4
Hi guys, I do let her out between 2-3 hours a day and I play with her for most of that time. Sometimes she just wants to explore on her own so I will read a book and watch her at the same time. I let her out more on my days off but when I am working I can only let her out for 2-3 hours once I get home. As for the bedding situation it has gotten better - I put jeans in there (just the pant legs) and she hasn't been chewing on it She also has not been chewing on the bars as much. Her cage I will admit is not the largest cage, I am trying to find a good deal on a nice cage (I plan to get in January as Christmas is eating up my funds ) As for getting her a friend, I would love to and I have been eyeing a particular little guy but I know that I can only afford one ferret as far as vets concerns and I don't want to cheap out on her so a second ferret is mostly out of the question. Thanks everyone for your suggestions and replies <3
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Bedding
Dec 7, 2010 17:02:05 GMT -4
Post by Johnny and Demon on Dec 7, 2010 17:02:05 GMT -4
I commend you for thinking about the vet fees. Its true that 2 or more ferrets its great .. but if you can not afford it, forget it. Its better to only get what fits into your budget so you know you are provinding her the best care. As long as she gets her 2-4hours a day For the cage, the Ferret Nation is probably the best one and runs around $300 in stores .. However, I've see many for sale on kijiji.
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Bedding
Dec 7, 2010 23:19:11 GMT -4
Post by cody n christina on Dec 7, 2010 23:19:11 GMT -4
look around on here we have posted many ferret nation topics
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