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Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2013 19:01:26 GMT -5
I used to have heavy duty dog toys. I had a pit bull. Can't get a heavier chewer than that. I had to remove the toys since the ferrets could get a chunk off. If they can "pierce" it, they can get a bit off. H*ll, ferrets can crush and consume RABBIT SKULLS! Hard rubber is nothing. Obviously what you choose to give your ferret is entirely your business. I refuse to risk their health. Let me just say- you are very, VERY lucky you haven't had any major chewers. And I'm talking ferrets who are seldom caged, so boredom isn't a part of it. I also know that not all toys even "heavy duty" are equal, and I'm not sure what kid you pit bull had. I still disagree that the ferret can get a chunk off that bone. It is not the same as rabbit skull. They can scrape off some tiny pieces off that bone, but these are not chunks. Their teeth will come out if they attempt to take a chunk off it. I did have one pretty major chewer :-) His teeth were needle sharp, but by the time he went to his new family, his desire to chew substantially subsided. Currently I only have one ferret, and he is no longer a chewer. He used to be in his young days. I'm getting two kits and all my worn toys (including this black bone) are going in the trash. I will replace it with same new one. The only disadvantage is these toys are very expensive. I also realize that ferrets are different and will be paying very close attention to their habits. But, if ferrets have a need to chew, just like dogs, it is important to satisfy this need. In particular in young kits as their skulls and teeth are still developing.
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Post by Sherry on Sept 5, 2013 19:44:23 GMT -5
As was mentioned- your ferrets, your decision, and your risk.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2014 14:28:32 GMT -5
Great information. I'm sure someone has doors that have the 1'' - 1 1/2'' gap on the bottom, and am wondering what they used to cover them. For now I have those grids that you use for storage cubes doubled together blocking the doors, but it doesn't look good. I need a new idea.
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Post by Heather on Jan 3, 2014 16:54:50 GMT -5
We just took a board and screwed it to the bottom of the door and painted it. Some of the doors we actually dropped a bit. Closets and cupboards aren't a big deal because you just put the board on the back and it's never seen. All of the doors have this board attached at the back of the door so they can't be seen unless you've closed the door and you're on the inside. I do have a wee sprite who could at one time slide under the board as well....she's now matured and put on a bit more weight so no longer fits under the door and the board lol ciao
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Post by Sherry on Jan 3, 2014 19:33:56 GMT -5
We just screwed a board on the backs of the doors as well.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 3, 2014 19:48:33 GMT -5
I would do that but I live with my parents and they said no.
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Post by msav on Jan 13, 2014 10:41:28 GMT -5
One thing I learned with ferrets You are never done ferret proofing. If you add a new ferret you have to ferret proof all over again. I just got 3 new fuzzbuts and I thought my house was pretty ferret resistant. They have and are still proving me wrong. And it is not just the new ones, the older ferrets are learning from the new ones.
Things I did when I first got ferrets.
Put magnetic (strong magnets) on all cupboards and drawers. Also put magnets on the sliding closet doors. I had to put extra pans in the drawer under my stove to make it heavier. Yes it was not heavy enough for 2 ferrets (one on each side) taking turns pulling,and they got it opened. They got under there twice then I had to go on a stakeout and quietly watch how they got under there. My jaw dropped when I saw how they did it.
All it took to keep them away from cords and electrical outlet covers was a couple of spritzes of bitter apple.
I have a little sprite that loves to crawl under my subwoofer and sleep. I thought about turning it on to teach her a lesson but I have enough deaf ferrets. so I had to make a cage to go around it. This also helps since we have a couple of 8 week old kits that could easily get into the bass port and into the subwoofer.
The unforeseen changes I had to make. I had to get rid of my reclining couch and leather recliner. I had to get new couches that were ferret friendly and had to reinforce the fabric under them and staple them more securely. All floor houseplants were also tossed and hanging plants were put up instead.
I had to put mesh grating on the handrail at the top of the stairs to keep them from falling.
I had to remove plungers and toilet brushes from the bathroom. (they use the shower as a litter box)
We do constant ferret proofing. If you have anyone come into your house you have to make sure they do not drop anything hazardous. If they have kids they could bring toys in and could leave them behind. We do a sweep of the house after anybody has come over to make sure there is nothing ferret unfriendly left in there play area.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2014 10:56:48 GMT -5
Great information. I'm sure someone has doors that have the 1'' - 1 1/2'' gap on the bottom, and am wondering what they used to cover them. For now I have those grids that you use for storage cubes doubled together blocking the doors, but it doesn't look good. I need a new idea. My Mika can get under the cleaning closet door. It is exactly 1". We slid a small piece of wood (a tupperware plastic bin lid, would also work) under the door. It works perfectly, doesn't mess up the door and can be slid further in, so that no one can see it.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2014 19:13:50 GMT -5
I would do that but my female is a monster. She would push it out some way. I ended up just putting don't extra mirrors that we had by the doors with anything to hold it against it
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Post by bitbyter on Mar 16, 2014 19:27:23 GMT -5
Something that a lot of people miss is the lip under your floor level kitchen cabinets where the kick plate is. There is supposed to be a solid board under there but sometimes it isn't installed. The best thing to do is lie down and look under that lip. Otherwise it is the perfect height for ferrets to jump through and if you live in an apartment is can easily lead inside the walls.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 10, 2014 14:08:22 GMT -5
Things my sweet hubbie did for our ferrets was get rid of kickback lounger, screwed pieces of plywood to bottom of all our sofas(luon),put trim around bottom of washing machine. Our baby loves rubber,so when she discovered a rubber hose under washing machine it was all over for us--wondered why washing machine was leaking saw a bunch of puncture holes on hose.We give our baby free access to house, so we take our shoes off. Cant feel her under foot with shoes on. Also we are mindful of closing refrigerator and dishwasher.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2014 23:14:23 GMT -5
Great information. I'm sure someone has doors that have the 1'' - 1 1/2'' gap on the bottom, and am wondering what they used to cover them. For now I have those grids that you use for storage cubes doubled together blocking the doors, but it doesn't look good. I need a new idea. I put a thick rug underneath my door. One of those heavy bathroom ones that are hard to scoot around.
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2015 3:11:05 GMT -5
Hey guys I'd like some opinions on a project my father and I are taking on! In our basement we have a 10' x 10' pen we are working on making into a ferret room. Now the reason we want it in our basement is because its the best place for all season. Warm in the winter and nice and cool in the summer, so my buddies wont over heat on those blistering days! (No central air! Some days its hotter inside the house then out!!) Two walls are plywood, and 4' tall, the other two walls are concrete. Im worried about the concrete walls though. We are trying to figure out what to do but I'd like some opinions! The problem with the concrete walls: 1. lots of little holes! 2. Random rusty metal bolts?! 3. Doesnt reach the celling and leave room for excape to the rest of the basement if they climb it! now the holes arnt to deep but my god Lafayette has already shown he is one h*ll of a climber, no hes not that good yet but he is determined!! And the rusty metal is gonna get safely covered one way or another but anyone have any good ideas? Also the floor is concrete and there's a small gap under one of the plywood walls (They cant get out from it, but i worry they might get stuck! X-x) Please note the ferrets have NEVER been in the basement, nor in this room! Just in case someone thinks I let them play there, haha, no nono. But yah! I wanna make the area a little ferret room, even if closing it off is the best ( you will see what i mean in the pics) The rest of the basement isn't safe for ferrets! In the other room is a lot of nails and work tools and other stuff so I want this to be super ferret proof ( BUT I will always be watching them when let out of the cage! So no worries if they manage to get out, Id get them in a heart beat) Here are some pictures of the area! In case it's not obvious we still are cleaning up in there! So there's some smuts and junk. I tryed to take pictures to show everything, in one my hand is in and i put my thumb in the crack to show you guys an idea of how thick it is. My dad though maybe using that carpeting you would use for a porch would be a good idea as flooring ( its the kinda that can get wet and take a beating, not fuzzy inside carpeting ) so it would go over the crack and make it not a problem. But yah! Any Ideas on how to make this room awesome for my babies? Even after its done? Like cool little house/playhouse ideas or toys to fill it with? There is a desk/ work space for me outside one side of the pen that I was thinking I could keep that open area so they can be out while I do stuff ( so i can watch them and make sure they are being safe haha)
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2015 10:17:56 GMT -5
That's quite a project. It's so great that you and your dad are working on it together. The four foot wall will get scaled. They really can climb and they are perfectly capable of pushing something over to help them climb out. So, keep anything boxlike heavy. You can cut strip thru pvc pipe and put it on the top of the short wall. That should help discourage them from getting over. You Tube has some videos on how to do this. Google ferret proof playpens. Ferrets love to go under things, so blankets, hidey holes, laundry baskets and boxes (away from the wall) are good play areas. A dig box is great. So, is a kiddie swimming pool. You know those plastic ones from Walmart. You can put balls in it, or rice or even a little water now and then. That will need to be cleaned out and is a bit of a pain, but mine love it. My five find their favorite toy in the world are the black plastic drainage pipes from Home Depot or Ace. They're about ten feet long. The ones with holes cost a little more. Here is a link: www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=29176406Here is a link to creative ferret rooms: holisticferret60.proboards.com/thread/67/creative-ferret-roomsHappy DIY and I can't wait to see pictures. :wave2:
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2015 12:15:06 GMT -5
Wow thanks poncesmom ! I had no Idea they were that good of climbers! haha Im sure even when we think were done Ill end up watching them find some crazy way out haha
Ah I think a kiddie pool digbox is a awesome idea! I have a small one right now but Herman cant get in it ( The walls are to high on the box!) I made it when I only had Lafie to try to distract him from digging at the doors haha
Thanks! I'll be sure to post pictures as we work on it!
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