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Post by katt on Sept 15, 2013 13:29:14 GMT -5
Styrofoam peanuts should NEVER be used. On;y starch packing peanuts, and even those only if the ferret doesn't actively eat them. You can tell the difference by putting the peanuts in water - the starch peanuts will dissolve, the styrofoam ones will not.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2013 0:42:11 GMT -5
Treats in soda bottles with holes cut in them. I use different sized bottles from 16 oz up to 3 litters and they all come tackling them soon as I set one down. Can you take a pic so I can see what it looks like? I really like this idea.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2013 15:56:06 GMT -5
Lots of great ideas in here, can't wait to try some!
We've always been nervous about stashing, hiding treats for them to find, because we're afraid they might not find them....
But I am quickly learning that I am under estimating their sense of smell! (sniff)
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2013 15:59:26 GMT -5
Treats in soda bottles with holes cut in them. I use different sized bottles from 16 oz up to 3 litters and they all come tackling them soon as I set one down. Can you take a pic so I can see what it looks like? I really like this idea. i would love to see a picture of this to! We always have a few spare soda bottles available! How big do you make the holes? Do you put the caps back on and how do they get the treat out?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2013 16:49:50 GMT -5
I know that the ferrets need stimulation but why foraging? Why are foraging toys important?
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Post by Sherry on Dec 19, 2013 20:19:15 GMT -5
They help to simulate hunting behaviour. And that in turn helps to stimulate their minds.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2014 15:12:25 GMT -5
I like to fill a little Tupperware container with warm water, and then drop various objects in it, some that sink and some that float, of all different shapes and sizes. I've used ping pong balls, little lids, his toys, disposable shaving razors with the razor part removed, and sometimes little fruits or vegetables (just make sure you take these away afterward so they don't eat them). Then I just let him try and get them all out. This is entertaining for both the ferret and you. For them its like a puzzle, because sometimes they'll have a really difficult time getting one of the objects, and for you its really fun to watch. Cooper does a lot of nosing and snorkling and pawing and its just really cute. Water is going to end up ALL OVER the floor though, so put a towel down under it, & that way they have something to wipe their little faces on too.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2014 11:27:51 GMT -5
Love that idea Kadance! Thanks for sharing
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Post by bitbyter on Mar 20, 2014 13:42:59 GMT -5
I used plastic Easter eggs (with small holes drilled in them so they could smell the treat) for a long time. Unfortunately Wilma eventually learned to drag them to a corner and then kick them against the wall with her back feet. This resulted in getting the treat in under a minute. Foraging toys only last until they figure out the fastest way into them
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Post by Heather on Mar 20, 2014 15:39:37 GMT -5
Oh, isn't she just the wee beastie. I love it when they beat us at this. This is my guys foraging in the water. I use different play toys, some sink, some float. It's rather messy as all toys are removed and stashed but this allows them to hunt out their favourite toys and actually work out what depths they're floating at. I did discover that toys that fill with water (like small cups) or toys that absorb water do get very messy. This is a scent bucket and the tennis balls in the bucket have been different smells. Some have been left for a few days in various herbs, others have been dabbed in vanilla ciao
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Post by Deleted on May 14, 2014 9:37:15 GMT -5
I love your idea with the scent bucket!! That is brilliant! A must add to my homemade toy list
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2014 12:25:17 GMT -5
These are great idea! Defiantly gonna try that with my lazy boys.
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Post by Blue on Jul 6, 2014 8:41:50 GMT -5
I need to go back and introduce myself after this, but a question: my ferret isn't on a healthy diet yet, so all she recognizes as treats are the 'tone, the 'vite, and some peanut butter yogurt things she came with. She completely ignores chicken jerky and chicken liver treats. How bad is it to play these games with unhealthy treats? So far I've only given her ferretone once a day, when I put her back into her cage at night. If I wanted to clicker train her, for example, I'd be giving her a lot more. How bad is that? And measuring "bad" treats against good stimulation, which wins? I probably won't be able to transition for the next couple of months.
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Post by Sherry on Jul 6, 2014 10:30:52 GMT -5
To start, remove the vite and peanut butter treats immediately. Those are HUGE contributors to insulinoma. Doesn't matter how much they like them. With the ferretone, you can start by combining it half and half in a small bottle with some salmon oil, and slowly increase the salmon to tone ratio That way you replace a bad one with a good one.
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Post by Blue on Jul 6, 2014 10:49:49 GMT -5
Thanks, Sherry! That makes me glad I hardly used the Vite and the PB. Now I can confidently throw them out. I did try giving her some of the oil in my omega-3 capsules (anchovies & cod I think?) but she wasn't interested. Mixing oils and progressively switching, that's a great idea!
And Sherry, I'm so sorry about Frodo. He had a wonderful life with you, and you gave him a beautiful last day.
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