Keys?

[stacylo]

Hey everyone! 

Do you think it's safe for ferrets to have keys? I know they like to take keys and go stash them so I was thinking about going to a hardware store and buying a bunch of uncut keys and a key ring so they can have some of their own. I can't think of a reason that they wouldn't be safe but so many of you have WAY more ferret experience than I and toy safety is one thing that make me really nervous!

Thanks! 

[raynebc]

I imagine it will at least cause extra wear and tear on their teeth by biting down on metal.

[Heather]

I used to have a set of plastic baby keys....hard plastic. Some of my guys really loved them. Often with the metal keys it's not the keys themselves but the other "things" we stick on the key rings. If you've got controls for your car, it's the rubber buttons.
ciao

[stacylo]

Ohhhh, yes good point Heather. I hadn't thought about that. I just sort of assumed it was the sound of the metal. I know exactly what you mean by a set of hard plastic baby keys. I'll get some of those instead. Thanks!

[LindaM]

I was going to respond to this thread this morning, but I was almost late to the signing of the closing for our new home so I totally spaced it. I would do the plastic keys instead too, and still keep an eye on those anyway, my concerns with the metal keys are wearing or accidental chipping of teeth, and keys that may have soft plastic/rubber grips that can be munched and ingested.

Ours have never actually stolen keys, BUT they do steal bank/credit cards though.. straight out of their daddy's wallet. Loki being the #1 culprit. So I always toss them the empty pre-paid/rebate cards, they just stash them, or like carrying them around the house.

[stacylo]

Haha, that's a good idea with the credit cards! I'll go with plastic keys. I hadn't thought about the metal and their teeth which seems super obvious now. I'm glad I asked! Thanks!

[motherofgryffindor]

I'm happy I decided to read this because I have a set of junk keys I have gathered over the years that I was thinking on giving Gryffindor them but the metal on yeah makes a lot of since. I'll have to try finding the plastic ones. I got him a plastic ball from one of those gumball machines and he loves that haha, 50¢ means happy ferret.

[unclejoe]

If they just grab them and stash them and then re-stash them I don't see a problem I can't picture a ferret sitting and chewing on metal keys. ourferret have several toys some that include plastic and or rubber all they do is move them from place to place it's kind of a competition or more a rivalry