Cage Safe Toys

[Kaitlyn]

Hey all, I'm struggling to find toys that can be left alone with the boys in their cage. I have a dog show coming up in a few weeks, and the boys are probably going to miss their evening playtime both days that weekend. Right now they have a bunch of cat bell balls, which they don't really care for. What are good, safe toys, I can leave with them so they're not totally bored that weekend?

The show isn't far, and if my dog doesn't place, we will be home early enough for playtime. But if he does place, we have to stay until he gets beat out.

[motherofgryffindor]

Well one, good luck at the dog show ^_^,
As for the toys I keep it simple, my two are not really destructive so I got a spikey light up ball that Gryffindor loves, I also filled one of those gumball capsules with kibble in it so it rattles and Luna loves batting that around.
I also have several hard plastic balls from the gumball machine, several hammocks and blankets they can burrow in.
They two also wrestle and play with each other in there cage when not out.

[Kaitlyn]

Nice! I have a absurdly large shipment of easter eggs coming in (apparently in the off season, bulk is the only way to buy them), so I'm hoping to make some crochet eggs.

They're not super into the bell balls, thought their favorite two have been stashed. The only toys that we have, so far that they love, are plastic bags, a cat wand, their tunnel and ball pit, and squeak toys, but most of these toys require human help and supervision to make them fun for the boys. Only having them a week, I'm not really sure how destructive they are either. :\

EDIT: And thanks for the luck! We're going to need it! There is a dog coming that is a grand champion, with one of the best handlers in the state. In order to progress out of the collie ring to the herding group, I have to somehow beat them!

[motherofgryffindor]

Hmm, well maybe if you can leave the ball pit in the cage with them, that's a toy that they don't need humans for. They can play around in there and maybe put those hanging tube/hammock hanging? At least you have a little bit to figure it out.

But yes keep us posted on when it's coming up, I'll send more luck your way ^_^

[LindaM]

Hmm, that's kinda an age-old question asked by ferrents. See, thing is, that answer can vary so much as factors of age and destructive natures come in. Bored ferrets.. well those get mighty destructive in a rage and can be a damage to themselves with certain toys. Kits who are teething will also harm things, and hopefully with a bit of luck they grow out of it. But then there are those who do not grow out of the chewing phase and these ferrets are often a great risk to themselves, trying to munch on everything and often end up with blockages, even lift-threatening ones.

The fact is, there has been no toy made to withstand a determined chewer, nothing will stand against the onslaught and survive. And no, those doggy ones that say they are chew-proof (haha, no such thing anyway) or chew-resistant (again good luck) don't even cut it one bit. And of course, NO rubber and NO foam toys, at all, EVER.

Now, my lot have a multitude of toys, though I do not have chewers on my hands, they have hard plastic jingle balls, a hanging rope (mine try climbing it, but it can be a risk to others as they may try eating it), and squeaker/grunter/crinkle toys (I buy a lot of Patchwork Pets products, the furkids don't care about the size). Back when we cage-kept them at night when we slept, I could hear them play with the jingle balls and the toys, I've jumped up at night before to a crocodile grunt or mouse squeaks, lol. You can also put some tubes in the cage.

But with any toy, even if you trust your ferrets not to chew, you should check them over daily for any damages, as even a ferret who has never chewed before, could one day decide to try it and end up with a blockage.