Id like to introduce myself and Fubuki!

[noodlerat]

Hello! I am very new to being a ferret owner, but i have been researching for months! I currently am feeding a mix of Instinct Ultimate Protein, and Wellness Core 95% meat kitten soft food, but I do plan tp move both Fubuki and my kitty to raw soon. I just adopted Fubuki last night and I am so crazy excited to finnally have a ferret of my own. Shes teething right now and man! Those little teeth are sharp, I wanted to know what the best reccomended chew toys and treats would be for a 2 month old female ferret? I know the petstore carries rabbit bone chews, it sounds most biologically correct for a ferret... thoughts? And any other pro tips on making my little lady's life the best I can? (Ps i am getting her a companion soon, I wasnt comfortable trying to learn with two right off the bat)

[caitmonster]

Hey, welcome, we're always happy to hear that someone has joined the ferrent club. I'm not sure exactly what's in the rabbit bone chews, but if they are anything other than straight dehydrated/freeze-dried animal parts, I would avoid them. Rawhide especially is a no-no; it's highly processed and is a blockage hazard in any animal.

Since you're wanting to switch to raw anyway, try tossing her a chicken wingtip and see what she thinks. At that age, their stomachs are little black holes and they're usually much more keen on trying new foods than they are as adults. Gizzards are fabulous to provide as well--they have that chewy rubbery texture that ferrets go crazy for, with the bonus that they're completely safe to eat. Raw egg (yolk and white together) and salmon oil are also nutritious treats; egg is full of vitamins and proteins, and binds to any hairs in the digestive tract to safely move them out, and salmon oil is full of good fats and Omega 3s.

A loud "Ah Ah!" (or some other related noise) and a timeout from play, possibly using an empty carrier as a 'sin bin' for no longer than a few minutes, are most effective for letting ferrets know that they've bitten too hard. Scruffing is no longer recommended, and certainly no physical corrections. Babies are quick to get the point once they realize that all the fun stops if they chomp too much.

I started taking my boy on walks outside when he was 2 mos old, because he was simply exhausting. Of course, then he started begging for them every night--he generally prefers not to go outside during the daytime--but it's a great outlet for their energy, so I can't complain.

Dryer ducts and corrugated drain pipes are cheap and always a huge hit. Pop-up cat tunnels and of course cardboard boxes are great too. Tbh, I buy almost nothing from pet stores anymore, except for the occasional bag of freeze-dried Stella & Chewy's to have on hand in case of emergencies or travel.

Enjoy your new little one! And there's no such thing as a silly question, so please do feel free to ask about anything that comes to mind.

[abbeytheferret6]

Hello and welcome to forum. We r so glad to have you.

As Caitmonster said, i would give the chicken wing end. That's what I gave my baby though she was a month older than yours but as long as she has teeth, she should surely enjoy working on it.
Repeating Caitmonster again ---- tunnels are great---I would use the hard tunnels that u get at Lowes for water drainage that connect to downspouts. They are hard. Soft tunnels, I think would be a chew hazard. I did have a baby who poohed a piece of plastic bag. So watch out for those when they are young.

My girl liked collecting toys---I gave her the flat, furry ones. No styrofoam beads in anything you give them. The toys have embroidered eyes and noses ---no buttons on it whatsoever.

[Charlie]

Welcome noodlerat!!! We love pictures here on the forum!! So by all means the more the better. hehe

While your Fubuki is still a kit, it'll be much easier to switch her to raw! I offered my ferret small pieces of raw meat any time I was cutting up and preparing any meat for myself. My ferret was easy to switch because he was still a kit. Usually when they are older they have imprinted on their food so switching them will take longer but not impossible.

Ferrets also like to chase cat wands and any time you leave clothes on the floor they will burrow through them. So I have left a pair of old pants on the floor for mine to burrow in. Ferrets like to stash things too. Make sure your area that the ferret is roaming around in either in a room or if you allow the whole house, that you have ferret proofed it so your ferret doesn't go missing or get in trouble and get hurt somewhere. Ferrets can get into real tight places.