If you live with a ferret it will be no secret to you that these furry love to play It is for this reason that, among the various accessories for ferrets, toys especially stand out, since these provide all kinds of games for your ferret with which to spend quality time. But what do we mean by quality moments? By this we mean that ferrets need exercise and cognitive stimulation to be he althy and happy. Otherwise, your ferret will not have his welfare covered, as he will feel bored, frustrated and most likely develop some behavioral problem as a result of this state of mind.
Ferrets are the most cheerful and fun animals, which, without a doubt, were not born to be still, quite the opposite. They love to jump from one side to the other, it is for this reason that guaranteeing all kinds of games for your ferret is the best way to ensure that it is he althy and happy. As you will see in this article on our site, the way to achieve this is by choosing the best toys for ferrets, with which your animal will entertain itself and perform the exercise it needs. needs to.
Ferret tubes and shelters
Ferrets are animals that live in holes underground. It is for this reason that they love tunnels, whether it is to hide in them, store their treasures or run through them.
Generally, tunnels for ferrets are similar to those for cats or rabbits, but there are also a wide variety of tunnels designed specifically for ferrets, which are characterized by being shelters in which tunnels connect. They are one of the favorite toys of these animals because they can hide and even sleep inside.
Finally, you may have also seen boxes and play mats for ferrets, which have holes to access their interior and fulfill the same function of making a nest.
Ferret Chase Toys
Ferrets are animals that love to chase moving objects due to their hunting instinct. For this reason, providing toys that make him run up and down, as well as jump to catch his "prey" is a success.
Within this group of toys for ferrets we find stuffed animals, toy mice and balls, which you can throw at it so that it goes looking for them and hides them in its shelter. In addition, there are also reeds (they can be for cats, since they are identical), with which you can spend great moments playing with your ferret.
This kind of toys usually emit sounds that will encourage your ferret to play, as well as lights and all kinds of elements that will make your ferret loves, such as feathers.
Digging toys for ferrets
Few things ferrets love more than digging. It is because of this that giving your little one a toy with which to perform said behavior is always a good idea. Although it is not always usual, you can buy in stores boxes that you can fill with shavings, paper, earth… There are even playgrounds for ferrets, full of balls similar to ball pools for children.
The purpose of offering this kind of toy to your ferret is that it sniffs inside and makes a shelter for itself with its paws. In the same way, you can spread ferret treats inside so that he will entertain himself looking for them and stimulate his sense of smell.
Ferret Reward Toys
Other of the best toys for ferrets are these, since they offer many benefits. Thus, you have the option of acquiring refillable toys, that is, objects that can hold prizes inside, such as sweets for ferrets or food that these animals like and are suitable for. Consult the Forbidden foods for ferrets.
This kind of toy is usually appreciated by caregivers, as it offers great moments of fun to ferrets, where they will have to interact with the toy to find a way to get the prize. In this way, they will also be mentally stimulated and encourage their senses, such as smell, as well as being resistant enough for them to gnaw on them.
How to make homemade toys for ferrets?
In case you want to try offering your ferret homemade toys, here are some ideas of handmade ferret toys you can try:
Ferret tunnel
As you have seen, ferrets love tunnels. For this simple toy you won't need to get too complicated, because with a medium cardboard box (such as a cereal box, for example), you can make a tunnel with which your furry friend will have a great time.
To do this, you must open the box at both ends and flatten it carefully, trying to form two folds on the wide sides in order to give it a cylinder shape. Also, if you want to make the tunnel bigger, you can tape multiple boxes together to make it longer.
Dig Box
Digging is a very common behavior in ferrets. Therefore, you can try to make a burrow for it that it can burrow into. To do so, follow these steps:
- Choose a large box and close it at the base with tape.
- Punch a hole in the side, just big enough for your ferret to climb in and explore.
- Fill it with chips or paper.
In this way, you will have at your disposal a box that you can open to fill with shavings or paper (for example), in addition to scattering prizes inside to stimulate your curiosity and smell We also advise you to close it at the top to give your ferret a feeling of shelter.
Finally, if you dare and are handy enough, you can try to unite the box with the tunnel that you have seen previously with tape, even adding more entrances and exits to the box.
Reward Dispenser
You can try to make a toy that holds prizes inside with an object as common and recyclable as a roll of paper To To make a toy for ferrets, you will have to cut small holes with the help of scissors or a cutter, through which the treats can easily come out. Be careful when doing this step, as you could inadvertently cut yourself and, if you are a minor, ask an adult for help.
Next, you must close the roll by folding down both ends, giving it a concave shape where the food will not be able to come out. And to add the prizes inside, all you have to do is open one of these sides and close it again.
How to choose the best toy for a ferret?
With the wide variety of toys for ferrets on the market, it is very difficult to choose which one will be the most suitable for your ferret. For this reason, we want to give you these tips:
Have a variety of toys
It is best to have different kinds of toys to be able to offer him different forms of fun and stimulation On the contrary, if you only give him a single toy, your ferret could end up getting bored and look elsewhere for entertainment, for example, by breaking your valuables.
Quality/price ratio
Although it is not always easy to spend a considerable amount on an item like these, you should keep in mind that toys for your ferret must be safeThis implies that the toy you buy must be of quality, as this will minimize many risks, such as breaking easily and causing damage or choking on a piece, that the materials from which it is made are not toxic, that it does not contain sharp or abrasive elements… Therefore, when investing in a toy you should make sure that it has a balanced quality/price ratio to ensure that it is resistant and harmless for your pet.
Meet your ferret
Finally, keep in mind that not all ferrets like to play in the same way. Or in any case, some prefer one type of game more than the others. For example, an elderly ferret might not be particularly passionate about running after a ball, but might love toys that keep treats inside.
Understanding your ferret and how he likes to play, will be key for you to decide which toys are most suitable for him. Therefore, look at his day to day and observe what kind of activities he does and his character, since a young ferret is not the same as an older one, nor a calm one compared to a more active one.
Now that you know the best toys for ferrets, how to make homemade toys and what to take into account when choosing the most suitable games for ferrets, don't miss these other articles:
- Basic ferret care
- How to bathe a ferret
