Anyone who has spent any amount of time around ferrets knows how much they love to play. This means not only running around, hiding, and chasing things, but also a lot of time spent chewing. Most ferret owners have remote controls that are missing buttons and know how important it is to keep a pet ferret entertained with safe toys so they don’t get into too much mischief. To help make your shopping (and DIY toy making) easier, we’ve compiled a list of safe materials you can offer your pet and also materials you should definitely avoid.
When offering toys to your ferret, there are a couple of things you must keep in mind. Even if what you’re offering is made from safe materials, you want to make sure there are no small parts that can be swallowed and that the item is not so worn that pieces could break off. Look for solid toys with minimal parts. If a toy becomes very worn, breaks, or starts to fall apart, throw it away and replace it with a new toy. If your ferret accidentally ingests any part of a toy it can cause a blockage that may need a visit to the emergency vet to resolve. It’s better to be proactive that risk injury to your pet.
Safe Materials for Ferrets
- Baby Toys (hard plastic only)
- Cardboard Boxes
- Kongs
- Metal Bells
- Plastic Bottles (clean and empty)
- Plush Toys (check for small parts that could be ingested)
- Tennis Balls
- Tunnels and Tubes (plastic or cardboard)
Unsafe Materials for Ferrets
Never give your pet ferret any toys, cage accessories, or other items made out of these materials:
- Latex
- Rawhide
- Rubber
- Wood