The rise in pet ferret ownership is huge. These super cute mammals are intelligent, quirky, inquisitive, and may be one of the most entertaining animals to play with. A ferret’s natural instincts involve digging, tunnelling, hunting, and sleeping; toys that provide stimulation in these ways are the most exciting for them.
Domesticated ferrets require plenty of mental and physical enrichment, otherwise they will get bored and may develop behavioural problems such as anxiety. Younger ferrets require as much playtime as they can get! Research shows that to keep your ferret happy, he or she needs at least 3-4 hours of out-of-cage playtime every day.
Keeping your pet ferret stimulated and engaged in constructive activities is easy. First, before letting them out of the cage, you need to ferret-proof your home to ensure anything you don’t want missing or damaged is safely put away. This includes things like the TV remote, wiring, electrical cords, charging cables, and even collectibles. This isn’t so different from puppy-proofing a home.
Next, make sure anything small enough for a ferret to put in their mouth is also out of reach. If given the opportunity, ferrets can, and will, try to chew it, especially when they’re young and full of mischief.
Here are five fun activities to entertain your ferret:
- Playpens with a top enclosure: Whether inside or outside, playpens are a great way to let your ferret play outside of their cage safely. Just make sure your playpen has a top so your furry friend cannot escape. This is an excellent way to let your ferret get some fresh air; just be sure to constantly supervise.
- Ball Pits: As kids we all know how fun a ball pit can be. Ferrets absolutely love ball pits! They can jump, tunnel, and play in the ball pit for hours on end.
- Enrichment toys: Ferrets love to play, especially when you use your imagination. A simple paper bag to dart in and out of, old boots to hide in, cat toys, and tunnels are all excellent options.
- Lasers toys! Just like cats, and many dogs, nothing will harness your ferret’s interest more than a laser pointer. Playing with the laser is a rewarding bonding activity between pet and parent. Your ferret will love this type of play!
- Walks outside. Yes, ferrets like to be outside as long as they are safe and secured. There are harnesses and leashes specifically designed for ferrets, and a walk on a beautiful day will keep your ferret highly amused. Make sure your ferret’s harness is properly fitted to avoid escaping.
There are a number of fun activities to keep your ferret entertained like hammocks, balls, any size-appropriate dog or cat toy, treat dispensing toys, ferret puzzles, ferret compounds, ropes, bubble wrap or a do-it-yourself maze.
To keep things exciting, be sure to switch up activities regularly to maximize curiosity and engagement. And use your imagination! The more creative you can get, the more rewarding the activity will be.
Letting your ferret run freely around the house is great fun for the whole family, but remember to always supervise your ferret as these animals are super intelligent and can go missing quickly if not properly secured.
Brandon Forder, known as The Pet Expert, is vice-president of Canadian Pet Connection, an industry leader in healthy pet lifestyles. Brandon is certified in pet nutrition, and has more than twenty-five years’ experience specializing in pet health and behaviour. He has written hundreds of informative pet-related articles for newspapers, magazines, radio, and the popular Ask the Pet Expert Blog. Brandon is highly skilled in pet problem solving, and enjoys teaching others about smart and responsible pet ownership. To learn more, visit www.CanadianPetConnection.ca.
