Exciting, Inexpensive and/or Homemade Ferret Toys

Ferrets love to play, are very curious, and are certain to investigate anything they can find, get into, or play hide and seek. Since 15 ferrets own me, it is always a treat to find great but inexpensive toys for them to play with. The following are toy ideas that are wonderful for ferrets and cost little if anything to make.

Tunnels

If there is anything in the world a ferret loves most, it is a tunnel. You can buy clear vinyl tubing or hose at many home repair stores in four and 5-inch diameters. It makes a great tunnel, you can buy it in lengths that are sure to please your ferrets, and it is clear so you can watch them play. My ferrets will play in their tunnels by running through it, trying to chase another ferret, and even for taking a nap. (Use with supervision to make sure the ferrets are not chewing on the vinyl.)

You can also purchase dryer tubes or make tunnels out of PVC pipe (preferably 4 inch diameter or larger) and use Ts, 45 degree elbows and other PVC connector pieces of PVC to create a long and interesting tunnel with twists and turns. The nice thing about PVC is that you can put the pieces together in any maze design and then take it apart and make a new design. The changes will keep your ferret from becoming bored.

Dig Box

Dig boxes are a favorite activity for ferrets and can be made out of an ordinary large cardboard box or tall Rubber Maid or similar plastic totes. When filled with items such as ping-pong balls or cornstarch peanuts, ferrets will spend hours digging, tunneling, snorkeling, and surfing through the material. Cornstarch peanuts are non-toxic and safe for ferrets and if one is ingested, it will not hurt them and will almost instantly dissolve. Other fillers can be sand, potting soil (without fertilizer), shredded paper, and long grain rice. Add enough filler so that your ferret can tunnel completely out of sight. To keep from having a big mess, you can place a lid on top and add a hole in the top large enough for the ferrets to get inside or add a connecting tunnel to the top or sides. Ferrets will enjoy chasing and looking for each other. You can also hide some small ferret-safe toys in the filler and watch them go hunting.

(Never use instant rice as it will swell up if eaten and may cause intestinal problems, including blockages requiring medical intervention for your ferret.)

Crocheted Eggs

Crocheted eggs are made with plastic Easter eggs that has something that will make noise inside of it. This can be a few grains of rice, bells, dried pasta, or anything that will clang. Stick some glue on the inside lip of one side of the egg to make it more difficult for a ferret to get it open. Then just crochet a cover around the egg with any regular knitting or crochet yarn.

Another idea is to take a piece of yarn, thread it through a bell, and then crochet a tight ball shape around it. The toy will make noise and is very easy for a ferret to pick up and carry around.

Box Houses

By taking several sturdy and different sized boxes and cutting holes into them, you can glue or tape them together to make a box house with different levels. Cut out holes in the side so they can look out. Ferrets will enjoy racing through from top to bottom and use it to hide their toys.

Sock Toys and Pillows

Take an old white sock (or a new one), put in some bells and tie off the end. Your ferret will go spastic playing with it. Another idea is to take an old towel, sew it into a pillow and fill it with bell-filled socks to give it a shape. The more noise, the better! Better yet, take a pillowcase and fill it with crinkled up pieces of newspaper. Ferrets will love jumping on it.

Baby Toys

Any hard plastic baby toy, especially if it makes noise, is irresistible to a ferret. Keys, rattles, animal shapes are all toys they can carry around and they are safe for ferrets to play with.

Water Play

Many ferrets love to play in water. A large shallow tub is a great way for your ferrets to have fun. Place several towels on the floor, fill the tub with a few inches of water and watch them wade or snorkel. Adding a ferret safe floating toy makes even it more fascinating for your ferrets as they try to grab it.

Safety

Always check toys to see if they have become worn or have small pieces that a ferret might eat. Remove anything that is loose or is made out of soft rubber or latex. Ferrets often ingest these items and they can cause a blockage. Think ahead and make sure what the ferrets are playing with cannot trap them or allow them to be caught in a dangerous situation. Safety first for your ferrets is always the most important rule of the day.