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How to Manage Shedding in Ferrets

chomchom roller

As ferret parents, we know all too well the challenges of shedding. Their very fine and dense coats can leave their fur on furniture, carpets, clothing, and their bedding and toys. So, what’s the best way to manage shedding?

Shedding is More Than a Nuisance

Shedding presents health concerns for ferrets. If a ferret ingests a large amount of its fur, it can lead to hairballs, which can cause blockages in the digestive system and potentially result in serious health issues. 

And shedding can affect ferret family members and friends who suffer from allergies, as ferrets’ hair (along with dander and saliva) can trigger allergic reactions, leading to symptoms such as sneezing, itching, and watery eyes.

Fortunately, regular grooming and cleaning can help to reduce the amount of hair and minimize the impact of shedding. One effective solution for ferret hair removal is a pet hair roller. These sticky fur remover rollers are a popular tool for getting rid of fur. But using sheet after sheet and roll after roll can get expensive—not to mention unfriendly to the environment.

An alternative has gained popularity due to its reusability and effectiveness in removing pet hair from various surfaces. This environmentally friendly alternative is reusable. But there are many reusable pet hair rollers out there. Which ones are a waste of money, and which really work? 

Effective Fur Remover

The ChomChom Roller is a top-selling reusable pet hair roller with well over 100,000 high ratings for its effectiveness in managing shedding.

It’s designed to pick up pet hair from surfaces like sofas, beds, carpets, and blankets without adhesive or sticky tape. And its eco-friendly design is easy to clean.

One of the benefits of the ChomChom Roller is its reusability. Unlike sticky roller tapes, which need to be replaced frequently, this pet hair remover can be used over and over again. Plus, its convenience and effectiveness make it a top choice for pet owners who want to quickly and easily remove pet fur. 

However, the ChomChom Roller is not perfect. It may not work well on certain materials (like those with loose weaves) and may require multiple passes over heavily soiled areas. While it may not be a perfect solution, it is a valuable tool in managing ferret shedding. Of course, it doesn’t just work on ferret fur. It works on dog, cat and other pet fur and on human hair.

In summary, shedding can be challenging for ferret owners, but it can be managed with the right tools. A reusable pet hair roller, like the ChomChom Roller, is an effective sticky roller alternative that can help reduce the amount of hair on surfaces in your home and your ferret’s home. It can help protect your ferrets from health issues caused by hair ingestion and reduce the impact of shedding on people with pet fur allergies. And it makes a thoughtful and helpful gift for other pet people you know who struggle with pet hair.

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Ware Manufacturing Lock-n-Litter Box—Ferret Litter Pan Review

Ferret Litter Boxes— a Frustrating Subject for Many Ferret Parents!

If you have a ferret, you know the challenge of litter training a ferret! The right ferret litter box can make all the difference. The Ware Manufacturing Lock-n-Litter Box may be the answer to ferret litter box challenges.

As you probably know, ferrets are very particular about where they do their business. As hard as you may try to encourage your ferret to “go” in a particular place, in a particular box, you’re at his mercy. Ferrets select their preferred bathroom location—generally a corner. 

You’ll soon discover which corner that is (preferably in his cage). Knowing that, the next challenge is to find the best ferret litter box. Again, your ferret will have his say in this choice. Ferret litter box training is all about your ferret’s preferences.

Ware Manufacturing Lock-n-Litter Box

Features Important to You and Your Ferret 

The Ware Manufacturing Lock-n-Litter Pan has a lot of features that will prove to be important to you and your ferret.  

I tried using all different kinds of litter boxes—cat litter boxes, ferret litter boxes and “let’s try this” litter boxes. I found the important characteristics for my ferrets (as well as most others) is:

  • Fits easily in the corner of the cage
  • Has a high back
  • Can be secured to the cage 
  • Easy to remove and replace for cleaning
  • Easy to clean
  • Not too big and not too small

That’s a lot of requirements! If only ferrets could be as easygoing as cats about their litter pans. But since this is far from the case, I’ve gathered some valuable info for the Ware Manufacturing Lock-n-Litter Box (a popular choice for ferrets) and put together a review. I hope you find it helpful.


Specifics

ferret litter box

  • 2 Sizes
  • Width = 12 .5” and 9.2″
  • Depth = 8.25” and 12.8″
  • Hight = 6”
  • Material: Plastic
  • Color: Assorted

Pros:

  • Designed for the way ferrets use a litter box
  • Fits in corners
  • High back and sides
  • Lower step-in front
  • Attached securely to metal cages
  • Reduces litter scatter
  • Easy to clean
  • Stain and odor resistant
  • Easy to attach and remove
  • Can be used outside of the cage
  • Available in 2 sizes
  • Available in a 1or 2 pack

Cons:

  • Can’t select a color
  • Some ferret parents say the small size is too small

Summary

Think the Ware Manufacturing Lock-n-Litter Box could work for you and your ferret?

Buy Yours HERE!

If you want to learn more about ferret litter training, ferret litter or other ferret cage essentials, just click on the links.

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My Intelligent Pets 2 Towers Puzzle Game— Interactive Toy Review for Ferrets

My intelligent pets toy 2 Towers Puzzle Game— Interactive Toy Review for Ferrets

Ferret Fun!

My Intelligent Pets 2 Towers puzzle game is a brain game and interactive toy for pets—for dogs, cats and FERRETS, as evidenced by Feykn in the photo above.

This review is for ferrets, but most of the information, pros and cons apply to other pets as well. My Intelligent Pets 2 Towers puzzle game is a challenging game that requires skill, curiosity and determination—all qualities ferrets possess in abundance. The difficulty level varies from 1 to 4 by adding and removing the number of pieces. The game challenge can be increased up to 33 tasks.

How to Play

Step 1: Hide treats and/or small toys in a variety of places in the game.

Step 2: Let your ferret explore the game. She may or may not find a toy or treat on her own. If she doesn’t find one and starts to get bored, show her where one of the surprises is waiting. She’ll soon understand what the game’s about.

Step 3: Watch your ferret explore and find rewards.

Pros

  • Lots of nooks and crannies to explore
  • Adjustable levels provide different challenges and keep ferrets interested
  • Distraction from unwanted behaviors
  • Can use treats or small toys to entice ferrets
  • Encourages natural instincts and behaviors
  • Sturdy construction

Cons

  • Lots of small pieces, which can be carried off by ferrets
  • “My Intelligent Dog s” is printed on the game
  • A bit pricy at around $47

Dimensions: 18”x9”x7”

Weight:” 7 pounds

My Intelligent Pets 2 Towers Puzzle Game— Interactive Toy Review for Ferrets: Summary

If you’re looking for something to keep your ferret entertained, this 2 Towers Puzzle Game may be just what you’re looking for! Just be sure to always keep an eye on your ferret while playing and provide only healthy treats and toys to search for.

Your comments are welcome

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Why Does Your Ferret Bite? How to Stop Ferret Biting

Why Some Ferrets Bite and How to Stop Ferret Biting

how to stop ferret biting

Most ferrets are loving, playful, social animals. As with any pet, however, there are a few who seem to be biters. There is hope for the biter, however. Most aggressive ferrets can be turned into gentle pets if given the correct amount of training and patience. Read on for ways to stop ferret biting.

Ferrets can bite for many reasons–most are not due to aggressiveness. Before you address how to stop ferret biting, you need to identify the reason why your ferret is biting.

First of all, not all ferret bites should be considered attacks–most are not. Biting is sometimes the way a ferret tries to communicate. She may want to play and give you a nip to get your attention. If your ferret bites and holds on, or bites so hard that she draws blood, it is not a friendly nip. Both types of biting can be corrected.

Some reasons why a ferret may bite:

Baby ferrets

Young ferrets are natural nippers. They explore the world with their mouths and they also go through teething. If this is the case, it really should not be a concern, as they will grow out of it with a little training.

Untrained

Ferrets need to be trained not to nip when they are young. Ferrets play hard with littermates and playmates. They need to have limits set so they know how hard they can play with you.

Sick or injured

If your ferret isn’t feeling well or is hurt she can’t tell you. She may be in pain and want to be left alone. If this is a sudden change in behavior, it may be the case. Be sure to have her checked by a vet.

Unneutered

Unneutered ferrets can be more aggressive than neutered ones. Hormones can cause a male ferret to assert his dominance over others–including you. The solution is to get him neutered.

Change

Change, whether good or bad can be scary. A ferret in a strange situation or environment may be frightened and confused. When a ferret is under stress, she may bite. Give her time to adjust to the new situation, person or environment before you consider her biting a problem.

Displaced aggression

Some ferrets react aggressively to particular sounds, smells or objects. There may be no apparent reason–only your ferret knows why. With a little observation, you can identify what the smell, sound or object is. Common triggers are vacuum cleaners, brooms, loud music, and strong smells. You can keep your ferret away from the trigger–or at least keep her in her cage while doing household chores if this is the cause.

Trained to bite

If your ferret was cared for by someone else before you brought him into your home, he may have been inadvertently taught to bite. For example, if the person picked up the ferret and he nipped and then put him down to run around, the ferret may have associated nipping with getting the run of the house.

Mistrust

The main cause of ferret biting is mistrust. Your ferret may have had a bad experience with a person that traumatized him. Or, he may have been mistreated repeatedly. Ferrets can associate people with pain and react to protect themselves.

When you have identified the cause, you can address how to stop ferret biting.

There are right ways and wrong ways to teach your ferret not to bite. You will probably make the problem worse if you try any of the following:

  • Mist a bitter spray or another so-called deterrent in your ferret’s face
  • Flick her on her nose or head when she bites
  • Hit her
  • Put her in solitary confinement for long periods of time
  • Bite her back
  • Use her regular cage for a time-out

How to stop your ferret from biting

Depending on your ferret’s personality and past experiences, she may or may not respond to certain methods of reconditioning. There are several techniques you can try. Don’t give up on one tactic right away. It takes patience and consistency to stop ferret biting. However, if the biting gets worse after much consistency and patience, then you should probably move on to another method.

This list provides some obvious solutions and some more creative techniques. You may combine some of these tactics together, as well.

  • Neuter an unaltered male
  • Take your ferret to the vet to rule out any medical reasons
  • If you know your ferret reacts to a particular trigger, keep him away from it
  • If your ferret is young, visually or hearing impaired, take care not to startle her
  • Make sure your ferret is well fed with a proper diet
  • Spend more quality time with your ferret and get her more accustomed to being handled
  • Put a bitter spray  on your hands so they don’t taste good
  • Yell “NO!” or “STOP” very loudly when she bites
  • Say a firm “NO” or “STOP” and flip her on her back in a submissive position and hold her there for a few minutes when she bites
  • Give him a 15-20 minute “time-out” in a small cage (not his regular cage) with no toys, bed or food immediately after biting
  • Wrap him firmly in a towel and hold him or carry him around for 10-20 minutes and talk to him gently and pet his head
  • Immediately substitute a toy for your hand or whatever was bitten and allow him only to bite that
  • Add another ferret to your home as a playmate, so he has someone to play rough with

how to stop ferret biting

Remember if you want to stop a ferret from biting, you need to be consistent and firm, but gentle. Reward your ferret for good behavior. In time your ferret will learn to respond to kindness and gentleness with like behavior.

Your comments are welcome.

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Ferret Cages: How to Choose Your Ferret’s Home

Ferret Cages—Not Just a Cage, a Home

ferret cages

Choosing a home for your ferret depends on how much space you have and how much money you want to spend. Ferret cages range from simple one-level starter homes to multi-level townhouses with all the upgrades.

Remember, your ferret will spend a lot of time in his cage, so you want to make sure he is not only comfortable but has a stimulating environment. There is a huge difference between just getting a ferret cage to providing your ferret with a home he will be happy in.

Selecting the Proper Ferret Cage

Many pet cages are more than adequate for your ferret’s needs, but do you want to live in a house that is just adequate? Whatever type of accommodations you are considering for your ferret, there are a few things that are a must.

Ample Size: The minimum cage size should be no smaller than 3″wide x 2″ high x 2″deep. There should be enough space for a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and playroom. Like you, your ferret doesn’t want to eat in the bathroom or sleep in the kitchen.

Good Ventilation: All bathrooms need good ventilation. Since your ferret will be doing his business in his cage, it too needs good ventilation. Do not use aquariums or other enclosed housing.

Sturdy, Escape-Proof Design: Ferrets are escape artists. One of my ferrets, Toby, liked to try to break out of his cage. He would stand up, grab onto the bars of one of the doors and use all his strength to try to bend the bars to make his escape. The best types of ferret cages are those made of galvanized metal with vinyl-coated wire.  Ferret cages need strong wire with small openings between the wires and secure doors. Ferrets will try to push their heads through bars and use their heads to push doors open (or as with Toby, use their strength).

Easy Access: You need to be able to not only reach your ferret easily, you also need to be able to easily get to her food, water, bedding and of course–the litter box. If it’s a multi-level townhouse, you want to make sure it has an opening on the top level as well as the bottom level.

One Story or Multi-Level?

Although a single-level home is sufficient, it doesn’t provide much stimulation for an active ferret. Plus, multi-level cages offer more space for fun cage accessories. Your ferret will greatly appreciate the extra space and opportunity to climb up and down, crawl through a tube, sleep in a hammock or burrow in a tunnel if you equip his home with these entertaining accessories.

This unique corner cage is available here

ferret cage

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OurPets Catty Whack Toy—is it Fun for Ferrets?

OurPets Catty Whack Toy--Review for Ferrets

OurPets Catty Whack Toy—Review for Ferrets

OurPets Catty Whack Toy is actually intended for cats. But that doesn’t mean ferrets can’t enjoy it too!

Ferrets and cats have a lot in common. One big similarity is that cats and ferrets have hunting instincts that they like to use when playing. Another similarity is, like cats, ferrets sleep a lot. But, when they are awake they need to be active and expend all that energy they store up while sleeping. Cats and ferrets both need mental stimulation from play to keep from being bored and to fulfill their hunting instincts. Physical activity from play keeps pets physically fit and enriches their quality of life. More than just exercise, playing also relieves anxiety, stress, and boredom. We all know what happens when a ferret gets bored and starts looking around for something fun to do!

What is OurPets Catty Whack Toy?

OurPets Catty Whack Toy is an unpredictable motion and sound game where hunting instincts are activated in play. This interactive toy is specifically designed to encourage independent play. It’s a type of hide & seek action game with a fast-moving feather wand that peeks out randomly from different places. The erratic movement of the teaser keeps your ferret’s attention as he tries to figure out which of the 6 holes the teaser is going to peek out of next.

Other features included a chirping/squeaking sound that your ferret may find interesting. It has a carpeted top so your ferret has a soft place to plan his attack from above. The bottom of OurPets Catty Whack Toy has 4 non-skid rubber feet, which keep the toy from sliding around as your ferret plays. There is an automatic shut off that turns the toy off after 10 minutes–probably long enough for most ferrets’ attention span. The dimensions are 10” x 4” x 10” and it takes 4 “C” batteries–not included.

OurPets Catty Whack Toy—Review for Ferrets

Pros

  • Unique interactive toy
  • Stimulates natural hunting instincts
  • Encourages independent play
  • Unpredictable feather teaser movement
  • Multiple ferrets can play at the same time
  • Auto-shut off
  • Carpeted top
  • Non-skid rubber feet
  • A replacement feather wand tip is included and you can purchase additional ones

Cons

  • Feather teaser can come out if ferret catches it and pulls it hard enough
  • Some ferrets may decide to pull the entire toy around by the feather
  • Can’t turn off sound
  • Can’t adjust time for auto shut off
  • Supervising play recommend

OurPets Catty Whack Toy—Review Summary

OurPets Catty Whack Toy may be a great option for ferret parents looking for a unique ferret toy where hunting instincts are activated in play. Like cats, ferrets are intrigued by the erratic movement of the teaser and have fun trying to catch it.  Because the feather teaser can be pulled out if your ferret catches it and pulls hard enough, supervising your ferret while playing is recommended.

Get your OurPets Catty Whack Toy Here.

Sometimes it’s out of stock. But not to worry! Look at these other interactive toys:

Ferret Toys–Rumba For Ferrets

Catit Design Senses Food Treat Maze

 Catit Flower Cat Water Fountain

Your comments are welcome.

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