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Be careful about
full bathtubs, where your ferret might possibly
drown, and consider keeping your toilet lid closed
for the same reason. Buckets of water, paint, etc.
can also be drowning or poisoning hazards, or
might just be tipped over. Toilet paper and paper
towel rolls are a problem because ferrets get
their heads stuck in them and can choke or
suffocate, and if you let your ferret play with
plastic bags, you may want to cut off the handles
and cut a slit in the bottom. Certain ferrets may
also have special ferret-proofing needs; for
example, some like to eat paper, cloth, or plastic
bags, which can easily cause a life-threatening
intestinal blockage. A few ferrets like to chew on
electrical cords or plants, and some common plants
are quite poisonous. Liberal application of Bitter
Apple paste to the cord or plant can help persuade
your pet to stop gnawing on it.
Finally, once your
home is done, it's important to keep it safe.
Watch your ferret's toys to make sure they're not
beginning to crack or break apart, and keep in
mind that you can be dangerous to your ferret,
too. Always double-check your dishwasher,
refrigerator, clothes washer and dryer (even
top-loading models) before closing them or turning
them on, and watch where you sit and walk: that
chair, throw rug, or pile of laundry might be
hiding a napping ferret.
Many ferrets dig at
the carpet, especially near doors that are closed.
It's very difficult to teach them not to do it.
You're better off protecting your carpet by
putting down a piece of plastic carpet protector
from an office-supply store. Chances are your
ferret will get bored with digging when she sees
she's not getting anywhere, though it might take a
while for that to happen. A carpet scrap or sample
from a carpet store might work, too, although your
pet will be able to shred it, so she might not
give up as quickly. For out-of-the-way places,
wire mesh can be nailed to the floor through the
carpet; be sure to protect any sharp corners or
points. Also be aware that ferrets like to dig in
and possibly chew on houseplants, and some common
ones are quite poisonous.
Plants can be protected from digging (but not
chewing) by putting large rocks or metal mesh over
the tops of their pots. Many ferrets like to rip
the cloth on the bottom of a box spring and climb
into it, where they can easily get crushed or
caught. To prevent that, try putting a fitted
sheet on the bottom of the bed, anchored in place
with small nails or brads, or attach wire mesh or
a thin piece of wood to the underside of the box
spring. You may need to drill air holes in the
wood so the box spring can still compress.
Depending on how your cabinets and drawers are
constructed and how determined your ferrets are,
you might be able to keep them closed using strong
tape, rubber bands around a pair of handles, a
nail or wooden dowel through the handles, or a
strip of strong Velcro-type tape on the door and
frame.
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