Ferret News
Pet Ferret Care Tips
and Information.

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======================================================
Modern Ferret News Mailing List Issue #24
http://www.ferretnews.com
July 22, 2002

by Mary R. Shefferman and Eric Shefferman
contact: marymodernferret.com
======================================================

Hi

>>> In this issue: <<<

==> Replacing Water Bottles
by Eric Shefferman

==> Ferret Useful Tips: Set #1
from your fellow Modern Ferret News readers

==> Update on Modern Ferret things


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======================================================

==> Replacing Water Bottles
by Eric Shefferman

--- Donna wrote: ---

I'm looking for glass water bottles for my boys,
Thurston, Winslow, Mouse and Moose. I hate the
smell of those plastic ones, and I imagine there
are chemicals and a nasty taste leeching into
their water.

Can you help?

--- ************ ---

I can understand your dislike of the plastic bottles.

I personally don't like glass bottles because I'm
just too clumsy! Between my health making me wobbly
and ferrets running underfoot, I'd just be too afraid
to use glass.

In fact, I've even actually managed to break one of
the plastic water bottles by dropping it!

I like to offer the ferrets a choice of heights of
water bottles (so each ferret, short or tall, can
use a water bottle they are comfortable with) -- so
we have a lot of water bottles. If you put fresh water
in a bunch of bottles every day, eventually you're
just bound to drop something!

What can you do instead?

One alternative a lot of people like to use is to
take the plastic bottles from the small soda bottle
sizes (like the 12 oz size) and wash them out to use
as water bottles.

The standard water bottle nozzles fit on the same way
the screw-on caps do. Although I prefer to drink Coke,
I think the 12 oz Pepsi bottles are a rounder, plainer
shape and thus easier to hang with the same hooks that
are used on the regular water bottles.

These soda bottles seem to be made of some plastic
that doesn't have a plastic smell -- and replacing
them is as easy as drinking another soda and cleaning
the bottle (in-home recycling!). Hopefully they are
safe -- a lot of people drink from them!

*** NOTE ***
I can't answer every question that gets sent my way,
but if I come up with a good answer for something
I'll make sure everyone on the newsletter gets it.
- Eric

======================================================

==> Ferret Useful Tips: Set #1
from your fellow Modern Ferret News readers

Wow! We've gotten a lot of great tips, stories, and
ideas in the email! Here's the first batch of them.
More will be coming in future issues!

Big thanks to everyone who wrote in!

--- Jeannette Molina wrote: ---

To give my weasels some enrichment outside of the
cage, I use a big Tupperware container -- one of the
"under the bed storage type," and I cut big holes
in the cover. Then I fill it 1/3 to 1/2 way with
potting soil -- non-toxic with no added
fertilizers or chemicals.

Then I let them go to town.

They LOVE digging and playing in the soil! Of
course they make a mess, but with a tile floor
it's just a quick sweep up, and worth the
enjoyment for the critters.

--- *********************** ---

Ferrets love to dig! Providing them with a proper
digging toy is a great way to discourage them from
digging in their litter box.

We use plain white rice in our digging box. Note
that this is plain white rice and NOT instant rice.
Instant rice could be dangerous to a ferret if he
eats it (it could swell up inside him). We've
had no problems so far with regular rice, and none
of our ferrets are inclined to try eating it.

I've also heard of people using sandbox sand
(available at children's stores, Wal Mart, etc.)
for a digging toy. Basically use anything that:

1. Your ferrets aren't inclined to eat or poop on.
2. Won't hurt your ferret if they accidentally
swallow some while they're playing in it.

- Eric


--- Jean in Kennebunk, ME wrote: ---

You know how ferrets like to run through tubes.
I found the perfect tubes at Home Depot. I don't
know, but I think they were originally designed for
underground drainage. They are very long -- the ones
I got about 12 feet but there are some longer. There
are slits cut around the tube for the length of the
tube. The diameter is about 6 inches (plenty of room
for even the biggest ferret). These tubes are black,
flexible and cost $2.70 apiece!

I have run them under and over things and created
loops. The ferrets love to race through them, chase
each other and slide down the loops. It is one of
their favorite play things.

~~~~~~~~

Another favorite is a plastic tarp. They are very
sturdy and make lots of noise. I just drop it on the
floor, kind of crumbled up, and they love to pounce
on it to make noise and tunnel after each other. You
can get them for under $5 at Wal-Mart.

--- **************************** ---

Ferrets love to tunnel! Those drainage tubes do make
great, inexpensive toys.

For readers who try the tarp, make sure that your
ferrets aren't chewing on it and be careful where you
step on it -- some ferrets may decide to go to sleep
under it!

- Eric


--- AmyLee wrote: ---

I have long hair so when I go to brush under it,
my three four-legged babies love to jump at it!!!!

--- ************* ---

That sounds like a lot of ferret fun! Unfortunately,
it can only be done by those who are blessed with long
hair. Those who are folically challenged can try
finding other fun things to dangle for their ferrets
to chase.

- Eric


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Do you have any tips or ideas you'd like to share?*

Send an email to: marymodernferret.comm
with your tips and we'll publish the best ones
in a future issue of this newsletter.

*We've already gotten a bunch of great ideas
and are looking forward to receiving more!
We'll be publishing them as we have space in
future issues so stay tuned!
---------------------------------------------------

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==> Update on Modern Ferret things

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Stay tuned! More great stuff is on the way!

======================================================

---------------------------------------------------
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Shopping at FerretDesigns.com helps us make
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