The following
list of dangers to ferrets was compiled by Kathy Maxwell
and has been reproduced with her permission.
Kathy
says: "A short time ago I asked everyone for their
help in compiling a list of items that may be or have
been potentially dangerous to ferrets. I want to tell
you the response to my post has been overwhelming and
I want to thank all of you that have e-mailed me and
posted so far, I have learned a lot from all of you
and this will be a great help to others. Some of the
items you will be familiar with and some none of us
would have even thought of. I was inspired to do this
when Jen lost her little boy Jitters to a poster tube
that was sitting innocently in the closet. It was the
third time within a week or so that someone had lost
their ferret in unusual circumstances. This list is
to make people more aware of the potential unusual
and usual dangers and is not meant to panic anyone.
So here goes!"
1. Shop vacs and vacuum cleaner hoses
Not only when
they are on, but also when they are momentarily turned
off. Some hoses are big enough (or some furries small
enough) for them to crawl into and become wedged.
Always check it before turning it back on. Better
yet, put it away when not in use or the fur kids
are out.
2. Toilet paper/paper towel/and other types
of small rolls and cylinders
As we all well know
ferrets come in various shapes and sizes, what one
can fit into others can't. Most ferrets can become
stuck and possibly suffocate if not gotten to in
time. Throw these rolls and tubes out or put them
out of ferret reach (maybe on the roof of the house).
If the ferret can reach them, they are not in a safe
place.
3. Fridges and side-by-side freezers
Not just in them
but under them. Some ferrets have crawled into the
fridge or freezer in their human’s home when
they weren't looking and it only took the time it takes
to open and close the door. Just to be on the safe
side take a second look, especially if your furry has
suddenly disappeared after you grabbed a snack. Check
the clearance under your fridge to ensure said furry
couldn’t get stuck or wedge their way in and
get near the motor or insulation.
4. Dishwashers
Double check before running or better
yet don't run with the ferrets about. Again check for
gaps and floor clearance so the furries can't get behind
or underneath them and fall asleep.
5. Stoves
Same as fridges and dishwashers with a twist,
the bottom drawer. If it is open even a bit they can
find their way in and get behind or into the stove
or possibly become stuck in the process.
6. Recliners/box/couch springs
As far as the recliner
they are not only dangerous to your ferret, but to
humans. If you have the option send them to another
planet that doesn't have ferrets. If you want to keep
it then just make sure not to let anyone use them when
your ferrets are out. Ferrets can also become caught,
in the springs of couches and beds if they play under/inside
them and the lining is gone. Take a look to see how
yours is. Also be extremely careful if you have to
retrieve a stubborn furry from under a couch or chair.
They are so quick that one could be under the leg when
you go to set it back down again. Always double check.
7. Sofa beds
When closing or opening always make sure
there are no ferrets in the same room or that one hasn’t
decided to take a nap in it.
8. Stereo speakers
Many of us have these in some capacity.
If the ferret can get the cover off they can become
wedged in the ports of the sub-woofers or speakers.
9. Toilets/buckets of water
Ferrets have been known
to slip off the toilet seats and fall into the bowl.
Wet porcelain is very slippery and the ferret may not
be able to get out. The water in the bowl is very cold
and this may result in hypothermia and possible drowning.
Always supervise ferrets that are playing in any water
be it the tub or their favorite swimming pool in the
summer. It doesn’t take much water for a ferret
to drown in. This also applies to buckets of water
that they may fall into and not be able to get out
of.
(note: Remove any objects, such as
wastebaskets or packs of toilet tissue, that may be
too close to the toilet. These act as a stepping stone
for your ferret to climb up onto the toilet. Keep your
toilet lid closed at all times. Please read this email
that was sent to Angela by someone whose ferret drowned
in the toilet.)
10. Cages
We know that ferrets are not
always the most graceful of creatures and not all cages
and cage doors are built alike. Some like to climb
to the top for a better view much to the dismay of
their humans. The biggest fear is when they are on
the way down. There is a chance their leg could become
caught or twisted. For cages with an upper door this
could also apply. Just keep an eye out.
11. Any open boxes with 'stuff' in it
Ferrets go in head first and can't always get out.
(note: This point is especially
important when you are moving house and you have a
lot of half-packed boxes standing around. It may be
an idea to keep one room box-free so that you can allow
your ferrets to play there safely with the door closed.
Also watch boxes that have holes in the side to act
as 'handles' - these make perfect doorways for ferrets
to get into boxes that have already been sealed!)
12. Vinyl baseboards/ under kitchen cupboards
If it can be pulled loose anywhere, ferrets can get
in there and get into walls, etc.
13. Any door that has an inch or so of
space under it when closed
They can become stuck under
it or vanish from sight into rooms you don’t
want them in. This rule also applies to storm doors
with vinyl weather strips at the bottom. If the weather
stripping is gone they may be able to push their head
under it.
14. Under rugs/into piles of clothes
Ferrets just love to crawl under rugs and into laundry
baskets. If you have ornamental rugs be especially
careful that they haven’t gotten underneath were
they may get stepped on. In piles of cloths such as
laundry hampers or baskets they can become caught in
sleeves in jackets and not be able to get out. Knee
high nylons or socks can become wrapped around a ferrets
neck or mid section. The basket itself posses a potential
problem if there are slats or holes in the handles
or construction.
15. Purses, backpacks and luggage
Ferrets
are great at undoing zippers and crawling into these
items. If you don’t want the stealing your lunch
or taking an unexpected trip with you to the airport
or office then keep these items out of reach.
16. Child gates with the lattice work
Some holes are just big enough for a ferret to get
stuck.
17. Plastic bags
Rip several openings
in them so they can't suffocate in a corner or get
the handles twisted around their neck.
(note: Also be careful with 'soft' cigarette
packs! Ferrets can suffocate by getting these stuck
on their heads, creating a vacuum.)
18. Wood stoves
Keep the ferrets away
from these and fireplaces whether they are in use or
not.
19. Handle spaces on milk crates or other
items
Can be a hazard!
20. Odd shaped drinking glass
Some glasses
are very narrow and when a furry decides they are going
to have what your having they may be able to get their
head in but not out.
21. Drains
Especially the large shower
drains. Ferrets may pull the screens off and if there
is no grate underneath, may be able to get into or
wedged in the drain pipe. Watch out for drains in sinks
and garborators. Ferrets can get their foot caught
in them and may injure themselves trying to get it
out
