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Post by keawearascal on Jan 23, 2011 4:53:34 GMT -5
My ferret Keawea is near 7, has recently gone blind, and cannot engage in any potentially rough play due to a very fragile huge benign but inoperable tumor on her side (I keep it bandaged but she still has to be handled super-gently.) She has been the only ferret for 5 months since her littermate died, but does play with our 7 month old 7.4 lb Pomeranian/Chihuahua mix, Oreo who just instinctively knew how to handle ferrets when we got her at 8 weeks old two days before Rascal died. She is also vaccine free , as are my two 16 year old cats, and I'm a bit leery of allowing her around outside animals. She loves these things called Derby eggs and has three, and she walks around and plays on the steps. She really is very healthy, although it doesn't sound like it from the description. So what can I do beyond letting her run around with the puppy or explore? She won't eat raw, but does get grain-free kibble and al-meat cat food, which is all she will eat. Oh and she also HATES the cold. Thanks!
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Post by otterwoman on Jan 23, 2011 7:07:31 GMT -5
What about a dig box with something soft, like balled up newspaper?
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Post by sherrylynne on Jan 23, 2011 11:30:29 GMT -5
Or even filled with old towels, etc. Does she like tunnels? You can cut the handles from plastic grocery bags, toss some in a box as well. She might like the crinkle. This one only under supervision though. Or a shredded paper box.
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taratee
Cageless and Roamin' Free
Posts: 255
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Post by taratee on Jan 23, 2011 12:28:28 GMT -5
you might get a feather teaser, the sensation might be very different i dont know if she would play with it but my guys like them so much they will drag em under the bed and fall asleep with em
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Post by sherrylynne on Jan 23, 2011 12:34:02 GMT -5
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Post by keawearascal on Jan 23, 2011 17:38:50 GMT -5
Wow guys! Thanks for the great ideas! Why didn't I think of a dig box? Stupid mommy  I also already have a feather teaser for my cats-I'll be trying that one out later! I also love the idea of enrichment by sense, and I'll be checking out that one ASAP. Just 'cause she's a old woman doesn't mean she shouldn't have some fun! I wanna see her dook again so bad- she hasn't done it in a few months and I think she misses her brother even more than I do  , even though she is more active since switching food and DID dook about it at first |
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Post by sherrylynne on Jan 23, 2011 17:41:20 GMT -5
Yeah, grief affects them really hard. She'll likely not be quite the same girl she was before, but that doesn't mean she can't enjoy her life again on a different level  Try those things out, and let us know what she thinks of them! |
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taratee
Cageless and Roamin' Free
Posts: 255
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Post by taratee on Jan 23, 2011 17:59:50 GMT -5
i also like to thump the floor and icha likes the vibrations, just a thought maybe you can develop it into a game of chase
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Post by Heather on Jan 23, 2011 18:07:40 GMT -5
I got a tape of a Bob Church seminar that was held in TO several years ago. He was one of the speakers at the ferret symposium. One of the most enjoyable things that a couple of my more sickies enjoyed was you take a blusher brush and you brush their faces, their tummies, their toes, their ears. It's supposed to be given in a similar touch type pattern that momma fert would give. Sometimes they just relax and react to it like a soft message, other times it involves little nips and nibbles as they try and catch the brush.
ciao
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Post by Jackie on Jan 23, 2011 22:56:45 GMT -5
Oh, my girls love it when I brush them with my makeup brushes. I usually use it to initiate play, but sometimes they seem to relax with it.
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Post by luci on Jan 23, 2011 23:09:38 GMT -5
I have two powder brushes that I gave to the ferts. Katrinka loves when I "put makeup" on her.
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Post by otterwoman on Jan 24, 2011 4:26:30 GMT -5
Ooooh! I have to try that powder brushes thing.
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Post by AnimalFarm2006 on Jan 25, 2011 18:33:58 GMT -5
This thread is giving me new insights for dingo. He's blind and deaf and just lost his buddy. I'll see if I can get a brush. For some reason, He was really facinated with my cat as of late. He stops and sniffs the air, or just stands trying to figure out where the cat is.
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