Many babies will eat cloth, and they generally grow out of it by about 5-6
months of age.  Generally they are teething, and cloth is a nice thing to
gnaw on while they cut the new teeth.  Some do not ever grow out of it.
Cloth can cause a blockage, so it's not a very good idea to allow them to
continue eating it.  Rather than cloth bedding, give them a cardboard box.
If they eat that, take it away and give them a plastic tupperware type bin
box.  You can also try to give them a hammock rther than other cloth bedding
types, sometimes they are less likely to chew those for some reason.  (I
have two that have eaten a nice hole in a hammock though, so it's not a
foolproof solution.)
 
Generally (other than teething) it's a sign of boredom.  Give them other
suitable things to play with or chew on.  An old leather glove or wallet is
great for teething kits- just inspect it regularly as you would with any
toys.  So ferrets have been known to chew on rawhide, none of mine ever did.
Plastic chinese food/butter/coolwhip containers are also fun toys which can
be dragged and tossed about.  THe plastic is generally too strong for them
to chew through it, but again, inspect regularly.
 
Some ferrets also like to eat paper.  While not quite as difficult as cloth
to digest, it's probably not the best thing for them, either.  Try to keep
it away from them.
 
-Mrs. Duck
[Posted in FML issue 1843]