Well I think I have finally won out over the battle of the dryer.
I nailed together some two-by-fours and a large sheet of wood and
positioned it in front of the dryer and put 50 lbs. of weights in
front of the wood. As of today, Saturday the little sweethearts are
unable to get behind or into the dryer. I am not joshing about how it
has been a battle for me to try and figure out ways to deter my ferrets
from getting behind, in or on top of the washer and dryer. They have
made a game out of outsmarting me and they usual succeed. It is
surprising how strong these little guys are! Teebone has also ate his
last swatch of fabric. I lined his bed with some thick corduroy jeans
and the next day found a perfect round hole chewed through the seat
area of the jeans. Enough! I watched him carefully and was relieved
when he "relieved" himself, the next several days to be sure there
was no bowel blockage. As of now they are sleeping on a bed of crumbled
newspaper. So far Teebone has not chewed on this, but I do not feel
totally comfortable with newspaper because of the ink. I read an article
that warned that newspaper could pose a health risk for kittens because
they got ink on their paw pads and ingested it while licking their paws.
I questioned a vet on this issue and he stated that he was unaware of any
health problems connected with ink and he used newspaper in his cages!
Anyone else heard of any conclusive tests concerning ink and health risk?
I use newspaper also for my ferrets' potty places. I know, I know, why
not a litter box? My ferrets have a litter box (three to be exact), but
they refuse to use them. I have learned to just use newspaper in their
favorite spots and it works great.
     A special thanks to J.Rosloot for the suggestion of using bitter
apple on the fabric Teebone likes to chew. I will try that!
     I also wonder if the fact that Teebone is obsessive with chewing
on everything that he might lack something in his diet or could
conceivably have a illness that is not evident. He eats feline growth
Science Diet and acts happy and healthy. Any other ferret owners have
problems with their "rug rats" chewing up everything? Well I better
sign off the tube and go back to work.
                                            A worry wart ferret lover
                                            Judy Gallipeau
 
[Posted in FML issue 0624]