Both of my ferrets are not deaf and are totally unafraid of the vacuum.
If it's plugged in and turned off the guys will run up to it and attack
it until they hit the 'on' foot switch then start dancing around it.
(maybe it's some weird ferret vacuum worship cult thing?)
 
I also have a dustbuster which I 'chase' them around with.  They love
the game, especially when the suction clamps onto their bodies.  They
start biting it and when they 'get away' they war dance and dook at it.
[Posted in FML issue 4948]