Hi all! I'm new here to the FML, so I guess introductions are in order. My name is Cheryl, and I got my first ferret, Peanut, back in 1982. Since then, I have shared my life with many more of these sweet little furballs. I am currently Mom to 11, all rescues, special needs, and unwanted surrenders (although I dont believe that would be the correct term, as I WANT them all!). I just could not imagine life without these guys. I would like to reply to the posts about ferrets chewing their bedding. Over the years, I have encountered this many times. I am very picky as to what kind of material I put down for bedding, but I have found that heavy denim is the best deterrent to this kind of behavior.. One day I cut off some bluejeans to make shorts, and thought they would enjoy the legs, so in the cages they go! They had a blast playing in them, and when they tired out, I would find them all sleeping inside. It didnt take me long to notice that, of all their bedding, the jeans were the only things not chewed up. Although I found that denim is great for ferrets, its just not as soft and cushy, it just lays there flat. Thats when this big bright lightbulb went off in my head, and I started searching for someone who makes denim bedding. I googled, and I ebayed, and could find absolutely nothing! Long story short, I went and bought a brand new sewing machine and a bolt of heavy denim. Mind you now, I havent sewed anything more than a button on since high school home economics way back in the '70's, so I had to basically teach myself how to sew all over again. 2 days later, my brand new sewing machine was toast. I took it back to the dealer, and they told me... duh!!!,. you need an industrial strength machine if you want to sew something that thick and heavy, and no, we cant refund your money because you abused your sewing machine and stripped all the gears, but hey, you can pay more to have this one repaired than its original cost, or we can sell you a new one!....No Thanks!!! So, I did some homework, and finally purchased an industrial strength, all metal machine, and started over again! It took lots of denim, and even more determination, but I finally came up with the perfect solution. All my babies now sleep on super soft padded, quilted denim. Not only does it deter chewing, it's also machine washable, and much more odor resistant than all the other bedding that I had purchased over the years.I have yet to have anyone get a nail snagged on it. And an added bonus is that it is so durable, it outlasts every other type of bedding available! I have donated several pieces to shelters and others who have fabric eating ferrets and everyone has been thrilled with it! The responses I have received back from people have encouraged me to start selling custom cage mats and such. They look GREAT in the cages, and for those ferrets who dont chew bedding, I combine the denim with other colorful fabric to make reversible bedding and mats. Adds some color to the cages, and safety and comfort for the fuzzies. Heck, if I can do it so can you! Cheryl [Posted in FML 5842]