Hello everyone :-)

We just adopted a ferret from our local shelter and will be adopting a second one from them in a few days. The second is actually from the same person who surrendered the one we adopted, so they already know each other.

I have done a lot of research, but some things I was wondering weren't really answered anywhere that I could find. I was hoping maybe some of you could help.

I understand the ferret diet. I know their bodies cannot digest anything but meat. I am wondering, though, how I can make them interested in eating more than dry food? He seems to only want kibble. I did get him to tear into a rabbit meat chew (all natural meat chew in a stick), but he wants nothing to do with cooked chicken or baby food chicken even though it's stinky & wonderful smelling. I wiped some baby meat on his tongue but that effort appears futile. Also, what is the best kibble out there? Is there an option out there for them equal to Taste of the Wild dog food but for ferrets?

Also, what kind of toys do they play with besides a chew? I couldn't find types of toys ferrets love anywhere.

And last questions- do ferrets become affectionate like a dog or cat ever? How do I bone and play with them?

If you know of links or posts in this forum that you can just paste in a comment that will answer anything I am wondering, that's fine :-) 
This forum has lots of posts and it was hard to look through to find what I wonder.
Thank you in advance for your advice and help!

Ferrets imprinted on food at a very young age.  If you adopted older ferret, it might take some time to introduced new food.

With Duck/Chicken soup, I usually sit down with the new comers have then lick it off my finger.  Then slowly graduated to a spoon and then the bowl.  it also helps when other ferrets are eating at the same time.  Don't give up...just sit down with your little one.   I do this same when I introduced the raw soup to a new ferret.  Kits are usually eaiser than adults.

Ferret toys;

Plastic bags with handles cut off
Pants  on the floor
balls
tunnels
boxes
cat teaser toys

Ferrets have their own personality.  Some are too busy to stop and be affectionate.  I find my older guys will come up on the couch and lay with us.  It all depends on the ferret.

How do you play with them.....get down on their level and play with them.  My furkids loves when mom drags then around the house on a blanket.

Thank you! 

I appreciate your help. He's older so imprinting already happened. Same thing for the 2nd one coming home in a few days. I saw the soup recipe- I will make it this weekend when both ferrets are together. I will keep trying :-)

Slinker loves pants- it's hilarious. The toy ideas are great! Thank you.

It appears I have been doing okay so far with playing with him thus far :-)

Ferrets love exploring and dark places.  Just cut a hole in a box and they will make it a bed.  Leave a plastic grocery bag on the floor and they'll be in it.  Pick it up and swing them gently.  They love it.  Tie a string to a flat box with no top and drag it around and they'll jump in.  The best toys and games are free!  You might invest in some 4 inch tubing, like this
http://www.ferret.com/item/marshall-ferret-super-thru-way-tunnel/650727/

It doesn't matter what type.  You can get tubing at lowe's/home depot

THE DOOKS OF HAZARD

Awesome! Thank you so much. Definitely need to order those, too. :-)

Never give your ferret any fruits (fresh or dried) or  veggies.

Ferrets are obligate carnivores, which means they require a diet that's very high in meat-based protein and fat. Because they lack a cecum, ferrets cannot digest plant protein, so fruits and veggies is a no...no - no matter how much they beg.

No grapes or raisins:

Sugary snacks, such as raisins, may cause obesity, tooth decay, and aggravation of hypoglycemia caused by insulinomas.  High carbohydrate treats, such as cookies, cereal and bread may lead to diseases of the pancreas.

Feeding raisins and grapes to your pet can caused acute renal failure in pets.  It can also affect the kidney.  Raisins, which increases the probability of blockages and IBD.

I hope you make the best choice for your ferret.

I don't wat to offend anyone, so instead of criticising, I will offer this food chart for you to compare ferret dry foods.
http://moredooks.herobo.com/search.php?chart=ferret

At the same time, I had a ferret, the love of my life, that ate darn near anything.  But, she never got raisins, and the tiny bits of veggies she got were only given occasionally.  If Carol had her way, she would have eaten nothing but green peppers, cucumbers and potatoes. 

We got ours to eat raw meats by grinding their kibble mix into powder and making a thin soup with just water.  After a few meals of that, we added ground (minced) chicken and turkey.  Later we added a decent canned cat food for flavor.  They all love it, and the meat replaces some of the carbs they would get in a dry food only diet.

THE DOOKS OF HAZARD

Tanis read your post and it sure sounds like you are feeding veggies and fruits so wenmaster was not wrong to assume you did.Chicken noodle soup is not food for a carnivore animal either. I have seen what bad diets can do to ferrets I had a rescue for years and still have 16 ferrets. I only have one rescue left though. My rescues never seemed to live long lives like my own that I purchased. I do believe that is because of diet. No veggie or fruit from my hand ever. I feed Orijen cat and kitten and Evo and zupreem kibble high in protein and fats the best food is probably raw or whole small animals but I just can't handle that. I have seen the horrible cancers ferrets can get at young ages too. I try my hardest to keep my ferrets alive and well on good food. I make a duck soup that is really high in protein that they all love besides kibble and I give them nbones for treats once in awhile that is it. I am not trying to accuse you of anything but wanting the best for your ferrets many people do not realize how bad veggie fruits and sugar are to ferrets it can kill them and not in a very nice way. When we give advice to new owners we like to make sure they know what is bad for ferrets so their owners can have ferrets that live long and healthy lives.