Are rubber, foam and soft plastic objects toxic to ferrets?
Risks and signs
- Swallowed pieces can choke a ferret or block its gut. A blockage can be fatal and usually needs emergency surgery. Source: Merck Veterinary Manual
- A ferret with a blockage stops eating and passing droppings, and may cough, choke or vomit. Source: Merck Veterinary Manual
Sources
Merck Veterinary Manual: Special Considerations for Ferrets (opens in a new tab)
“These objects can pose a choking hazard or cause intestinal blockage. An intestinal blockage can be fatal and usually requires emergency surgery.”
Merck Veterinary Manual: Special Considerations for Ferrets (opens in a new tab)
“Ferrets also like to chew on soft or plastic objects such as foam, pencil erasers, rubber bands, buttons”
Merck Veterinary Manual: Emergencies of Ferrets (opens in a new tab)
“Ferrets with an intestinal blockage will stop eating and defecating and may cough, choke, or begin vomiting with advanced disease.”
Royal Veterinary College: Ferret care (RVC Exotics Service) (opens in a new tab)
“Blockages of the intestines – particularly from bones, rubber items and ear plugs!”
Royal Veterinary College: Ferret care (RVC Exotics Service) (opens in a new tab)
“ferrets will easily demolish many pet shop toys, so only sturdy toys should be used”