Plastic Chewer

[kelsey514]

My girl Madison is a major plastic chewer! She chews through my nice fleece liners just to get to the FN plastic shelf. I have tried everything I can think of and she just keeps going back to chewing anything plastic. The litter pan, the shelves, and if I dare put any plastic toys in they'll be gone in 5 minutes. I had a plastic jingly ball that was with my boys for 3 years. I gave it to the girls and it was gone in two minutes. It scares me that she eats the plastic because I think it'll hurt her...but if she's going to do it anyway, should I just give her plastic toys to chew on? I'd rather lose some cheap toys than the FN pans! I've tried the natural apple wood, extra bedding, fleece tunnels/pockets to hide in, hammocks, lots and lots of cardboard tubes and boxes....which they don't like at all,

While I have you here...My other girl Mackenzie has become antisocial since I got the FN. I thought getting it would make them more active and happier, but now Mackenzie just sits in her igloo and naps or eats her blocks in there all day. She only really comes out when I open the doors and that's only for long enough to check if I have a treat. Her sister, on the other hand, is much more lively and explores everything!

Thanks!

 

[victoria]

When rats chew on stuff, they often do just that, not eat them. Plastic toys shouldn't be too much of a risk. I would try to get better quality plastic to chew on just in case, but it's nearly impossible to figure out what's safer - even some baby toys turn out to be toxic. (Not trying to scare you, I really wouldn't worry about it.) Some people on the forum have also had success with foam blocks or cut-outs from the dollar store as chew toys, something to keep in mind when trying to offer a variety.

As for Mackenzie, how long have they been in the new cage? How long has she been acting like this? Any health issues or other changes in their routine/daily life?

 

[kelsey514]

They've been in the cage for one week and started acting like this on the second day. Actually, she's only had this medium igloo for one week too. It's the size down from the Giant Igloo. The first day they were both exploring quite a bit, but then Mackenzie moved into the igloo! They had slightly smaller cardboard houses before this. She doesn't have any health problems that I'm aware of, I don't feel any tumors when I pet her. The only thing I"ve ever noticed with her is she is much larger than her sister, I wouldn't say fat though, and she seems to have allergies. They both sneezed like crazy when they came home with me, but within a week it went away. Now they're both fine except whenever I take Mackenzie out of the cage she sneezes right away like she's allergic to my clothing. I don't wear any perfume when I'm going to hold them and I don't wear any weird fabrics. She doesn't sound congested.

Thanks for the input on the chewing too. I'll try the foam and some thicker/higher quality plastic toys.

 

[victoria]

She only sneezes when you take her out? Is it possible she's allergic to your laundry soap?

Are they in a single or a double FN? Someone pointed out to me that some timid rats are scared/left insecure by the large space of an FN/CN. I have personally never had that issue with my guys, even though I have had quite a few timid rats, but it can happen. What I have had happen when I upgrade or change cages is that my rats are confused and stressed for the first little bit but then they settle down. If she's sneezing frequently, lethargic, losing weight, etc. then a vet visit would be a good idea.

If she is insecure in the new cage, you can try adding more hidey spots so that she knows she has somewhere to hide just in case.

 

[Joanne]

Thanks for the input on the chewing too. I'll try the foam and some thicker/higher quality plastic toys.

I would not consider foam a safe chew toy, as it is very light, soft, and seems like a big choking risk to me.

How about trying chew toys for birds? Or a nylabone for dogs? At least if something has been 'approved' as a chew toy for another animal, it would be non-toxic. (theoretically LOL)

One thing you can do to your Ferret Nation is add another shelf. Some of my rats were getting old and feeble, so I put in another shelf so that if they fell, they wouldn't go far. This can also make the FN seem smaller and less open if your girl is shy. A picture of my set up:

 

[kelsey514]

It's a double FN. Even the single unit was bigger than their old cage, so I kept the top unit closed off for the first four days. I thought it might be the hiding thing, so a couple days ago I added an extra cardboard tube and two fleece sleeping bags that I made. They also have a small igloo for one (Madison usually prefers that one). So that's ...6 good hiding spots. She doesn't look sick or even lethargic, just lazy. She definitely hasn't lost weight, I actually thought she looked bigger. Could it be false pregnancy? It would be a weird coincidence that it happened at the same time as the new cage though.

I was thinking about the laundry detergent but it's what I wash their blankets in.

I thought about the foam as a choking hazard too; I think it would depend on the type of foam. Not the fluffy kind. I like those PVC tubes you have on the sides of the cage! Do I see someone climbing on the outside?! haha

 

[Joanne]

I like those PVC tubes you have on the sides of the cage! Do I see someone climbing on the outside?! haha

My ratties love the tubes and sleep in them too. And yup! They go up and down the outside of the Critter Nation - it's great for climbing. Where it's up against the wall they go head first down the side! LOL

 

[jorats]

Nylabone for dogs might be a good choice for chewers, get the low protein and low fat ones if you go for the edibles.
Also, I give my rats the Snack Shack, they could chew all day on that thing.
My mom had a cage full of chewers, she went though igloos and trays like crazy. She even had to change all their big pans to steel ones. Crazy chewers.

 

[kelsey514]

Jorats: I just read the ingredients for the Snak Shak and it is made of pine and alfalfa. Is this safe for them? It looks so cute, I would love to buy one for them!

(edit) Sorry, just read the really long topic on Snak Shaks and it covered the pine/alfalfa argument. I'm still worried though!

 

[jorats]

Mine have been getting Snak Shaks for years and years now... never had a problem.

 

[kelsey514]

Yay! I found a US made non toxic baby teething ring that Madison loves! I think she's chewed a little bit more at the liner but way less than before. I just ordered a whole bunch of other stuff - more apple wood sticks and an apple wood tumbler, nylabone, willow sticks/wicker balls...more I can't remember. Hopefully she likes them
Not related but I got a couple of those space pods...Ooooh I can't wait!!