My ferret Kiki is a month older than Furet. They both always fight, and Kiki bites her in the neck. She's always fine and fights back, but sometimes the fights last a really long time. They are both 1 year old females, and I thought it was males who are agressive. Is this normal in ferrets?
2006-10-22 03:31:38 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Yes it is. Initially they fight to establish rank and after that's it's mostly play fighting. It may look rough to you, but ferrets have really tough skin and they can take it. There's usually a lot of squealing and hissing along with the occasional poofy tail. Nothing to worry about.
You better let them establish who's boss early on, or you'll never have peace in the house.
As long as there is not blood drawn and one ferret does not get bullied so much that he/she is kept from eating, drinking or sleeping, don't interfere. I only interfered one time when a temporary foster, an obvious ALPHA female, went after my oldest permanent resident Vicky and literally intimidated the poop out of her. Vicky screamed out and went all over herself. That's when I stepped in and seperated the two for a while.
Both males and females fight. I have two of both genders and it seems that the youngsters love fighting with each other. They are male and female. The two older ones, also male and female, join in on occasion, but not for long. Kids!!!
It's a good idea to provide plenty of hiding spots, like shoe boxes, tubes, crinkle sacks, bags, baskets all over the room they are playing in. It gives the one being attacked an opportunity to get away and hide for a minute.
2006-10-22 06:57:05 · answer #1 · answered by Huh? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, this is normal. Ferrets do play rougher than cats, in my opinion. Some of the play/fighting is establishing who will be dominant in your "business". If either one is trying to get away and can't, they need to be separated for a while. A good "punishment" for the offender is to hold him/her in your arms and not let him down for a couple of minutes---during their play-time, this is definitely "not fun"! If the aggression continues, they may need to be kept separated.
As an example: I adopted Maxwell in mid-July of this year. He joined our existing business of five ferrets. Kittanning became the aggressor where Maxwell was concerned and we'd frequently hear the two of them squeaking and dooking it out. We'd separate them to make sure Maxwell had the opportunity to get away, if he desired. Frequently, he'd go right back to Kittanning and the wrestling would begin all over!
Now, here it is late October and we've not had a noisy, squeaky fight that required separation or even a "time out" for some time. This has happened each time we've added new members to our business.
2006-10-22 04:06:39 · answer #2 · answered by Anne K 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We just got a secont ferret and they fight nearly all the time. it is important to give them some time outs and never let them continue to fight if you see blood. Ours sort of got it out of their system and now only fight for fun, but they dont seem to stop.
2006-10-25 15:01:09 · answer #3 · answered by slippyferret 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
definite, it is hassle-free. Ferrets do play rougher than cats, in my opinion. quite a few the play/scuffling with is construction who would be dominant on your "commerce". If the two one is attempting to get away and could no longer, they could desire to be separated for a on the comparable time. A properly "punishment" for the wrongdoer is to maintain him/her on your palms and now no longer enable him down for a couple of minutes---throughout the time of their play-time, it is maximum possibly "now no longer a snort"! If the aggression retains, they're going to could desire to be saved separated. to illustrate: I accompanied Maxwell in mid-July of this year. He joined our cutting-edge commerce of 5 ferrets. Kittanning grew to alter into the aggressor wherein Maxwell was in touch and we could almost continually pay attention the two certainly one of them squeaking and dooking it out. we would separate them to make certain Maxwell had the possibility to get away, if he famous. often, he'd go appropriate back to Kittanning and the wrestling could commence in all places! Now, top right here it is late October and we've not had a noisy, squeaky wrestle that required separation or possibly a "time out" for a on a similar time as. This has occurred each time we've extra new contributors to our commerce.
2016-10-02 13:39:44 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
very normal...they play very rough. i have 3 ferrets at the moment...have raised ferrets in the past. if they are getting so rough to the point of drawing blood on each other, it's time to use some bitter spray on them...just spray it on their fur and rub it in good...they'll stop the biting. also, they have to be out of their cage for at least 4 hours each day to get all that energy out of their systems...lots of toys, etc.
i have one ferret who is an ear sucker...seriously. he clamps on and sucks away, and it hurts the other guy. i have to literally put my finger in the corner of his mouth to make him let go.
also, please be aware of the fact that ferrets cannot tolorate foods and treats that have sugar in them...even though they love sugar, and there are MANY ferret foods/treats with sugars and fruits in them. (why i wonder, when it's so bad for them?) sugars will drastically reduce their life expectancy, and cause them to have insulinoma...they will usually develop insulinoma anyway when they get really old, but poor diet will bring it on way sooner. a treat that they usually love, and is good for them are whisker lickins (for cats)...helps to keep the tartar low on their teeth too.
don't forget to keep them vaccinated against distemper too ;)
hope this has been helpful.
2006-10-22 04:02:44 · answer #5 · answered by pirate00girl 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
listen to Huh? she knows her stuff. oh and my 2 fight like that and evn squeel it sounds like they are killing each other but it's mostly play and it goes on with them for 1 hour or more at a time like now it is happening they have been at it for 30 minutes solid
2006-10-25 08:07:17 · answer #6 · answered by Lisa M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mine do it all the time, to them, it's instinct, they are preparing tobe on the guard for something bigger, if it should come to attack them. I wouldn't worry unless they draw blood, or do it non-stop.
2006-10-24 08:45:02 · answer #7 · answered by Fuzzy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yeah, they play like cats or dogs, just make sure they dont get too hard on eachother
2006-10-22 04:02:11 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes
2006-10-22 03:46:17 · answer #9 · answered by raj 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋