New Ferret?

Question

We've just recently purchased a 10 month old male ferret. He is descented and neutered. I've owned a ferret before, and learned much just with her. The difference is though, that she was purchased from a ferret rescue at 4 years old and she definitely had a different attitude. I'm just getting used to all the noises a ferret actually makes. Is there a difference in raising a male ferret than a female ferret? He also has a thing for toes, and I'm thinking the woman that had him before played with him with her feet, but when he bites toes, he bites hard! I don't know how to get him out of this habit.. any suggestions? Also, he doesn't use his litter box in his cage at all, he squirms and bangs on his cage until we let him out of his cage, where he runs to our bathroom, moves our toilet brush and poops right where it was! I don't know why he does this. I've tried taking everything out of his cage BUT his litter box, and he still doesn't understand this. Any suggestions for that too?

Answer 1

Ah, a little toe biter. I have a few over the years. It's that "Eau de Toe" smell they love. Some bite, some don't. Depends on each ferret. But, like my hubby says to me "make sure you wear your shoes!" when I go into their room. Also, if you go barefooted, put some Bitter Apple or something that will taste bad to your ferret when they bite your feet. That way, when a bite comes, they'll get a little nasty taste. It takes a while for them to get the idea.

For something funny to do, get some Linatone or Ferretone or Ferretvite (or any thick liquid) your ferret likes, put a dab on your feet, and let him lick it off. Oh, it tickles!

Now remember a 10 month old is still considered a baby. He's like a 2 year old. So keep on working with him on the littler training. It's like hit and miss - sometimes they'll hit, and sometimes they'll miss. On purpose. And give you that little cute, innocent look.

Try to work on his biting down hard. If he chomps down, scruff him for a moment. We had a chomper, and we would scruff, put her in time out (in the cage for a few minutes), blast with a water gun, and "gently" pull whiskers to get her attention. It won't happen overnight.

Dooks!

Answer 2

First the feet seem to be a fav toy for the ferrets. Keep socks on and try something like bitter apple to prevent bitting. When he nips you should scruff him un say no or ouch very loudly.

For the litter. I find the ferrets tend to pick where they want to go to the bathroom. if you do not like the spot they are using, toss a blanket there and they should pick another spot. You may end up having a lot of blankets in the cage till they ues the spot you want. If you dont mind the spot then put the litter box there. Put some of his poop in the litter box to show him that he needs to use the box. Its hard to be stern in this sometimes but you should wake them up and cuddle with them for 5 minutes, put them BACK into the cage and insist that they use the potty. Watch carefully - sometimes ferrets will go through the motions and not really do anything in a hurry to get allowed out. Sometimes they are stuborn but just keep putting him back in the litter box. If you know he is going to run for the bathroom then be stern and insist he use th box.

Another option is put a box where he goes in the bathroom. It might help him get the concept of using the box.

In one instance I actually had to put a huge blanket over teh whole bottom of the cage except in the one spot where the litter box was.

Answer 3

Every ferret has a different personality. One of my ferrets will attack feet, but ONLY if you are wearing socks. Do put a litter box where he likes to go in the bathroom, and make sure that the bottom of his cage is covered by bedding materials except for the spot where you have his food and water and litter box. One trick is to open the cage door, but stay right at the door and keep placing him in the litter box until he does his bussiness. Do this every time you go to let him out of the cage until he is used to it and knows that he cannot come out to play until he does it.

My best piece of advice is to get the book "Ferrets for Dummies" (if you do not already have it). I have found this book to be invaluable to me.

Answer 4

I taught my ferret to use his litter box. Whenever he tried to use it somewhere else, I would pick him up quickly and shout "NO!!!!!" I would place him in his litter box immediately. When he used the litter box, I gave him a treat that he really liked. Soon, he would use the litter box and look at me for his reward. Sometimes he would try to use it even when he didn't have to. I would still give him a reward for trying. Sooo cute!

Every animal is different weather they are male or female. Why he likes toes, I don't know. He doesn't need to be biting you. Shout "NOOOO!!!!" when he does and lock him in his cage for a while. They are smart enough to soon realize what "no" means.

I had my ferret for 8 years. He just died in March. I miss him. Have fun with your ferrett.

Answer 5

It is natural for ferrets to nip. They don't think they are being mean, they just want you to chase them. So, don't chase him when he bites your toes. Chase him before he bites you, chase him whenever you can! They don't mind being caught either. They just love to play.