How do I get my older, adopted ferrets to stop biting?

Question

I don't know about their past or their owner since I picked them up from a shelter, but my three 2 year old fuzzies randomly bite toes and arms. Sometimes it's a little painless nip and sometimes it bruises (hasn't broken skin... yet.) There's no way I can spray everyone in the room with "bitter apple" every time they come out to play. I've done the scruffing and the "NO!" and the time outs, but I'm afraid the bites are so few and far between that they don't get the message. Still... after one or two bites, no one wants to play with them, and it's easy to understand. I want to stop this so my friends and family won't hate my fuzzies! Any tips?

The weird thing is, I've noticed they are more likely to bite when someone is just sitting or standing there, not paying attention to them. Not playing, not standing over them, not picking them up or freaking them out... Maybe that's what they want.. is attention, but they are pretty independant considering they have eachother for companionship.. My dad had a ferret he flicked for biting for its whole life. Didn't work..

Answer 1

The older ferrets are definatly harder to break then the younger ones. When they are out playing do you anticipate them biting you? or show fear? If they sense that, they most definatly will bite you to show dominance. Some cases it is dominance, sometimes they are scared, other times you have some sort of smell on you that bothers them, perhaps you are invading their space or least likely with adult ferrets its a play bite. It really depends on the situation. if they bite while out at play, then yes its a play bite. If they bite when you sit in their playpen or put your hands in their cage its dominance. If it's a play bite its often followed by the "war dance". If its a dominace or frighend bite often they will back up fast or stare at you. There is two options I have found work. Your right, bitter apple is a pain in the butt cause it evaporates. Sit on the floor and let your ferts run around you. Don't be nervous if you can prevent it. If they bite dont say anything but grab the ferret by the scruff of the neck and drag him around on the floor on his back (not really hard though, careful not to break something) for about 10 seconds at the most. Then, let him go. If he comes back for more, do it again, and again and again. Usually they learn within the first 2 times you do it. With hard headed ferrets, a flick in the nose can do. But once again, not too hard. Scruff, flick and a loud "NO". But I would recomend the dragging over that since flicking hurts sometimes. Have you tried putting ferrotone or furrovite on your fingers/hands? This teaches licking his a nice thing to do and hands are friends! Work with that see how it works. if you have any other questions feel free to e-mail me at [e-mail]

Answer 2

Are they both neutered? both males or females? How long has this been going on? When I brought my newer ferret home there was a little bit of aggression towards each other but i assume to was to establish the dominate other. I would just watch them very closely, I would maybe try 2 cages, and only let them be together for a short while and allowing separate play time. I am sure they would get along, and when they do give them a ferret treat such as ferret tone or something.. Good Luck

Answer 3

"A ferret that has been raised and cared for properly is an affectionate, friendly pet. Ferrets respond well to loving environments. As with any pet, they need to be gently taught acceptable behavior, as they can be "nippy" when young, but this is a normal part of the growing-up process of any animal. Slapping or punishing your ferret for nipping usually leads to worse biting behavior. Some of my rescue ferrets (Flower, Rascal and Thor especially) were not socialized when they were kits, or were abused by their former owners, and they bit! These ferrets were trained out of biting by an experienced ferret specialist and lots of love. These rescues are unusual cases. Most ferrets are naturally friendly and may nip only as an invitation to play or a call for attention."

Answer 4

Instead of using bitter apple, try using white vinegar. After a few tastes they will usually stop. Not a hundred percent cure but works most of the time. We also gently hold their mouth closed and say "no bite" very firmly. You have to be very persistent and eventually they get the message. Hope this helps
Lynne and the 17 brats

Answer 5

just keep it up if it's so far and few between it's getting there