|
Post by Sherry on Jun 24, 2011 20:26:00 GMT -5
I gather you haven't heard the phrase about ferrets being like potato chips- you can't just stop at one ;D
|
|
|
Post by katt on Jun 25, 2011 11:40:45 GMT -5
Great post~ I'm a new mommy with only one baby and i hope to stay that way for a long time ...that is what I said at first. But after about a year of living with the ferret-demon from h***, my beloved Koda... I realized that there were things that I just could not do or be for him. Not matter how much attention he got from us, it was never enough. He needs almsot constant stimulation that boy! But I can't chase him under the dresser, or snuggle with him in a hammock... When I brought Kenai home and Koda started to dook, I knew I had made the right choice. When I see my boys snuggled together in the cage when I come home from work, I know I made the right choice. And when I see them wrestling and dooking and war dancing and dragging each other under things...I know I made the right choice. I was VERY set on only 1 ferret for a long time...but I am glad I made the decision to bring Kenai home. I can't imagine life without either of them, and I would like to add 1-2 more at some point.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2011 11:45:10 GMT -5
The same happened to me. I had Pixie for a year, and after her escaping twice, I realized that she really needed a buddy to keep her occupied. ;D
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2011 2:49:25 GMT -5
Would have to agree to all the posts above! Once you see them playing, you know they are better off with mate. I was in the same boat but caved soon after seeing their crazy antics.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2011 2:05:44 GMT -5
I am a new ferent of an only ferret; Artie. I have noticed his affinity for rubber. I think rubber has a texture that is really close to flesh. Once they learn the smell = this texture, then it's, "Game on!". Thanks for the hint about the potties. I have two, but will go for more. Understanding the board rules: Some people make certain food for ferrets that makes them act sluggish, like when a human takes ambien. They sleep a lot and won't play tag or just lay down after wandering around. I had switched back to this food, because I thought it was better-I am a first time ferent. I can understand their reasoning, but it's scary how different he is acting. The stores are closed, but I am changing him to the other/raw as of tomorrow. I like to play tag and ferretarobics. I laugh so hard, and he gets that goofy ferret laugh/happy face on. Thanks again I'll keep you posted.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2011 9:56:41 GMT -5
Ok I know ferrets are smart but I swear Artie was reading my post secretly as I wrote it because this morning he was jumping around and we played some tag, a little bit and I attack/you attack. It wasn't the full on Artie, but close enough. Now I am thoroughly confused. Any ideas?
|
|
|
Post by Jeremy's Boggle on Dec 31, 2011 15:14:52 GMT -5
Well I was leaning toward Jeremy being an only ferret but after reading this I think another one or two would be a good idea as we are out of the house at least two days a week. I'll have to wait for Petco to have some available because we don't qualify to adopt from any of the rescues here which are all at least 3 hours away.
|
|
|
Post by Heather on Dec 31, 2011 17:30:08 GMT -5
I am a new ferent of an only ferret; Artie. I have noticed his affinity for rubber. I think rubber has a texture that is really close to flesh. Once they learn the smell = this texture, then it's, "Game on!". Thanks for the hint about the potties. I have two, but will go for more. Understanding the board rules: Some people make certain food for ferrets that makes them act sluggish, like when a human takes ambien. They sleep a lot and won't play tag or just lay down after wandering around. I had switched back to this food, because I thought it was better-I am a first time ferent. I can understand their reasoning, but it's scary how different he is acting. The stores are closed, but I am changing him to the other/raw as of tomorrow. I like to play tag and ferretarobics. I laugh so hard, and he gets that goofy ferret laugh/happy face on. Thanks again I'll keep you posted. What food are we talking about here?? ciao
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2011 18:29:32 GMT -5
Well I was leaning toward Jeremy being an only ferret but after reading this I think another one or two would be a good idea as we are out of the house at least two days a week. I'll have to wait for Petco to have some available because we don't qualify to adopt from any of the rescues here which are all at least 3 hours away. At one point after I got my first ferret Mika I said the same thing, I was only going to have one (before getting the first I did decide I was going to eventually get 2 but had been beginning to change my mind). But when you see them sleep all alone and by themselves for such huge majorities of the day you can't help but feel bad (and sad). After a few months of this I broke down and I NEEDED another. Not just for Mika but for myself as well. It was an amazing decision, too. They look so loving and content piled together and sleeping. I'm glad I started with one though, as it helped me learn a lot about ferrets and how to take care of them before taking on multiples. I did separate a pair in the pet shop though that had been together for months, not realizing how bad it is to do that (the pet shop people were not ignorant to this fact). Mika was fine by it, but I'm not sure about the other one. I'm sure she was fine too. Either she got some new cage mates quickly, or was sold to a (hopefully) loving home. It seemed like the pet shop employees (almost all women) were really good to them and gave them lots of love.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2011 18:37:36 GMT -5
Artie is a Marshall ferret. When I got him I just grabbed a bag of fiesta max and gave it to him. He didn't even hesitate at the change in kibble. (I think it's ferret crack.) I started reading and thought I should change him back to Marshalls. That's when he slowed down, or calmed down. It was freaky. But I continued researching and now he is almost entirely on a frankenprey diet with 10 grains of kibble smooshed in. I am working on getting all the nutrients in now and in the correct proportions. He's still not the fiesta max Artie, but he does play a bunch more, but my hand can't take the toothmarks, so now I am looking for playmates in the area. If I can find some gloves that he likes, then at least we can play more.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2011 18:46:31 GMT -5
My ferret from a breeder, Sarah, gets bitey when she plays. I've found however that if I hold her back legs and tickle from one side to the other the side of her belly near the bottom she loves it. The catch is that she has to keep mouthing from side to side to try and reach my hand, and by the time she even comes close I'm already tickling her other side, making her swing that way. Thus, swing back and forth she does in a ticklish little play we do.
Every once and awhile if I'm not careful she'll catch my skin but for the most part it works really well. A lot of times now even when she does catch skin she knows to be gentle. Problems just arise because of how sharp her teeth are and even a light grab, if you pull back from it during play, can cause a bit of a skin rip.
|
|
|
Post by Sherry on Dec 31, 2011 19:19:32 GMT -5
He's still not the fiesta max Artie, That's likely because he's not getting all the sugar he was with that
|
|
|
Post by Heather on Dec 31, 2011 20:14:36 GMT -5
I've discovered that I can play with Minion by allowing him to climb into bedding or the heavy plastic bags that the litter comes in. I then tickle him through the bag or the bedding. By doing it this way, I don't get bit often and he's learning to play nicely. I can actually grab and tickle him (if I'm fast) and not get bit at all. ciao
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2012 2:04:05 GMT -5
I am really thinking of getting a buddy for Artie. I am just one person, (NOT A MACHINE...AARGH!!!!!) he is so sweet and a cutie, but he won't sleep on my lap-I think I move too much for him and he needs that ferret mish-mash to sleep in. I just do not want to screw up and neglect two ferrets when school starts again. Artie could deal with the extreme study time, but another little guy? What if he/she needs even more time and attention? I am seriously thinking of designating one of my rooms "Artie's room", just so he can goof off there and my living room may retain some semblance of order. It's been trashed since before last semester's finals. I have to get permission for another fuzzy, but for my edification. [glow=red,2,300]What is the best way to hedge my bet, on a buddy (if I can get one) that he will get along with and will get along with him. [/glow] Heather, I think Artie logs on to this site by himself or reads from a secret hidden camera behind me. He figured out the litter bag thing about the time you posted it. That fact makes it even funnier because from the moment I turn the computer on, he walks...no, stalks...off to play by himself and I may be assured of finding a statement of protest against the effect computers have on his human. All I see is his butt and tail with that slow, grumpy,"you suck", type of walk they do. Dolphins might be that smart, but they don't fit in an apartment very well.
|
|
|
Post by katt on Jan 10, 2012 3:11:25 GMT -5
Artie is a Marshall ferret. When I got him I just grabbed a bag of fiesta max and gave it to him. He didn't even hesitate at the change in kibble. (I think it's ferret crack.) I started reading and thought I should change him back to Marshalls. That's when he slowed down, or calmed down. It was freaky. But I continued researching and now he is almost entirely on a frankenprey diet with 10 grains of kibble smooshed in. I am working on getting all the nutrients in now and in the correct proportions. He's still not the fiesta max Artie, but he does play a bunch more, but my hand can't take the toothmarks, so now I am looking for playmates in the area. If I can find some gloves that he likes, then at least we can play more. I am glad that you have him switched over. If he is eating the meat you could probably forgo putting the kibble bits in there. As a note to any newcomers who may read this thread: No, you should definitely Not change him back to Marshalls. Probably the only kibbles worse than Marshalls are Fiesta and Wal-Mart. If you have to feed kibble, it should be a mix of high quality kibbles. There is a link somewhere with a list comparing kibbles...
|
|