Post by Deleted on Apr 10, 2011 17:11:03 GMT -5
So, I rescued Aveline about 2 weeks ago now. I gave her about a week to explore my bedroom on her own and kept her separated from my two kits until she was fully checked out by a vet.
This week I introduced her to my kits, Dexter and Trinity. I'm really confused about their behavior since then.
The first introduction I sat on the floor with them and was going to let them sniff each other out and just see how it went. Aveline really wanted nothing to do with the kits. They pounced on her and wanted to play and she just wanted nothing of it. She never fights back, just lays down and takes what ever nipping and pouncing the kits lay on her.
As the week progressed, it really seemed like she was warming up to Trinity. They would chase each other around, tackle, cuddle and sleep together in the cage.
She still wants nothing to do with Dexter. If he comes near her, she lays down on her back and just plays dead until he gets bored and wanders off.
The last 2 days, however, she's been doing the same thing to Trinity as well. When either of the kits come near her, she just lays down and plays dead until they leave her alone. Earlier today, Trinity and Aveline were on my bed.. Trinity pounced on Aveline and grabbed her scruff all in one swift motion, literally scaring the crap out of her.
Her previous owner kept her locked in a dog crate pretty much 24/7, so I know that she's not used to being able to get out and play. I also know that she's always been a single ferret so she's not used to being pounced on by others as well.
How should I handle this situation?
I'm trying to limit their playtime together to prevent Aveline from being overwhelmed, but I'm not sure how much is enough, or too much. She is still remembering how to play, much less play with others.
They seem fine in the cage together. They sleep and cuddle in a big ferret pile. It's just playtime that makes her anxious. Should I keep them in separate cages too? Should I just keep them fully separated and let her feel like she's an only ferret?
This week I introduced her to my kits, Dexter and Trinity. I'm really confused about their behavior since then.
The first introduction I sat on the floor with them and was going to let them sniff each other out and just see how it went. Aveline really wanted nothing to do with the kits. They pounced on her and wanted to play and she just wanted nothing of it. She never fights back, just lays down and takes what ever nipping and pouncing the kits lay on her.
As the week progressed, it really seemed like she was warming up to Trinity. They would chase each other around, tackle, cuddle and sleep together in the cage.
She still wants nothing to do with Dexter. If he comes near her, she lays down on her back and just plays dead until he gets bored and wanders off.
The last 2 days, however, she's been doing the same thing to Trinity as well. When either of the kits come near her, she just lays down and plays dead until they leave her alone. Earlier today, Trinity and Aveline were on my bed.. Trinity pounced on Aveline and grabbed her scruff all in one swift motion, literally scaring the crap out of her.
Her previous owner kept her locked in a dog crate pretty much 24/7, so I know that she's not used to being able to get out and play. I also know that she's always been a single ferret so she's not used to being pounced on by others as well.
How should I handle this situation?
I'm trying to limit their playtime together to prevent Aveline from being overwhelmed, but I'm not sure how much is enough, or too much. She is still remembering how to play, much less play with others.
They seem fine in the cage together. They sleep and cuddle in a big ferret pile. It's just playtime that makes her anxious. Should I keep them in separate cages too? Should I just keep them fully separated and let her feel like she's an only ferret?
Just give it time...
