Should I get a new ferret?

[Deleted]

I just lost my baby, Walter. Jesse was there when it happened so I know he has accepted it and he knows he is gone. He seems a little sad, he stays in my arms a little longer and licks me more. He is eating and playing fine..Note this did just happen yesterday.. My first instinct was to get a new ferret, and I did end up going to look at some while I was at the shelter today with Jesse getting his glucose checked. The thing is, Walter was the only one he got along with while he was at the shelter, Mary, the woman who runs the shelter said that he fought with all the rest of them. We put him in a playpen with another boy, he was one and Jesse is three. They smelled eachother, Jesse licked the back of his neck, and then I took him away and put him back and then Jesse started biting the back of his neck..Should I give this time? I just really really dont want Jesse alone, and I know walter will never ever be replaced.. But I just cant stand the thought of Jesse being by himself.. And I loved having two ferrets...Should i wait?

[unclejoe]

Is there only one ferret available at the shelter? I would suggest finding an older ferret rather than getting a kit from a pet store. Jesse could hit it off with a kit, but if not, he'd be much bigger and could hurt the little one. That said, he may find one at the store that he likes. And lately, the kits I've seen in stores are a lot bigger than the most recent ones I got at Petco a year and a half ago.

I had no troubles introducing any ferrets to my existing group for some time, but when there was a gap of 2 years between intros, there was a lot of friction. (not the petco ones, but Dar's) You're doing the right thing by bringing Jesse along to pick his new roomie. Keep trying. I think they are much happier with a buddy.

[Deleted]

She has about 20 ferrets at the shelter. We only put him in with one and didn't try any others. The one year old was even a little bigger than Jesse! Jesse likes to instigate fights and I was thinking would it be better to get one that liked to play fight? I just don't know!

[Sherry]

Honestly? Let him decide if he wants a playmate. Some do- and some never do.

[katt]

He may just need a little time too. He may never accept a new playmate, or he might just need some times to grieve first. Every ferret is different.

[Deleted]

I mean how do I know? I know this night seem like a silly question. But Jesse would aaaalways pick on Walter. I
I really think that's just how he plays. He's more rough. Because even when I play with him he like to bite my feet pretty hard.(Walter would always bite so gently...I'm sorry I just miss him so much.. ) anyways.. How will I know if he's ready or if he just would really rather be alone!? I just
Liked having two because if I was busy I could just let them both out an I know they could occupy themselves for a bit until I was able to play...

[Deleted]

Sorry to hear about your Walter. Thoughts are with you and Jesse.

Ultimately I think, like Sherry said, every ferret is different. If Jesse is showing no signs of upset, such as not eating, going potty in his bedding or acting depressed or angry, he probably does not *need* a new friend and may be coping well on his own for now. You know him better than anyone else, so keep an eye out for signs of upset.

On the other hand, if *you* want another ferret, then it's worth it to take Jesse to meet new friends and see how he feels. Some of them do play rough but "no poop, no pee, no blood - no foul", right? This may be a way for him to assert dominance with a new friend. It is normal and natural. Just keep an eye on it and be sure he does not seem to be wanting to hurt them. If he is, separate them immediately and give him a couple of weeks or months to get used to being on his own a little. Keep an eye out for signs of upset. And then if all is well, try the process again. You might want to try offering some rescue remedy before a meeting to help him stay calm as well.

[Deleted]

Yeah I think he is really just trying to show his dominance. Jesse is fine so far, its just I would really like to get a second. I feel awful because I know the new one will not be anything like Walter...But I think it'd be nice for Jesse to have another companion. When he was with the ferret in the pen, his tail didn't pouf up at all, and there was no hissing. Jesse just went right for the back of his neck.

[Deleted]

When I lost my Ponce, I thought I would grieve for quite awhile. I did grieve and still do, but suddenly there was Roamy and Juliet, who needed a home. It seems like quite often, after we lose someone, especially a heart ferret, that we find someone else put right into our path. I like to believe that our little ones over on the bridge, send them to us, as a way to ease our grief.

Keep your eyes and your heart open and Walter just may guide someone, who needs you and Jesse into your path.

[Deleted]

I really hope so. I'm trying to look at it as a positive, maybe he had to go because another ferret was meant to come here.. I hope so! I hope there's some sort of positive out of this horrible situation..

[Deleted]

Jesses not even going in his cage now he just wants to get out of his room and go somewhere else. And he's laying on the couch right next to the door, I've never see pn him do that before. I just wish there was a right answer.

[katt]

There is often a delay before grief sets in. A denial phase if you will. Honestly I almost always (the exception being ferrets who simply will not ever accept a new friend) advocate a new friend for single ferrets facing a loss, and it often helps the humans involved as well. Flow your heart though. I think that more often than not the ferrets choose you, not the other way around. I'm sorry that you have to deal with this loss.