izzy
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Posts: 5
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Post by izzy on May 28, 2020 22:25:50 GMT -5
Hello, I'm new and in desperate need of help. I've reached out all across the internet just hoping for some help or advice. I recently adopted a male ferret (3 1/2) and have been trying to introduce him to my female (5). Yes I understand shes older so I'm being patient. It's been 5 days so here's the basic break down to what happened in that short span. First 2 days: shes not curious and hides. Just stares as the new male explores. Last 3 days up to now: she is mean and aggressive. She repeatedly goes to bite for his butt above his tail and leaves red marks. I've tried different locations, outside, distractions, treats, you name it!! Everytime she bites he squeaks so I seperate for a couple hours and try again for a few minutes. I just want to know if theres any advice for me or if I just need to give them more time. I understand shes older so of course I'm being very patient. I'm looking to see if anyone can tell me if I should do something different or if I should continue this way. I dont know if separating them will just encourage this behavior as she just gets what she wants which is for him to go away. These are my first ferrets, I've only ever had dogs before so I dont know what training methods work as their different species with different temperaments. Thanks so much in advance for any help!!
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Post by Corvidophile on May 29, 2020 8:04:28 GMT -5
The squeaking is sad, but permissible. They need to establish who’s who. The general rule of ferret introductions is to leave them to roughhouse as long as there’s no bleeding or pooping out of fear. Also, have you been exchanging bedding? Sometimes that helps. Another trick is to bathe them together so they smell more similar.
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izzy
New member
Posts: 5
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Post by izzy on May 29, 2020 8:39:00 GMT -5
The squeaking is sad, but permissible. They need to establish who’s who. The general rule of ferret introductions is to leave them to roughhouse as long as there’s no bleeding or pooping out of fear. Also, have you been exchanging bedding? Sometimes that helps. Another trick is to bathe them together so they smell more similar. Okay I see. I'm just sort of stuck on knowing whether or not I should intervene in those moments. It's a bit too grey, I literally need it explained in black and white. She bites hard enough that she has left marks on his rump, is that bad? Also his behavior will shift from "I wanna approach you and sniff you" to "holy crap, it's the she - devil!" before she even attacks. She doesn't always go for him, sometimes she'll just stand and do the ferret equivalent of a glare. This seems to make him nervous so he'll kinda walk around her, walk away to try and avoid her, stuff like that. He hasn't pooped when he get attacked, just the first 2 times, since then no poop or anything. I did the bedding the first 2 days. I'm trying it again with new, freshly cleaned, bedding. Just to see if that makes a difference. I'm leaving it a couple days before I switch them out. The bathing I may leave for maybe a couple weeks or months later. The new guy was FILTHY I had to give him a bath upon bringing him home. He left the water really gross I felt so bad so I just wanted him to get clean. My girl also had her bath several months ago (between February and March). I do give her just a yearly bath, 2 at the most. Thanks so much for the reply!!
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Post by caitmonster on May 29, 2020 9:46:05 GMT -5
It can take time for them to adjust to each other; it sounds like you're doing everything right. It took my old girl 2 months to finally relax and start playing with the newbie I had brought home. In the mean time I had to orchestrate separate play times, since she would bite onto him and not let go, and just let them sniff each other through pet gates or their cages.
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Post by Corvidophile on May 29, 2020 10:33:27 GMT -5
Try not intervening and see how far their scuffle goes, it may break off after a few minutes. She wants to solidly kick his butt but that doesn’t necessarily mean that she’ll injure him. Just be prepared to stop them again if it does get more violent.
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izzy
New member
Posts: 5
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Post by izzy on May 29, 2020 18:38:51 GMT -5
It can take time for them to adjust to each other; it sounds like you're doing everything right. It took my old girl 2 months to finally relax and start playing with the newbie I had brought home. In the mean time I had to orchestrate separate play times, since she would bite onto him and not let go, and just let them sniff each other through pet gates or their cages. Thanks so much! I'll keep it up then and hopefully she comes around. I was just having some doubts since a lot of the videos I found were way different from what my situation was like.
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izzy
New member
Posts: 5
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Post by izzy on May 29, 2020 18:45:07 GMT -5
Try not intervening and see how far their scuffle goes, it may break off after a few minutes. She wants to solidly kick his butt but that doesn’t necessarily mean that she’ll injure him. Just be prepared to stop them again if it does get more violent. Ok, I'll do that next time! Is it okay if he doesnt fight back though? Not sure if that means something. She bites but doesn't latch on it seems. And he just runs off without putting up much of a fight besides screaming at her and wiggling away from her teeth. A few times she'll go for another chomp other times she leaves too. I've set up a way for now for them to just see and sniff each other without really being able to be near each other. Hopefully that familiarizes them with each others presence and smell. Fingers crossed!! 🤞
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Post by Corvidophile on May 29, 2020 19:08:10 GMT -5
It’s ok if he doesn’t fight back, yeah. Letting them occupy a space together with a barrier is also good.
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izzy
New member
Posts: 5
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Post by izzy on May 29, 2020 23:25:13 GMT -5
It’s ok if he doesn’t fight back, yeah. Letting them occupy a space together with a barrier is also good. Awesome!! Thanks so much!! I really appreciate the help!!
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