Strange behavior after Phantom pregnancy....

[talomatonka]

So, I have two ferrets, Oz and Luna, both a year old. Oz got neutered and a few weeks later Luna broke out of her solitary to mate with him and it seemed to have worked, since she got bigger and all that stuff. So I sent her into solitary again after a while and she was a little more energetic then the internet said but I brushed it of with, she is young and she doesn't understand whatt her body wants. Or maybe she is just a little different.
Well turns out she just wasn't pregnant to begin with. Now during that time she started an OBSESSION with my ears. Like, really bad. She isn't playing anymore and always at my tail. If I'm sitting on the ground she'll charge at me and try to get to my ears anyway possible.
Climbing up my arms, my back, my chest or jumping from something that is the same high as my shoulders. 
It is not a bad bite. There is no blood or anything. But it starts hurting if she pulles enough or gets to them to often. Also she isn't playing with Oz anymore, but I would guess that is just because she is still somewhat in heat (she only got neutered a week ago(as soon as I knew there are no babys))
It's only my ears she likes, other peoples ears are just not interessting. 
If anyone can say something about it I would be really greatfull. <3

[mowliao]

Jill mothering instincts are STRONG. Post seasonal situations (mating with a vasectomised hob, jill jab, spay, implant, unsuccessful pregnancies) will almost certainly bring about phantom pregnancy behaviour. This is entirely normal.

It looks like she's decided you are one of her kits, which is hilarious, adorable and annoying. Her obsession with your ears is her mothering you, telling you to stop running around being independent, and trying to drag you back to her nest so you can be a good little kit who stays put. She's made it her full time job to be your parent.

Her instincts are clearly poorly aimed though - some jills will do this to other members of the business and/or toys they've decided are their kits. This year I had a situation where the victim ferret fought back because they'd had enough of the mothering which led to an eye injury so sometimes the motherly jill has to be separated.

It'll take a few months, about two or three, for her to slowly return to normal and feel like playing again. A hassle but it's part of nature. I'd look into getting her spayed so this doesn't happen again.

[talomatonka]

Thanks, I kind of thought it would be that. She also has a few other 'kits' I think. She loves some socks, a rubber clove and one of the stuffed animals. She always brings them back into the same box and doesn't want those things to leave. Glade I don't have to sit in that stupid box with my siblings
Glad to here it will be over with given time.
She's spayed know for around a week. ^^

[abbeytheferret6]

Hi Talomatomka welcome to the forum.
Glad there are some folks on forum that have experience with intact ferrets. Most ferrets around here are available at pet stores and are fixed.

She loves some socks, a rubber clove and one of the stuffed animals.

As far as collectibles, my boy likes stashing little cloth toys. Funny, I found a 4 inch mini roller nap in his clean potty yesterday. It was a cloth one--- no foam naps around as these can cause blockages. I would get rid of rubber glove if that is what you meant. Maybe exchange for a cloth one. I keep my phone up because of its rubber protector as I had a ferret who chewed mine. a I had to do the blockage protocol. Thankfully she passed the pieces. Not all at once which was scary as it made me wonder were there any more in intestines.

[talomatonka]

May 31, 2022 6:16:51 GMT -5 abbeytheferret6 said:

Glad there are some folks on forum that have experience with intact ferrets. Most ferrets around here are available at pet stores and are fixed.

I am from germany. There are no ferrets, no dogs, no cats at pet markets here (which I think is far better for the animals) I got them from some breeders a few hours away so from the beginning I put something in to get them. And I love them to pieces so thanks for the notice about the rubber glove. I didn't think about it and really had enough heartattacks with them already