Strange Behavior?//Development

[eternirequiem]

Morning!

I had posted in another thread once upon a time about how my little princess and prince were coming along after a week or two in our care.

I have a boy and a girl coming up on 5 months of age, and I just wanted to check in to see everything is normal.

Tanner, my princess, still will poop nearly 100% of the time in the cage, and understands "go potty!" before letting her out. Even though she seems to try and "fake" it a couple times before going. Tail-up and everything. I'm wondering if it's because she's been eating her hair and it's making her constipated, though Been giving her a bit of laxative we got from the vet when we had a scare with Zachary, but I'm not sure how effective it is. Is this recommended for fur-ball-y stools?

Also, she had the audacity to come right up to me and look right up to me while I was sitting down in my chair and poop right in front of me. No corner, no nothing nearby. She really frustrates me since the boy will use the corner pans in the play room (or right next to the pan...) 100% of the time.

The real question sort of comes down to dominance/playfulness/etc:

The little boy (These are both MF ferrets so spayed/neutered) after a few weeks started displaying dominant behavior. I knew no blood, no poop, no worries. However he seems to interfere with EVERYTHING she does now. She'll hiss and give up right away, but he keeps on tackling her from behind and interrupt her when she tries to play with a toy, *when she tries to go to the bathroom or when I'm helping her use the correct spot*, and when they chase each other. She never seems to "attack" him back, and she has seemed to loose a lot of the spark she had when she got her. She used to be play-play-play-play NO SLEEP for the first two weeks, but ever since he became alpha-ferret she's reluctant to play with any toys or with us, and as soon as Zach joins the fray she backs wayyyyy off.

Is this normal? They still curl up together at night/day in the hammock, both use restroom in cage, every once in a while when they're sleepy I see them lick each other's ears (Well, not in a while come to think of it). So I'm assuming they've bonded... Although two weeks ago when we gave Zach the distemper shot he went into anaphalactic shock and she didn't seem to pay any mind he was vomiting and could hardly breathe when we rushed back to the vet. NOT a fun week let me tell you. No sleep for us! (He's okay!).

It just seems that Zach is running around, being more playful than ever, big shiny coat, put on some weight, is affectionate and more cuddly than Tanner, who is acting almost more like a cat. She doesn't like kisses (usually), doesn't typically like to be held as long as he does, is less willing to play, and likes to poop everywhere except where she's supposed to in the play area. I hear that's a sign that SHE'D be the alpha, but she's most certainly not when it comes to Zach or her daddies.

OH, one more question: Zach "speedbumps" a LOT. Is this normal? When he nibbles toes and we tell him NO and scruff/drag, he does it after that. But he also does it spontaneous in the middle of play, and also when he's "trying not to be seen" when he's about to pounce or when we walk by! I've never seen Tanner do this, and it's cute and funny but I'm a worried parent.

[Heather]

Sounds like you've got normal ferrets. Your wee boy is coming into himself and has decided he's dominant. He's going to lord over his little girlie until she cracks and beats the poop out of him (he hasn't figured out yet that the wee girlies actually call the shots). I've watched my wee girlies get dragged, stashed, stuffed, flattened by their male counterparts and then watched them turn the tables as quick as a blink. A lot of the time they just take it. I watched my wee Lady Natasha get blindsided in the sitting room. Boris then dragged her all the way down the hall (he stopped a couple of times to re-establish his grip), her laying there with her feet flipping around in the air, and her screaming obscenities at him (but she did nothing). The last I saw of her was when he dragged her under the bed. A few minutes later he's war dancing under the coffee table...by himself. The next thing I see is a white blur, hear a sickening smack as she broadsides him, pounds his head off the floor a few times for good measure, grabs him by the ear, drags him screaming obscenities (I think it was her actually they can do this with a mouthful) down the hall. Unlike him, she decided that took way too much energy and she just threw him down the stairs (he only bounced the first 3) She then war danced her way down the hall into the bedroom. Lady Natasha weighs just under 1lb, Boris isn't a big jib and weighs about two and a half pounds. Both are Marshals brats.
Your little girlie is doing just what they do....they give these wee tiny poops...everywhere and anywhere....she's marking turf. The whole using the litterbox or pretending ....she's just "foxing" They get really good at that ;D Especially if treats are offered for using the box. Little ladies also are too busy to snuggle, be handled a lot and expect you to understand. The boys are the snugglers. There are of course exceptions to the rule but that's normal for the wee girls.
Speedbumping is normal...they're thinking about what to do next It's when they get older and you may have issues with insulinoma that you start watching the speedbumping and the attitude and the number of speedbumps.
I'm sorry to hear about your episode with the vaccine. That isn't unusual and you do realise that he should never again have another vaccine right?
Enjoy your wee ones. If you find that your little girl starts hiding from her play partner then he's pushing things too hard and you may have to think of some tactics to prevent him from being so rough on her. At the moment though, it sounds like they're investigating how far they can push the boundaries (which by the way never stops ;D)
ciao

[eternirequiem]

Well, why would the non-dominant ferret (our female) be marking territory with her presents? Seems odd to me hahah, especially in the middle of the floor! Man. I hope I can help curb that behavior. My partner is actually getting very annoyed at her to the point of not wanting to let her out (Which he threatens but that ain't gunna happen )

Right now she seems to have some difficulty pooping on top of "foxing". A lot of the times I see her muscles squeezing, and with all of the hair in her stool I'm sure it's not for a lack of trying, at least! I've learned that "tail-up" for her means she's trying to go...for now. At least that helps when I'm trying to see in their dark cage!


It's good to know her ... ennui of toys is normal for a girl. It's just been my experience with pets that the females tend to be more cuddly, and it was really surprising that the reverse is true for ferrets! I only got worried because she used to have SO much energy, (All play, no sleep, always scratching/biting at cage even after hours of play) and now she doesn't seem to want to play much with us, no scratching/biting, etc. So as long as she's not avoiding Zach, the dominance thing isn't so bad, right?

Would it be a bad idea to try and play with her one-on-one? Zach is awake almost all the time when she is (but not vice versa), and I don't want him to feel bad. BECAUSE I LOVE MY LITTLE GUY

Oh, and uhm, what do ferrets mounting look like? Because it certainly seemed like Zach was trying. He sort of lept on top of... Then bit her neck. then proceeded to lick it, and then proceeded to lick at her privates-region. They're both fixed so I was a bit surprised by this.

[Heather]

Are you sure of their ages? I'm only asking as his behaviour reminds me of adrenal induced sexual aggression
ciao

[eternirequiem]

Yeah, aaaaaaaabsoooolutely positive, entire litter came in at the same time, have them registered for November 20th of this last year.

In fact, Zach was like, half the size of Tanner! She was the big tubby one, he was the runt! We never thought it'd end up this way for dominance.

I had heard back from a vet and they said that sometimes just going through puberty, even without his 'bits', they can sometimes get this way. Is this true? Anybody else had this sorta behavior?

[Deleted]

welp, yeah they can. Because what happens is that the "bits" are gone, but the adrenal gland keeps receiving the hormones. Thus, the adrenal receives but can't send it anywhere. Which causes an overdrive and creates adrenal disease in ferrets.

So can your ferrets feel hormones? Yes they can. Its the equivalent of a female getting her tubes tied (but doesnt mean she can't feel the..high...)

Its the best way i can explain it.

[Heather]

Oh, yes....he's most definitely going through his terrible teens I just wanted to make doubly sure that you did know his age. Often in the case of rescues people tell you they're a certain age but they've either messed up the time line or they're deliberately lying so you will adopt.
Yes, he's being a brat because it's spring, he's young and he's getting his first surge of hormones even though he doesn't have his manly bits. Your wee girlie.....you mention she has a lot of fur in her stools, are you giving her some ferret lax or pumpkin (I'm guessing you're feeding kibbles). She may have hairballs and needs to move them. You can use vaseline (white not yellow) and see if she will move these. She will block up if she can't so I would try seeing if she can give a good amount of stool in the litterbox. All ferrets fox, I've got a couple of boys who go through all the motions right to the stretching out and the butt wiggles, even the tail flick but nothing. They're good ;D If you think she's having problems going I would try the pumpkin (pure not pie filling)and the vaseline and see if things improve for her. If she's feeling off because of a hairball this would indeed affect her activity levels
ciao

[eternirequiem]

Oh good point, I forgot activity can have to to with passing.

She is still pooping, I'm giving her ferret lax yes. Also is on Kibble - Evo.

Whew, thank goodness all is for the most part well. thanks so much

Edit: Wait, vasoline? You have your ferrets consume that? I can't imagine. My girl HATES "treats", the only thing she likes is ferretVit, and it took me several days of mixing that with the laxative for her to finally take the laxative on its own. hahaha. Oh well, less sugars for her!

[Sherry]

In that case- it's a good time to start mixing some pure pumpkin with the vaseline. You can also try mixing the pumpkin with some extra virgin olive oil, and warming it slightly. That will frequently be what they need to start on it. Also, you can try just dabbing a bit on their nose over and over and over until they'll lick a wee bit from your finger. Wind up with giving them maybe 1/2 tsp a day each.

[cierva4]

This post is very relevant to my life right now! ;D Wheatley's been doing just that to my little Charlotte, and I was starting to worry about her. But within the past week or so she's really been fighting back! She can't drag him (he's about 1lb heavier), but she grabs his scruff, headbutts him and does her best to tackle and bite his ears! ;D The first time she really fought back her tail got bottle brushy, like she was getting a rush from beating him up! ;D

[eternirequiem]

Apr 12, 2012 0:59:34 GMT -5 Sherry said:

In that case- it's a good time to start mixing some pure pumpkin with the vaseline. You can also try mixing the pumpkin with some extra virgin olive oil, and warming it slightly. That will frequently be what they need to start on it. Also, you can try just dabbing a bit on their nose over and over and over until they'll lick a wee bit from your finger. Wind up with giving them maybe 1/2 tsp a day each.

I may have to still have a ratio to ferretVit:pumpkin till she eats the pumpkin by itself. It takes a while since I only will give her so much per day lol. By the time I get her to eat pumpkin then do the pumpkin+ Vaseline shedding season will be over

Come to think of it, when are spring/summer coats finished?
Our sable mask (Zach) looks gooooorgeous already, but our cinnamon princess's is not as sleek and shiny/soft as his.

It's cute watching them freak out about them itching and attacking at themselves thinking someone's poking them or something!

[Sherry]

It's a good idea to have them eating it regardless, even after shed is over. That way, if they eat something they shouldn't, or have some tummy troubles, they won't fight the pumpkin, since it will already be something they are used to.