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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2012 15:15:37 GMT -5
Sometimes Artie is just not the playful fuzz he used to be. I don't know if he's bored, depressed or there's something physically wrong with him. Does jealousy or being the physically weaker fert do this? He's the brainiac of my two furkids, so I don't know.
He resists being picked up more than he used to. Sometimes he will just lay there and it looks like he's tired, but when I come closer to look at him, he just looks miserable. Or maybe I am just not doing the right things? Then again, when I move things around or get ready to take out the trash, or clean a room, then he's all over it and looks happy as a clam.
I've tried doing the old playing/wrestling with the hand but he just doesn't respond, then again I taught him that I wanted to play with less holes put in my skin, so maybe he's out of options with wrestling.
I don't know. Any cues for behaviour? I'm not looking for certainties, just higher percentage chances.
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Post by unclejoe on May 12, 2012 15:21:38 GMT -5
try taking him with you when you take out the trash. on a lead, of course. I've started doing it with Jaffa and he's a bit less aggressive towards the others. I take him on short errands in the car sometimes, and let him walk to the car. they like any new experiences.
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Post by Deleted on May 12, 2012 15:24:03 GMT -5
I am having the same problems with one of my babies. Really all of then are a bit bored it seems but one in particular seems worse off. Emmett, also my smartest fert, seems bored almost all of the time now except for when I open a door to an off limits room or am going outside, then he flies to follow. I keepb trying new games and new toys but he just gets bored so easy now that nothing keeps his attention for long, except of course for the off limits things.
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Post by Heather on May 12, 2012 17:21:13 GMT -5
Smart ferrets require constant stimulation. The whole taking out the trash is something different, something exciting and new. These ferrets require constant changes to their environment. I've had a number like this and just roaming the ferret room isn't enough to stimulate their thought process. They need puzzles, changes of smells (use some vanilla flavouring to change the smell of toys), they need their tunnels to be changed, dig boxes with different types of fillings, dirt, rice, stones, marbles, beans to name a few contents. Change them up, take some toys away and bring out different ones. Play different games. I managed to get a cat toy that was a thick clove with different "attachments" on each of the fingers. It not only allowed various games of chase and steal (each one of the toys had a retractable elastic on the fingers) because of the thickness of the glove I could play some really rough games of bite and chew with my hard core biters. Check out boxes, cut holes in them, attach them, make some of the holes only large enough for them to stick their nose out while others large enough to just fit their bodies. Keep windows or flaps on all these so they have to work out ways to get in.
These are a few of methods that I use to stimulate my wee ones. They don't have to be expensive, just make them think
ciao
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Post by kpaz on May 12, 2012 18:13:56 GMT -5
Yes, I make sets of little castles with cardboard shoe boxes, cereal boxes, soda pop boxes, etc. Every two weeks I rearrange them, flip them upside down, and move them around the room. I also let them get the mail and take out the trash with me. If I don't have time to put a harness on them I'll just carry them (I rotate between who goes out so it's even). They still get to look around, smell the air, sniff the mail, etc. It's always a bonus if a car drives by  I also fill up old prescription bottles with different items so they make different noises. Ellie is really smart, she needs a lot of stimulation or she gets destructive. She'll start finding ways to climb things, pushing boxes off shelves so they break open and forages through the stuff. You just have to get really creative if possible |
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Post by Deleted on May 13, 2012 23:34:59 GMT -5
Thanks everone! That was the prescription we needed. Just more new stuff and attention from momma. He's such a smart boy-I'm doomed.  |
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Post by Deleted on May 14, 2012 17:11:30 GMT -5
This thread is a blessing. I am feeling like both of my ferrets are bored with me! I guess I've gotta stop taking all their toys out at once Off to the drawing bored for my two geniuses! |
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Post by Sherry on May 14, 2012 18:41:45 GMT -5
Holtzchick- get yourself two bins, and do a weekly, or biweekly rotation for the toys. When you do the cage cleaning, pick up most of the toys that are out, and swap them with the second bin, then the third bin. Keeps things fresher. Also, switch things up for them. A tube in a brand new place is a brand new toy ;D
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Post by Deleted on May 14, 2012 18:49:19 GMT -5
Thanks! I need to start buying them MORE toys in that case. I`ve been planning on rotating, I just find I THINK they have a lack of toys. Hmmm.... I think I will go to the dollar store and just spend like $50 on little gadgets that will keep them busy until I can acquire lots of other `big` ferret toys.
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Post by Sherry on May 14, 2012 18:59:59 GMT -5
Why not do some of those "fake eggs" Jennifer posted about in the enrichment section  |
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Post by kpaz on May 14, 2012 20:19:19 GMT -5
A tube in a brand new place is a brand new toy ;D This is so true! The easiest way to get them excited is to move the tunnel around and put it in a different location. A lot of things that you wouldn't think of as toys make for some good enrichment. If I buy a magazine, the second I crack it open Goomba is sliding all over it, flipping the pages with his nose, and trying to steal it away. Also, whenever I buy new clothes, I know I'm going to wash them before I wear them so I let the ferrets have a go with them first. Goomba and Ellie will tunnel through it, roll and rub their bodies all over it, and Pippin is always more interested in the new bag  |
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Post by Deleted on May 14, 2012 20:43:15 GMT -5
Thanks guys, seriously I have been VERY creative with my toys.
I started making those fake eggs ages ago, I`ve also just made rope sock toys, I`ve made castles and moved tubes, I even split their tube in half and moved it around that way. I make them toys all the time, I think my problem is I give them too many options! lol
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Post by nanners on May 17, 2012 12:20:53 GMT -5
I'm having the same issue with Mali. He's so bored and slightly getting over some depressive sickies. But the more I do with him like go for walks and try and make him play/try new things, the more he perks up and his eyes sparkle more.
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Post by Deleted on May 17, 2012 17:59:39 GMT -5
Ah I wish I could take my two outside! Everytime I put a harness on them, they act like I am torturing them or abusing them and I get weird stares in public (or it could just be two ferrets on a leash ). I have tried positive reinforcement but I think I will have to keep putting the harnesses on them until they get more comfortable with the feeling. |
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Post by Deleted on May 17, 2012 18:23:48 GMT -5
Just put it on and carry them when u go check the mail or take out the trash. Ferrets who actually walk on leads are kinda rare.
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