From:
Mohr
Date: 2002-09-02 00:12:41 UTC
Subject: as long as integration is a subject...
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-Id: <5.1.0.14.0.20020901184606.00bb18c8@pop.central.cox.net>
...I have a behavioral situation that I'd like to ask opinions on. We
currently have four fuzzies -- two 6 year old litter-mates, both female, a
3 year old boy, and a 1 year old girl. The 3 year old boy's integration
was anti-climactic... everyone just sniffed him, shrugged their
metaphorical little ferret shoulders, he waddled right into the cage, and
that was that!
One of our 6 year olds, Gabrielle, is the "alpha" of the group, and has
been since we got her as a kit. What is very, very strange is that Carter,
our boy, will not accept B'Elanna, our 1 year old, at *all*. From the
moment he first saw her, he hated her. We tried various methods such as
switching bedding and cages, rearranging poop <g>, etc., etc., all to no
avail. B'Elanna wants nothing more than to play with *everybody*, be they
human, cat, or other ferret; she's a very happy and social little
one. Carter is just a big sweetie with us and the others, but will not
tolerate B'Elanna. I should mention she was the only addition after him,
and this was over a year ago.
So here is my dilemma. Carter is *big*, and he has very strong jaws. We
have been hesitant to pursue the issue very far for fear he could injure or
kill B'Elanna. He has clearly showed his intentions in the past by lunging
at her, trying to bite her, etc. Once I was holding each in one hand,
trying for the millionth time to get them to sniff each other, and Carter
lunged with no warning. I pulled B'Elanna away and Carter punctured the
heel of my hand instead, leaving two little vampire-like bleeding holes in
my hand. (I should add that he was *very* upset when he discovered that
he'd bitten me instead of her. He does *not* bite humans.)
This would not really be a big problem, except for the fact that both our 6
year olds are unwell and I don't know how much longer it will be until we
are down to two. (We have made the decision that two is all we can
realistically care for.) It would be very sad if we had two singles with
no companions other than the human kind. Having two playtimes, two cages,
and trying to give everyone enough attention is also twice as difficult
this way.
What are our chances of integration? Should we proceed, and if so, are
there any specific suggestions for this kind of situation? Or should we
give up, resign ourselves, and get a kitten for B'Elanna to play with
<g>? Any input is appreciated. :-)
-Natasha