From:
caitlynmaire@earthlink.net
Date: 2002-06-16 02:59:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Adding another ferret
On Sat, 15 Jun 2002 17:32:58 EDT
samigirl34@a... wrote:
> HMuddy is being so aggressive with her, to the point he is
> biting her on the neck and dragging her around on the floor until she
> is crying out. I know nothing about putting another ferret with one
> you already have. Is this normal behavior, is he going to kill her,
> or what?
Hi, Michelle,
This is normal dominance play. Muddy is identifying himself as the
dominant alpha mail, the ferret in charge. All ferret businesses have
pecking orders.
The general rule is "no blood, no foul". If Muddy doesn't break Nikki's
skin let them resolve this on their own. If he does, then you do need
to separate them and allow only limited interaction. Start taking the
bedding from one and give it to the other so that they get used to each
other. If it gets serious you might want to spray the back of Nikki's
neck with bitter apple so that it tastes bad to Muddy.
> I am
> freaking out and my husband says " oh they are o.k." lol but this
> doesn't seem normal. Muddy won't let her walk without pouncing on
> her.
If you don't let them work this out it will just continue on and on.
You need to let them solve their own issues *unless* blood is drawn.
When I first brought Podo and Kodo home I thought Tenchi (our dominant
alpha male) would terrorize them. Right now Podo and Tenchi are
sleeping together. Still, every so often, Tenchi needs to let the other
eight know who's boss. If he's not around Ayeka is in charge and makes
sure everyone knows it. It's all normal.
All the best,
Caity