From:
autumn_whispers2me
Date: 2005-04-29 02:35:04 UTC
Subject: Ferret Behavior, Stress and Depression
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <2145913.1114748213939.JavaMail.nobody@chromium.smartgroups.com>
Hi everyone:
I have four ferrets, two around 1yr, two around 2.5 years, 2 males, 2 females. One
of them had ulcer problems, but we think he's doing pretty well now except for
being fat and still on chicken gravy.
My problem is this: We live in a very small apartment and have two dogs. The
ferrets don't get free roam of the apartment because it wouldn't be safe for them, so
we turned our very small dining room into a 'ferret room.' We've noticed lately,
though, that a couple of things are happening, and going through Boo-Boo's ulcer
nightmare we worry stress or maybe depression could cause problems with the
others, and we don't want them sick or unhappy. So we really need some advice on
the behaviors we're seeing:
They pitch a pretty good fit to get out of their cage (pretty large, 1 full level, 4
partial levels), and they get to play in the dining room as much and as long as they
want. Thing is, they get really want out of the cage, so we put them in the dining
room to play, but sometimes they're not in there but a few minutes and they're
scratching and banging on the baby doors (covered with plexiglass) to get out (two
of them especially do this). Or, they 'skin rug' on the floor like they're bored or
depressed. But if I put them back in the cage, they do the same thing.
Inside the dining room is a baby pool filled with shredded paper for them to burrow,
wrestle and play in, Funnels tubes, a cardboard box (they love those things) stuffed
with a few old sweatshirts to burrow, play or lay in, food, water, litter pan (they
prefer the floor 99.99999% of the time, however, and toys. I also have a rice dig
box I break out at times for them to play in.
the room is very small, and one of the girls is a biter (we think she was abused at
the pet store because she was very afraid of us/people when we got her) when she's
scared, irritated, or when she feels someone is invading her space. I don't get much
of an opportunity to play with them while they're in that room except from the
doorway... because Peanut will bite my ankles, although she's sweet to me otherwise
(scruffing is a BAD idea with this one and how I got bit the first time).
So what can we do to make them happier??? I don't want them bored, sad,
depressed, stressed or upset... I want them to be happy. And I know others who
have a 'ferret room' and theirs don't get this bored or upset because they're in there.
What could be wrong? What can we do?
I feel so guilty when I see them like this, although they do have their days when they
play and romp and dook and wrestle---being the sillies that they are. I just don't
know what to do. Tocho is a digger (food digger, water digger lol), and Boo-Boo
used to be before he got ulcers and began eating gravy. But Tocho will now go to
the food dish and dig out all the food (in the ferret room or cage either one), then
just walk away as if he were just doing it to show me he's not happy with me.
Sorry this post is so long, but I want my little guys to be happy. Any advice would
be great.
thanks.
Ella, Pixie, Boo-Boo, Peanut, and Tocho