From:
neinta@hotmail.com
Date: 2005-04-29 22:21:18 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] RE: Ferret Behavior, Stress and Depression
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <7887730.1114813278621.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
Ella, One of mine does a similar thing where he digs at the floor or tries to climb over any barriers. (I also have the dog/ferret problem, where the dog is just too big and too rough)
My boy likes long distance games. He likes to play chase and go for walks on a leash. He can't do those when the dog is out so he tends to dig and "beg" to get out even though they have an entire room. I find talking him for short walks outside helps a lot.
Also, remember that ferrets are curious and they want to know whats on the other side of a door or barrier. Sometimes my boy's curiosity can be appeased by carrying him into the room he tries to get into. When he sees there is no one there and nothing to play with, he usually settles down.
As for the biter, try using bitter apple (or something similar). If that doesn't work, give them something they can bite. I got some small stuffed animals for my biter. When she comes to bite my ankles (ferret way of saying look at me! give me attention!) I play with the stuffed animal and let her attack it. another option is using stuffed puppets that you can "wrestle" the ferret with the pupper, all the while protecting my hands.
I also agree with the others that they may just want more human attention.