From:
littlemills97@aol.com
Date: 2005-09-18 15:19:07 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] RE: Bailey''''s gone...
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <6278953.1127070757680.JavaMail.nobody@magnesium.smartgroups.com>
When I first introduced Taz (a 4lb baby I got from Petco) to my 8month old Podo
(after she lost her older cage mate), there were dominance issues. He would drag
her across the floor but eventually it worked itself out. I would stop him from
dragging her by separating them and holding both of them in my arms next to each
other. Also, I did give them a bath to make sure they started out with same smell-
make sure you wash all the items in the cage to start with a fresh scent.
They eventually a two peas in a pod. When I introduced Chrissie (a very dominant
alhpa FEMALE- wow she was agressive), she did the same thing. I would stop the
across the floor dragging and hold themn in my arms- once in a while, even in my
arms Chrissie would try to attack- but I held them next to each other and jsut talked
to them both (sounds weird- but it worked eventually). Chrissie is still very
agressive in play, but when it gets to hard for the others, I separate (but never put
her in the cage).
Also, when I brough home Chrissie, Taz started to wag his tail. Chrissie is also a
wagger. I found that this a way to show excitement for them. When their tails start
wagging, they play like crazy. Tail wagging is a sign of dominance (and usually only
dominant, agressive ferrets show this sign). I find it funny to watch two ferrets at
different ends of a tube trying to show who is more dominant - but it is just a
playful thing.
Sid attacking while they're sleeping might be his way of saying "Get up, it is time to
play". Do you give them many hrs out of the cage. He might be bored?