From:
"Tressie"
Date: 2008-11-30 12:30:34 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Is there anyway to know if 2 ferrets are really fighting opr just playing?
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Congratulations on your new additions Veronica.
Hissing means annoyance, although some ferrets hiss regularly as part of
play. Ferrets do jump on one another in play. Mounting behaviour is a
different set of behaviours. However, might be good to rule out adrenal
disease IF he starts dragging her off and actually tries to mount her.
Neutered males that engage in sexual behaviours are displaying one of
the clinical symptoms of adrenal disease.
There are three things to look for in descented ferrets that will tell
you if the 'play' is too rough. If the attacked one poops/pees or if
blood is drawn. If no one is pooping or peeing and the bites are not
rough enough to draw blood (i.e., punctured skin) then they are just
working out their social order.
Now you don't mention how old they are or how long they were alone
before you got them. A ferret with a history of abuse will likely have
a number of social issues. A ferret that has been alone for more than 2
years will have a harder time integrating with others, some never do.
In both these cases I personally would do introductions more slowly and
not put the three of them together at the same time too soon.
If the sprite is running away from the big gib and hissing, she may need
more time to adjust to this new companion. Depends on her other
behaviours with him. Does she chase him? Good sign. If not, give them
more time before putting them together. A ferret that is too stressed
will develop ulcers.
If she gets along with the other male, this might be a better playmate
for her until things settle down. Having separate play groups for a
while may be the way to go.
Tressie
--- In ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com, "veronica.sell" <veronica.sell@...>
wrote:
>
> I've just adopted 3 ferrets, who all have a rough past,> The bigger of
the 2 males seems to fight the small female,(she is only
> half his size) She squeeks and hisses and mostly seems to just want to
> get away. He almost looks like he trying to mount her, everyone is
> fixed and descented.
>
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