From:
J Clark
Date: 2011-07-30 14:17:00 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Introducing new ferret
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
In our history of adopting and rescuing ferrets of all ages, my experience has taught me that older ferrets and really young ones usually don't get along. We have 2 elders and the boy is so gentle and mellow but the 2 new, sweet girls have been super aggressive towards him for almost a year now.  The most recent young male also has the same reaction to our older ones....like they have something to prove.
I would say adopting an older ferret would be the way to go for companionship for most animals when a mate has passed.Â
Best of luck for you both.... : )
--- On Sat, 7/30/11, muirfield2001 <lisaatty@aol.com> wrote:
From: muirfield2001 <lisaatty@aol.com>
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Â
My beautiful ferret Clementine passed away two weeks ago, leaving my remaining ferret Bridget, who is almost seven. She and Clemy were a bonded pair of the same age. Bridget is a healthy girl, but she was acting depressed so I quickly went to Petco to get her a new friend. Lexie is an almost five month old girl. I introduced them gradually, swapping bedding, etc. When I try to let them play together (I have had Lexie for almost two weeks), Lexie continually attacks Bridget with very aggressive behavior. This upsets Bridget, who plays dead or tries to hide. My reading tells me not to break up the "fights" unless blood is drawn, but I can't just sit by and watch Lexie make my older Bridget cry out and be attacked. Now I keep them in separate parts of my large six level cage and they each get separate playtime and a small amount of supervised time out together, in which I end up always having to pull Lexie off of Bridget. I got Lexie in order
to give Bridget a friend, but it is not turning out that way. Lexie is otherwise a fun, nice and affectionate ferret to humans. Since getting Lexie, I have read that it is better to introduce a boy to a girl, but I didn't realize that at the time. At the time, I was also unsure as to whether to get a young ferret or an older one as a companion to Bridget. I had received some advice to get a young one so the new ferret would be able to bond with Bridget. Does anyone have any advise? Thank you.
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