New Ferret, Fighting or Playing???

Question
We recently got a new ferret! We have one who is about a year old and one who is a kit, about 2 months old. Both are males and fixed. The older one seems like he is being so mean to the kit, grabbing him by the scruff and throat and dragging him around. I have read this is a sign of dominance. How long will this behavior last? Is there anything I can do to change this? And should I be worried they won't ever get along?

Answer
Dear Arienne:

First let me apologize, I just now received your question!  I don't know how, but somehow questions were not getting forwarded to me.

As far as what you are describing, I would consider this normal play and dominance establishment.  The general rule in whether or not to allow the behavior to continue is this:  "NO BLOOD, NO POOP, NO FOUL", which means as long as the underdog does not poop while being picked on (which means true FEAR), or you do not see any blood from where he is getting bit, it is considered normal.  Ferrets do play very rough with one another and sometimes it looks like fighting, with screaming, nips, wrestling, etc.  As your little ones grows, he will be wrestling right back and they will have a great time....its just ferret play unless you see poop or blood.

I would like to invite you to join my Facebook ferret group called THUNDERING FERRET PAWS where we exchange stories, pictures and experience and advice is always just minutes away instead of having to wait for the Experts system to process it to me.  Hope to see you there!

Sincerely,

Jacquie Rodgers