Sudden Biting

Question
Hi!
I've recently started having problems (well one problem, a very painful problem!!) with my ferret. He's nearly 1 and I've had him since he was about 6 weeks. When he was little he started to bite, which I quickly taught him not to - with much success!! Since then he's mostly been great! Playful, inquisitive, friendly... all the things a good ferret is, with no biting. He's always been quite attached to me, following me around sleeping on my lap and always up for a cuddle, but still keen to go off and explore on his own. However, over the last few weeks he has become particularly attached, as soon as he is let out of his cage he is at my feet, licking them which leads to very hard biting, he's at my feet every step, biting as I walk, he won't let up and if I put them up out of reach, he'll try to jump for them. If I pick him up or pat him or put my hands anywhere near him it's the same thing with my hands. He is so different from how he was a few weeks ago. Normally he only makes his little ferret noise when he's really excited.... but now he continuously makes it as he chases and attacks me!! He's basically become clingy and aggressive. The only other time he bit was after I got back from a 4 week holiday and I put this down to missing me/retesting the boundaries as he soon went back to normal. He's always out of his cage when I am home and awake, which is a good 3 hour stint at night and 6+ hours in the morning most days. I give him plenty of attention, he's well fed, has plenty of things to play, with although he doesn't show much interest in toys but he's always playing with old newspapers or towels, boxes etc. I've tried scruffing him, time out, flick on the nose, not putting him down if I'm holding him, not picking him up if he's on the ground, even just completely ignoring him or full on play. But nothing is helping, he won't let go long enough for me to move!!
I'd love to know whats caused this change in behaviour and how I can stop it!! My only theory is that he could potentially be horny, is this possible? He is not desexed (neutered) and if I'm correct spring is the mating season (it's now spring!) and mating is quite violent involving a lot of biting. Things seem to add up. If this could be the reason, how long will this last? Will getting him desexed stop/prevent this from occurring?
I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my question, sorry its so long!! But I really want my loving little Tunza back!! Also are there any ways to stop them scratching things?
Thank you so much!!


Answer
Hello Zoe,

It sounds like your little guy is showing some sexual aggression.  Since he has not been neutered, his testosterone levels are undoubtly elevated.  This often causes abnormal aggression in animals, which is probably why you are seeing the odd behavior.  The breeding season is usually late winter-early spring, which will be the time when his hormone levels are at their peak.  Even during non-mating season, an un-neutered ferret may show aggression since he still has plenty of testosterone in his system.  

About all you can do is get an appointment to have him neutered.  It will take several weeks for the hormones to leave his body, but if that is what is causing the aggression then the problem will be solved.  Punnishing him will not help and might only escalate the habit since it is hormone driven.

Not all intact male ferrets show aggression.  It could be due to all sorts of medical conditions, so I would have your veterinarian take a peek.  However, your ferret is very young and just reached puberty.  My guess is your theory is correct and high testosterone levels are causing the aggressive behavor.

To answer your other question, ferrets are natural diggers.  It is instinct to tunnel and dig into anything and everything.  About all you can do is supply a large "sand-box" to provide a place for him to tunnel.  I use a large plastic contanger with high sides and a newspaper based cat litter.  Do not use clumping cat litter or wood chips.  These can cause serious upper respiratory problems.  

Please let me know how this turns out.  I am very curious to see if the aggression is related to his testosterone.  

Let me know if you have any other questions!

-Cindy P.