Pet Information > ASK Experts > Exotic Pets > Ferrets > nippng ferret

nippng ferret

21 10:52:44

Question
"Trouble" was recently rescued from an owner that didn't have time for her,she was being kept in a small cage,and I don't think she got much attenton. Anyway,she's doing good ,she's soooo smart,and was somewhat easy to train,we've got her to stop nipping people&toes but we cannot get her to stop chomping on our pets.(2 dogs & a cat) They don't provoke her, they wll be just layin around and as soon as she sees them she runs right to'em and CHOMP! My cat is faster than her so the chase is on! which is funny,but my senior dog doesn't move very well let alone very fast so she growls but that doesn't stop Trouble. My other dog is scared to death of her he hides untill she finds him, then he growls and runs. He and the cat used to be best buds, now... well he sometiimes thinks the cat is the ferret and isn't very nice to him anymore. So I was hoping maybe you had some advice,We love our Trouble,but we need to restore the harmony with our other family members!
                        Thanks,
                              sandy Shands

Answer
Well, I think once she settle down it may be better with the cat and I allow my cats access to the ferret room.  On the other hand, dogs and ferret should never be left unsupervised since either one can do the other harm.  I might put the dogs in another room when the ferret is out playing.  It seems she is having a good time, but the dogs are not and could easily turn and hurt her.  One of the reasons cats and ferrets are Ok together is that they both hiss and therefore understand that sound.  Ferrets do not growl so that means nothing to them.