biting its cage

Question
QUESTION: i recently got a ferret that was dropped off at our pet hospital and i got him a cage 48x18x24, no multi levels just a nice hamack and litter box with some toys in it. anyways iv had him for a week now and when ever he wants out to play he bites, and scratches at the cage extremely hard. im worried that he will eventually pull a claw or tooth out. what can i do to stop this behavior.

ANSWER: Hi Brooke:

It sounds like maybe you got a ferret without researching them really thoroughly first?  I'm glad you 'rescued' him, but you need to be sure that you are not just 'holding him captive'.  He is biting at the cage because ferrets need to play OUT OF THE CAGE at least 3-4 hours a day when young, 2-3 hours a day when older.  This needs to be in a 'ferretproofed' area and you need to supervise the play and play with him.  It is very mean to a ferret to keep them caged up without human interraction. They will bite the cage until they lose a tooth or damage the cage, because they need to be OUT and he's trying to tell you that he hasn't been out enough. When he has been out long enough, he will go back into his hammock himself usually. He needs toys OUTSIDE OF THE CAGE that he can play WITH YOU - such as a clear dryer hose, cat tunnel, even clean cardboard boxes put together to make tunnels and little houses is fun for them to 'explore' in.  He needs to have his back scritched and be able to run and play, chase you and you chase him.

I think you need some real basic ferret information. I would strongly recommend the book: FERRETS FOR DUMMIES by Kim Schilling, or you can start to read NOW at:

http://www.ferretcentral.org

Click on "FAQ's", then just start reading. It will tell you all about ferrets, what toys and games he will like, how to care for him properly.

I recommend you do this TODAY.  If your schedule won't allow at least 3 hours a day to play with your ferret OUT of the cage, please, please take it back to the animal hospital so he can get a home with someone who knows about ferrets??  If you can't become that person who knows about ferrets, then give him the chance to have a really good home??  

I have heard of ferrets pulling out toe nails (especially if they aren't properly trimmed) and even teeth when they are caged too long and don't get out to play.  Ferrets are one pet that it is very very cruel to keep him locked in a cage. He must be out PLAYING, SUPERVISED (SO HE DOESN'T GET INTO THINGS THAT WILL MAKE HIM SICK OR KILL HIM), EVERY DAY for AT LEAST 3 HOURS.  Once he is out enough, you will find that he will settle right down and be the sweet pet you want him to be....be he does take care. And be SURE he has clean food, fresh water every day, and a clean litterbox (they often won't use the litterbox if it is not clean).

Please, please.....He is trying SO hard to tell you:  "PLEASE LET ME OUT TO PLAY, LEARN ABOUT ME, AND LOVE ME?   IF YOU CAN'T, THEN GIVE ME TO SOMEONE WHO WILL? I DON'T GET TO LIVE VERY LONG AND I MUST PLAY VERY VERY HARD EVERY SINGLE DAY TO MAKE MY LIFE FUN IN THE LITTLE TIME I HAVE."

Sincerely,

Jacquie Rodgers

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: i did read up on ferrets the day i got him and my boyfriend and i play with him for at least 2 hrs and then let him roam around the ferret proof room for about another 3 hrs. im sorry i cant physically play with him for 3 hrs striaght everyday, but i have set up numerous obstacle for him to rumage through. in fact it was my birthday today so i was unable to let him out for more than 2 hrs so when i came home i let him out more, hence the reason i am up at 3am. all i really wanted was a simple answer to my question and i was a little offended when you just assumed i kept my pet locked up all day in a tiny cage, i mean, i do work at an animal hospital!

Answer
Hi Brooke:

I'm so sorry, I certainly didn't mean to offend you. I'm glad you told me tho, so I can apologize to you. I know you have a big heart, or you wouldn't have taken this little one home.

Unfortunately, no matter how large a cage is or how many play things are in it, the ferret just won't be interested in it if someone doesn't sit down and interact with him.

If your ferret continues to bite the cage, or gives up and becomes suddenly quiet and depressed, please know that is his way of telling you that if his social needs are not met. He will become a very angry, very destructive little ferret that nobody wants. I have seen this happen to too many ferrets and it's so very sad. I'm sure you have encountered pets with this problem in your practice at the animal clinic, so I hope you can understand my concern.

Best of luck - if there's anything I can do to help, please let me know. I will give you several lists of ferret shelters - hopefully one in your area that can help you place this little one in a good home, or work with you to help find a way to fit him better into your daily schedule.

SHELTERS - CANADA, GERMANY, NEW ZEALAND
 * http://www.ferretfacts.com/ferret-shelter-directory-international-ferret-shelter

SHELTERS/RESCUES - UK (ENGLAND)
* http://www.everythingferret.com/ferret_shelters.htm
* http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ferreter/ferretrescues.htm
* http://www.ferretfacts.com/ferret-shelter-directory-international-ferret-shelter

SHELTERS/RESCUES - U.S.
* http://www.ferret.org/links/shelters.shtm
* http://www.everythingferret.com/ferret_shelters.htm
* http://groups.msn.com/Ferret/yourwebpage5.msnw
* http://www.ferretcentral.org/for-others/db-products.html
* http://www.ferretfacts.com/ferret-shelter-directory-us-ferret-shelters.html

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your little one. I know this is a difficult time for you; just know that it is very difficult for him too.

Sincerely,

Jacquie Rodgers