Older Ferret Mean to New One

Question
QUESTION: Hi, We have two ferrets. The older one is Gus we got about a year and a half ago. He was always a little skittish and has bitten everyone who we let him near. He just seems to be a little on the temperamental side. Recently we decided that maybe he needed a friend so we got a new baby girl who we named Ema. Ema is only 4 months old and we have kept them separate for the last month. Every time we try to introduce them Gus goes for her like his life depends on it. He is very mean to her and she shakes with fear when he is around. Having two play times is hard and I was wondering if there was any advice you have for us on what we can do to help Gus be nice to little Ema. We are also new to the way ferrets play so we might be breaking them up too soon? How long should they get to interact and when should we intervene? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

ANSWER: Hi Melissa:

It is not at all unusual for ferrets to have some problems when they are first introduced. In the animal world, they must establish who is the "alpha" ferret - the boss.  Since Gus has been living in your home and is older and larger, he is trying to tell Ema what she must do to comply to his 'rules'.  Ema is in all new surroundings, not sure of anyone or anything....so it is normal for her to be "submissive" to Gus - to allow him to boss her around, rough her up, etc.  Ferrets DO play very hard - especially when establishing who is the alpha ferret.

There are, however, very definitive times to intervene. Most of the time, it is not necessary to intervene - but occasionally we will see ferrets who just don't like one another for some reason. In those cases, the playing can become serious and the two need to be separated.

The rule of thumb for when to intervene: "NO POOP, NO BLOOD, NO FOUL" - if you will just remember that, you will have it made.  

1. If the two are wrestling or rolling around, screeching and squealing....as long as the 'underdog' (the ferret who appears to be losing the fight) doesn't poop - do not intervene. If Ema is truly scared, she will start pooping when Gus attacks her. This is truly fear and you will need to find a way to introduce them more slowly and/or possibly accept the fact that they may never become good playmates. At any rate - if Ema poops while being attacked - intervene; remove her from the room so she feels safe, and comfort her.

2. If Gus bites Ema hard enough that she is bleeding (not just toothmarks on her skin as they have very very tough skin made for hard play), they need to be separated.  This is really not common, however there are times when an existing ferret is so spoiled and loved that he feels threatened by this new, cute little ferret and feels if he kills or injures it, he won't have to vie for your affections.  So - if you see blood, separate them (carefully - wear gloves if necessary) and keep them separated. Once they have battled so hard that blood has been drawn, you probably are not going to be able to have happy playtimes with these two ferrets. Not "normal", but occasionally happens.  

Ferrets are like people - some they like, others they tolerate, and some they just plain refuse to share space with.  For this reason, if at all possible, I always recommend that a person take the existing ferret along with them to the shelter or pet store to choose their companion.  Given a bit of time and observation, you will see that certain ferrets do get along with each other and seem almost drawn to each other.  It's always a possibility too, that if you've had a single ferret for a long time, he just may not be willing to share his space and his family with another ferret (refer to the above "No Poop, No Blood, No Foul" rule)....As long as you don't see poop (fear), or blood (too serious fighting), then in the ferret world, the ferret has caused 'no foul'...in other words, it's all fair play.

Ferrets who are playing usually bite the backs of a new ferret's neck, even their face! It's amazing how they seem to have a sense of what will establish their 'alpha' status, yet not hurt the other feret seriously. Sometimes it sounds like they are killing each other, as sounds add more "roar" to the message they are sending to the new ferret.

Do watch closely until you are sure they are playing well together; Do keep a pair of heavy gloves handy before you get them out to play, so you can grab them quickly just in case you need to separate the ferrets; do encourage "happy" play by providing them fun things to do together like chasing each other thu clear dryer hose tunnels (available on eBay), roll small crocheted plastic easter eggs or little balls with bells in them for them to chase, big cardboard boxes can be made into "mansions" for them to play in - be sure to cut out some doors and windows for them to peek in and out of - even a lightweight blanket or sheet ust tossed on the floor for them to chase each other around underneath is a fun thing for ferrets.  A Ferretone treat (about a teaspoonful dribbled on a plate) shared between the two is another good experience for them to share together.

Be sure you give one-on-one time to each ferret daily so neither feels like the other ferret is loved more..just like children, they do have feelings and can feel jealousy, love and should enjoy life more with a playmate once the excitement settles down a bit.

Best of luck - don't hesitate to write again if I can help.

Sincerely,

Jacquie Rodgers

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

QUESTION: Thank you so much for your reply.  I guess the problem is the whole "NO POOP, NO BLOOD, NO FOUL" rule.  Every time they are together, Gus attacks full force and she poops.  It has been some months now, and things are not getting better.  The one thing that seems to work is putting them in and empty bath tub with toys.  For a while, Gus sticks to his end, and Emma, the other.   Eventually though, he attacks.  Do you have any suggestions as to things we can do to help or not do so we don't make the situation worse.  We have them sleeping in cages next to each other, so they can get use to each others smell.  We let them investigate the others empty cage every now and then, as well as switch some betting once in a while.  Any other tips would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
Hi Melissa:

It sounds like Ema is truly afraid of Gus....i.e., the pooping when he attacks her. You've been doing the right things for a long time now and you are at the point that you may have to accept the fact that they are never going to be 'buddies'.  Just like with people, some ferrets just do not like other ferrets.  It could be because of jealousy or just that Gus doesn't like the way she smells and it sounds like Ema is truly afraid of him, so you don't want to keep traumatizing her by putting the two of them together every time she is out to play.

You have done all the right things - switching bedding, cages next to each other, letting them explore each other's cages, etc.  Unfortunately, it may be time to accept the inevitable and let them have separate play times. This is so sad, especially when people get another ferret thinking that they are giving existing ferret(s) a playmate.

I highly recommend that folks take any existing ferrets with them when purchasing another ferret.  Just like people, they will make it obvious that they like some ferrets and just don't like other ones. It's always best to let them choose their buddies.  I'm sorry - wish I had better news.  If Ema is pooping when Gus attacks her, it's really not good to continue traumatizing her by letting them out to play at the same time.

Wish I could give you better news :-(

Sincerely,

Jacquie Rodgers