ferret urine

Question
Hi
Can you tell me why my jill drinks her own urine? I also know of a hob that does the same thing. Is she missing something in her diet, like salt?

Also the same ferret can be vicious at times. She's usually friendly, likes being cuddled and being played with, knowing how to use her mouth but not hurt. Then suddenly she'll give terrible bites (not just nips). Most often she just comes up and does it for no reason. Any suggestions? She's 3 years old, been neutered and I got her as a rescue at a few months old. She lives happily with a hob, but does not get on with other ferrets.

Hope you can help.
Thanks

Answer
Hello Liz,
Since you are referring to your ferrets as a "Jill" and a "Hob" then they are not spayed or neutered? If not, I would strongly recommend that be done as soon as possible.
If your female is NOT spayed, then please write me back, and I can give you more information or when to have her spayed, and why.
But, if they are both neutered/spayed (referred to as "Fixed") Then they are called a "Gib" (male) and
a "Sprite" (female).Most likely, since your female came from a rescue, she is spayed. So you won't have to worry.

Some ferrets will lick their own urine, and some will do this with other ferret's urine. It is not very common, and is more of a bad habit than anything else. It will not hurt them health wise, but the best thing to do is to litter train your ferrets, or use bedding/shavings in the cage if that's not possible to absorb the urine. Outside of the cage, just clean the urine up ASAP. I am not aware if anyone has found the reason why they do this. It is similair to "Coprophagia"  - (Eating Feces)in puppys.

Her hard nipping could simply be her testing you. A ferret should not be allowed to use their mouth/teeth on your skin under any circumstances. They cannot differentiate easily what YOU conceive as a soft bite VS. a hard bite. So nipping of any kind should be avoided. Most likely she is not being viscous, she is simply taking hard play up a notch. That is a common behavior in females.
Here is what you should do when playing/handling her:
To help with biting, buy "BITTER APPLE" OR
"BITTER LIME" spray at your local petstore. This comes in a green/white bottle, and is probably in the "dog training" section, as it is also used to keep dogs from chewing.

Spray it on your hands and fingers, and let it dry. When she bites you (even a soft bite) stick you finger in her mouth, and say "NO BITE!!!" ( FIRMLY) ... she will get a couple of tastes of the bitter, and a couple of head shakes and she will think twice. Keep this up every day until she turns away when you offer your finger, the PRAISE : "GOOD GIRL!
(Also, use this spray when you play with her, or "wrestle" with her ... do not allow biting even in play)
ONCE you have taught her not to bite, then give him a finger with "Ferretone," and teach him TO LICK it off. If she licks it off, say "GOOD GIRL"
If she bites, take it away immediately, and say "NO BITE!!"
and start over with the bitter apple. Ferrets are very intelligent animals, and she should learn quickly with patience.
PS ~ make sure you wash you hands after, because bitter apple can stay on your hands, and get in your eyes if you rub your eyes etc.
GOOD luck, and feel free to ask me any questions!
amy