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Help!!
Mar 29, 2011 8:27:43 GMT -4
Post by motherof2 on Mar 29, 2011 8:27:43 GMT -4
Our new little girl Ella is not getting along with our 2 ferrets we currently have. It has been about 2 weeks now and Ella did live with 4 other ferrets in her last home and got along great with them. She is currently housed separetely from my other 2 but when I let them out to play she will run and attack my 2 ferrets and it is an all out war!! Ferrets in a rolling frenzy with screeching like you wouldn't believe. It is very scary. We have to pull her off of Max and Annie. There have been no cuts on anyone yet as I check them very thoroughly and I am almost in tears because I am so scared that one of them is going to get hurt. Ella is quite a bit smaller than my 2 but boys can she handle her own. So now it has come to the point that Ella comes out for a little bit by herself and then goes back in her cage so that Max and Annie can get some time out of their cage. Ella is fine with our cats and dogs but for some reason she will attack the ferrets. My other 2 Max and Annie are fine with other ferrets and will play with them without fighting. It's just Ella. Any suggestions or ideas to make it a peaceful outing for them? I am desperate
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Help!!
Mar 29, 2011 10:37:27 GMT -4
Post by ohitslana on Mar 29, 2011 10:37:27 GMT -4
My understanding is that ferrets normally do this when they meet new ferrets as they are attempting to establish a pecking order. Intervening will only prolong the process as she will likely continue the behaviour. However, if she is drawing blood or causing the others to evacuate their bowels/bladder, you definitely should intervene and separate them. There are some times when ferrets just do not like each other. P.S. I found this link useful: www.everythingferret.com/ferret_introductions.htm
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Help!!
Mar 29, 2011 14:50:25 GMT -4
Post by Johnny and Demon on Mar 29, 2011 14:50:25 GMT -4
Demon was doing this with Johnny for the first weeks. After 2 months Johnny and Demon was sleeping together like they always knew each others. I agree with lana ; if there's no blood and if Annie and Max don't poop/pee out of fear when they see Ella, they are ok ! Ella is an alpha and she is simply showing her dominance. Times will tell you Demon still don't like the company of new ferrets (any new pets for that matter) and will show to anyone that he's the boss. Johnny is not an alpha at all and he will welcome new friends at anytime. Good luck !
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Help!!
Mar 30, 2011 19:38:54 GMT -4
Post by Tressie on Mar 30, 2011 19:38:54 GMT -4
It may take more time for Ella to get along with your two.
My personal view and experience is to proceed slowly rather than stressing everyone out unnecessarily by letting the fur fly. Ferrets are easily prone to developing ulcers if they get too stressed. An especially timid ferret can get one in a matter of days.
Right now it sounds like you have three stressed out ferrets and one very stressed human mom.
I would give it a break for a few days before trying again.
The good thing is that if she got along with 4 other ferrets then the likelihood that she'll get along with yours is high. Just slow things down.
Couple of questions to get a better view of the dynamics.... and to get inside her little head:
Does she immediately make a bee-line in attack mode as soon as her paws touch the floor? Like a torpedo??
Or do they sort of sniff one another and then she grabs a scruff and it begins??
Does she make a repetitive, high-pitched staccato dooking sound? That's an aggressive mode sound and not a very good sign that she'll get along. Its quite distinct. And I've never had a ferret who makes that sound end up getting along with the ferret he or she is sniffing or tracking.
Does she grab by the scruff,and shake the other ferret vigorously?
Or is it a grab and let go and lots of screaming and chasing?
Does she go for one more than the other?
Have either of yours pooped or peed when she's gone after them?
Keep it to separate play groups for now.
Tressie
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Help!!
Mar 31, 2011 7:58:31 GMT -4
Post by motherof2 on Mar 31, 2011 7:58:31 GMT -4
to answer your questions Tressie, yes once she sees them she bolts right after them and pounces right on one or the other and there is no catching her at that moment. She doesn't make any sounds when she is going after them. The only sounds that I hear from any of them is when they are in their rolling fight. She doesn't shake Max or Annie at all it is just screeching and rolling around in a tight ball over and over again. Max and Annie are trying to get away from her but she doesn't let go at all. She doesn't seem to favor one over the other when going after them. Neither Max or Annie have peed or pooped when Ella has gone after them. I am still keeping them separated because it stresses me out and really upsets me as I don't want either of them getting hurt. Ella will bite us too but only once she is out of the cage and we try to catch her to put her back in her cage. When we go to take her out of her cage, she is fine and doesn't bite us. She is quite the handful for such a little girl. Her looks are very deceiving......LOL
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Help!!
Mar 31, 2011 17:28:12 GMT -4
Post by Tressie on Mar 31, 2011 17:28:12 GMT -4
Well believe it or not your answers are hopeful that things will eventually work out!
If you are handling her a bit roughly when putting her away she is more likely to bite. Its understandable that you are anxious to stop the furry explosions and are picking her up in a hurry and in a stressful state. I am not suggesting that you are being abusive!
A ferret who engages in fear biting will be more likely to bite if the human handling her is not calm. Its scarey and confusing for her. She's already stressed in a new environment, having to put up with 'strange' ferrets, and having her human upset would put her over the edge.
Take a few deep breaths and don't panic. No one is going to get hurt - repeat this to yourself.
Then scoop her up (while avoiding snapping jaws).
Once you've got her - talk soothingly to her (not kidding...)... tell her that there's no need for her to be afraid and that this is her new family, that she's being a drama queen, etc., etc., AS you calmly and gently put her back into her cage.
Talking to her in a reassuring way will also calm you.
I learned all this from personal experience!!
Now if neither of your furbutts are pooping or peeing when she 'attacks' them, then there is more crying wolf going on here than any serious trauma. If either was truly afraid, have no doubt they would let loose with stool or pee.
I would give her a bit more time to settle in and feel safe..... maybe another week.
Then let her out for some play time for about 20-30 minutes on her own to left off steam. If she's hyped, wait until she's a bit more played out.
Then put ONE of your fuzzkids down. NOT both. And not right next to her. Be prepared to scoop one or the other one up, but let them discover each other's presence, do the sniffing bit, etc.
Again first sign of poop or pee - stop them. And calmly put Ella back into her cage. Otherwise stand by, but don't intervene.
Try again another day with your other ferret.
And so it goes. Slowly and patiently letting her get settled in gradually.
Tressie
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Help!!
Apr 4, 2011 7:59:44 GMT -4
Post by motherof2 on Apr 4, 2011 7:59:44 GMT -4
Thanks Tressie, I will definately try that. My daughter will pick her up from the fight since Ella seems to have taken to her more and my daughter will sit down with her and have a little conversation with her explaining to her that everyone can get along and not to fight.....it's really quite funny to watch. She then puts her back in her cage in her little bed and then we gather up the other two. We have not let them out together now for a little over a week.....they each get their own out time and Ella is fine when she is the only ferret out and about. Hopefully they will get along over time. Now that I think about it, I think my other two are making things sound worse than they really are as they are quite the sooks and neither one is really the alpha as they love other ferrets.
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