I have an 8 month old ferret, I love him to death, but he is a little wierd. He wont let any one other than me touch him without bitting them. He has bitten my husband and daughter. How can I make this stop?
Answers:
Ferrets have thick skin so they bite when small. At this age, however, he's almost a teenager but still a little young. Tell your husband and daughter to remain calm when the little guy is around and to stay still (I'm sure they do that). Anyway, put some Linatone or Ferretvite on their fingers to give to him as a treat, crouch down and let him lick it off. Don't pet him yet. Let him get used to getting a treat from them. Over time, this should work.
Are they rough with him when he wants to play, or is the little ferret rough when playing? They love to play hard. Do they interact with him at all? It might be and I am just guessing that your little guy has really taken to you and just wants to be with you. Get an old t-shirt, have your husband and daughter "wipe" themselves with it, and let the ferret use it to snuggle up in. He'll get used to their scent and will feel more comfortable. Dooks!
We have ferrets too, and one of our past ones was a biter! Keep in mind he is young and learning, so you just need to show him a lot of love, sometimes just sit there, in a locked room or something and while he's running around give him some treats so he gets used to YOU! Then you can start picking him up, and letting him get used to the rest of the family!
good luck!
Maybe it would help if your daughter and husband give him little treats when they are around him.
Let them touch him while you are holding him so maybe he will associate you all as people that its ok to be touched by.
When he does bite someone, scruff him, tell him No!, and put him in time out (carrier or small cage) for 5 minutes.
Be consistent and he should catch on.
Biting is one way that they play, you might want to have them give him treats when they are near. If that don't work they should scruff him [hold him by the fur on the back of the neck] and put him back into his pen. He should learn soon enough that biting them is unaceptable behavior.
My three love to chase my mom through the house. They are attracted to the way she laughs, squeals, and screeches at them. I still haven't broke them of this, I don't know if I should either, I could make a fortune on the funniest video's shows!
You need to teach the ferret that biting is wrong. Say sternly NO. or OW. Let the ferret know that your skin is sensitive.
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