Hello Everyone,
Two weeks ago I was given an adorable little baby ferret (male) called
Tiny Pet.  Two of my other ferrets Quibble and Little Dude, have been
just fine with the new baby with just the normal "putting the new baby
in his place" wrestle games.  However, my third ferret Gimlet has become
very vicious not just towards the baby, but also to Little Dude who used
to be his best friend and increasingly me who used to be his favourite
person.  He is grabbing the baby and Little Dude dragging them and
shaking his head, Little Dude has been fighting back a bit- Hissing and
trying to bite him but she is half his size, the baby is just terrified
of him.  Despite his very aggressive stance he has not actually drawn
blood but I don't know if this is just because I have been intervening.
 
I have been putting him in the baby's cage (with baby ferret removed of
coarse) so that he can get used to the smell.  I have been stroking him
and giving him treats while showing him the baby.  I have tried scruffing
him and yelling no when he is dragging Little Dude, but if anything he is
getting worse not better.  He seems so sad, it is almost like he can't
help himself as he become completely fixated on biting them.  All three
adults are desexed and I plan to have the baby desexed when he is about
8 months old which is the age they are normally desexed in Australia.
 
What is going on in my Gimlets little head?  Why is he doing his?  Do you
think it would help if I tried to get the baby desexed early?  Is this
typical male ferret behaviour and if so could it mean that he is an
incomplete neuter?
 
Please Help, I can't give the baby up, he was abandoned and has no where
else to go.  My ferrets usually have free run of the house and I dread
the thought of having to lock him up all the time.
 
Thank you for your time and looking forward to your replies,
 
Skye
[Posted in FML issue 4713]