>Brae bites big and hard and won't let go.  I think so far the cats have
>been holding back; I'm afraid that if the cats ever decide to really
>attack back they could hurt or kill Brae.  I have to literally pry his
>jaws apart.  And he constantly harrasses the cats by chasing them.
 
I have 7 cats and 8 ferrets (and let me tell you, the ferrets were ecstatic
when Clover, ferret #8, tipped the scales in favor of the ferrets).  Also
one dog.
 
At this point, I can trust ferrets Ralph, Epcot and Clover with the cats
and dog, but that's it.  I think it depends on the individual ferrets and
the individual cats.
 
My other 5 guys (Harry, Prince Charming, Merlin, Roxanne and I think
Petunia) will stalk, chase, and bite the cats and nip at the dogs' heels.
My solution?  I keep them separate.  I don't think it's fair to the cats
(or dog) to be bitten, and though I think the ferrets deserve to be swatted,
I don't want them to get scratched or bitten either.  I do a bit of rotating
in my house, but everyone seems to be much happier and no one gets hurt.
 
Harry is a master of kitty torture.  He will slink along on his stomach
until he reaches a cat, and then STARE.  This drives the cats nuts because
they know it's only a matter of time until he bites.
 
I don't know if the ferrets are deliberately trying to annoy the cats (my
suspicion) or if they are just playing, but they bite the cats hard.  I like
my cats (and dog) as much as I like my ferrets, so I don't like to see
anyone get bitten.  For me, keeping them separate keeps peace in the house
and helps me maintain what's left of my sanity.
 
-- Ronnie and the Crazy 8
Ralphie (the only one who qualifies as 'well-behaved'), Harry, Prince
Charming, Merlin the Maniac, Roxanne, Petunia, and Shoeweasels Epcot and
Clover (Epcot and Clover are Arcadia adoptees and seem to be afraid of the
cats, though they are learning from the others...)
[Posted in FML issue 2306]