On Sunday we adopted a 2-1/2 year old male (neutered) sable as a playmate
for our 3 year old silver mitt female (named Chase).  We took Chase with
us when we went to meet Igor, because we didn't want to force them to be
together if Chase felt threatened in any way.
 
Thankfully, Chase and Igor got along great right from the start, and (under
careful supervision) they started taking naps outside of their cages
together on Tuesday, so we put them both in the large cage Tuesday night.
They are wonderful playmates for one another, and my husband and I almost
feel guilty that we waited so long to get a friend for Chase.
 
Here's the problem: we also have three cats, two of whom are getting along
with Igor just fine (and all of whom have for the most part gotten along
well with Chase).  Igor, however, has acted aggressively towards our eldest
female cat: on Monday morning he decided to grab her with his front paws
around one of her rear legs and wouldn't let go.  Our cat didn't even
really seem to notice Igor, but I told him a firm "no" and gave him a
time-out in his cage (so as not to encourage such behavior).  Then, last
night, he was acting normally until our cat jumped down from where she had
been sitting on a trunk.  Immediately, Igor went to investigate her, and
within a second he firmly latched his teeth onto her neck behind her ear.
 
I grabbed Igor, firmly told him "NO," and attempted to remove him from our
cat.  However, he refused to let go.  Our cat wasn't meowing, hissing, or
responding in any way to the fact that she had a ferret attached to her.
My husband helped me try to get Igor off of her by rubbing his belly (which
he dislikes and whhich we thought would distract him), but Igor stayed
attached.  I tried to get my finger in his mouth to open it enough to
remove him from our cat, but this too failed.  So, my husband whistled very
loudly to see if we could distract him.  Nothing worked.  Finally, we got
Igor off when he briefly opened his mouth as if to get a better grip on our
cat, and we put him in the cage for another time-out.
 
Has anyone had a similar experience?  Any suggestions?  Right now, we're
keeping Igor separated from this particular cat.
 
Thanks,
 
Megan and Jason and:
Chase ("See mommy, I only chase the cats.")
Igor ("This cat tastes good.")
Boo and Dot ("Yawn.  Another ferret.")
Scout ("I think there's a ferret hanging from me.")
[Posted in FML issue 2463]