Re:  Same Cage
Re:  Selling Ferrets too Young
 
I got my first ferret Calvin at six weeks old and I really believe he did
not know he was a ferret.  He thought he was a person like us.  We got our
second ferret,Gypsy when Calvin was 2 1/2 years old.  He was terrified and
overly aggressive.  Gypsy is a spayed female who was 1 year old and it took
6 weeks before they stayed in the same cage.  They couldn't even come out
together and play much because he was obsessed with grabbing her by the
back of the neck all the time.  He is a neutered male.  I've received alot
of advice from the FML about his behavior.  Some say he was just the only
ferret for too long.  Others suggested he was acting normally and is an
Alpha ferret.
 
I did finally get them in the same cage together.  First I kept switching
the cages there were in, so they both were in the other ones cage and got
use to the smells.  I petted one and talked to the other.  I was at my
witts end.  They finally learned to play for short periods at a time.  They
were playing and wore themselves out, I opened Gypsy's cage door and put
a cherio in there.  Calvin went right in.  When Gypsy saw he was getting
treats, she came in too.  They were both in the cage and I kept feeding
them Cherios one at a time.  Soon I closed the cage door and kept up with
the Cherios, it was way more than they usually get.  I kept it up until
they were stuffed and turned off all the lights.  I slept on the couch that
night so I would hear if there was a problem.  I was so excited that they
finally were together.  But guess what?  When they come out of the cage
Calvin follows her around and still tries to lay on her back and grab her
neck.  She squeeks and runs.  He doesn't hurt her because alot of times she
comes back for more.  I still have to give him time out in his cage alone
sometimes because he won't leave her alone.
 
I am still trying to find out if this is "normal" because he has had
adrenal surgery and this agressive behavior is a symptom of that disease.
Please let me know what you think again.  I've heard there is a blood test
for adrenal now and am thinking of checking that out.  I've posted on the
FAIML also.  This adrenal disease is also possible from being neutered too
young.
 
Eunice
Calvin    (Mom, she is just too wild - I gotta hold her down)
Gypsy  (Get off my back you lug I can't climb up the screen)
[Posted in FML issue 2637]