Hello:
 
First, I would like to enlist the wisdom of some of you multiple-ferret
owners out there.  Here is my predicament: I have two ferrets who do not
seem to get along what-so-ever.  Padraig (pron. Porrick) is 11 weeks old
and according to the vet, big for his age.  Diarmuid (pron. Dermott) is 8
weeks old and considerable smaller than Padraig.Padraig moved into our
home and lived there by himself for three weeks before Diarmuid arrived.
 
Whenever they are together, they seem to fight endlessly.  I am no expert
on Ferret sounds, but often it sounds as if Diarmuid is hurt.  One time,
when they first met, Diarmuid got so scared he barked!  We got two
seperate cages, and they have been living side-by-side for a week now.
But still, whenever they get together, they fight.  The clerk at the pet
store suggested we let them just 'fight it out,' but I don't want to see
anyone 'loose an ear.' Should I just wait a few more weeks until Diarmuid
is bigger and can defend himself better?  I do have to add that it does
not seem as if Diarmuid is really scared of Padraig; he often goes after
Padraig himself ...  but soon tries to re-treat.
 
Concerning Cat-Food:
 
We tried given them both 'Deli-Cat' cat food in place of Ferrret food
(when we ran out and couldn't get to a pet store), and their stools
changed color and almost looked bloody to me!  We switched them back to
their normal food, and it seems like their stools are returning to
normal.  Is this a normal thing to happen?  I heard that cat food was
good for Ferrets.
 
thanks in advance for any advice,
Kenneth
[Posted in FML issue 1271]