To  Paula Smith about  Kitka's nipping:
 
At any pet store, there is a substance/spray called Bitter Apple.
It is entirely natural, but tastes terrible.
Spray it on your hands and where-ever Kitka nips, and let her have a taste of
it.
:-)
This will definitly stop Kitka from nipping, as long as you spray some on
your hands. Usually, most ferrets will quickly understand that your hand is
not a good thing to bite at anytime.  Hopefully, they will understand that
ANY human hand is not good either.
Since you don't want her to think that you are just a very distastful person,
you should try to take her in your arms, and if she doesn't nip, give her a
treat.  (A _very_ good treat is Soybean Oil.  It should be used instead of
Linatone, because soybean oil contains no or little vitamine A.  If you can't
find soybean oil, look at the label of any grocery store vegetable oil.  Most
are made from 100% soybean oil.  Dispense it to her in a little hair dye
applicator or similar container that you can control the oil flow, after
having washed it thoroughly. I haven't met a ferret that won't come when
called and do any trick for a drop of soybean oil--plus it's excellent--if
not necessary--for a healthy and shiny fur coat.)
The nipping tends to disappear by 6 months, anyway, but it's always good to
start early.
 
Good luck!
 
Tiago
 
[Posted in FML issue 0917]