Greetings from Finland. :)

Myself and my hubby recently acquired a 5 month old whole kit, and so
far..we're having a lot of trouble. I have been owned by many ferrets
over the past 11 years, but I have never dealt with one quite like
this. Just for background info, he is a Russian bred chocolate mitt,
about 2kg (4lbs. roughly), so quite a big fellow.

Within the first day of bringing him home, we both suffered what I deem
to be random out-of-the-blue attacks.. Hubby had his nose torn/slashed
and the ferret bit me so hard in the bend of my arm that skin was
ripped/sliced and there are holes left over along with swelling and
serious pain.. This is not a mere nip, but a true bite, and one aimed
to hurt!

The situation is that he seems quite normal and friendly when out and
about playing, but after picking him up, he will wiggle about and
randomly latch on to a piece of skin, biting as hard as possible, or
when trying to put him down after picking him up, he will strive for a
way to reach out and bite.. Also, he seems to not like anyone's face
nearby as well, obviously. I have dealt with some biters before and
the 'lick lick chompers', but nothing like this.

My other question is that, being that he's whole, would neutering help
with this behaviour at all? I have read and heard that whole males can
be aggressive to other males and even the females, but what about to
people? We had considered getting the implant, but now actual neutering
seems like it might be in order?

We are doing what we can to try and deter him from biting, mostly
scruffing, hissing, and slight dragging him as a mother ferret would,
but none of them seems to work at all. It hasn't been long since we've
had him, but already I feel like I'm banging my head against the wall,
given how hostile he seems to be - and it's so random, too.

Any help or advice is deeply appreciated. Thank you in advance!

R & L Roselli-

[Posted in FML 7561]