You asked if we could state that our ferrets never "bite". An animal
putting its teeth on you is not always a "bite." Typically, a reference
to biting is something done in fear or to deter an action by another. My
ferrets play with me and usually their mouths are open.  When they do put
their teeth on me, it is in play and very gentle. Frequently, they will take
a finger in their mouth behind their canine teeth and pull my finger, as if
they are trying to take me under the sofa with them. This does not mean
they are trying to bite me! Can you state that when you play with your
dog or cat that they never put their teeth on you?  Would you consider
that biting?  Why judge ferrets differently?  No, I have never been
"bitten" by my ferrets. I have been bitten by ferrets within our shelter
that are in pain or are timid and afraid (after all, some of the ferrets
came to the shelter because of the abuse and neglect they received at the
hands of their previous owners.) All of these ferrets have been reformed
through lots of love and patience or by correcting the medical condition
that caused the pain.
 
By the way, my dog has "bitten" me during play (and did bite a kid who
was constantly teasing her.) My cat frequently BITES me while we are
playing and draws blood. But you don't see me labelling all (or most) dogs
and cats as biters. I would suggest that you use the same criteria for
judging ferrets as you do for other animals.
 
[Posted in FML issue 0901]