Hello: A few weeks ago I introduced Sasha, the male sable kit, now 12 weeks
old, whom we adopted to join our family (dog,two cats and one ferret )three
weeks ago.  Everyone is getting along beautifully except for the two
ferrets!  Katy is a spayed female, three years old.  Already this little
male is twice the size of Katy.  This is the first time that we have owned
two ferrets and while we were prepared for them not getting along initially,
we expected that by this time we would have made some progress, however, it
seems that the "chittering" noises are at the same level as in the beginning
and it doesn't look as though they are making any friendly advances towards
each other.  They have separate cages where they sleep beside each other at
night but are free to roam throughout the house during the day.  Katy's
day-time nap place is in a kitchen drawer that Sasha is unable to access.
Katy sleeps most of the day so they only see each other for a short period
in the morning and then in the evening.  To describe the interaction when
they meet: Sasha advances into Katy, sideways, with his head down and
plowing backwards (perhaps in a move that keeps him from getting bitten?)
Sometimes Katy will run away, other times she advances towards Sasha and
once they become a flying fuzzy flurry, we cannot tell who is doing what.
This really is difficult to describe, however, perhaps this will be enough
information for someone to please help us out.  How long should we allow
these two to fight/play?  Is what they are doing friendly, are they ever
going to get along, and my biggest fear, did we make a mistake in attempting
to integrate a youngster with a lady who has been with us three years?  I
must also admit that I only allow for this behaviour for a few minutes
because I feel I have to "protect" Katy.  Any advice will be greatly
appreciated.  This has me near tears.
 
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Jean                                      "Everything that lives
[log in to unmask]                        Lives not alone
                                           Nor for itself"     William Blake
 
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[Posted in FML issue 1516]