The very first day I brought Zama home I put him in his cage and let him
be just like the books told me to.  Let him get comfortable with his
surroundings.
 
Well I decided while he was in there that his food was not in a great
spot and put my hand in to move it.  I swear I have never seen ANYTHING
move as fast as he did.  He clamped down on my thumb and would not let
go.  I was scared and not really sure what to do so I stayed quiet and
let him hold on for a few moments hoping he would let go on his own -
after all it was my fault for putting my hand in the cage.  Well those
moments turned into minutes so I decided that this wasn't going to work.
I started lightly bouncing him hoping he would lose his grip.  NOPE he
just clamped down tighter.  Eventually he let go and my poor wounded
thumb was slightly masticated and I watched him slink away giggling and
picking out my thumb from his teeth.
 
After that he didn't really bite.  If he became overly excited or
something scared him and he happened to be near me he bite.  I don't even
think it was aggressive fear biting - it seemed to be more like a comfort
to bite me.
 
I am completely against anything physical towards animals - in form of
punishment.  They are so tiny and childlike and it seems so wrong.  I
read the books saying to tap/flick his nose - to scruff his neck etc.
I thought scruffing his neck was wrong cause he seemed to enjoy it when
I was hold his neck to do his nails and pick him up from hard to reach
places etc.
 
What I did instead was - yipped.  I would go EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE really loud
and he we would look shocked and upset.  He would then run away and later
come out and attempt to play - and I would play like nothing would happen
and he would get scared and bite again.  This only lasted a couple of
days and then he started where he would only bite if a noise scared him
and now he never bites.
 
He teethes when we play or when he decides to sneak up on the bed and
teethes my neck and my tummy:-)
 
Except for toes.  He bites toes.  He tries to chomp them off and carry
them away, probably to his hidey hole.  So does my cat.  there must be
something I haven't been told about the tastiness of toes.
 
 
Treats!!
 
I use treats regrettably quite a bit.  I have to, otherwise I would never
be able to leave the house as Zama is free roam all day except for at
night - and only not at night cause he likes toes!!
 
Zama loves chew weasels but that is only a once in a while kind of thing
like after a long trip or a visit to the vets etc,
 
He really enjoyed the foamy fries from the Christmas card exchange too
but we are all out and I can't find them where I live.
 
Other then that Zama doesn't really like ferret treats.
 
So I have this little jar of cat treats called Life Phase - Premium cat
treats made by Stewart Pet Products, Ltd.  I have the hairball and lite
formula.  He absolutely loves them.  He goes bonkers I swear.  The treats
are a little expensive for cat treats $5.00 for 3.75 oz in Canadian
dollars.  I have tried other cat treats and the only other one he liked
where those ones with the soft centres.
 
He also likes it when I put a dab of non-sweetened apple sauce on my
finger for him to lick off which he gets about once a month.  We give him
whipped cream too - no diarrhea!!  We tried kitten milk (no lactose) but
strangely that did give him very nasty diarrhea.
 
He also loves V8 juice.
 
He likes olive oil too - but I wouldn't recommend giving a ferret too
much of because it does a great job of cleaning them out *wink*
 
Those are my suggestions!
 
Mahlyssa
[Posted in FML issue 4103]