Excerpts from mail: 11-Feb-93 Ferret List Issue 417 by Ferret Mailing
List@ferr
> I thought I would add a note of caution on the ferret/cat interaction
> stream.  We keep Inigo and Buttercup totally isolated from our cats
 
I have two dogs, three cats and two ferrets. I've found that the best
time to introduce cats and ferrets is when the cats are kittens. As for
fighting and who would win, I still would put my money on a ferret
hell-bent on mayhem over your average housecat. The ferrets just keep
going and going and going and totally freak out the cats. I've had cats
who are marvelous predators (I'm surprised there are any birds left in
the neighborhood), but they "give" when confronted with an insistant
ferret.
 
But do be careful. I suspect the ferret that was clawed in the eye
probably got pissed and *really* went after the cat!
 
Cats and ferrets fight differently, too. Cats will "clash and regroup"
over and over, whereas ferrets just keep moving ...
 
It's fun to watch cats and ferrets play -- my cats will grab the ferret
by the neck, turn on their backs and kick at them with their back feet.
Looks pretty scarey. Then the ferret somehow twists and managed to chomp
the cat's face and ears. They roll over and over, separate, run a bit,
then start wrestling again. I'm sure that if the cat once got a good
hold on the ferret's neck, that if she wanted to gut the poor thing, she
could.
 
Just be careful introducing *any* pet to another -- dogs, cats, ferrets
-- any combination could be dangerous or could be fun, depending on the
individual. I rule my house with an iron palm ... if one starts hurting
the other (I hear squeals from any participant), the offending creature
gets swatted. If it happens again, the offending creature gets banished.
Seems to work pretty well. Keep in mind, too, that the "pecking order"
of cats constantly shifts, much quicker than with dogs.
 
--Barb--
 
[Posted in FML issue 0418]