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 Pet Central
Q&A
Q: My daughter recently
lost her beloved ferret, Lucy. She died of Cushing’s Disease at age two.
She was so sweet and so docile; we miss her very much. Now, we have another
ferret that’s nine weeks old. This ferret is totally different from the
first; it’s very feisty and bites. Is the biting due to teething? Will
she calm down as she gets older? -- R.B., Lighthouse Point, Fla.
A: We’re sorry about
the death of your ferret, and losing a pet unexpectedly at such a young
age is especially difficult. However, from where we sit, you’re a part
of the problem.
Your write about
your beloved Lucy, but you don’t even tell us the name of your new ferret
— in fact, in most references, you refer to your new pet as an ‘it,’ rather
than he or she. Certainly, this is not intentional. But you don’t have
to be Freud to figure this one out. Please try not to set up standards
your new ferret must meet. Just as every person, or every golden retriever
has a different personality — no two ferrets are alike.
Ferret consultant
and lecturer Deborah Jeans, of Miami, Fla., says you’re correct that the
ferret is teething. Teething continues until the kit is about six months
old. Jeans, author of "A Practical Guide to Ferret Care" (Ferrets
Inc., Miami, Fla., 1996; $22.95), says don’t finger wrestle with your
ferret, as this will only encourage the pet to follow fingers for nibbling.
If the ferret goes to nip at the fingers or arms, pick her up by the scruff
of the neck, say "no" like you mean it, then gently put her
down with something she can chew on. Try the Kong Ferret Treasure
or stuff raisins or fatty acid supplement into a four- to six-inch-long
hollow sterilized bone meant for dogs (both items available at pet stores).
Some ferrets will nip for attention, so other than saying "no,"
offer no more attention.
In the unlikely event
you feel the ferret is being downright aggressive, seriously nasty, that’s
another story. Talk to the store where you purchased the animal about
a trade in.
Many ferrets do calm
down as you patiently get to know them, and as they mature. Still, in
general, ferrets are active, curious little creatures — unless they happen
to be sleeping, which accounts for at least 15 hours of their day.
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