New Ferret Panic

[Crystal4314]

Hiya

I just got two ferrets, 1 year old sisters from a guy who couldnt have them at his new house. I'd read alot about them, and have tried to ferret proof as much as possible, but I can't seem to keep them out of trouble when they're out. We've tried to block off our rat cages, but they spend all their out time pulling all the blocks out of the way and disapearing behind the cages! They also nip alot, alot more than the books said they would by now, but the guy said the rarely nipped him.

Don't get me wrong, I adore them, their antics are hilarious, I love the way they bounce around backwards and play tag etc. They're cute as hell.
Will the nipping calm down once they know us better? Got any suggestions for ferret proofing?

[Poppyseed]

Hah! Sounds like you really are getting to know ferrets! They are probably play nipping, they do this to entice play. They might be more excited because it's a new place, more stuff to get into, new smells and such. I think mine have calmed down with age. You could try scruffing them if they nip to hard and telling them no. Or if they bite WAY too hard, put them back in their cage and wait a few minutes before you let them back out. Time out really works the best with me and ferrets.

But really, I have found ferret proofing is kind of impossible without doors seperating rooms. But my ferrets have shown really little to no interest in the rat cages, so it works out. If they go near them I pick them up and try to interest them in something else. That works well.

Of course it's been SO LONG since I have had little spunky kits. All of mine are senior ferrets and quite a bit more mellow. Of course they STILL find ways to get past the ferret barriers and still bounce around like maniacs at times.

Gidgett and Lugh were always wonderful about not nipping. But Spazz can get bitey at times. I just work around the behavior (keep my feet up or watch my feet closely when she is out, etc.) and it works out. You will get to know them in times.

I think the best thing to have them loose interest in a blocked area that you can't seem to proof 100% is to allow access to that area at all times, it then becomes boring and they don't want to mess with it anymore XD

[Arlene]

We have our ferrets and rats in the same room, but have them all on folding tables so the ferrets and rats can't climb up to visit each other. When it's playtime, we have a ramp that we put for them to come and go into their cages. It works pretty well. Good luck! Ferrets can be a big challenge, but also a lot of fun.

[JohariZ]

there is lots of ferret info on THIS site that has many people with ferrets to help out... Lots of great advice...

[Crystal4314]

to update: they have stopped biting anywhere near as much... what we found worked was keeping our fingers in their mouths for a few seconds after they bit, and they now seem to associate not being able to get rid of your finger with biting, so they don't do it much at all. The rats now pop out of their big heavy cage thats at floor height in to a lighter one to play in that goes on a table the ferrets cant reach during play times. The rats seem to enjoying having somewhere different to play as well