Introducing My Ferrets, Help?

[Cannon Kat]

I have two female ferrets, Cinnanon and Honey and I love them so much ! The girls are around 2-3 yrs approx and I got them from a store (something I've learned not to do again.) I have done my best for them, putting them outside because I heard fake light causes cancer, I clean them out regularly and give vitiman suppliments to them on a daily basis. However, about six months ago my Mum went out and bought Basil, a black eyed white which the boarder had put them in with. He was suspected to be deaf and I was really ticked off at the boarder for throwing them in together without proper introductions and he continued to bully them so I took him back about a week later. We are moving house soon and I know it can be stressful for them. I hope to build a fantastic large cage with fox-proofing and a rocky-pool thing for them to have a dip in. Theres a lot of room for them and we hope to adopt another ferret from our local dogs home shelter. We met him and fell in love with him. He's such a lovely boy but the people at the shelter are unwilling for me to hold introductions because their small animal section is too full. I really love this little guy. How do I introduce him to the girls? Do I make him mark his scent over their cage to see if they have a positive or negative reaction? To introduce these ferrets I need to adopt him fiest but I'm scared they won't mix!! help, please?

 

[M R]

Hi,

Ferrets are social animals and are not usually too difficult to introduce.
It is important with any new animal not to put them in the same cage together straight away as this can cause existing ferrets (Cinnamon and Honey) to become territorial and begin a fight.
Instead use a small cage for your new ferret initially. Get them used to seeing each other and smelling through the bars. Swap their bedding over (move some of C & H's bedding in to the boys cage and visa versa) so they can get used to each others scent.
When they seem comfortable with this you can think about introducing them. Put them in a neutral territory where none of the ferrets have been before - such as a pet carrier, run or an empty bath. Watch how they interact. If all seems fine, continue this the next day until you feel happy putting them in a cage together. When you put them in remove any beds etc that C & H could become protective/territorial over. If they do not seem to be getting on go back a stage.
You could also give them all a shampoo bath to neutralise their scents a little.

Good luck
For more ferret care see: http://www.whichpets.com/#/ferrets/4546199087

 

[bigbossmamma]

One question - are the two females neutered? Unless you are intending to breed the ferrets, you should have the females neutered. If you don't, there is a risk of them getting cancer. Look up various websites and they will tell you so. Also, any vet will explain this. If you cannot afford to get them spayed, there is an injection they can be given to stop them coming into season.
If they have not been neutered and the male has not been neutered, he will be on top of them within the first five minutes.