How to wean a ferret to bite at home

The ferret in the house as a pet has become increasingly popular. And this is not surprising - ferrets get along well with a person, do not gnaw furniture and wires, are quite unpretentious. However, they have one serious drawback - they bite. And bite pretty hard. The ferret's teeth are very sharp, strong and long, if desired, they can easily crush the human bone. But even if the baby does not wish you harm, in a playful form he can bite so that it does not seem enough. But do not despair or refuse because of this from playing with animals. This ferret behavior can be changed. And then you will turn the most biting cruelty into an affectionate animal.

Why a ferret bites

In order to wean an animal from some habits, you need to determine what is their nature. It is clear that the ferret is by nature very biting. His teeth help him defend himself, find food for himself. With the help of bites, he establishes his superiority over other members of the flock, keeps the female at the withers when mating. But what makes the animal bite a person? This can happen for several reasons.

1. If the ferret spent the first months of his life with an experienced breeder, usually the animal does not bite. This is because the person managed to convey to the animal that it is impossible to bite. And if every time you complain about the bites of the animal, but do not take measures, the ferret may well think that such behavior is absolutely normal. He just does not know that you can’t bite. And the more he uses this habit, the more difficult it is to wean him from it. It is much easier to convey a ban on bites to a young ferret than an adult animal.
2. Another reason the ferret bites is because of an unfamiliar environment. When an animal enters a new home, strangers and animals surround it; it does not know what to expect. He tries to show his aggression and ability to fend for himself. Therefore, in this state it is better not to touch the ferret. As soon as the baby appears at your place, give him a couple of days to adapt. When he has mastered new territories, gets used to the environment and realizes that he is not in danger of anything bad, you can begin acquaintance. It should be noted that in such a stressful situation, even the most harmless animals that have never done this before bite after changing their place of residence.
3. Sometimes a ferret can bite simply because he does not know and does not like people. This most often occurs if you brought an adult animal into the house that either grew up in nature or did not have close contact with a person. An adult ferret cannot be punished for biting (retaliatory strike), it can become even hardened. It is better to give him time to explore the territory, get comfortable, get used to the situation. Do not impose your communication on the animal, and moreover, do not substitute hands and fingers for it. Wait until the animal starts to make contact.
4. Sometimes a ferret can bite, as if checking how far he can go. Thus he shows his position. In no case do not let the ferret bite you hard. Do not bear the pain.
5. The ferret can bite the host as a game. He thinks that after the bite, the owner is worried, angry, noisy and he likes it. Stop such behavior in the bud - tell the animal "It is impossible."
6. Very often the ferret bites from resentment and lack of attention. Think about how often you played with an animal lately?
7. If your animal has never bitten, and suddenly began to grab you at each meeting, perhaps the animal is sick. When something hurts at the ferret, he does not want to be touched, so he bites at this moment. Perhaps the animal should be shown to the veterinarian.

Finding out the reason for the ferret’s behavior, you can build a line of his actions that will lead to continued success.

What to do if a ferret bit you

First you need to get rid of his teeth. The fangs of the animal are arranged in such a way that if you pull the closed teeth of the ferret, you will get even more serious injury and pain. Especially unpleasant bites for the nose. If the ferret does not want to open its jaws, bring it under water. However, this often should not be done - the ferret can catch a cold. But as a sobering measure - a perfectly acceptable technique.

Immediately after the bite, rigidly say to the ferret something like “You can't!”, “No!” At the same time, take the ferret by the scruff and lightly slap it with a fingernail over the nose. The ferret’s nose is quite sensitive, so such a punishment is quite effective. At the same time, you can hiss in the face of the animal so that saliva splashes from your mouth. On the one hand, the ferret will dodge - it will be unpleasant for him. And on the other hand, you will show your displeasure in a natural language. The ferret can also be lightly pressed with a scruff to the floor and slightly dragged back and forth. If the animal is extremely stubborn, you can use this tool - just grab the animal with its teeth by the scruff of its neck and drag it in different directions until the animal starts to scream. The withers of the ferret are very thick, it is difficult for him to do harm in this way. But you will be able to show him your superiority.

After that, it is important to offer the animal your finger again. Most likely, the animal will bite you again. However, you should tolerate and repeat the punishment. This should be done until the animal turns its back on your finger. You cannot retreat halfway - so you acknowledge your defeat. When the baby finally does not bite the finger brought to him, stroke the animal, tell him kind words, treat it with a treat.

How to wean a ferret to bite

There are several ways to help you wean an animal from biting.

1. Spread your hands before the game with chloramphenicol or something bitter, sharp. The unpleasant taste after a bite will make the animal think a hundred times before biting a second time.
2. Keep in mind that the punishment must be consistent. If you hit a ferret in the nose 5 minutes after the bite, he will not understand what he did wrong.
3. If the ferret has never bitten you throughout the game, this should be rewarded - treat your pet with a piece of fish or meat.
4. If no physical influences help wean a ferret to bite, do so immediately after a bite. Place the animal in its cage and do not play with it for a while. The ferret is a very social animal; he loves to play and he perceives inattention on the part of the owner very painfully. Especially if he sees how the game continues with other animals or ferrets.
5. Sometimes a ferret can start to bite if you smell something new for him - perfume, alcohol, the smell of washing powder. Try not to provoke the animal and not play with it in the presence of a pungent odor.

If you are annoyed and inflated, you should not communicate with the animal in such a mood. You can frustrate him with anger - this is unacceptable. Remember that a ferret bite is a completely normal action. And often the animal bites you not because it wants to hurt you, but simply because of its nature. The main task of the owner in this case is to convey to the animal that the person should not be bitten. And then the ferret can become your best friend.

Video: weaning a ferret to bite