Sabriel and the Ferret

[Brandy DW]

There is an additive that cuts down on ferret smell... Also- something I learned from ferret rescue- don't use the bedding from the store. Instead, use baby blankets which you can toss in the wash. That significantly cut down on the reek.

Yeah that's one of the things I was reading. So thinking of either that or old (but clean) shirts, something that can be washed. I have this dice hammock thing for them, and the only way I can wash that is by hand, but I can do that. I'm also going to change their food when I'm done with the current bag, because right now their on marshall's and that also makes their poo smell worse because of the fish in it. This weekend I'll be giving them their first bath, that should also help tremendously, I should have done it the day I brought them home from petco.

Sabriel is no longer scared of them I don't think, she's always going up to their cage and sniffing in it, looking for them. That's a huge change from the first time she saw me holding one and bringing it near her, that time she hissed at me and it. She really doesn't like me pulling her away from the cage though lol.

Paige since you asked for pics.




Edit: I don't know why they came up sideways, they went up on facebook fine.. but you get the idea. Just tilt your head to the left to view them easier lol

 

[Brandy DW]

I'm starting to wonder if I've made a mistake getting these guys (ferrets - Kodo and Podo). I like them a lot, I do. I've got everything figured out for the most part for caring for them, and they don't stink up my house like a lot of people said they would (air wick) (read posts from before). Sabriel is pretty good around them (with the ferrets in their cage still) (when I let her around them), although she does get VERY hyper when she's around them running everywhere.

My two issues are: 1) They are very hard to litter train I'm finding, but I've figured that out through some online research, I took the majority landings out of their cage for now, will get them litter trained (hopefully) and then slowly reintroduce the landings. Sort of like having a kitten in a small room and slowly letting it explore the house. A concept I get completely and wish I started with that two weeks ago.

*** Hopefully they get it down, so I can maybe start letting one or both out of their cage every now and then.

2) My big issue though is right now I have nothing for them to sleep on or in. In that this past weekend one or both of them ate the bottom of their dice hammock bedding thing (cotton and foam). Had to watch them for a few days to make sure everything seemed fine (eating, pooing, no blood or vomit, not lethargic). Got past that. Then today not too long ago they ate huge holes out of one of the old (clean) shirts I put in their habitat. I put three in there, 2 came out fine, and the other one had quite a few big holes. So now I'm once again watching them to make sure they are fine, they are eating, they seem to be pooing (although one seemed like it could potentially have blood in it but it was too hard to tell). Called the vet, they said it should pass and to just keep watching them. Looked online and it seems to be a fairly frequent habit of ferrets which I did not see when I researched them before. Apparently they do (or should) grow out of it as they get older (they are teething now) from what I read just try fabrics every couple of weeks and if you see holes remove them, then try again in a few weeks.

*** I don't want to come home to a dead ferret, I don't want blockages. I feel a lot like I'm taking care of two babies right now, and I have to constantly watch them.

This may sound lame and unrealistic but I was rather hoping I could just bring them home, take care of their needs (like I do with Sabriel), and play with them, and potentially introduce them to my cat eventually. From what I've heard from other ferret owners none of there ferrets ever ate stuff they weren't supposed to, and they learned to use the litter box in under a week.. :/

 

[Brandy DW]

Sorry just letting my frustration out with the above post, I know this forum is about savannahs but I refuse to join a ferret forum (I'm already on enough forums).

 

[admin]

I guess any type of animal is going to be work...I hope they settle down for you They are adorable!

 

[Kristin]

How old are your ferrets? I guess its much the same as most animals (and kids) they go through the testing stage. When I first brought Zeddie home she tried to eat a lot of stuff (mainly cords) and had to learn that wasn't okay. Its harder with ferrets because they are in a cage with the stuff I guess, but I'm sure they will grow out of it soon. I find puppies the worst for chewing stuff....we've had puppies chew apart our whole doggie daycare! Maybe put something in there they can chew, like some puppy teething toys or a kitten ball (the firm plastic ones) they were a huge hit with the ferrets I worked with

 

[Brandy DW]

For my sanity I hope they learn fast. If the little devils weren't so cute and didn't look at me with such trusting eyes I would be able to stay annoyed but one look and they win me over. *grumbles* I'm such a softy sometimes.

 

[Trish Allearz]

There are chew toys for ferrets. Toss some of them in?

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