Last Updated on September 16, 2022
If you notice that your ferret is constantly chewing carpets or your furniture, you may be wondering how to stop a naughty ferret. You can use physical methods, such as hand-holding your ferret when they are naughty and place a heavy object nearby. If your ferret does not stop chewing carpets, you can also place a heavy object near the damaged area and prevent it from moving.
Oil massages
Oil massages are great ways to soothe a ferret’s itch and stop them from scratching the cage. It will also make their fur shiny and reduce odor. Your ferret will thank you for it. Unlike other animals, ferrets are not allergic to coconut oil. However, you should use this product with caution if you’re not familiar with it.
First, you’ll need to make sure your ferret’s ears are clean. If there are black pellets or dirt, you should remove them as soon as possible. While brown dirt is normal for your ferret, black dirt indicates a flea infestation. You’ll also want to remove the whole tick, because if you do not, the head could cause an infection. And don’t worry if your ferret doesn’t scratch the cage, because it’s probably not the culprit.
To prevent your ferret from chewing the cage, clipping their nails every two weeks is a good solution. Untrimmed nails can snag on carpets, bedding, and the cage. If they get tangled up, they’ll attempt to break free and cry in pain. This will exhaust them and even result in a death. If you can’t stop your ferret from scratching the cage, oil massages are the best way to keep them from hurting themselves.
While you’re using oil massages to stop a ferret’s claws from growing, make sure to remember that ferrets have strong aversions to the smell of scented oils. They also hate being stepped on. Try to avoid stepping on your ferret’s feet for at least 30 minutes before bedtime. It won’t hurt if you let them back down after they’ve scratched your furniture.
While your ferret loves to be petted, you can try to prevent them from scratching the cage by placing something heavy in the area. After 15 minutes, your ferret will not scratch the area. It’ll probably go back to sleep. And it will be easier to clean up afterwards. The trick is to start with the least threatening area of the cage. It won’t be able to scratch the cage if you can’t supervise him around guests.
Consult a veterinarian
To stop a ferret from scratching its cage, first of all, determine the cause of the problem. First, fill out a behavioral questionnaire. You should note the specific type or types of biting your ferret exhibits. Second, identify the situations that tend to provoke your pet’s biting behavior. These situations could include a new pet or baby in the household, as well as a change in routine or time spent “free.”
A rattling cage may be an indication of fleas. Fleas can be difficult to detect, but ferrets’ cages often rattle with their scratching. Fleas will leave raw red patches and thinning hair. Consult a veterinarian if you notice any of these symptoms. If your pet continues to scratch the cage, it could be a sign of a serious medical condition.
If your ferret is not accustomed to being picked up, he may be in the mood to run. In some cases, it could have been playing around while you were cuddling him. Remember, a ferret learns “Nip = Let me go” faster than a human. If you want to stop your ferret from scratching the cage, consult a veterinarian immediately.
If your ferret seems to be jealous of the new pet, don’t force it to do so. This can be counterproductive. If you suddenly become unresponsive, your ferret will sense that something isn’t right. Until he realizes he’s in pain, he might continue to scratch the cage. As soon as he realizes his behavior is causing pain, consult a veterinarian to stop a ferret from scratching its cage.
Ferrets are very playful. You can give them toys that are safe to play with. These toys should be made from durable materials so that the ferret’s teeth won’t harm them. Some toys are safe for your ferret to play with, such as cat or baby toys. Make sure you avoid small parts, sharp edges, and dangling threads, as ferrets’ teeth are strong.
Behavioral studies show that a ferret may act badly to get attention
Many ferrets will behave badly to get attention. Although this is not always the case, behavioral studies have shown that animals will often prefer negative attention to no attention. To ensure that your pet does not behave badly to get attention, try rewarding good behavior. If you notice a ferret doing something wrong, it may be due to frustration with its cage and crate.
Typical behavior in ferrets involving fighting is the play of ferrets with each other. During play, a ferret will begin with an exaggerated approach and reciprocal chasing. It will then engage in a series of actions that include mounting, wrestling, neck biting, and vocalization. The behavior will not necessarily involve a threat, but it may involve the human hand or foot.
Despite these signs, ferrets may also have other underlying causes for aggression. In some cases, a ferret will bite simply to get attention from its owner. Often, a newly acquired ferret will have limited socialization or handling, which can trigger aggressive behavior. This behavior is a natural reaction for a ferret, which likely evolved from their wild counterparts preying on humans.
Another common cause for bad behavior in a ferret is boredom. It is believed that ferrets may feel frustrated and agitated when confined to a cage. They may also be trying to get attention by chasing a ball, snatching it, and chewing on it. Whether a ferret has these causes, however, the cause for such behavior is unclear.
Some owners report that their ferrets drink their own urine. This behavior may be a sign of a territorial behavior. A ferret may also drink urine from its cagemates and lick itself to groom itself. These behaviors are typical in male ferrets during the rut, in which they may also scent-mark to alert prospective breeding partners. Ferrets’ odor glands are most prominent at the nape of the neck.
Frequent vomiting in a ferret could be a sign of an underlying medical problem. Vomiting ferrets may have an obstruction, which is potentially fatal. Ferrets also vomit when they are sick, and they will drool excessively. If you notice a ferret vomiting, make sure to visit your vet as soon as possible.
Veterinary exam
Your pet may be scratching its cage because it is inflamed. In some cases, this is an indication of a disease that requires medicine or surgery. It may also be due to excitement or even an old age, but a veterinary exam can help you identify the underlying cause of this problem. Listed below are some common causes and ways to stop a ferret from scratching its cage.
The first problem may be a lack of attention. A ferret does not often show jealousy when another animal enters the home, but if you become less attentive to your pet for a short time, it will be obvious that the new pet isn’t as much of a priority. Make sure that your other pets aren’t suffering from this new addition to the household before you try to stop your pet from scratching its cage.
An examination of the ears may reveal a variety of health problems. While the ears of dogs and cats can develop ear mites, a ferret’s ear-mite infestation is less common than in cats and dogs. In addition, ferrets have different pain thresholds than cats and dogs, so their signs of discomfort are not similar to those seen in their species. If you notice a dark gray-colored or foul-smelling ear wax, a veterinarian may recommend an exam to determine if ear mites are the cause of your ferret’s scratching. A veterinarian will also examine your pet’s pinna to determine if it has undergone de-scented or neutered.
Regular examinations are important for your ferret’s health. Your pet should receive annual vaccinations and an exam every six months, if possible. Younger ferrets may also require biannual exams. As the pet grows older, it will need regular radiographs and bloodwork. This helps identify any potential problems early on in life. However, it is important to remember to bring your pet’s feces sample with you whenever you take it to the vet.
A veterinary examination can also diagnose worms, and may prescribe an antibiotic to control the symptoms. Remember to give your ferret its medicine daily or you may risk developing ferret spongiform encephalopathy. If you do notice the symptoms of an infection, call your veterinarian immediately. Your pet’s condition will likely worsen if you fail to treat it.
About The Author
Wendy Lee is a pop culture ninja who knows all the latest trends and gossip. She's also an animal lover, and will be friends with any creature that crosses her path. Wendy is an expert writer and can tackle any subject with ease. But most of all, she loves to travel - and she's not afraid to evangelize about it to anyone who'll listen! Wendy enjoys all kinds of Asian food and cultures, and she considers herself a bit of a ninja when it comes to eating spicy foods.