Character

The ferret is a predator and displays this characteristic in the passion for exploration and hunting, even though ritualized in the game. Ferrets sleep for several hours; we can say that these animals have two levels of activity: or are actively engaged in the game, or deep sleep.
They are very affectionate animals, love to be pampered by the owner and how it could become attached to a cat.
They are generally docile, but there are always exceptions to the rule. Aggression may depend on the poor habit of human contact, in the case for example of animals who lived for several months in a cage in a shop, before being sold, but in some cases is of genetic origin ("a question of character"). In the first case with time, patience and a bit 'of stoicism is possible to overcome the distrust of the ferret, he lost his aggressiveness and make docile and affectionate; In the second case the possibility of peaceful coexistence are smaller.
In general, Ferrets have a character suitable; placed in a new environment does not scare, but run to explore. Unfortunately, if you run away from home tend to move away and get lost, Do not return.
Ferrets get along well with other animals of their species, if used by small. As adults living with others requires a certain period of time to allow animals to get to know strangers and bind. Two ferrets multiply together the fun of playing and report them to observe and wild. The ferret is an animal very funny, with a very particular way of speaking ... but we're sure you know the messages that we send? Let's decipher some of his strange behaviors!

Dance of joy!

And 'one of the greatest expressions furettica, although often those who are just in the tunnel of furettomania, can interpret it wrong and mistaken for an attack! This fun dance seen a ferret without any control, folded-point, that jumps in feet of moving sideways, like a crab (ma ubriaco!), doing somersaults, bouncing off the furniture…a real loose cannon! Often keeps her mouth open and "potpotta" soundly! In practice, the ferret is telling you that it is incredibly happy, full of energy and ready to play!

War dance!

Similar to the dance of joy, But the ferret again drops a message: is angry, hurt or scared. In general it authorizes all the hair, the ferret backs, blows and, if it is still "armed", shoots his infamous puzzette ... is desperately trying to look big and fat, smelly and frightening!

Assault!

Ferrets love to play chase the prey (are hunters, no?) among themselves and with you: especially while you're busy running the household…were prepared! You will certainly be attacked by leaping puzzoli, who then fled as if they were bouncing drunks do not worry ...: your ferret is inviting you to play "catch me, take me!!"Stop a minute, and you also give chase…just be careful not to trample: they may stop suddenly!

Wrestling!

Ferrets always play in the fight, try to agguantarsi for Coppino and try to make the "move the crocodile"…or, Once taken to the nape, they roll on the floor, lying for a long time before another. All surrounded by sound potpot, murmurs and cries. Ferrets do is to establish hierarchies, both in a simulated during the game. At times continue to roll in two, other times only by a ferret starts to roll on the floor…no weirdness…is playing alone in the struggle of crocodiles! But be careful ... sometimes they try to move with us ... trying to agguantarci behind the ankles, for socks or for the wrist: a good grip with canines, and so…trying to ribaltarci!!! All this just for their fun, a little 'less for us…We can discourage this behavior, but if the ferret only lives, let's play the fight with a rag or a doll ... we will be grateful!

NEUTRE PUNTO NEUTRO!

Ferrets engage the back for different reasons. Often go back playing with other ferrets, or to prepare an ambush. But beware.. if you see your ferret backing into a corner to, is preparing to use the bathroom and if it is not the right place, hurry up and place it in the nearest litter box, before damage is done! However, if your ferret is in reverse blowing and it's all swollen, then it is seriously scared: Talk to him with sweet words, offer him a treat, but do not try to pick it up shooting, wait until you calm.

Frontal!

How many times have you seen your ferret, involved in the game or the fight, colliding awkwardly against the wall or furniture? The ferrets we see very little, also their vision is better than the front side, for which they have a poor perception of depth (NB .. so no sense of height, attention to windows, balconies, mezzanines, open stairways, etc.). Everything is normal, then, your ferret is not crazy!

Brush-tailed

Ferrets swell the tail when excited or scared. If they do while they explore a new environment or during a game rather energetic…nothing to worry about .. or at least careful ...! You may have a "skunk triggered"…would soon might explode into racing at breakneck speed, jumps and traps to no end!!! If, however,, in addition to the brush-tailed, The ferret is all swollen, Also in the back, blows, backs or gives other signs of disappointment ... then it might have scared!

Wags!

Well you…Also ferrets wag their tails, but it is a fast moving, more like the movement of the tail of a rattlesnake, that the soft undulating tail of cats or dogs would be very rare ..., but if you're lucky, you notice your ferret wag his tail when excited or expect something very funny…perhaps while preparing an ambush to his playmate (or that you're going through with a tray of glasses of good service!!). Usually this behavior is seen when two ferrets Be face in a tube or tunnel, or play under a rug.

Dig, dig, dig!

Often the ferrets dig in the water bowl, in biscuits, in litter. And 'behavior generally unwanted and unloved, But ferrets are born to dig, and you can not teach him not to do! The bowls can be hung up, the litter in the litter box may be left slightly "fragrant" to remind the ferret is a bathroom, and not a playground. You can also arrange home-area excavation, filling a box with earth…good luck, then to the cleaning!!! Eye on the pots of houseplants…if not put out of reach, or repaired with a special pot covers, are emptied in an instant!!!

Fold the bowls

Ferrets are playful animals, and full of energy and they have a chance, also play in our food and water, especially if you're bored and they are required too much time alone in a cage and this is the only walk! It 's always better to have heavy ceramic bowls in the cage, such that it can not be overturned, or take the bowls that hang in the cage, which prevent the digging. Sometimes, then, Ferrets love to play in their own, exchanging the bowl for a pool, and in this way the water can be less. Better have a water bottle cage also drop, in addition to the bowl…only drinkable but NEVER, that quenches enough ferrets! Someone happened to notice that some ferrets love to soften the dry food with water (overturning and mixing all!). Try to spray the food with water and see if attempts to mix water and dry food disappears. Beware, but: wet food deteriorates quickly, must be changed often!

Potpot!

I have not found the Italian voice that refers to the direction of the ferret when playing, explores or excited ... This is a potpotpot cucucucu .. or like the sound of a coffee maker or the clucking of a hen. Males in heat, in the presence of a female, make it loud enough, other ferrets generally do so at low pitch while playing, and feels just putting your ear and focusing ...

A grido!

If your ferret shouts, has definitely kicked in trouble: may have hurt or scared! Hurry to see what is happening! Sometimes ferrets emit muffled cries while playing or fighting among themselves to establish the strongest…The squeal is to understand when one exaggerates. Better check, but expect to intervene only if you scratch or hurt themselves seriously (very rare event, unless they are inserting a new ferret in the community!!).

Blows!

A blowing or hissing ferret wants to show fear or anger, but sometimes they do even playing each other. Look for other signs (hair straight, retromarce ..) to see if your ferret is seriously upset or scared. In this case try to calm him, but do not try to take it abruptly (pen…a sound bite!!!)

Hiccup

Ferrets often have hiccups, especially if young and sometimes they scare. Tranquillizzateli with a caress, sweet words, a drink of water or a treat!

Sneezing

Ferrets sneeze a lot. Try it yourself to crawl under the bookcase and sofa ... a lot starnutireste!!! Sometimes, instead, make a long series of closely spaced sneezing…often happens when they fell hitting his nose, or have smelled something pungent too closely! But if the nasal discharge and sneezing are connected lethargic behavior: attention!…Your ferret is cooled or influenced.. if the situation is not resolved within a few days, and / or are accompanied by cough and phlegm…take him to the vet!!!

Cough

If the cough is accompanied by a dripping nose and sneezing, then it is a symptom of a cold or flu. If it persists, better to pass the vet. Often, however, ferrets cough because something has gone askew, especially if you are eating kibble (sometimes go a bit 'in a hurry ..), or during molting.. if the cough insists, try to sedate her with a little 'paste for hairballs! If the cough is not occasionally, but persistent and is accompanied by vomiting, lack of appetite, apathy and problems with bowel movements ... running faster than light to the vet: could be a beginning of intestinal blockage…you left around the ear plugs or pencils with eraser?

He scratches

Ferrets will often scratch! Sometimes they stop during the game and begin to scratch, or you suddenly awaken from sleep to do it. If you have carefully excluded, with the help of a veterinarian the presence of parasites (fleas or ear mites) or redness or skin lesions, dermatitis do not worry ...: is just itching!

Tremble

The ferrets tremble very, especially when you wake up. They do it to raise the body temperature. Or tremble when excited or scared. If this continues for a long tremor, without any specific reason (check the absence of currents or drafts of cold air), then take them to the vet.

Theft and obsession

That ferrets are "thieves" it tells you the Latin name ("Furo" = thief). All that they like, is kidnapped and hidden in their burrows, the secret hideaways (the trick is to find the house where these shelters ... all lost items can then be recovered!). Try moving the games while you do the cleaning…Ferrets will find all offended and busy to put everything back in place! Sometimes they steal and hide even the kibble from the bowl (are stocks…you never know when we forget that supplies!). There are also cases of real and their loves and obsessions for "prey" special.

Deep sleep

Ferrets sleep a lot and very deeply…it is not uncommon that they do not wake even when you take them or shake them in their arms! Sometimes they sleep with eyes half-open, so they seem unconscious, in coma. E 'be frightened and had someone take them to the vet fearing the worst, to find themselves in a clinic and a surprised Puzzolo yawning!!! Take advantage of this behavior to simplify the operations of the most annoying Grooming (Cutting nails, Cleaning ears ..). At the same time, pay attention to places where your ferret chooses to sleep soundly…you could crush it by sitting on the couch or lying down in bed…or you risk putting it in the washing machine if you dozed off in the midst of clothes to wash!

Ferret Flat

Almost all ferrets occasionally spiaciccano ground, to mo 'of pancake, usually just in front of you. It can be said volervi:"Look at me, are small and black ... please, take me.. can resist me?!?”. Ignore…and you'll find it between the legs to saltellarvi, mordendovi the pedi to attract your attention. Or it can mean "I am invisible, I do not see!!!”, usually just a moment before an assault on someone or something (and you could be you!). It 's hard to tell the difference…ignored if a ferret that demands attention, There is evil…but if you collect a ferret in pre-ambush, you might ruin the game… I still have the habit of taking her up the ferrets "pancake": if he wanted to be invisible ferret, most of the time was to combine some trouble (My Gwyneth is a specialist!). The flat position, especially in the summer or after strenuous activity, can also be a sign of fatigue or an attempt to cool off the floor: If the ferret passes flattened dl usually much longer, better to make a trip to the vet for a check!

It 'clear that these few lines can not catalog the endless ways and behavior of ferrets ... and what fun would it be if every day there stupissero?

 

SOURCE: Vet.Marta for Leftovers AAE

SOURCE: Furettomania taken from: www.everythingferret.com, www.ferretcentral.org and the delightful The Ferret Owner's Manual by Dick Bossart (http://www.thechipster.com/fert-man.html)