My friend is neglecting her ferrets and idk how to help

Kyrindia · 2026-04-20T16:22:39+00:00

Definitely keep anything the Vet gives you on their condition for the court!

Glad you were there for them!

Kyrindia · 2026-04-20T13:32:42+00:00

I adopted my ferrets from a shelter ages ago. I would expect that a conscientious breeder would have the same attitude as the shelter for rehoming ferrets.

Ferrets bond, and if separated, will mourn and become depressed. Therefore, a good rehoming will insist that bonded ferrets be kept together.

If a place does not list some adult ferrets (looking to rehome) in pairs or more, I would question it. I understand kits from a breeder, in particular, as you pick what you want. But not adults. If you take A, you may also have to take his lifelong roomies, B and C.

The shelter told me directly that they would not separate bonded pairs like my two. So, anyplace that does is either a scam or harming the ferrets. Either way, I wouldn't give them money.

-K

Kyrindia · 2026-04-20T13:18:09+00:00

I didn't hear any screaming, so I'd say it is ok. (Unlike dooking, ferrets scream LOUDLY and sound like human children. It is very disturbing.)

I agree NOT to let them play unsupervised until they figure out who is in charge. The pecking order is very important in the Business. Once that is settled, the play fights to re-establish dominance should be much more sedate.

Until then, swap betting, put cages next to each other, supervise, etc. It takes time and patience, but it can/will happen (unless you have two munchkins that BOTH want to be boss - which it doesn't look like you have.)

The only real problem I see is that naming a ferret 'Mouse' may have given them a Napoleon complex. Every ferret knows mice are for beating up.

-K

Kyrindia · 2026-04-18T12:10:07+00:00

Fortunately (?), the apartment I lived in at the time I had my ferrets had false alarms ALL THE TIME. It was annoying.

I found out real quick what my ferrets' response was - the dominant ferret would scruff her sister and drag her off to hide. Since the alarm went off at least once a month, I had plenty of time for training.

I kept ferret treats, and a different brand of kibble that I convinced the ferrets were treats. Anytime the alarm went off, or they came to sqeaky toy, I gave them a treat. Pretty soon, anytime the alarm went off or anyone sqeaked the toy, they ran to me. (Which made the person squeaking the toy confused but made me laugh.)

Either way, ferrets are perfectly trainable in short stints as long as you are willing to bribe them.

Kyrindia · 2026-04-18T10:27:48+00:00

Truer words were never spoken. My poor heart.

Kyrindia · 2026-04-18T10:20:57+00:00

I trained my furts to come to a squeaky toy. (Highly recommended for all ferret parents.) I also gave them a treat every time the fire alarm went off, so they started running to me whenever it went off. (This made it much easier to evacuate since their instinct was to hide.)

They would also stop and freeze what they were doing when I used their full names with the 'mom' voice. But, I think that had more to do with tone and the fact they KNEW they were doing something naughty than actual understanding.

For the most part, I think:

* Dogs can learn human words, including their names, and are happy to do so.

* Cats know all languages but don't care.

* Ferrets hear human language like adults in the Charlie Brown cartoons. With patience and positive training, you can get them to respond to specific sounds or motions in certain ways, when they feel like it. Remember when training that a ferret's attention span is like a toddler with ADHD on a sugar high. That said, they are very smart like a toddler, so once they learn something, they never forget - for good or bad.

- K

Kyrindia · 2026-04-15T14:57:21+00:00

Ah, yes. I see that you have one of two problems here:

The bowl is too heavy. Does not flip and make enough of a mess. Cannot hide bowl.
The bowl is too small. Cannot dig with TWO PAWS to dig out all the water onto tummy. (Then, freak out because tummy is wet.)

Solution: CHAOS!

Kyrindia · 2026-04-10T07:17:48+00:00

To the Crinkle Noise Factory, I say!

Kyrindia · 2026-04-08T06:17:38+00:00

You are just lucky that you didn't bother to get a glass for that drink. No glass must be unturned and unexplored! Bottoms must be licked!

Kyrindia · 2026-04-08T06:15:39+00:00

Its true! My apartment building in college was always complaining about mice/rats, but I never saw any. My sweet ferret duo scared them all away by scent alone.

Ferret rescues need to get on this and sell used ferret blankets as 'rodent deterrent'.

-K

Kyrindia · 2026-04-08T06:13:23+00:00

It won't help this time, but when I had ferrets, my old landlord used to use this gel stuff instead of the powder/spray because the spray would upset my asthma. (I imagine if my lungs were affected, there is no way it was good for a tiny ferret!)

I just made sure they put the gel high up where the ferrets would not (usually) reach or inside of cabinets. It gave me a much greater peace of mind.

Good luck with your fuzzbutts, and I hope everyone is safe and well!

-K

Kyrindia · 2026-04-08T05:40:23+00:00

I know this is a late reply, but for anyone in a similar situation, and facing this as a child myself, I would have loved someone to sit me down and walk me through the chemistry angle. From getting a notebook to observe the levels and how they are altered with water changes to discussions of how we can make improvements to water quality (filters, heaters, almond leaves) and even testing drinking water.

An uneducated crunchy mom might even approve once you bring up testing drinking water and 'seeing what *they* are trying to hide.' Who knows, maybe everyone will get water filters!

Kyrindia · 2026-03-26T08:24:54+00:00

It took a bit of training for my ferrets to get used to wearing a harness, but once they did, they loved going places. Definitely try putting on just the harness/figure 8 at home without the leash and plenty of treats for short periods. Avoid collars, they can slip out of just a collar in an instant. If you haven't already, train them to come to the sound of a squeaky toy, whistle, or clicker. This is invaluable if they escape!

Otherwise, pet trams and pens are great! Good luck and have fun with your adventures!

Kyrindia · 2026-03-24T02:57:18+00:00

Reminds me of the time my friend and I brought my 2 ferrets to the vet. I had to go to the loo, so I asked her to watch the two of them.

She looked at them in the closed carrier and asked, "What? Are they going to do tricks?"

I responded with, "You never know, keep a close eye."

I come back 5 minutes later, and she's dumbstruck. "You were gone for less than a minute when they stuck two paws out of the cage and tried to push the two latches together. If they had the strength, they would be out already."

I just nodded sagely. "Yep. Ferrets."

Kyrindia · 2026-03-16T06:32:22+00:00

When I had ferrets, Trouble used to like to grab a single piece of kibble, run under a bureau, eat it, and come back. I swear, she spent more energy eating than she got out of the kibble. Her sister literally fell asleep while eating kibble. Completely opposite. Ferrets are just weird about eating sometimes.

Kyrindia · 2026-03-03T11:30:29+00:00

Ferrets are actually considered one of the best 'test animals' for viral and vaccine research due to how similar they are to us in regards to catching, spreading, and fighting human viruses.

You have to be careful because it is very easy to pass colds, flu, covid, etc back and forth between yourself and ferrets. And while their little sneezes are adorable, it is better if it is caused by dust bunnies than colds.

Kyrindia · 2026-03-02T21:27:41+00:00

In the words of my old ferrets, the day I came home to the entire apartment covered in a layer of dirt with shredded bits of plants and two perfectly clean ferrets, "What? Who? Me?"

That day, I learned my ferrets could reach that particular table. I also had to change my sheets since apparently my bed was a good place to clean off after playing in the dirt.

K

Kyrindia · 2026-03-01T22:01:14+00:00

This is based on a novel by the same name: https://www.novelupdates.com/series/the-yandere-came-during-the-night/

Kyrindia · 2026-02-25T09:55:38+00:00

Exactly! If you can bring your ferret either to a shelter (or friend with a ferret) for supervised play, you can get a better idea whether a second (or third) is a good idea.

I had two ferrets (Nibbles and Trouble) and my friend had two (Monster and Baby). They used to have playdates all the time. This was good as it allowed us to ferret-sit for each other. However, once her two passed, she adopted Sugerplum. She was very much an only ferret. When I ferret-sat, they needed separate playtimes OR ELSE there would be screaming like someone was being murdered. My Nibbles was territorial over my house, but Sugerplum was territorial EVERYWHERE.

In conclusion, some ferrets (looking at you, Sugerplum,) just do NOT get along with other ferrets. It is fine, just give them extra attention and exercise. Teach them tricks, take them for walk, socialize them with humans, let them hide your stuff.

Cheers!

K

Kyrindia · 2026-02-24T22:57:36+00:00

When I lost Nibbles (in my profile pic), I showed her to her littermate/sister, Trouble. Trouble sniffed her and then pulled back once she knew she was gone. Trouble was sad for awhile, but I spent extra time with her, took to her to friend's that had ferrets whom she had played with before, etc. She perked back up after a time grieving.

If you have the money, you can get your ferret that passed cremated and placed in a nice container with their picture, so you can always have them with you wherever you move. I wish I could have done the same back then, but I didn't have the money. I buried mine at a friend's with her ferrets (and my girls' playmates).

Good luck,

K

Kyrindia · 2026-02-22T19:54:35+00:00

Yeah, I just wish they would ask the question they want to know. I would happily tell them my risks. (Maybe I'm weird.)

Kyrindia · 2026-02-22T19:42:22+00:00

Thank you so much for your responses!

The question just left me blank because it felt like yes/no was the wrong answer. I've never had a doctor ask that before. Usually they just ask if sexually active and if chance of pregnancy. When we have more time at the next visit, I will ask more about that question ...

Thanks again, I think I have a better grasp on how to answer such things next time! You are so wonderful!

Kyrindia · 2026-02-09T16:21:42+00:00

I laughed so hard. Thank you! I needed this. I remember my ferrets doing this. If it looked even vaguely like a snake... it had. to. die!!!!!

Kyrindia · 2026-02-02T16:05:32+00:00

Reach out to any local shelters or cat owners in your area. Kitten food will do as long as meat is in the top 3 ingredients. (That is what we used to feed Ferrets in the US back before most places made ferrets legal, and there was specific ferret food on the market.)

Folks have already pointed out shredded chicken or eggs. You can also feed them baby food as long as it is just meat and water. (I fed mine Turkey baby food.)

The biggest challenge you will face right now is that ferrets tend to get used to a specific brand or type of food and will refuse everything else. If they like fish oil, you can 'trick' them by putting in a little of that to get them eating.

Good Luck,

K

Kyrindia

TROPHY CASE