|
Congratulations
on your new ferret. Bet you can't wait to get to
know all about your little guy--and once he settles
in, he'll want to know all about you, too. To earn
his trust and affection, it's a good idea to begin
handling him.
Proper Ferret Care & Handling
To
tame your pet, you will need to pick him up frequently
and, most importantly, CORRECTLY. Keep in mind that
small animals like ferrets are prey in the wild,
so a hand swooping down on them from above can be
very frightening--and may result in the animal running
away, hiding or even attacking. When you're ready
to give it a go, make sure he's bright-eyed and
alert--if you wake him up from a snooze, he's less
likely to be receptive--and speak to him in gentle,
encouraging tones. Grasp him with both hands, using
one to support his chest and the other to hold his
hips and back legs. Next, you can gently lift him
and cradle him in your arms. You can also try holding
him on your lap. Don't be surprised if he gets a
little squirmy; most ferrets must acquire a taste
for being handled and/or cuddled by humans! And
remember, heaps of praise and a little treat will
go a long way with a ferret who behaves during handling!
Never
grab your ferret or pick him up by his tail. If
you need to control him during grooming or your
weekly inspection of his teeth and ears, scruffing
can be very effective--and, if done properly, completely
safe. Just grasp the thick scruff of skin behind
his neck with your hand and lift him, while carefully
supporting his bottom half.
Ferret Behavior
Don't
be surprised if your ferret nips you during the
initial taming period. Young ferrets may nip to
show that they don't quite like being held, but
you will have to let your pet know that this behavior
is not acceptable. Experts recommend that you don't
just put your pet down after a nip--that's what
he wants, after all!--but firmly tell him "No!"
and put him in his cage. You may have to do this
several times, but he will soon learn that nipping
puts an end to playtime and attention from you.
Never, ever hit your ferret for nipping--or for
any reason. Not only will this frighten him, it
can lead to aggressive behavior.
|
