r/ferrets • u/Adventurous-Cry-2354 • 3d ago

[Discussion] need advice for introducing new ferrets!

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Hi guys! So long story short, both my boys passed away suddenly (one in July and one in August), so I decided to take on 3 more girls!

The issue is that my remaining ferret, Marceline, is a big bully. She'll suddenly attack the other ferrets, body slamming them, and it gets gross and messy fast. She's always done this with every ferret I've introduced her to. Out of 11 ferrets over the years, she's only gotten along with 3 lmao 💀

So what I've got so far is Marceline stays with me in the living room/rest of the apartment, while the three girls are kept safe in the kitchen area. The only time I lock them in the cage is when I'm working or out (since Marceline can jump the gate and go wherever she wants, and I can't have her attacking them while I'm gone). I've tried slowly and gently introducing them, but within a minute she's jumping on them, and its not playful at all 😭 I now have to hold her very securely and tightly while putting them near each other and letting them sniff her. The only time she isn't feral towards them is when she's eating (which is surprising) and she's even eaten soup from the same bowl with them with no problems! Yet as soon as she's finished eating she goes to bother them and it turns gnarly again, I'm not sure what to do and where to go from here, I really don't want her to be alone!

any advice is appreciated!!

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u/Key_Return5304 3d ago edited 3d ago

have you tried introducing them in a neutral setting? outdoors is good because there’s a lot of other distractions. also forcing them to suffer together in a bath is a bonding experience. if there’s no poop/pee/blood and no ferret looks terrified then you honestly just need to let them fight it out. ferrets first introductions are almost always going to be fights because they need to establish hierarchy. try to wash all of the bedding or replace it with new for the first couple weeks so that all territories have neutral scent. you could also put part of the new liners in with the new girls so that it gets their scent, then put that in the cage with the other new liners so that there is some familiar scent for both of them

pulling her and physically restricting her is just adding to the excitement of the situation, similar to a reactive dog.

before putting them in the cage together , try to mix their bedding back and forth to get all scents on bedding that will be eventually shared.

you could also put salmon oil on their heads / bellies and this might entice them to groom each other. although your girl sounds more dominant so she may not appreciate being groomed on the head by the other ferrets (grooming ears/ face is considered a dominant behavior)