The Enigma of the Biting Ferret
The question, "Why do ferrets bite?" is not a simple question. If you read Ferrets, especially the "Acting Up" column, you know this is a worrisome topic for some ferret owners. This article offers some potential reasons for biting behavior, and understanding them is the first step in solving the biting dilemma.
Awhile back, I read an interview with a dog trainer and he was asked about training dogs not to bark. He explained that dogs were bred to bark, and that the relationship between man and dog began thousands of years ago when humans first began using dogs to warn of the presence of intruders. Dogs have been used as watch dogs ever since. Therefore, training a dog not to bark was to work against what is now a natural instinct in the animal. This is not to say this cannot be done, however, it certainly can -but doing so requires patience and a lot of thoughtful training. The dog scenario bears a moderate resemblance to ferrets and biting, which is actually a normal behavior for ferrets that pets may need to "unlearn."
IT'S NATURAL FOR THEM TO USE THEIR MOUTHS
Ferrets use their mouths for more than just eating. This is perfectly natural. Watch a pile of baby kits in a pet store playing; you'll see them chewing each other's ears and necks, and dragging each other around by grabbing any loose skin or appendage with their mouths. Female ferrets use their mouths to kiss their babies, wash them and discipline them when needed. Watch your own ferret with a toy or another ferret buddy; both will be picked up, dragged about and grabbed onto. To ferrets, a mouth is much more than something in which to stuff food -a ferret's mouth is a tool, a method of defense and a means of communication.
Because ferrets lack sharp claws, their teeth are their primary defense mechanism. If threatened, a ferret will first try to run, then it will either screech or spray the attacker (if the ferret has not been descented and had its anal sacks removed). A ferret's final defense, if these other ploys don't work, is to bite. Even the most gentle ferret could bite if you accidentally step on it!
Ferrets "speak" to us by using their mouths, as well. Instead of speaking out loud, though, they use body language. Ferrets may bite if they're in pain, but they may also bite to get your attention. When you are busy and your ferret wants to play, your pet may nip your foot or ankle as if to say, "Hey! I'm down here and I want some attention." Small nips or gentle play-biting is normal for ferrets. It is when a ferret bites really hard that something is awry.
NOW THAT HURTS!
If your ferret bites you hard, consider yourself yelled at. Whatever is going on inside your pet's furry head, your ferret definitely feels strongly about it. It is also possible that you may have actually taught your ferret to bite by rewarding inappropriate behavior (a yelp on your part could even constitute a reward to a ferret; ferrets love high drama). It's an easy error to make, especially if you are a novice owner or if you own a high-strung ferret. A ferret may also bite because it simply was never taught not to bite. Perhaps the animal was not properly handled at the breeder or pet store. A frightened ferret can certainly bite hard, and, of course, an abused ferret may bite, too.
There are as many ways to teach a ferret not to bite as there are reasons for them to bite. It seems as if every experienced ferret owner has a favorite "trick" to stop ferrets from biting. Most have their merits, but unless the right remedy is applied to the right situation, the biting could easily go from bad to worse. I sometimes receive phone calls from desperate owners telling me "so-and-so told me to try this, and so-and-so told me to try that, but nothing's working!" Perhaps that is because "so- and-so" didn't first try to determine why the ferret was biting. Okay, so what can you do about your biting ferret?
