Temperment Issue!

[octoxpuss]

IN Feb. I got a ferret. She is the most awesome pet i have ever had. Now that she is a hefty 8 months old. Born in November. She is kind of beginning with a little temper issue. She grabs onto me and hisses. Like she knows when i am not playing and lets me pet her and hold her but she will come up hiss. Is this a good thing or a bad thing. Like she latches her arms around my hand and bites then hisses. It doesnt hurt to much but i still dont like that she hisses. Is this play or something more temper like? What do i do? Please Help any more questions please ask.

[Rhaethe]

I asked my boyfriend, who used to own ferrets for quite a while ...

He said that ferrets hiss if they are mad or trying to dominate something, or they hiss while playing.

The mad or trying for dominance hiss is long and drawn out. (hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiisssssssss)

The "I'm playing" hiss is short hisses in succession. (hih hih hih)

What the hiss means depends on its sounds and what is happening at the time. In some cases, a hiss can mean "I've had enough of what you're doing, please back off". Or, it can mean "I like it rough! More rough play please! RAWR".

[octoxpuss]

Well it is more like, when you take in a deep inhale and exhale sound. It is when i go to touch her and she is getting moody. I dont want her to go and be nasty because i erally like ferrets. We get along it just started today. Like, she is running around all over me but when i touch her she hisses but no bite. What should i do.

[Rhaethe]

The long hiss is often "I'm frustrated or annoyed" or "Hey you! I'm boss".

If it only happens when you try to touch her, even while she is clearly romping around all over you ... it could be a try for dominance ... she is getting older now, and aware of such things.

Something the boyfriend did in such cases, was to take up the ferret, GENTLY, by the scruff of the neck like you would a kitten (and like mother ferrets do). Don't shake, or yell, or anything like that. Just hold her still and she will soon "yawn". Then put her down and pet her. This reasserts to her that you are mom and the dominant ferret.

Here's a picture on how to properly scruff a ferret. [Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[Lady Hobbs]

Good info Rhaethe! Since the ferret only started doing this today, perhaps she is just having a bad day, doesn't feel well or the heat wave has gotten to her. Has she been sprayed?

[octoxpuss]

I have her out today and she really is not hissing or anything she is crawling all over me and playing with me. She is in a better mood. She was going on her 3rd hour out of the cage so i guess it was just a mood. I did give her a bath but she loves them maybe she didnt like it last night. Rhaethe i already knew about the scruff technique but my vet told me to be quiet and drag her on her back then hold her for a little like that becuase that is how the fight for dominance. I will try your BF's next. Thanks for the help.

[Jemerald]

does anyone know if the scruffing technique will work on kittens who are trying to show dominence by biteing?