So you want to bring a second (or maybe third, even fourth) ferret into your home? Adding a new member to your furry family is exciting! But it can also be nerve-wracking and stressful for both ferrets. And there are a few things you should do to ensure that this new introduction goes smoothly.
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Quarantine: Quarantining a ferret means you keep it completely separate from your at home ferret for at least 30 days. This means your new ferret will be in an entirely different cage in a different room in a different part of your home. Why do you need to quarantine? First of all, it allows your new ferret to get adjusted to it's surroundings without the tension from another ferret. They need about four weeks to fully adjust to their new home before being introduced to another ferret. But the 30 days also gives you time to monitor your new ferret. Check it over for health problems- most commonly fleas or gnats. Many ferret illnesses and diseases are contagious. So if your new ferret is housed with your old ferret it could make the older one ill. Your 30 day quarantine will help you determine if it is safe to house them together without risking an illness outbreak. Closely watch your new ferret for any signs of illness. If after thirty days your ferret is still looking healthy, happy, and active in it's new home- then it's time to move on to step two!
Put Cages Side By Side: To first introduce your ferrets keep them separated by cage bars. Set their cages side by side and allow them to get used to living next to one another. Permit them to interact through the cage bars- and watch them closely. Do they seem more playful or aggressive towards each other? Let them out at separate times, so they do not quarrel outside of their cages. And keep them in separate cages, side by side, for about three to four days. If they seem friendly towards one another while living in close quarters then you can move onto step three. If not, give them more time to get adjusted to each other. Watch them closely to see how they interact.
Introduce In Mutual Territory: When you introduce your ferrets for the first time, outside of their cages, do it in a place neither of them are familiar with. Take them to a ferret safe room that neither of them have played in before (or rarely played in). This will mean there won't be any territory wars as one ferret tries to fend itself over it's turf. Watch them closely and allow them to play for a while.
Supervise Them At Play: For the first few days you let your ferrets play together in the 'mutual territory room' monitor them closely. Break up any fights, scold one if they are being aggressive, and make sure their playful banter isn't too violent. But let them have fun. Give them toys, snacks, and tunnels to share and explore side by side.
Allow Them To Play Together: Once they have gotten accustomed to playing together in mutual territory, you can move them to the main room where their cages are. Once again monitor them closely. Your older ferret may get aggressive as it tries to scare the new ferret off of 'it's land'. Separate them if this happens and scold your ferret- teach them that that behavior is not okay. But if they play together fine, allow them to play together outside of the cage for one week.
Allow Them To Stay Together: Now you can let your ferrets move into the same home. If you can, we suggest buying a new cage for your ferrets to live in. Why? It's mutual territory and will avoid any wars over who's house it is. If you cannot afford a new house- let your ferrets stay together in the cage only when you can supervise them. If they act fine (don't fight over food, water, or sleeping areas)- then you can let them stay together. If not, separate them while you are not there to supervise until you are assured they will not injure each other while you are away.
Watch Them Carefully: For the first few months your ferrets are living together full-time, watch them carefully. Let them bicker and fight playfully, but if one seems in pain or is extra aggressive- it may mean you want to separate them. If one ever draws blood or seriously injures the other ferret- separate them permanently. Remember, not all ferrets will get along. Although they are social creatures- they have relationships just like people, and not every ferret will get along. Be patient and let your ferrets be themselves. If they get along- that's wonderful! But if not, be prepared to love them separately and equally nevertheless.
