[Emily94]

I have 2 ferrets, a male and female (Both neutered/spayed). The male I got at 8 weeks, we scruffed him when he bit to hard, he now knows how hard he is allowed to bite and never pushes it. The female I got at 6 months and she wasn't handled until she was 5 months (She came from a disgusting human who claims to be a breeder), the lady who had taken her was working on her nip training and when I got her she rarely bit, she only bit if we played rough with her (Which was fine, she didn't know better) we'd scruff her when it got out of hand and she seemed to be fine. The last month or so she has actually attacked everyone (except my mom) who puts there hands in the cage. I let her out and such but it is really hard when I am scared to walk around my house in fear that she will attack my feet. It is not a "playful" attack, it is full blown. She will bite and hold on, we have taken to running her face under water for her to release (Nothing else will help, we've tried waiting for her to let go, scruffing her, saying no, hissing, nothing works except water) . PLEASE someone give me some ideas on why she is being so... mean.

My mom loves her to pieces and wants the rest of the family to enjoy her. My brother is moving back in in a few days, and he loves playing with my animals so he just goes and picks them up and he doesn't understand that she will attack him...

I am hoping we can make her a lovable little fur ball soon (I know it may take weeks or months but I am pretty sure I can do it with a little help)

[JudyKayTee]

She isn't being mean - animals don't have the mental capacity to be mean.

This is a very informative site - Biting in Ferrets: A Playful or Instinctive Reaction?. Apparently biting is a reaction to fear and if the ferret was never handled, I'm sure it is frightened.

I have a nasty scar on the back of my leg from a ferret bite - was discussing an accident, child let the ferret out, it latched onto me (I didn't even see it coming), bite through jeans and tights and into my leg. We had to hold my leg and the ferret under water in the shower to get it to let go. The owners were mortified (I wasn't happy because I had to get a Tetanus shot) and the Vet told them and me that the ferret smelled my dogs on me. I never asked the ferret for its opinion so I don't really know.

Now I'm afraid of them. Big dogs, little dogs, all dogs - I'm fine. Ferrets? Not so much.

[Emily94]

I don't think it is fear based. She'll be sleeping, playing, whatever, and as soon as I stick my hand in there she runs up to it and bites. Most times she lets go and just stands there. I think she may be playing (Just by the way she stands and such) but I want it to stop whatever it is.