How to Socialize a Ferret to Play With Children

Ferrets are naturally playful animals, which you can see most evidently in kits as they chase and nip at each other. Full of exuberance, ferrets want to bring their human family into their games as well. Unfortunately, biting is a part of ferret play. With a little socialization, though, ferrets can learn that playing with children is different from playing with each other.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Realize that ferrets naturally bite when they play and communicate with one another. Because ferrets have thick skin, they're used to biting hard without hurting another. You have to teach your ferret that they need to bite softly when they play with children or other animals.

2. Use scruffing as an effective discipline method to correct your ferret when he bites too hard. To scruff your ferret, simply grasp him by the loose skin on the back of his neck and lift him up to your eye level, saying "no" in a firm voice. Hold his mouth shut with your other hand to emphasize that he shouldn't bite. Because mothers scruff their babies as discipline, most ferrets react well to this type of discipline.

3. Give her a time-out if she keeps biting after you use scruffing. For an effective time-out, put her in a small carrier for no more than 5 minutes. Then, let her out and resume your play session.

4. Supervise your ferret whenever he plays with young children or other animals. Both children and other animals may get frightened and accidentally hurt the ferret if he bites them. If you're supervising, you can stop biting behavior before it becomes a problem.

5. Teach older children the proper discipline methods once they're used to your ferret. Before you leave your ferret alone with children, watch them discipline her at least once so you know they're using the right technique. The wrong technique can make ferrets bite even harder.