Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Can someone please, please, tell my why the heck my ferret is always biting my feet???

He doesn’t bite any other body part! He’ll even struggle to be put down so he can resume his feet biting! The only thing he likes more than feet biting is Coca-Cola . . .but that’s another problem . . .

Do you have socks on? Mine all think socks are toys, and as long as I have them on with no shoes, they try to take the toys and hide them. They may also be asking for you to play. Are these nips, or serious bites?

These are serious bites if I don't move my foot in time. If I take off my socks he just bites my feet! Sometimes he bites my shins but usually it's my feet. Like I said, when I'm holding him he's very gentle. He has little to know interest in socks without feet in them. Is this ferret just insane?

Is this a baby or an adopted adult? Sometimes young ferrets have to be taught not to bite, that is their natural play. Don't hit him, just scruff him and say no. You will have to be consistent over time, but they are smart. If this is an adoptee, do you have any history?

No history on him. A friend got him at a pet store about 4 years ago and decided he didn't want him after a few days. He was gonna just put him outside. He's not my friend anymore! I would NEVER hit my ferret! I usually just raise my voice a bit and say, "NO!" He stops momentarily & then goes right back to foot biting. Otherwise he obeys the "NO!" command for most other things. He IS smart! He comes when I call his name. Not all my cats do that. . . Maybe he's just insane!

Hey! I've heard of biting ferrets before , well of course, haha!! Try going to your nearest pet store and get some of that sour apple spray for teaching ferrets not to bite. your ferret will bite your toes and them get discusted by the aweful taste and probaly stop biting.

~lisa

P.S. It will take awhile to get him/her to stop biting, but you just have to be patient.