Why Does My Ferret Attack My Cat?

Pets are usually considered to be an extension of our families. Pets provide us with the company but they also increase your chances to go out, be active, and socialize. All animals deserve special attention, and this may vary depending on the type of pet you have. Sometimes, they can be difficult to manage, especially if you have different species in your house.

Cats are common pets. Cats and ferrets usually get along, but there is a chance that they may attack each other. Have you ever wondered why your ferret attacks your cat? Both species are inherently predatory and carnivorous. Moreover, ferrets have sharp teeth. They play by nibbling and biting, and this may harm your cat.

Multiple factors contribute to how well your cat and ferret get along with each other. Keep reading to find out more.

Do Ferrets and Cats Play Nice Together?

Generally, cats and ferrets get along quite nicely. They are similar in many ways. They are both predators. They behave in similar ways and can even be trained. In a safe environment, both species are more interested in “play fighting” than being violent. In such ways and more, cats and ferrets can make a good team.

The age at which they are introduced to each other can make a difference in how well they get along. Usually, introducing them to each other at a young age can help them build a good and sustainable relationship easily.

If your cat and ferret find it difficult to get along, you can do a few things to make them comfortable. For one, give them both a space that they can consider their own. Generally, cats like locations that are higher, and out of reach from the ferret. Ferrets like slim tubes in which they can hide easily. Let them have their own toys and not have to share any.

If they still do not get on, give them their individual spaces and make time for both.

What is the better pet – ferret or cat?

Both animals have their benefits. Depending on your preferences, the right fit may vary. For example, cats clean themselves. They also tend to protect their owners. On the other hand, ferrets are generally smarter than cats. It is easier to train cats and dogs, but ferrets can also learn tricks and can be trained, to a certain extent.

Ferrets are usually spayed even before purchase or adoption, so you do not have to worry about that. Although sterilization is highly recommended for cats, it is not necessary.

All pet owners have to pet-proof their house to some extent before bringing one home. You may have to take some extra precautions when it comes to ferrets since they have long and flexible bodies that can fit anywhere. They can also open drawers, cupboard doors, and zippers. If they find anything made of foam or rubber, they may eat it. You must be careful to prevent such situations.

Vacation care may be difficult in the case of ferrets. Finding a boarding facility or neighbors/family who can take care of them may not be easy, especially when compared to finding somebody to look after a cat.

Pet owners can always expect noise complaints from their neighbors. This is especially true when it comes to animals like dogs and cats. However, in the case of ferrets, you do not have to worry about noise or related complaints at all. They only make gentle “dook-dook” noises or squeaks.

Both ferrets and cats need to exercise for an adequate amount of time. Outdoor walks with ferrets can be difficult at times. Like cats, they also need to sniff around and take their own time walking. Since they may sneak off and not be able to find their way back, you must be cautious while you walk outside with your ferret. They pick the pace, and you must abide. But in the case of exercising indoors, both animals are similar. They need to run around freely and have regular playtimes. The only difference is that cats may have access to more area in the house than the ferret.

If you have a young child, a ferret may not be the right choice for a pet. Since ferrets nip and bite while playing, they can be harmful to children. Moreover, children can be rough with small animals and may drop them. This may result in the ferret being rough in return. Hence, a cat may be the better choice for a household with small children.

Both animals have several benefits. The best fit for your house depends solely on your needs and preferences. Hence, it is impossible to decide which of the two is better.

Why did my ferret attack my cat?

Although ferrets and cats can coexist safely in a household, there may be times when they cannot. Since both species are natural predators, they may attack one another. Their common trait of carnivorism is one of the reasons they get along so well, but it may have negative effects. This may be difficult for you to manage and overcome.

Cats are bigger than ferrets, but the chances for your cat to hurt or kill your ferret are lower. Ferrets have sharp teeth and are not afraid of anything. They play like young kittens, by biting and nibbling. This can lead to them maiming the cat. In other cases, ferrets do not attack cats unless provoked.

How to prevent my ferret from attacking my cat?

Multiple factors may affect how well your cat and ferret get along. One of them is your pets’ temperaments. If they are generally patient and loving, you do not have much to worry about. But if they are inherently wary, you may want to take extra care. Another factor is the age at which they are introduced to each other.

Regardless of whether they get along or not, you must closely supervise them both, for at least the first two weeks. Additionally, it can help to provide them with spaces where they can exist individually. This removes the scope for any threatening behavior. You can also introduce separate feeding schedules for both of them, to prevent food-related aggression.

Will my cat attack my ferret?

Although both species are predators, cats generally do not hurt or kill ferrets. Cats only attack ferrets if they are provoked, or do not know the ferret. In most cases, before building a relationship, your cat may simply ignore your ferret.

Ferrets smell different from birds, rodents, lizards, and other species that cats consider prey. For this very reason, the chances for your cat to attack your rodent are low. However, one must keep in mind that cats are bigger than ferrets. They are also heavier and have relatively longer teeth and claws. In the case of a serious fight, the cat can kill the ferret.

What causes a fight between cats and ferrets?

A fight that started off as playful can turn into a nasty and serious one. Baby ferrets are naive and hence may not identify a potentially dangerous situation. In this case, you must take extra care. Ferrets can become aggressive while playing, by biting and nipping the cat. It can also jump on the cat’s back or cling to its underbelly. If the ferret antagonizes the cat in such ways, the former may attack.

What animals do ferrets get along with?

If you are looking to find a companion for your ferret, you must keep its predatory nature in mind. Ferrets can coexist easily with cats and dogs. But they must not be left alone with birds, rodents, or other small creatures. Moreover, they may not get along with any animal that threatens them. In this case, the ferret may bite the other animal in self-defense.

You must consider the temperament of both animals while considering pairing the ferret with another. Whatever the case may be, you must carefully supervise the interactions they have.

How to introduce my cat to my ferret?

The age and the method by which you introduce the two to each other can have a huge impact on their relationship. It is always best to introduce them when they are both young. Bonds formed at younger ages tend to last longer. But there are other things that you can do to make the process easier for both animals.

The first step in introducing your pets to each other is understanding that it is a huge step for both of them, and it can take some time for them to adjust. Firstly, they need to be comfortable with each other’s scents. Allow your cat to sniff around the ferret when It is integral that you supervise their interactions. If it turns hostile, interrupt to send the message that aggression is not tolerated.

the latter is in its cage. In such a scenario, your pets can get used to each other’s scents safely. Over time, you can be holding the ferret while they sniff each other. Keep a firm but gentle grip on either pet, while they sniff and get comfortable with each other. Doing so removes most physical boundaries and brings a sense of closeness and intimacy. In this case, as well, you must be ready to break up any cases of aggression.

Repeat these methods of interaction until they are comfortable with each other.

Once they are familiar with each other’s scents, you can give them a little more space. That is, you can allow them to interact while keeping one of them on a leash. This allows them to sit in the same environment and interact, but they do not dart away. Let them play with each other, but keep a close eye to make sure that they do not get into a serious fight.

The more comfortable they get with each other, the more space you can give them. However, it is very important that you keep supervising them, even if you are convinced that they get along well. You can start by keeping the duration of their sessions short initially, and slowly increasing them as you move along. The smallest slip-up can hurt both of them, so for their safety, keep a close eye on them at all times.

How can you deal with cats and ferrets that don’t get along?

Sometimes, your pets just do not get along with each other, and there isn’t much that you can do about that. This may happen especially if your cat and ferret are introduced to each other at an older age. If they are taking longer than expected to come around, you can try a few of the things previously mentioned. That is, separate spaces and feeding schedules for both. Your cat may want a place that is higher, somewhere the ferret cannot reach, and the ferret may want a tube where they can hide.

However, if they still do not get along with each other, you may have to separate them permanently. Allot them spaces that one another cannot access. This is important since ferrets are smart and can figure out how to unlock their cages. The most integral part is to spend equal amounts of time and give them both adequate care.

Conclusion

Pets are an integral part of many households. Many pet owners also try to find companions for their pets. In such a scenario, cats and ferrets make a good pairing. With a little care and supervision, they can play nice together. Neither would attack the other without provocation or intentionally. However, if they do not get along with each other, you can separate them permanently, while giving them adequate care and attention.

Both cats and ferrets can make excellent pets. By putting in the effort to learn their specific characteristics, you can build a perfect home for them. You must take special care of both, but they can both like cuddles and playtimes, and be the perfect companions for you and your family, and for each other!