Pet Ferrets - introducing a new one to older male?

[DogsBestFriend]

We've no idea how old our male pet ferret is but we've had him for about 5 years now. He did have a spayed female friend whom he adored though has been a lone fuzzy for the past couple of years.

I'm very tempted to adopt another to keep him company but am concerned that it won't work out. I know the advice is supervise, take it slowly and introduce by placing seperate cages next to one another to start with but does anyone have any other suggestions or tales to tell please?

[mercades1999]

i think that will be a good idia getting a new ferret!! but if he is old you could get him a older friend insted of a highper baby!! i have never had a ferret but hope that helps! :)

[WomblingUpsideDown]

Let them spend time alone in each others cages.
one cage with a nettng divide works well.
after you have spent a few weeks housing them next to each other, trying to get them used to each other, you can still expect their first meeting to be aggresive!
Eventually take the plunge and introduce them on neutral territory.
With mine, it was the new young small female who was most aggressive. They fought for about half an hour on and off, then probably once a day for few days, then they were fine.

[DogsBestFriend]

Thank you - and I'm sorry for forgetting all about my post and not checking for answers after a while!

Your advice is much appreciated, cheers!

[ruledbyheart]

Hi Dogsbestfriend
In all honesty the best way to introduce your ferret to a new one is to take him along to a rehoming centre (I can give you details of your nearest one if you like) and let him choose, most centres allow this.
The other option would be to keep them seperate and swap their bedding over to get used to each others scents and allow them out to play together until they are used to each other.
Most ferrets will play fight and are normally fine unless blood is drawn or one screams and poos himself.
One good way also is to put a few drops of ferretone on their necks so they will clean each other.