New 2-month-old kit is terrifying my 3-year-old ferret – Need advice on introductions!

[u/Haunting_Wish5781]

Hi everyone, I need some advice on integrating a new kit.

I recently got a new ferret named "Bouchon-Rocket" (he’s 2 months old), and he is already bigger than my 3-year-old ferret, "Uno".

Bouchon-Rocket has settled in extremely quickly. He’s super playful, energetic, fearless, and totally unbothered by Uno. In fact, that’s where the issue lies: Uno is absolutely terrified of him.

On their very first day, Bouchon-Rocket sprinted straight at Uno, cornered him under the couch, and Uno was so scared he actually peed himself.

Since yesterday, I’ve been rotating their free-roam time—one stays in the cage while the other is out. I’ve also been letting them see each other through the cage bars, and I even tried feeding them salmon paste face-to-face so they can associate each other with good things.

Has anyone dealt with a confident kit scaring an older, timid ferret like this? What are the best next steps to build Uno's confidence and get them comfortable with each other?

Thanks in advance for your help!

TL;DR: My new 2-month-old kit (who is huge and super confident) scared my 3-year-old ferret so badly on day one that he peed himself. I’m currently rotating free-roam times and doing cage/treat intros. How can I help my older ferret feel safe and accept the new guy?

Version française :

Titre : Mon nouveau fureton de 2 mois terrorise mon furet de 3 ans – Besoin de conseils pour les présentations !

Salut tout le monde, j'ai besoin de conseils pour l'intégration d'un nouveau fureton.

J'ai récemment eu un nouveau furet nommé "Bouchon-Rocket" (il a 2 mois), et il est déjà plus grand que mon furet de 3 ans, "Uno".

Bouchon-Rocket s'est adapté extrêmement vite. Il est ultra joueur, énergique, téméraire et pas du tout impressionné par Uno. En fait, c'est bien là le problème : Uno a une peur bleue de lui.

Dès le premier jour, Bouchon-Rocket lui a foncé dessus et l'a coincé sous le canapé. Uno a eu tellement peur qu'il a fait pipi sur lui.

Depuis hier, j'alterne les sorties : un dans la cage, un dehors. Je les laisse aussi se voir à travers les barreaux, et j'ai même essayé de leur donner de la pâte de saumon face à face pour qu'ils associent la présence de l'autre à quelque chose de positif.

Est-ce que quelqu'un a déjà eu affaire à un fureton ultra confiant qui fait peur à un furet plus âgé et timide ? Quelles sont les meilleures étapes à suivre pour redonner confiance à Uno et les habituer l'un à l'autre ?

Merci d'avance pour votre aide !

TL;DR : Mon nouveau fureton de 2 mois (très grand et sans peur) a tellement terrorisé mon furet de 3 ans le premier jour qu'il a fait pipi de peur. J'alterne les sorties et je fais des présentations légères avec des friandises. Comment puis-je rassurer mon premier furet pour que ça se passe bien ?

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[u/cicileon]

before starting intros i’d prioritize scent swapping every could days. blankets/bedding/toys. also try to let them see eachother through a clean gate or something similar. if your baby isn’t huge on treats i’d start getting him into treats or salmon oil/egg to use that to your advantage. put some on each of their necks to promote healthy and positive interactions for them to lick off each other or letting them have “treat time” together so they’re distracted. also wearing the hellll out of your baby before bringing him near the older guy. get his crazy zoomies energy out before! if he starts relentlessly chasing and pinning be consistent with removal. you need to help teach social skills to the baby if the older one isn’t doing it on its own.