Wood chewing ferret....help

[huronna]

This is not something that has just started with Bonita, if it had I might think it was the stress of the visiting ferrets.

This started about a month ago. She has been chewing on the wood base of the couch. It is covered with material so I don't know if she is trying to get that free to gain access to the couch or what.

I can't see her when she begins but I can hear her. It sounds like a beaver. Immediately I get up from what I'm doing, get her out from under the couch and spray bitter apply on the underside of the couch. And tell her NO!!

As long as the scent of the bitter apple remains, she stays away from the couch. But after she wakes up from her nap she sometimes returns to her bad behaviour.

She's 4 1/2 and has never done this before.

I was wondering if a spritz of water might deter her, but I've never done that before. I definitely won't hit her, and she doesn't seem to care when I say NO

Any suggestions?

[dee517]

Heidi, have you checked with her vet? Could it be a health problem? A sign of something wrong? Scarlet is a chewer not wood but some types of cloth. She has Lymphoma. I don't know if the chewing has anything to do with that or not. She started chewing on cloth long before she was diagnosed with the Lymphoma.

[Deleted]

My baby boy Bright Eyes has always chewed on the dining room chair fabric, but, we know EXACTLY why.
When he is worked up in a mood and we are not paying attention to him, he will get up and start chewing because he knows that gets an immediate reaction from us.
I have tried ignoring him, just to see what he would do, and after a couple of minutes he gives up and stomps off trying to see what else he can get into.
It "might" be possible that she is jealous, feels she is not getting attention, or....something else as already mentioned.

[greta]

My first thought while reading your post Heidi, was bitter apple or bitter lime. But as I read on it was obvious you are already using this deterent. Is there some way you can enclose the corner of the couch in question without it being too conspicious? When Itty was caught trying to poop into the cold air register, Robin's suggestion was to set a small cage over the register. I resorted to puppy pads instead. There may be a medical reason for Bonita's behavior, as Dee has suggested. Are Bonita's teeth in good shape? Could she be trying to find relief from a dental problem by chewing on the wood? I know you are such an excellent ferret mom, but maybe an exam by your vet would reveal the source of Bonita's behavior. Or it might rule out anything medical. Please keep us posted, gf. Hugs, Greta

[huronna]

The couch is a 5 piece sectional, takes up my entire living room, and there are various tasty spots that she likes.

Since I've been home tonight, they all have been sleeping, and I'm probably going to join them in a bit. I'll give her mouth a good look in the morning light, and I was thinking I might have to take her to the vet to check it out also

[greta]

Is Bonita still chewing on the wood, Heidi? Or did you somehow find a way to discourage her behavior in this? The only other remedy I can think of is to spray the wood itself with bitter apple or bitter lime. I know in Nada's case though, this did not stop her from helping herself to a big bite of Itty's little snout. Would it help to wrap the wood with a tough fabric (denim or artists' canvas), and then tape it in place or would that be too conpicuous? Hugs, Greta

[res0a47]

Heidi, I know this may sound silly but could she be missing something in her diet? when I was a child I use to lite matcjes and eat it. The dr. told my mom that I was missing something in my diet: And a girlfrind of mine her daughter use to eat dirt. The dr. told her the samething. I would take her in and have some blood work done to see if that is it. Sorry I haven't been in here. Is there any new tags? I would like some if you have any. Thanks Love and God bless. Sheila