itsyogi

Milo’s reaction to the vacuum sounds like classic startle reflex, even if he’s usually pretty laid-back. Ferrets can be surprisingly sensitive to sudden or loud noises, and that puffed-up freeze is their way of trying to look bigger and stay safe. I’ve noticed my own ferret does something similar with the blender - no amount of gradual exposure seemed to help much. One thing that helped me was to create a “safe zone” for my ferret away from the noise, with familiar toys and treats, so he could retreat if needed. You might also try playing some white noise or soft music nearby while vacuuming to mask the vacuum’s sound a bit. It might not completely erase the reaction, but it could make the experience less intense for Milo. It’s tough watching them get stressed, but with patience and some small adjustments, they usually adapt better than we expect. Keep an eye on his behavior after vacuuming too - if