Frequent Bathing Increases Eau De Ferret

That distinctive musky odor your ferret produces comes from musk glands in the skin, which are concentrated around the face but also spread over the rest of the body. Some people like the smell or can at least tolerate it, others simply cannot handle it. If you are one of the latter, you may want to consider getting a different pet.

There is no way to completely get rid of a ferret's musky smell, although there are some things you can do to lessen it's impact. You may be tempted to bathe your ferret every few days in an attempt to reduce the odor, but "Just say no!". Each bath may improve the Eau De Ferret for a short time, but it will come back more pungent than ever. The reason for this is that the bathing dries out your ferret's skin and the musk glands attempt to compensate for this by secreting more oils into the fur. You should really only have to bathe your ferret once or twice a year, and then whenever he gets really dirty (i.e. a romp in the fireplace, or an expedition in the kitchen trash). Make sure you bathe your ferret with a ferret-safe shampoo otherwise you may cause an allergic reaction or respiratory problems. You can also use a kitten-safe shampoo if you have a multiple pet household and this is more convenient for you.

Never use human shampoos or soaps and never, ever spray perfumes, colognes or air fresheners directly on your ferret. You could cause allergic reactions, respiratory problems, or even damage the mucous membranes in the ears, nose and mouth. These chemicals as well as powders, can also cause damage to the skin and fur. If you feel the need to aromatize to your ferret, there are spray products specifically designed for ferrets that you can look into. Just make sure you use one that neutralizes the odor rather than masks it.

The strongest contributor to ferret odor is hormonal activity. Hopefully you already have your ferret spayed or neutered, but if not, then taking care of this can reduce the smell by as much as 90% or more.

Another source of "stink" from a ferret is the ears. They tend to become very waxy and odiferous if not cleaned often. I would suggest a good ear cleaning at least once every couple of weeks. If your ferret's ears are nearly black and really stinky, he may have ear mites. Speak with your vet about the best way to treat the mites, and once cleared up you will likely notice another healthy smell improvement.

Perhaps the best way to reduce your ferret's muskiness, is to keep his bedding and litterbox cleaned. Also, his cage and accessories should be washable. Don't use a wooden cage, since the wood will permanently absorb your ferret's scent. I would not reccommend using a cardboard box, but if you do, replace it at least once a month. Wood shavings in the litter box will not do a very good job of absorbing odor and moisture. If you do use shavings, make sure they are not cedar, as they will give your ferret respiratory problems. Clumping litters and those made of clay can also cause health problems. The best litters are those that are pelleted and some ferret owners use rabbit food or stove/wood pellets as an inexpensive alternative.

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