How to Reduce Ferret Odor by Rachel

[madmatt]

This article would be very helpful to the begginer or perspective ferret owner .

As for bathing i give my ferrets a bath once a year plus if they get into anything, that seems to be working for me lol ;D

[Katiebug]

I bathe my ferrets every two to three weeks, but only because they have a habit of rolling around near their litter box or digging IN the litter box. If I smell their heads, they reek of poopy! And I don't want poop germs all over my hands and the things around me whenever I play with them. Its just not worth the risk in my opinion. We have a skin conditioner we use on them in between baths so their skin doesn't dry out too. I think they are fine because they don't scratch themselves more than a ferret normally does. So that's my reasoning.

[pookie]

Is it ok to give them a shower every day as long as you don't use shampoo or anything? Or will that dry them out too?

I always wondered that.

[K10Widow]

Water still strips the oils in your fuzzies glands, just not as much as soap.

Pookie - if you are having issues with odor, just stop with the showers for a month or two and see if it improves.

[Remedy]

My ferret, Kipling, stunk really bad during his first few days in his new home. My boyfriend and I figured it was a mix of him being a baby and eating different food from what he was given at the pet store. We combated his odor by scooping the poop from the cage daily, using odor-eliminating sprays (made for small animals), giving him a bath, using a no-rinse shampoo and giving him treats designed to reduce ferret odor from the inside-out. Collectively, it worked wonderfully!

[sidarah]

I don't know what's in odor elimination sprays but there are environmentally safe, non-toxic things you can use that won't pose any hazard.

Zeolite is a mineral that absorbs odors. It can be found in most health food stores that sell household items (like full spectrum bulbs and unbleached paper products). It's most often sold as a refrigerator deodorizer. Once it stops working, you put it in the sunshine for a day or two and it gets "recharged". Most can be recharged many times without losing effectiveness.

Ammosorb crystals, found in many pet supply stores, are zeolite and they are perfectly safe to use under litter, as is baking soda.

Any cleaning should be geared to removing any and all odor causing bacteria. That can be accomplished by first spraying the area with a 50/50 solution of water and hydrogen peroxide and then spraying with a 50/50 solution of water and white vinegar and rinsing. Neither are dangerous to pets or humans but may lighten fabrics that aren't color fast.

[xVelvet_FuzzButtx]

remedy said:

giving him treats designed to reduce ferret odor from the inside-out.

may i ask what treats these are?
i've never heard of a such thing, and find it hard to believe.

[Remedy]

xvelvetfuzzbuttx said:

remedy said:

giving him treats designed to reduce ferret odor from the inside-out.

may i ask what treats these are?
i've never heard of a such thing, and find it hard to believe.

They're a new product which just arrived to the pet store where I bought Kipling. The treats come in two variations: One that reduces odor and another that helps get rid of hair balls. They're made specificly for ferrets. The outside is like a shell, with a soft, creamy inside. The odor-reducing one works wonderfully! The odor of Kipling's poop has been reduced quite drasticly.

Unfortunately, I do not have the packaging on me at the moment, but when I get ahold of it, I'll post its name.

[Calvin_and_Hobbes]

Are these what you are talking about (not exactly the "hairball" one but a different kind)?
www.ferretstore.com/sp-65316.html

If so, I would suggest you stop feeding them. Treats do not help remove hairballs (only lax/petroleum can do that) nor can treats remove odor. Also, the ingredients don't look too great and it has no nutritional value...plus, there are different version for rabbits and guinea pigs, and I think hamsters. In my opinion, if something is made for rodents like that, then it shouldn't be given to a ferret because ferrets aren't rodents and they are carnivorous.

[rikka]

K10... is any kind of lightly scented collonge okay? I'm sorta confused- I know Ferrets are pretty sensitive, so I'm concerned. Yet, I tend to like to doll my pets a bit too much (I used to have a cat of 14 years that I'd personally carry around the house. He was my baby. Rest in peace, Luigi...), so I want to get some collonge.

I also just plain think it would be cute. ~_~

[K10Widow]

rikka said:

K10... is any kind of lightly scented collonge okay? I'm sorta confused- I know Ferrets are pretty sensitive, so I'm concerned. Yet, I tend to like to doll my pets a bit too much (I used to have a cat of 14 years that I'd personally carry around the house. He was my baby. Rest in peace, Luigi...), so I want to get some collonge.

I also just plain think it would be cute. ~_~

I haven't ever use a cologne for my ferrets. I love the way they smell naturally. And if you follow the notes that Rachel wrote, and don't bathe your fuzzies you won't have any problems with a smelly ferret.

If you want to spoil your fuzzy try new bedding, lots of toys, ducky soup and good quality kibble. ;D

I hope this helps.

[janet]

I have a question...
We just got our Jasmine & she was infested with fleas, so I gave her a bath & used Hartz Control Flea & tick shampoo. Her hair is kind of corse & not real full from her scratching (she was "rescued" & lived in filth for 2 years!) Is there something I can use on her skin/coat to help condition her skin?

[K10Widow]

janet said:

I have a question...
We just got our Jasmine & she was infested with fleas, so I gave her a bath & used Hartz Control Flea & tick shampoo. Her hair is kind of corse & not real full from her scratching (she was "rescued" & lived in filth for 2 years!) Is there something I can use on her skin/coat to help condition her skin?

Sadly, over the counter flea meds are more harmful that helpful. You need to contact your vet to get either Revolution or Advantage. It is the only safe way to rid her of fleas.

As for her skin and coat. You should be feeding her a dime sized drip of mixed ferretone (1/2 tone and 1/2 olive oil) daily. Also a good diet of high grade cat, kitten or ferret food will help. What brands are you currently feeding?

[janet]

I am currently feeding "Natural Gold for Ferrets". Link: prettypets.com/product_info.php?cPath=6&products_id=29&osCsid=d50a451e07d39613d05a159cf6d1368a

Is Advantage the drops you put on pets necks for fleas & ticks? Do you use cat/kitten or do they actually make a ferret type?

She has her 1st (EVER) vet appt. in 2 weeks, so I will talk to him about it too.

[xVelvet_FuzzButtx]

yes Advantage is topical, no ferret kind. although petco now carries it i would wait and see what dose your vet recommends for your ferret. Natural gold is a good food! do you think you'll decide on a mix soon?

i'm sure with a Good diet, actual LOVE, duck soup & ferretone she'll get a nicer coat and put on a little weight. Jasmine is lucky to have you Janet.