Do ferrets smell?

Answer 1

Ferrets are related to skunks. For this reason ferret breaders have their scent glands removed when they are kits. They do have a slight musky smell, but it's not pungent. But it is very important to take proper care of your pet, or your house will get stinky. Just like a cat, they use a littler box (or can be trained to do so), and just like a cat you should clean that box every day. I have a ferret and I clean her box out every morning and do a complete cage cleaning every weekend and my house never smells. Don't bathe them too much either, just when necessary or their skin will start to produce more oil and they will start to smell more.

Answer 2

If you get a ferret at the pet store it has already been descented. They have a slight musky odor but it isn't bad. The key to keeping the small down isn't cleaning the ferrets(the smell comes from an oil they secrete and if you wash them too much the oil glands work harder to coat the fur and the smell actually gets worse) it is keeping their environment clean. If they have a litter box, scoop it at least once a day, more if needed. Change their linen once a week and you should be good. If you are considering getting a ferret, the main point I would stress is only buy the ferret if you are going to be committed to it. That means trying to take it out of its cage everyday and playing with it. Ferrets are fun loving animals who NEED to play. Also know that if you get a male there is a very strong chance that sometimes after the age of 6 he will contract adrenal disease an eventually fatal illness that can be painful for the ferret and costly for the owner.
I DO think ferrets are the best pets other than dogs, and I love mine to death, I just want to be sure that anyone who is thinking of getting one is ready to be a good ferret parent.

Answer 3

Yes. They smell in 3 different areas, and have 3 different smells.

1: The back of the neck, smells like skunk.
2. The whole ferret can smell like, well, ferret.
3. The middle of the tail. This smells sweet, and each ferret is different. Some smell like potpourri. Some smell like perfume.

L

Answer 4

They do have an odor. As do lots of things... dogs, cats, kids. Anyways, I have two ferrets and I have found that ferrets are often not properly taken care of.

Bathing should only be done once a month. Too often will result in a dried out coat which will make the smell worsen because the oil glands have to work overtime.

With good care... such as routinely cleaning their pen and using sprays such as ferret colognes and other sprays Marshall Farms makes helps lots. Mostly I notice that their food smells due to the high meat content and therefore their poop smells.

Answer 5

Yes, ferrets always have a bit of a musky odor and just to clear things up: when a vet "DESCENTS" a ferret he removes the ANAL gland of the ferret. The anal gland works somewhat like the anal gland in a skunk and is used by the ferret if it is extremely scared or afraid. The ferret then sprays a bit of a poof in the air, usually with his tail all puffed out. That scent is not as strong as a skunks and it doesn't hang around like skunk odor either. The majority of ferrets in stores are already descented, meaning that the anal gland has been removed, NOT the musk glands on the ferrets body. The ferret has a lot of them, especially around the head.
Ferrets will always smell like ferrets, but bathing them no more than once a month(bathe them more often and they stink worse sooner), keeping their ears clean and keeping their cages, bedding and litter boxes clean all the time helps a great deal.
One must also read labels on ferret foods. Foods that derive the majority of the protein content from fish or fish byproducts make the ferrets waste smell worse than foods that are mostly chicken or lamb proteins. They even make foods with pheasant in them now. "Totally Ferret" makes mine stink and I don't know why, just does.
So, to sum it up, yes they do smell a bit, but no worse than a dog or a cat with it's litter box. Besides all that, ferrets more than make up for it with all their antics, war dances and weezil kisses.

PS: my boys smell a bit like corn chips when their sleeping. Odd, but neat.

Answer 6

Yes.

Ferrets have scent glands that give off a very distinctive musky odor. Some breeders, like Marshal Farms, de-scent their ferrets surgically, but a little bit of their unique smell remains.

Their poop can smell terrible if not cleaned and if they are on certain foods, and this smell is what most people complain about. If cage and pet are cleaned properly, ferret smell is as easy to get used to as dog smell.

Answer 7

Hey Suzanne,

Yup, I have 3, but I am confused, I was under the impression that all Ferrets in the USA had to be descented! Mine are and they only smell when they are spooked. I wash them about once every two months, it seems to be enough -- They are very clean themselves! There was a comment regarding their poop/urine.. Yes, like a cat or a dog, if you don't clean up after them, of course you'll have a smell.

If you are thinking about adopting, GOOD FOR YOU! I have had four total! I have so much fun with them that I can't think of how my life would be without them! They make me chase them around the house (the area's that they are allowed to roam when they are not in their cage) and they make me laugh! Can you think of any other reason to have a pet?

Good Luck!

James in San Diego

Answer 8

Absolutly Yes! We had two ferrets that were suppose to have been "deskunked". Yeah, right! The first week, the stench was only in the area that they were in. By the month's end, my whole house had an odd odor of musk and wet rat smell. This was even after washing and cleaning out cage daily. It was really bad!

Answer 9

Yes they smell real bad if they are not descented. Most ferrets sold in pet stores are descented and don't have that strong odor.

They are great pets.

Answer 10

All things smell if not cleaned and bathed properly but i just recently got one and i have to say she doesnt smell as bad as i though tshe would. just keep the litter box and bedding clean and it will only smell a lil right around her cage. Not a bad trade off for how darn cute they are to watch play.