Why do ferrets stink?

Answer 1

To begin with, all ferrets have special scent glands located just near the base of their tails. When they get really scared or excited, they may release a musky smell that, luckily, quickly goes away. While this does not happen often, ferrets ALSO naturally produce a musky oil throughout their skin. Some people find the smell pretty yucky, and some people don’t mind it at all.

Answer 2

WAYS TO REDUCE FERRET SMELL

1. Feed high quality food with low to no fish ingredients. Your ferret smells like it eats (both body odor and poop). Marshall’s food is terrible. The added benefit of feeding higher quality food is that they will eat less in the long run because they are able to get more out of less. High quality food lasts longer; they have to eat more of the crappy stuff to get what they need. Use this chart: http://everythingfert.proboards36.com/index.cgi?board=kristen&action=display&thread=1109195167 to pick a few brands that rate a “1” or a “2” and you’ll be all set.

2. Don’t bathe too often. The more you bathe a ferret the worse it will smell. The reason is very simple. When you bathe them it strips necessary natural oils from their skin. Then their body has to work overtime to replace it, thus resulting in a stinkier ferret. Only bathe if they get into something, no more than once or twice a year.

3. Clean their ears. A lot of smell can come from those little ears! Use ferret safe liquid ear cleaner and cotton swabs to gently clean the gunk out.

4. Keep bedding washed. It can absorb quite a lot of smell over time. How often you need to wash it depends on how many ferrets you have.

5. Keep litter boxes clean. Again, you might have to do it daily or twice a day depending on the number of fuzzbutts.

6. Keep cage clean. Give it a periodic wipe down. Natures Miracle is a wonderful cleaner and can be used in the cage and for cleaning up accidents outside of the cage.

Ferrets will always have a unique scent to them. But it’s really not that bad if you are vigilant about cleaning. All pets have an odor, how strong it is depends on the owner!

Scent glands have absolutely nothing to do with the daily odor of ferrets. The removal of the glands only prevents a scared ferret from expressing its fright or displeasure.

Spayed females and neutered males have no difference in odor. Intact males are the only ones that have a very strong unpleasant odor. But the majority of ferrets sold in the pet trade are altered.

Answer 3

Ferrets do have a natural musky odor that some don’t mind it and others cannot tolerate it. Sometimes though when people complain about the smell it has more to do with lack of upkeep. Changing any bedding and properly cleaning the cage on a regular basis can make a huge difference in the overall odor. The brand of litter/bedding can also make a huge difference as some are less absorbent than others. We recently switched to another ferret friendly brand and found any odor in or around the cage virtually eliminated.

Answer 4

If you are looking to get rid of the glandular smell and you have a male ferret, you can get him neutered. This will help to cut down on the smell, although it will not completely eliminate it.
You can use special shampoos, and tame ferrets are usually very good about taking baths. Some will even learn to enjoy it.

Answer 5

ferrets are usually not so bad. But they and all like them are weasels and related to skunks with scent glands. Weasels smell much worse.

Answer 6

it is their natural order . you can buy stuff from the pet store to help with that...