Ferrets...whats something you wished youd known?

Question

Whats something you really wished youd known before you bought a ferret? Do they really stink even if you bathe them? ive got the cage and everything but i heard they always stink no matter how much you bathe them......?

Yeah but you can train them to go in the litter box if you take the time and effort

Answer 1

My daughter was in class with an 11 year old girl who's face and been badly damaged by the families ferret when she was a baby.
Wouldn't have one for that reason.

Answer 2

I love my ferrets. I wish i had known how much fun ferrets are because I never would have gotten dogs or cats beforehand. Ferrets are awesome pets and I find that mine hardly smell at all. I give them a bath or let them romp about in the tub once a week. I also use cedar shavings in their cage which helps with any sort of odor from their feces and urine and it leaves them smelling pretty nice as well. They also sell products at pet stores that you can add to your ferrets water that supposedly help reduce odor. They even have sprays and dry baths you can use. Like I said, I've never had to use any of this. My ferrets are all Marshall Farms ferrets and I've been pretty lucky with them. Ferrets only live to be about eight years old so if you're looking for a life long pet than a ferret is definitely not the route to go. Also, if you keep a messy bedroom or house I wouldn't go with a ferret either. Ferrets hide, hoard and eat anything that you leave behind and things you don't even realize you've left behind. Ferrets have an insatiable appetite for rubber and if they actually ingest some it can become clogged in their intestines. Often times a ferret that isn't well watched is going to eat something you don't want them to. They will also find any holes or hiding places in your home, even ones you aren't aware of. You have to be willing to put a lot of time into a ferret and if it's what you really want I'd strongly recommend getting a book to learn a little before buying one. I learned the hard way with mine and luckily nothing too serious has happened.

Answer 3

There are 2 things I wished I knew before getting my fuzzies. Number 1 corner litter boxes DON'T work (use the square ones), and 2 ferretone will get them to do anything you want (with time) It is true that ferrets have a musky smell (which I love by the way) but the "stink" that most people are talking about doesnt come from them but instead the uncleaned litter box. As long as you clean the box once a day you shouldnt have too much problems. Also the more baths you give to your ferret the more scent he/she will produce. It isnt recomended to give them too many baths. They have very dry skin. Ferrets can go with 1 bath a year (or more if they get into something :P) and be fine. I have 8 ferrets and people are very amazed when they come into our house. They expect to smell "stinky" ferrets but instead they don't. The key is to clean the litter box as often as possible. Some people use wall plug ins to make their room smell more fresh so you could always try that. But not getting a ferret just because you think they will smell is just silly. They bring so much happiness to my life I wouldnt give that up for anything.

Answer 4

The more you bathe a ferret, the stronger the smell will get. Excess bathing causes overproduction of scent producing glads due to dry skin. As long as their bedding, litterboxes and cage are kept clean on a regular basis, they smell better than most dogs. My 4 only get bathed once or twice a year, barring accidents. They are naturally clean animals if they are well taken care of. Yes, they do have an odor, but so do all animals to one degree or another. Personally, I like their scent. I just wish I had known years ago how much I would love these little guys. Yes, they come equipped with myriad health problems because of Marshall's and they have a relatively short life. Two of mine are on short time due to health problems, but I will never regret having them. First they steal your heart, then your sanity; but any ferent I have ever talked to would have it no other way.

Answer 5

I wish I had known about the problems that ferrets from Marshall Ferrets have due to inbreeding, ect. All the ferrets I have known that came from Marshall ferrets had tumors, adrenal problems, hypoglycemia, liver problems, ect. Mine only lived 6 years each because of hypoglycemia and liver problems, when they should have lived longer. I would never buy a pet store ferret again, next time I am going to buy from a breeder. I am currently looking at http://www.pathvalleyfarm.com for my next ferret (which will be after I graduate college.)

Personally, I don't think they stink, but my parents used to tell me that they did. I used to love their smell, but I guess that isn't appealing to everyone. I could only smell it when I sniffed them or their blankets/toys.
You shouldn't bathe them too often because they can get dry skin and I also heard that they smell more when bathed too often but I don't know if that is true. I think if you change the towels or whatever you use for bedding in their cage more frequently, the smell will be lessened. I think it tends to stick on the bedding and hammocks, ect.

Answer 6

I agree with the_rebel about not buying a Marshall Farm ferret. I have bought 3 from there through pet stores. 2 have died of cancer. It was confirmed by the vet when they had to be put down when I was awaken in the middle of the night with them in seizures. This was separate incidences but both horrible. The 3rd one is still going strong thankfully but I live in fear everyday wondering if he is next. Oh and the gurantee you may hear about that Marshalls gives you for your new pet does not cover cancer since they have such a high rate of cancer. That is sickening. All other people I have talked to that have other ferrets don't seem to have that problem. Good Luck though in what ever choice you make. There are tons in ferret rescues too if you want to try one of those places from where people have changed their minds and gotten rid of them.

Answer 7

I have two ferrets both are boys. Ferrets can be purchased already descented like mine were, however they still have glands around the mouth area that put off a musky stinch but it's not that bad at all. I strongly recomend though you do lots of research on them before purchasing them. They can be a handful. If you do buy one. You need to make sure you have loads of time to dedicate to it. Ferrets are very social animals and they can easily get depressed is why most people buy them in pairs so they have a mate to play with and keep company. Training them can be frustrating, but it all depends on your fuzzie all of them have different personalities and things. I hope it goes well with you and you make the right decision so as to not get stuck with something you can't really handle. Alot of people compare them with cats and think that they are easy to tend to, but this is sooo not true. Again I'll say they are a handful, but they are very rewarding as well , very good pets to have. :)

Answer 8

i have had 3 ferrets and they really do stink even if they are descented and fixed. They are very fun but alot of work to keep the smell down. I have a chinchilla they never stink even if you didn't clean the cage for a week it won't stink and they do not get fleas b/c their fur is so thick they are also fun

Answer 9

Not true. Our ferrets were both males and were desexed and descented and never smelled, unless we did not keep their cage or bedding clean. So, if you keep their pan clean and wash their bedding about once a week and give your little guy an bath when he does get smelly, you should not have any problem.

Answer 10

The stink would be at the top of my list....they're also filthy little creatures because they're not terribly particular about where they poop. You CANNOT bathe them enough to get rid of the smell...and it will permeate your whole house.
Get a guinea pig....much easier.