Can ayone tell me why ferrets smell so bad. IN pmy previous questions i mentioned i rescued a ferret?

Answer 1

even when descented, ferrets still produce a body scent (musk)...unless it is very strong it isnt really unpleasant. there are colognes, dry shampoos for dogs and cats, and pet wipes that can be used. MOM REMINDED ME THAT FOR CAT KILLERS...MY FERRET AND OUR 14 CATS HAVE THE GREATEST TIME ROMPING AND PLAYING TOGETHER AND IT DOESNT STINK, I THINK THE SMELL IS QUITE PLEASANT AND HE IS LITTERBOX TRAINED...FYI...KEEP YOUR FERRET FROM UR KITTY BOX CAUSE THE KITTIES CAN PASS DISEASE TO FERRET THRU FECES.

Answer 2

First of all I want to say I think it's amazing of you to be keeping this helpless little fuzzbutt - well done! I'm sure you're researching everything you can about he little rascal!
I have 2 ferrets, I got my first one about 5 months ago from a shelter and because I live in England, ferrets aren't descented so when I got my little ball of fluff home he was stinking the place out and the smell was EVIL!!!
I don't know if your ferret is descented or not but if he isn't then he will be a little scared of his new home and he's had a rough time being left to wander homeless so he'll be letting off his stink in protest or even in excitement!!
If you give him a week or so he will settle down and realise that you're there to love and help him and the stink will stop.....this happened with my fur kid.
Another reason he may stink is because he hasn't been neutered so get this done as soon as you can and it will dramatically reduce the smell. Try not to bath him a lot cos he'll just over produce the oils in his skin and this will make him smell more. Keep his bedding and litter clean and you'll be fine.
I can honestly say that although my 2 ferrets have a natural musky smell, they do not smell in the slightest bit offensive and I've asked EVERYONE including the postman if they can smell ferret in my home!! The smell is much less offensive in my opinion than how a dog smells.
Just handle him lots, play with him, love and care for him and he'll be less likely to let off his stink!!!
Good luck to you and your carpet shark xx

Answer 3

I don't agree that ferrets smell bad, but some may find the smell offensive. Ferrets are from the mustelid family, like skunks, and as such have a musky odor. To help with the smell, limit bathing to at MOST once a month. Clean bedding on a weekly basis, and keep the litter in the pan fresh and clean. They also sell perfumes and sprays specifically for ferrets, which can help with the smell. Marshall Farm's also has a product called" Bi-Odor," which is a liquid mixed with the water in their water bottles. It fights against odors internally, and is not harmful to your pet. Also, some foods make ferrets smell worse. For instance, Marshall Farms food contains fish. Most ferret diets containing fish make for smellier ferrets and poops. One more thing, if your ferret is not descented, he can poof at times a nasty little smell, but this dissipates rather quickly. It is an unneccessary surgery and stress to put a ferret through.

Answer 4

The number one mistake here is that they should be bathed often. NO! I have 4 that get bathed about once a year. Bathing often actually increases the odor by driving odor producing glands into hyperdrive to produce oils for dry fur/skin. These animals are naturally clean, kind of like cats. They use a litterbox or a preferred corner and do not sleep in their own waste. Keep their litter cleaned at least once a day, bedding once a week and their cage once a month and they smell better than most dogs. Make sure that where ever you have their litterbox or newspaper spread that there is extra newspaper for them to wipe their bums on outside of the box or they will drag their butts across the carpet to clean them. Now tell me, does a "dirty" animal wipe it's bum after pooping? Sounds like they want to be clean to me.

Answer 5

Ferrets are related to Polecats which were referred to as Stinky Martens in old english I believe. The smell is produced in whole males to both attract females and warn off other males. The main smell comes from the oil in their coats, but as emntioned in other posts if it is neutered then the smell dies off to an not unpleasant musky odour. The lady who suggests that they sleep in their own urine and faeces deserved a vist from the RSPCA as no ferret would willingly sleep in it's own muck. Her animal husbandry must have been atrocious and i can only assume that she fed them bread and milk as well. I hope that you get the opportunity to find out how wonderfull these little creatures are.

Answer 6

Ferrets have scent glands just like other sometimes smelly animals. THe keeping clean stuff above is very important, but the smeel is part of what they use to attract other ferrets. You can get them de-scented by a vet.
(Haven't you ever heard of Ferretmones?)

Answer 7

Okay, lots of stuff you can do to reduce the odor. Empty the litter everyday. But the drops that go in their water. Change bedding weekly, We always put old t-shirts in the cage and then washed them in the laundry. Uh, what else... you can spray them with some deodorizer that makes their coat soft.

That's about it.. they are totally worth it all though!

Answer 8

It's hormone related.It fades a lot a couple of weeks after neutering.

They do have scent glands under their tails but these don't smell and are used as defensive weapons a bit like a skunk.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

The reason why they smell so bad is because of odor glanns. useally males only have them. But it is a natural thing. if you get them surgericaly removed when it is little then they will not "spray". Male cats do the same thing. It marks their territory.
deodorizers to work but it just covers the smell up.