Do your guys scratch themsevles a lot?
Mine is chewing on his hindend quite a bit. Not excessively, but enough. He is 3 months old, I have had him for just over a week, and I just started him on the Ferretone (or whatever that oil skin supplement is called) two days ago. He is on mainly Zupreem ferret food and with a mix of Iams kitten chow and cooked meat.
I gave him a bath today to see if that would help (1st one today) and I think it made him itch more.
I am assuming it is a skin dryness problem, any suggestions on remedying it?
2007-02-24 11:39:58 · 4 answers · asked by D 7 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
first one today meaning probably his first bath ever- I doubt the pet store bathed him, and I have had him for roughly two weeks before a bath. He loved it, actually
2007-02-25 13:48:55 · update #1
mine always seem to scratch too. look for fleas. they get them too. could be dry skin. don't bathe him too much. it will actually make him stink more because the scent glands will produce more. i bathe mine about once a month in the winter. and about every 1-2 weeks in the summer. i only use ferretone when i clip nails. i put it on their belly, and they care about nothing else but licking it up while i clip the nails. don't use cat food. the meat is good. ferret food must have around 38% protein and alot of fat.
Animal Care Products (Nature's Specialty) makes some good shampoos. I use the Smelly Pet shampoo, and they make a re-moisturizer that is very good. but you have to leave it sit for about 5-10 minutes, and then really rinse good.
it sounds like you do everything right as far as diet, so i only have the other 2 suggestions. fleas, or dry skin.
hope i helped
2007-02-24 11:56:20 · answer #1 · answered by dog whisperer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My little girl never use to scratch overly so I am assuming this is not normal... your guy may be allergic to something in his enclosure. For any animal with a dermatological issue, I bath them in Pintasol or equivelant (for sensitive skin) you can get this at any chemist. Or you can get a shampoo for sensitive skin for your local vet. Just be careful not to shampoo him with human shampoos. I use Talc powder on my girl to help dry out some of that oil, she loves that. But if your guy is dry this wouldn't be wise. We also feed the same food that you do, so I can't see that being an issue. Other than that I can't think of anything other than calling your nearest Ferret Assoc or vet clinic to ask for advice. Hope all goes well :)
2007-02-24 19:56:56 · answer #2 · answered by PK 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I noticed you said "first one todya" when talking about the bath. Out of curiosity, how often do you bathe your ferret?
They only ought to be bathed once every 6 month, unless thaey get dirty. Giving a ferret a bath only makes it produce MORE oil! Therefore, it gets stinky alot faster then if you hardly bathed it. Also, it dries out their sking and causes it to get itchy, thus the chewing/scraching.
If bathing is the problem then try to not give him a bath for awhile and get some conditioning spray for him. It will take awhile for his natural body oil to balance out so give it time and he ought to be fine.
2007-02-25 14:01:43 · answer #3 · answered by guerita135 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my ferrets never had "over active scratching". and yes, it's probably a skin problem/drness. i would take him to the vet, and see if they have any remedies, or medicine for it.
it also could be fleas. our male did have to have medicine for fleas. in that case, you would also need to see your vet.
best wishes for you and your ferret!!
2007-02-24 19:48:14 · answer #4 · answered by ferrets4ever 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋