How can I minimalize the smell of my ferrets?

Question

I finally got my two new ferrets (2 years old, both males). Both are neutered, and I have done ALOT of research. However, I was hoping to find some personal experience about the ferret's natural odor.

Any other ferret tips are also highly appreciated!

From what I understand, if you bathe them too often, the smell is actually WORSE. However, is de-scenting going to make much of a change? Are there any other tried and true tricks for lessening the smell?

Thank you!

Answer 1

Your ferrets are probably already descented. Look at your ferrets ear. Typically they have two blue or black dots tattooed on the ear. One is for altering the other is for descenting.

The theory of bathing is up for debate, however, I do know that too much bathing simply causes skin problems so its not a good idea.

The ferrets themselves have a bit of odor but nothing abnormal or bothersome. Dogs and cats also have an odor about them but not enough to bother anyone. 95% of a ferrets odor comes from its waste. (feces and urine) The odor from a ferrets waste can be so strong that it actually absorbs into its bedding, hammocks, etc. I keep my ferrets confined to my bedroom for safety reasons. You should smell my comforters and sheets by the end of the week! I have to wash them often. Here is what I do to keep things fresh:

Scoop their litter pans twice a day.

Completely change their litter ever 2-3 days.

Change out their bedding every 2-3 days.

Wash hammocks once a week.

Clean out cages and litter pans with hot soapy water once a week. I find that regular old dish soap works well here.

You should see an improvement if you do the above! Good luck!

Answer 2

Don't bathe them too often (once every 3 months or so at most) they say that ferrets will produce more oils after being bathed...more smell. No ferret is ever 100% litter trained. I have 2 litter boxes in my ferrets cage, as well as 3 in their play room. If you can find where they are going, put a litter box in that spot. When you clean the pans, don't clean them too good. You still want the ferret to be able to smell where he has gone. But do clean really well where he is not suppose to go (hope that makes sense)

Answer 3

yes, for goodness sake get them descented. I've had 3 ferrets and all were descented. They will still be a little musky, but when you bathe them they won't smell.
I love ferrets.
Other ferret tips:
1). If they bite flick them on the nose and say no. They will learn eventually.
2). Feed them ferret eaze for hairballs or any cat hairball remedy.
3). They love, love, love, the hairball remedy so while feeding them squeak a toy or ring a bell so that you can call them to you whenever you need them.
4). Don't take your ferrets to California. They are illegal there.
5). They will steal everything. Make sure you look in the underlining of your sofa if your keys, socks, earrings, hairdryer, cell phone, are missing.
6). They will eat whatever they can swallow so be very careful of things lying around.
7). They love to sleep in hammocks.
8). Tubes and crinkly sacks are among some of their favorite toys.
9). Cuddle them often and give kisses.
10). Have more than one litter box in your home if you plan to let them wander.
11). Ferrets are heat intolerant. Anything above 85 degrees can be dangerous.

Answer 4

descaenting would be a good idea and bathing def. makes them smell a bit worse for a couple days.u should bathe them maybe about 2-3 times a year. keep in mind-a lot of air fresheners are NOT SAFE for ferrets as well as some perfumes so take precautions into what ur using. hope i helped!

Answer 5

Overbathing will most definitely make them smell worse! The majority of ferrets in the states are already descented, so that shouldn't be an issue - unless you got them from a private breeder. Ferrets, by nature, have a musky smell to them - which I don't find unpleasant!

Feeding a high quality cat or kitten food will help with the way that their feces smells. I feed my ferret Innova EVO cat food, Innova cat food & Wellness kitten food. Ferrets are obligate carnivores and require little to no plant protein in their diet; it's widely suggested that feeding a food high in plant protein will make their poop stink worse because the plant proteins are not properly digested.

Answer 6

Well i have 2 ferrets also both femaled, and i hear males smell worse, but idk. I would just clean there cage daily and also at petsmark they have daily deodarant for like 7 dollars and it smells super good, i give my ferrets 1 bath a month and i did give them one every week it didnt make them stink worse it just made them have dry skin, hope this helps!

Answer 7

My husband had ferrets when he was younger and he said to have the scent glands removed.

Answer 8

De-scenting is one of the best things you can do. Also, keep them in a nice clean area, and keep that area clean. Bathing also helps.

Answer 9

yes, definitely get them descented! also are they litter box trained yet? that helpes a lot. here are some things that helped me when i had ferrets:

http://www.petsmart.com/global/search/search_results.jsp?In=Small+Pet&N=2047885+4294966688&Ne=2

Answer 10

Air fresher duh