Is true ferrets naturally smell?

Answer 1

Ferrets have an odor just the same as any other pet.

If their scent gland is not removed then yes, they stink, but most ferrets are bought from pet stores and in this case, they are already descented and fixed.

Bathing drys out the skin and fur, causeing the oild glands to go into overdrive to recoat everything. For the next few days, they smell stronger than they did before. I like to throw my boys in the tub every couple of weeks just to wash the dust away but I dont use shampoo. I only use shampoo when they are filthy or every couple of months.

Another cause of unpleasent odor is if you are using a food with a high content of fish or fish oil. Fish to them is like garlic to us on a hot day. It makes them smell horribly. One of the most common foods, marshalls, is not only one of the unhealthiest, but also has a high content of fish and why most ferrets in pet stores smell really bad.

I feed my boys a mix of zupreem and 8 in 1 ultimate crunchy. Zupreem has no fish and 8 in 1 has very little so they have virtually no smell at all.

Just be sure to feed them a good diet and clean the litter box regularly and you will have no odor issues.

Answer 2

Ferrets do smell naturally. I own 13 ferrets and run a rescue so I would know. However when people come to my house, they don't even know I own ferrets, so they are always surprised, so the odor isn't that bad.

Whether the ferret is descented or not, really doesn't affect their natural odor. The ferrets that really smell are unfixed males, they are very smelly. If a ferret is not descented, they still have the ability to "poof" which is like when skunks spray. That can be pretty strong smelling, but goes away after about 15 minutes. They only "poof" when they get frightened or are fighting with another ferret.

The key to a less smelly ferret is to feed high quality food. Food with fish equals smelly ferret and smelly poop. Marshall's food is especially bad for making ferrets smell.

Also bathe the ferret only 2-4 times a year. If you bathe weekly or every couple weeks, the ferret smells worse. This is because it causes their body to keep producing excess oil, which makes them smell. That's why ferrets always smell more strongly a few days after their bath. The best times to bathe are during/after shedding season.

Also clean the litter box at least daily, twice a day is better. That cuts down the smell a lot. Clean and disinfect the litter box once every week or two. Also change their bedding once or twice a week. Often times it is the bedding that really starts to smell.

Also don't use carefresh bedding in the cage. That makes ferrets smell very bad. That's why a lot of the ferrets in petstores smell so bad.

We have never added any weird stuff to their water, just kept things clean and it doesn't smell that bad. Ferrets are just like other animals, each type of animal has their own smell. Dogs have their own odor, cats have their own odor, rodents have their own odor, and ferrets have their own odor.

Answer 3

Even if their anal scent glands are removed when they are young, ferrets still secret a musky smell through their skin. I don't consider it to be a bad smell, but some people do. A lot of bathing will encourage them to produce more oils, or more smell. Bathe once a month if needed. The key to less smelly ferrets is a spotless cage and changing the blankets every day. Wash the litter box daily.

Answer 4

They smell quite musky. Even with scent glads removed they still stink. The smell get into everything, clothes, carpet, etc.

Bathing them will not get rid of the smell, infact it increases the smell. Bathing ferrets strips the oils from the skin thus making the ferret produce more oil to replace what is lost.

Answer 5

I was told that nautually ferrets are so smelly that no one in their right mind would ever have one as a pet, so that's part of the reason they spay/neuter them before they get to the pet store.

We've had some and they do smell of sorts, but I've never thought it was terrible. We used to put an additive in their water and that cut down the smell to almost nothing, so long as we changed the litter box every couple days. We liked to bathe them every couple weeks too because they were fun to watch when they got out - lol

Answer 6

I certainly have 29 unfastened roam fuzzies. They do have a musky scent to them. What somewhat smells is while human beings do no longer wash the hammocks, sleep sacks, blankets, and so on., that the ferrets have. additionally, human beings think of in the event that they save bathing their ferret the scent is going away, incorrect, it gets worse. the only time i visit wash a ferret is that if it is needed. I feed severe protein ferret foodstuff, in particular Triple F and upload a colourful kitten foodstuff. 3/4 ferret foodstuff a million/4 kitten. in particular for version. I stay removed from fish, it reasons the poo to sniff a sprint extra. i do no longer recommend having a ferret around toddlers. The ferret performs tough, while they play. they might think of the infant as a toy. in case you have toddlers or youthful toddlers it is best to supervisor the ferret while it is out of the cage. Out of cage time ought to be a minimum of four-6 hours an afternoon.

Answer 7

yes ferrets have a natural musky odor from scent glands. They can be removed and usually are in most states, however they still will smell to some extent. It is still considered strong to some people.

Answer 8

Yes they have scent glands at four points in their body. The best thing to do to get rid of the smell is to bathe them once a week.

Answer 9

Yes, they have scent glands on their legs.

Answer 10

they most certainly do!! it is a gland they are born with. visit
the vet, maybe he could give yu a solution.