A ferret can be a wonderful pet but it has a natural odor that can bother most people. Ferrets have scent glands located near their anus which they use to mark their territories and for identification. The secretion can be released when the ferret is scared or startled. A ferret also uses its urine to mark its territory. Although the scent of this natural secretion is impossible to eliminate, there are steps that you can take to reduce the odor and make living with your pet ferret more manageable. Below are some tips on how to reduce the odor from your pet ferret.
- Your ferret can be taught to use a kitty litter although it does not cover its droppings like a cat does. The litter should be cleaned on a daily basis but be sure that you leave some of the soiled litter behind so that your pet ferret will be able to smell it and know where to go. It is advisable to use pelleted paper rather than silicone or clay that turns hard when wet as this can be ingested by your ferret and cause internal damage. Hard materials on the litter can injure your pet when the granules get stuck on the rear of the ferret.
- A ferret is an obligate or true carnivore meaning it eats animal flesh. It should not be fed fish, vegetables, fruits and fruit juices, sugars and those that contain corn because these will increase the odor of their droppings. Use the recommended meals and feeds for ferrets which is high on protein and low in fat. MD Ferret Paws has a comprehensive comparative guide of recommended food for ferrets.
- Ferrets love to burrow under cover and sleep about fourteen to eighteen hours a day. They become active at dusk or dawn. Urine, their natural secretions as well as the oil from their fur can transfer to the beddings while they sleep and cause them to smell. Since they spend most of their time sleeping burrowed under a blanket, be sure to wash these frequently so that the odor will not linger on the beddings. Its cage should also be cleaned regularly. Make sure that you use hot water to wash the beddings and unscented laundry soap because most ferrets are allergic to fragrances.
- Ferret can be bathed and its fur shampooed. It is recommended that you bathe your ferret only when it is very dirty so that the natural oils on its fur will not be stripped. Use only the recommended ferret shampoo when you have to bathe your ferret and use warm water to wash and shampoo your ferret. There is also a ferret conditioner that you can use to prevent its skin from getting too dry.
Be sure to allow your ferret loose only in a small confined area in your
home which will be easy to clean. As your ferret brushes against things
and furniture in the room, it transfers its scent which can linger and
make the room smell even if you have cleaned the ferret cage and have
done all the other things that will reduce the odor of a pet ferret. You
can also look for a ferret that has been de-scented to eliminate the
odor that is somewhat like the smell of a wet dog.