Things You'll Need:
- See the steps below, presented in order of importance.
-
Step 1
Get the right food!
This is VERY important! YOU WILL NOT NEED DE-ODORIZING PRODUCTS EVER AGAIN if your ferret eats an appropriate high-quality kibble. Trust me, it is SO worth the cost. Look for minimum 34% protein and minimum 19% fat content. Grains should be listed no higher than third on the ingredient list. Avoid fish products (hello stink), meal, corn, and unnatural preservatives. Just because your ferret was being fed something in the pet store doesn't mean it's the best; after all, the pet store and some large ferret companies have exclusive contracts and probably wouldn't mind selling you unnecessary deodorizing products! Rule of thumb- if the food itself stinks to high heaven, the poor ferret will stink too.
See this chart for a comparison of ferret foods (I highly recommend The Ferret Store Natural): http://www.mdferretpaws.org/care/food_treats.html
* Be sure to mix in new food with the old gradually over the course of a couple of weeks if you decide to switch brands.
* Apply a critical eye toward ferret treats as well. I personally only give Ferret N-Bone Chew Treats (I cut them into smaller pieces, though!), Ferretone, and small pieces of meat as rewards. Keep sugars and fiber to a minimum. -
Step 2
Get the right litter.
And scoop often! Many owners use pellets, which are cheaper, but don't control the odor as well and have to be scooped more frequently. Plant-based SOFT-clumping cat litter (NEVER use clay-based or silicone litter- they have serious health hazards for ferrets!) can improve the smell of the litter boxes and can even improve the "hit rate". They cost more upfront, but they also last longer, and are more convenient (many are flushable!). I highly recommend World's Best Cat Litter (normal-strength); it's worth its weight in gold!
* Mix in new litter with the old gradually over the course of a week if you decide to switch brands. Experiment until you find one or more that work well for you and your pets. -
Step 3
Get the right bedding.
Ferrets DO NOT need paper or wood shavings any more than a dog or cat would. Buy two sets of soft fleece blankets (remnants from a fabric store work great); swap out and wash them every week. Also swap out and wash all cage hammocks and sleep sacks or beds around your house. Use hot water and unscented detergent (some ferrets are allergic to fragrances). -
Step 4
Bath LESS often!
That's right- wash the bedding more often, not the ferrets! Ferret skin reacts to a bath by producing MORE musky oil to make up for what was lost. One bath every two or three months is fine. When bathing, any gentle pet or baby shampoo is fine, but use the complimentary gentle conditioner also, to sooth their itchy skin. Don't bother with special deodorizing ferret shampoos, and avoid heavy fragrances, as some ferrets (and people!) are allergic to them. Clean your ferret's ears and teeth regularly. -
Step 5
Get the right cage.
Be sure it is large enough (minimum 3'x 2'x 2' feet for ONE ferret, bigger for more); NEVER put a ferret in an aquarium! Coated wire with large doors for easy cleaning and scooping are the best. Cover all wire floors with fitted linoleum pieces- they are better for your ferret's feet and a breeze to clean. Position the cage in your home so that it has good ventilation and is not in direct sun, even if it has a cover. Let your ferret(s) out of the cage for at least a couple of hours EVERY day, and wipe the cage down with a gentle disinfectant (never use Lysol) as needed. I highly recommend Ferret Nation cages. -
Step 6
Get the right cage accessories.
If necessary get food and water bowls that lock to the side of the cage and fill them up only half-way so that your mischievous ferret can't spill the contents. Put a fitted litter box or a food dish wherever your ferret mistakenly relieves himself (cut the side of a larger cat litter pan if ferret pans don't fill the space well). If housing multiple ferrets, sometimes two smaller boxes work better- even if they're right next to each other (some ferrets don't like to share). Make sure any litter pan is big enough for your ferret to fit his whole body in, and that the entrance side isn't more than a few inches high. If absolutely necessary remove a platform and add hammocks instead. Use your creativity to make smelly accidents history! -
Step 7
Reduce frightening experiences.
Even descented ferrets can sometimes produce a slight musky aroma when they are stressed out or scared. Do not allow other pets to intimidate your ferret or children to play too rough. Do not trap your ferret in a drying sack after a bath or in a plastic ball ever. Protect them from falls and toenail snags. Make sure that your ferret's playtime is safe and fun. -
Step 8
Enjoy your fragrant ferret!
Comments
ferretlady said
on 10/17/2009 Hey everyone, thanks for your feedback.
Check out my ferret art at cafe press (search for "ferret drawing" to see my work); if you buy anything half of my profits go to the Washington Ferret Rescue and Shelter!
sisabileon506 said
on 4/6/2009 i use something called FRESCOPET - its a fragrant collar attachment that you put on your ferrets collar and it time releases a subtle fragrance. definitely helps keep them (and the house) smelling fresher in between baths. I also hang one on the cage (i love the jasmine one). check them out online frescopet.com
dokternj said
on 2/18/2009 I never knew it was better to bathe them less frequently. Makes sense to change/wash bedding often. You are right about using fleece.
ferretlady said
on 12/17/2008 Sorry I have to disagree with ChickneSholay about the Ferret Store Natural. The food chart IS out of date, (but I think it's still useful for rough comparisons)- in fact, the info for the Ferret Store Natural is wrong on the chart, and appears worse than it really is (though it STILL scored a 10!) As with any food or treat, read the ingredients (found under "More Information") and judge for yourself: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=17398
ChickneSholay said
on 11/28/2008 Everything was great advice. The only thing I will disagree on is that the Ferret Store food is pretty low quality and the comparison chart is out of date.
Other than that great article!