How to Make a Ferret Deterrent Spray

Here is a recipe for a good all-purpose scent deterrent spray for ferrets. They will avoid places where the spray has been used, so it can help discourage destructive or dangerous behavior and potty accidents. **Please note: This spray is NOT meant to be used ON ferrets or in their mouths as a nip deterrent.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Small spray bottle
• citronella essential oil
• lemon eucalyptus oil
• ALT - Peppermint essential oil
• ALT - Tea Tree essential oil
• OPTIONAL: Empty baby food jar
• OPTIONAL: Cotton ball

1. Put two cups of plain water in a small, clean spray bottle.
   You can find inexpensive ones in most drugstores.

2. Add 1 teaspoon of citronella essential oil. This is a natural insect repellent and ferrets (and most other domestic pets) HATE it! You can find it in most health food stores or online.

3. Add 1 teaspoon of lemon eucalyptus essential oil. You can find it in most health food stores or online.

4. Close bottle and shake well before each use.

5. Test the spray in an inconspicuous place to be sure that it will not stain the area or object that it will be applied.

6. Then apply SPARINGLY to anything the ferret should stay away from. Remember that ferrets have a keen sense of smell and can smell it better than you can!

7. ALTERNATE: If the ferret doesn't mind the smell enough, or if YOU hate citronella even at low concentrations, try mint or tea tree essential oil instead.

8. Reapply often and continue even after the behavior seems to be corrected, to make SURE that the ferret has changed his bad habit. The more diligent you are at this point, the more likely you are to have long-term success!

9. OPTIONAL DIFFUSER JAR:
   You can also create a pet-safe essential oil diffuser by taking a baby food jar and punching small holes in the top (make sure jagged edges of the holes are on the INSIDE).

10. Soak a cotton ball in your mixture and place it securely inside. DO NOT fill the jar with solution because your ferret may overturn the jar and spill the contents.

11. Place the jar in the problem area; you may have to tape it into place if your ferret is clever enough to move the jar and return to his bad behavior.

12. * This jar can also be used with kibble inside it as a potty accident deterrent.

Tips & Warnings

• Pay attention to the root cause of bad behavior. Does your ferret need another litter box in the room? If he is destructive, have you provided appropriate outlets for natural digging or chewing instincts? There are safe chewy treats for ferrets (such as N-Bone) and great instructions online for making a "ferret dig box".
• Be sure to exercise and play with your ferret EVERY DAY, as this also reduces bad behavior. If your ferret is a single, consider getting him a companion to burn up some of his ferrety energy.
• See my article about How to Make a Ferret Happy for more info about these things.
• Any income generated from this article will go to the Washington Ferret Rescue and Shelter, a no-kill shelter caring for ferrets in the Puget Sound area. Please rate, comment, or link to my article here on eHow to help support the shelter! Thanks! www.washingtonferret.org
• NEVER spray this mixture into a ferret's eyes or mouth!
• If, against all odds, you notice your ferret LICKING objects that have been sprayed, clean the spray off and try mint instead. These essential oils are safe if consumed in very small quantities, but deliberate ingestion should not be allowed.
• NEVER use physical punishment to discourage bad behavior. Ferrets respond very poorly to it. Use frequent positive rewards for good behavior, and gentle scruffing or cage-based time-outs for persistent bad behavior.

Resources

• Washington Ferret Rescue and Shelter
• Ferret Central

[ferretlady]

on 10/17/2009 Hey everyone, thanks for reading my article.

You can also help my ferret shelter by checking out my ferret art at cafe press (search for "ferret drawing" to see my work); if you buy anything half of my profits go straight to the Washington Ferret Rescue and Shelter!