6 tips to keep your ferret and home smell-free
Where a ferret's musky smell comes from, and six practical tips to keep your ferret and your home smelling fresh, from cleaning and bathing to neutering.
The short answer
Ferrets' musky smell comes mainly from oil glands in their skin and scent glands near their bottom, and entire males smell much stronger. To keep smells down, clean the litter tray daily, wash bedding weekly, bath your ferret only occasionally, brush them gently, ventilate the room safely and talk to your vet about neutering or a hormone implant.
Key considerations
- 01Entire males smell much stronger. Talk to your vet about neutering or a hormone implant.
- 02Unmated females can become seriously ill when in season, so ask your vet for advice.
- 03Frequent baths can make the smell worse. Wash bedding weekly instead.
- 04Ferrets escape easily, so keep windows closed or securely screened when your ferret is out.
Ferrets are often overlooked as household pets, which is a shame, as they can be very loving. Their smell, especially that of unneutered males, puts many people off.
Why ferrets smell
Ferrets' musky smell comes mainly from oil glands in their skin and scent glands near their bottom. In the wild, the smell is used for scent marking and plays a part in breeding, which is why unneutered males smell far stronger than females.
Owning a ferret doesn't have to mean a smelly house. These tips will help keep your ferret and your home fresh.
1. Clean the litter tray every day
A dirty litter tray and cage are among the main causes of a smelly home. Clean the litter tray every day, and keep the rest of the cage clean too.
2. Bath only occasionally, and wash bedding weekly
Only bath your ferret occasionally, using a ferret-safe shampoo. Frequent baths can make the smell worse, and can dry out the skin and coat.
Wash your ferret's bedding weekly instead. Bedding soaks up the musky smell, so regular washing makes a big difference.
3. Brush your ferret gently
Gentle brushing now and then is a good way to bond with your ferret, and most enjoy it. It also removes loose hair, which can spread around the home and carry the smell with it.
4. Ventilate the room safely
A room with no fresh air soon smells stale, especially if a pet spends all day in it. Airing the room while your ferret plays or sleeps somewhere else helps.
Ventilate the room well, but keep windows closed or securely screened when your ferret is out, as ferrets escape easily.
5. Choose their room carefully
Think carefully about the room your ferret lives in, and the room where they run around and exercise. Rooms with hard floors rather than carpet, and with few soft furnishings, are easier to keep clean and hold on to fewer smells.
6. Talk to your vet about neutering
Talk to your vet about neutering or a hormone implant. Entire males smell much stronger, and unmated females can become seriously ill when in season.
Questions readers ask
Why does my ferret smell so much?
Ferrets' musky smell comes mainly from oil glands in their skin and scent glands near their bottom. Entire males smell much stronger than neutered ferrets.
How often should I bath my ferret?
Only occasionally, using a ferret-safe shampoo. Frequent baths can make the smell worse. Washing bedding weekly is a better way to keep smells down.
Does neutering stop a ferret smelling?
Neutering or a hormone implant can reduce the smell, especially in males. Talk to your vet about the best option for your ferret.
About this article
- Written by Mypetzilla Editorial Team
- Published
- Updated
This article is general pet advice, not veterinary or legal advice. If your pet is unwell, speak to a vet.
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