Can you control the smell

by Taylor
(virginia)


Everyone keeps telling me that getting a ferret is a terrible idea, because they will make your house smell bad.

I’ve done a lot of research and feel like I know a great deal about them. I know that they cannot be bathed to get rid of the smell, because that will only make it worse. I plan on using the Marshall bi-odor stuff that goes in their water, as well as cleaning the litter and washing the bedding, but I’m still concerned whether or not that will be enough.

I am pretty much obsessed with getting one of these little things, even after knowing how mischievous they are, and I’m pretty sure their antics will outweigh the downside of their smell, but I dont want to be known as the guy whos house smells like a ferret. lol!

I realize that even with doing all these things that there will still be a slight smell, but I guess what I’d like to know is will it be possible to control the smell so that no one really notices that you have a ferret living with you until they see it? And also, what are some things you can do to lessen the smell? How effective is it?

Thanks
Taylor

Comments for Can you control the smell

Oct 15, 2014 ferret bathing
by: Anonymous

Bandit’s mom … Frebreeze is a nono! Too much smell can irritate their skin and only bathe 2 or 3 times a year.


Feb 09, 2014 About the bathing
by: Lisa

I may catch a lot of slack about this but we have 3 little ones and I’m not really sure where the rule is you should only bathe them a few times a year came from.

Our “routine” is as follows: Saturday night is bath night, using baby shampoo with oatmeal, (these kids never smell at all and have never had skin irritation) All the bedding gets washed. The pine pellet litter(this is the best that we have found) gets changed daily. Then on Wednesdays we change the bedding again.

My husband and I have had ferrets for 17 years our first 2, Casper & Munchkie lived 10 and 11 years with this routine without a hitch


May 27, 2013 stinchs
by: anonimous

My ferret has that problem as well – I use ferret deodorizing spray it is very good and effective.


Nov 26, 2010 YES CONTROL SMELL
by: BANDITS MOM

YOU CAN USE CORN COB. CLEAN THE CAGE EVERY DAY OR EVERY TWO DAYS. THROW THE LITTER OUT EVERY TIME AND PUT FRESH IN. WASH THE PAN WITH BATH TUB CLEANER AND A LITTLE BIT OF BLEACH ON. SOAK IT FOR A HALF HOUR AND THEN RINSE IT WITH WARM WATER, THEN DRY IT THEN FRESH BEDDING AND WASH THE HAMMOCKS.


Nov 22, 2010 ferrets are great; the smell isnt
by: Anonymous

It is a very bad idea to wash anything your ferret uses with Febreeze or something that has a scent because it can make your ferret sick or they may have an allergy. It is important that you try to clea with unscented detergent and maybe add some vinegar. DO NOT wash your ferret every month – it’s ok to wash them maybe every 3 months. I wash mine twice a year. Make sure you clean your litter 2-3 times a day. And add some baking soda to the litter. I’ve found that the pellets don’t absorb the smell so dust free clumping cat litter works well. Also ferrets miss and sometimes poop in random places. Once you’ve discovered those spots place some newspaper and cover with paper towel in those areas so you don’t have to spend so much on litter pans and litter. Some local papers are free.

Hope this helps.


Apr 28, 2010 Can you control the smell
by: Jacque Carlyle

I have 5 little furbutts. When people come to my house for the first time & they find out I have ferrets, they ask why they didn’t smell them.

For starters I never use any kind of wood chips or scented bedding or litter. Wood chips are very bad for your ferret & some litters are as well.. I use newspapers & I place a sheet of white paper towels over them, only because I work & don’t want them standing on wet newspapers with the ink & all. That’s just me, I change the litter boxes at least twice a day.

If your ferret is content & happy they will smell less; their diet does play a big part mostly in the smell of their poo. Yes they do have a bit of an odor but then so does a cat, dog, bird, even humans.

I wash their bedding & cages weekly. I have an extra set of bedding so they always have clean beds. Most ferrets will Not Use a Dirty litter box, so they themselves are a pretty clean animal. I never add any thing to their water to help control their smell, I just don’t feel it is safe for them & just might cause them to smell worse if they become sick.

I give mine a bath at least twice a year when they start to shed, or if they get into something.

I feed mine the Wysong brand of food & I have never had any problem with smell. I have used Totally Ferret in the past & it’s ok. I still like the Wysong brand.

So if you think of them as a 2 year old child & clean up after them, then you shouldn’t have a problem with smell. Like I said, if they are happy & content then they do smell less; if stressed & not handled well, they will give off a sink bomb.. LOL!

I hope you enjoy your sweet Angels as much as I do mine.


Apr 28, 2010 Ferret Smell
by: Anonymous

Ferrets will always have a slight smell to them but you can minimize the smell in their environment. I always compare it to having any indoor animal. If you keep them clean, and their areas clean you don’t have a huge smell.

If you’re lucky enough to have a Ferret that uses only his litter box, make sure you change out the litter at least every other day. I change my litter daily and I also put some extra litter next to the litter box for any oops’s which I clean up as soon as I find them.

I know several people with ferrets and they all like different foods and litter for their pets. I guess it’s a personal thing and how well they work for you. DO NOT change your ferret’s diet frequently. Unless there is a need for it, like allergies or something; changing their diets frequently will cause digestive problems and stresses the little furries out big time. It can also cause their feces to smell really bad.

We bathe our furries about every other month. We have found bathing them more frequently increases their smell and causes some skin issues. We use an in-between bath freshner made by Marshall’s strictly for ferrets. Spray it on once a week, or more if needed, brush in and you’re good to go.

You are going to have a great time with your ferret. I have 4 and each one is as different from the others as can be. Remember to spend a lot of time with your ferret. They love to socialize. Enjoy your furry!


Apr 28, 2010 FERRET SMELL
by: BANDIT’S MOM

TAYLOR, YOU CAN GIVE FERRETS A BATH – IT HAS TO BE A VERY WARM OR HOT DAY.VERY LITTLE WATER IN THE TUB OR SINK, USE AVEENO SHAMPOO AND USE PINE BEDDING AND CHANGE THE BEDDING EVERY THREE DAYS.

CLEAN THE CAGE AT THE SAME TIME,CLEAN THE CAGE WITH BATHROOM CLEANER AND MR CLEAN WITH FREBREEZE.

ALSO USE FERRET SPRAY LIKE BABY FRESH ON YOUR FERRET IN BETWEEN BATHS.

THEY CAN ONLY BE BATHED THREE TIMES A YEAR AND THAT IS ONLY IN THE SUMMER. TRY TATOL FERRET FOOD THIS FOOD IS BETTER FOR THEM,AND WASH THEIR BLANKETS.

THANK YOU
BANDIT PASSED MOM
BBURGIO
MRSBITYTAZ_@_AOL_._COM


5 thoughts on “Can you control the smell”

  1. I have 5 ferrets in attached 7 ferret nation cages . Yes huge lol . I buy baby wipes by the case .every single morning I wash all levels doors and I scoop litter boxes 3 times a day .empty completely weekly just adD new as it gets low .I use wheat cat litter works the best I found . And I use odor control additive for ferrets in their water . I wipe them down with baby wipes every morning .I wash all blankets hammocks tunnels once a week
    My house never smells and I wash all blankets in normal laundry soap for sensitive skin and a cup of vinegar

  2. Your ferrets are really lucky to have so much room to move around in, Sam, and it’s great to see what a dedicated ferret lover you are 😀
    What you said about keeping your house smell-free is spot-on and I hope people who’re thinking of getting a ferret as a pet will take note!
    However I would say that I totally LOVE the smell of ferrets, so often stick my head in the chest of drawers where our babies sleep and take a big breath! 😮 I think that’s something which grows on one so appreciate it wouldn’t have the same appeal to everyone! LOL!
    Hope you and your magnificent five have a fabulous Christmas and a really wonderful 2016 😀
    Hugs to all your furkids from my guys down under!
    Cheers
    ~Nona

  3. This question is for Lisa if she sees this. I want to know what kind of diet you had them on if they lived for 10 and 11 years.

  4. i am a high school student. my biggest worry with my new pet ferret is going to school and smelling. is there any other way better than a lot of perfume?

  5. HI Bria
    Ferrets aren’t like skunks — their odour won’t stick to your clothes 😉
    However, if you think your ferret’s smell is too strong then I can only suggest you have a shower in the morning, put on your school clothes and makes sure you don’t hug or play with your ferret after that.
    When you come home in the afternoon, get changed and then interact with your ferret!
    I’m sure that doing that will keep any “animal” smells off your clothes 😀
    It’s funny but I adore my ferrets’ smell – when I had a lot of them, I’d open the chest of drawers (their sleeping quarters) and take a big whiff. Loved it 😀
    At the moment I only have two boys but they are BIG … I call them my wolverines … and not only are they big, but they’re also cuddly and I love to bury my nose into their fur!
    Call me crazy 😀
    Hugs to your ferret from its new friends down under !
    Cheers
    ~Nona

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