Hygiene

Ferrets do not need to be regularly bathed unless they get very dirty. Ferrets kept in the house or in a clean cage will keep themselves clean.

Neutered ferrets do not smell strongly, in fact I think Polie has a very pleasant peaty smell with floral overtones! It has to be said that an unneutered hob, especially during the breeding season can have an eye-watering odour.

I do brush the ferrets regularly when they are moulting, which is in Spring when they shed their winter coats and in late Summer just before they get their Winter coats. Ferrets can get hairballs like cats so I also use cat hairball remedy on them during this period especially if I see a lot of hair in their poo.

If we are visiting I sometimes use a ferret deodorizing conditioning spray on them, that's if I can catch them, they hate it.

Eric does not like water and I think this is probably my fault. He was a bit grubby and reeky when he arrived (typical teenager) So we bathed him, and it was very traumatic all round (no bites I hasten to add). I haven't really bothered since, as now he lives indoors he keeps himself spotless.

The only time it was necessary was when he got in the grate and got completely covered in soot. That took three baths to get rid of. Eric hates water touching his back which is fair enough as he probably feels he's drowning. Both ferrets enjoy paddling in a few inches of water, warm in winter, nice and cold in summer. Polie likes trying to catch water coming out of the tap and both get very overexcited if given a shower. I always have plenty of towels ready as they like to leap onto these and squirm around to dry off.

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