GROOMING

FERRET GROOMING

BATHING YOUR PET

Now this can be FUN! Or it can be horrible. You may want to have someone help the first time you bathe your new fiend...I mean friend.

You should bathe your ferret at least once a month but no more than once a week. This is so your ferret will not lose essential oils needed to keep the skin moist. This can be done in the bathtub or the sink. Which ever is easiest for you. Fill either with warm water before bringing your ferret in. Fill it so that his feet still touch the bottom (a non-skid mat or towel will help keep him from sliding around). The noise of the water running may frighten him. Have all your bath items ready. This would be shampoo, towel, and a cup or other rinsing devise. Ease him in and get him wet. Let him play in it for a little while. If he's scared pet him and talk to him, let him know it's okay. Having ferret treats handy is a good idea too.

If you're lucky you may have an otter-ferret. This is a ferret that loves the water and may think he is an otter. I am lucky to have one of these types of ferrets. You can tell if you have an otter-ferret if he swims around casually and snorkels (sticks his whole head underwater and blows bubbles). Now if he doesn't come up for air then he is not a true otter-ferret and you will have to save him.

Follow the directions on the bottle of Ferret or Kitten shampoo, you decide on.
Never leave your ferret unsupervised in the tub, sink or other body of water. Use a cup or some other rising device to rise him off.

Dry your ferret off well with a towel. Now for the fun part! Set him on the floor and watch as he turns into psycho ferret. Ferrets usually go a little nutty after a bath. Jumping, running, rubbing on the floor and making weird noises is the normal routine of a clean ferret. They do this to speed up the drying time and to give us a few laughs.

How to deal with any odour problems

Shampoo and daily deodorant spray is available for any minor problem.

If you get your ferret from a breeder ask if he is de-scented, in most cases he will not be de-scented.

It is not necessary to de-scent your ferret, especially if it has been neutered or spayed.

If you notice your ferret is smelling stronger than usual or has a different odour it may be an indication of illness and should be seen by a vet.

Other ferret grooming

Nails

Your ferret will need to have his nails clipped about every two weeks. You can use either nail clippers for cats or human clippers. Unless you have a very calm ferret or eight arms you may need a friend to help hold him during this task until you get the hang of it.

Scruff the back of your ferrets' neck, hold his paw then clip. Be careful not to cut his cuticle. It is the pink stuff that has a vein running through it. Leave about 1/8 inch of the nail past the cuticle.

Another trick is to cradle your ferret on his back and put a few ferret treats on his tummy. While he licks up this treat clip away. If he wises up after a while go back to the previous suggestion.

Trick #2: Try and clip while he is still sleeping. This may only work for the first few toes but it's worth it.

Ears

Again it's best with a friend. Or just scruff him if you're on your own.

This is pretty easy to do just be careful not to poke into the ear canal itself. Use a cotton swab and gently clean the area. You can also use ear cleaner fluid to help get the gunk out easier. Remember not to push any wax into the ear canal.
Do as often as needed. If there is reddish brown wax in the ear he may have ear mites and needs to go to the vet for eardrops.

Brushing

My ferrets LOVE this. NOT! They hate it. Your ferret may enjoy it, again everyone's different.

Use a soft brush to groom your ferrets' coat. If they hate it try distracting them with treats while you brush. They may learn to like it. It's best to start when your ferret is still a kit.

This is especially important during shedding seasons. When the seasons are changing (Autumn/Spring) your ferret will shed its coat. If brushing isn't for you try to aid the process by gently pulling the loose dead hair off him.

Teeth

You should brush your ferrets teeth with a baby toothbrush or a toothbrush designed for them or other small animals.

Pet toothbrush or baking soda works well.

Brush a few times a week and have any tartar removed by your vet about twice a year or as needed.

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