RESPONSE TO POST: Ferret Smell by MikeL <[log in to unmask]>
 
Hey all,
 
I have been reading this list for some time now, but this is my first
post.  I hope you find it helpful.
 
I have a small office that my ferrets live in and I manage to keep it and
the ferrets smelling fresh.
 
Here's what I recommend:
 
0. MY CARDINAL RULE(For ferrets, not myself).  NO BATHS!  That's right,
none.  Unless they are really really messy for some reason a bath is just
an invitation for more oil.  If you really feel the need then maybe every
few months, but personally I never bathe them and it does wonders.  This
was recommended to my by my animal shelter and now I have the best
smelling ferrets in town : )
 
1. VERY IMPORTANT!  Change bedding once a week, hammocks most importantly
(rolling in a hammock is the best ferret bath).  Secondary blankets and
what not maybe done every other (this works absolute wonders!).
 
2. Use cloth covers for all cage surfaces (anything they can step or lay
on).  I have a Midwest cage that I have cut pieces of flannel blanket
that cover the landings, cage doors and bottom floor.  I suggest you wash
these once a every three weeks.
 
3. Get things for those fuzzies to sleep/lounge in outside the cage.  By
this I mean piles of blankets and little cat beds.  This prevents them
from leaving an odor on the carpet.  I would recommend washing those
every two/three weeks.  Just a side note place these piles in corners and
they due the double duty of eliminating smell and helping with litter
training.
 
4. Keep any unwashed laundry in large zip-lock bags.  I have lots of
changes of covers, hammies and blankets, this way I only have to do
laundry every three or four weeks.  Once you are done using the bag
(Don't reuse it!) use it to clean litter box.  As far as laundry goes
I find regular detergent to work just fine, also some mild dryer sheet
never hurt, make sure you use mild stuff so you don't irritate the
fuzzles.
 
4. I find lots of play time actually helps.  That way they are always
moving (or airing out as I like to think of it) and they are not just
laying in bed sweating and leaving oily stink.  Also a good romp outside
in the grass will leave them smelling fresh.
 
5. Comb those coats!  That's right making fuzzies look dapper is also
good at controlling odor.  Just make sure that you wash the brushes now
and then, because they are the ones absorbing the oily goodness of you
carpet sharks.  Also it is important to use a soft bristled brush for
this, this way it picks up excess oil and dirt and doesn't just separate
and pick up old hair like metal brushes.  I find that using both works
well I go over them a couple of times with soft metal bristles (softly!)
and then smooth them out a few times with softer brush.
 
5. Wash those food and water containers!  Believe it or not a dirty food
dish can add to the smell.  Also, I find using Bi-Odor (In water only)
really seems to help reduce urine and fecal smells.
 
6. If possible leave a window open during the day (NOT DURING PLAY
TIME!) and if its cold then just barely crack it if possible.  This isn't
as big as the others, but IMHO airflow is always one of the keys to
keeping any place smelling fresh.
 
7. Use a air neutralizer i.e. air freshener without a prominent smell (I
can't stand a potpourri smell)  Glade has a plug in for neutralizing
smoke odor that works great, I think its menthol and eucalyptus smell,
very mild.
 
8. Finally, and this one is a no brainier, clean those little boxes once
a day (I usually do it every other, but every day works wonders).
 
Follow these simple rules and you will have a clean smelling room and
musk free ferrets.
 
This is all IMHO, but it is all tried and true.
 
Hope this helps some of you,
Erik Anderson
 
Ferts: Chris and David (Farley and Spade respectively).
 
[P.S.]
One more rule!
 
9. Remeber to clean those ears every other week.
[Posted in FML issue 4062]