>The smell
>[log in to unmask]
>I hate to complain about little Toby so much, but could anybody give me
>some advice on how to cut down on the odor.  I have been bathing Him up to
>3times a week with Ferret Shampoo...
 
Casey, I currently have 9 Ferrets and I keep them all in one 3 story condo.
At one time when I first started with my Ferrets, I was bathing every 1-2
weeks to keep down the smell.  What I was told is that due to frequent
bathing, the Ferret produces extra oil to keep it's fir soft and moist
(something like that).  I actually was making the situation worse rather
than better.  It was suggested that I bath them less often.  Well, I took
that advise and they have almost no smell now & I only bath them only 2 - 3
times a year.
 
What I found helpful is to change their hammocks and other bedding more
often.  I do this every 2-3 days or when it looks unfresh or starts to
smell.  I spray the new bedding with either Ferret Deodorizing Spray or
Fresh 'n Clean Pet Calogne or some other product of that type and let it dry
completely before putting it in their cage.  I now consider bathing days to
be those when it is really hot and the bath would help them to cool off.
They usually tell me when they are hot because they go splashing into the
dog's water bowl.
 
Hope this helps.
Sandy
[Posted in FML issue 1673]