If you have a ferret as a pet, you’re probably dealing with smells around the house because of your furry friend. Some people get used to it, while others don’t. So how to get rid of ferret smell in a room?
Ferrets are gaining popularity in the pet industry, although dogs still reign. If you’re one of the people who love ferrets but won’t get one because of this stinky business, this article is also for you.
Why Do Ferrets Smell?
Before jumping to the solution as to how to eliminate ferret odor, let’s first take a moment to understand why they smell in the first place.
Just like any other pet, ferrets also have their own unique smell. However, this odor can be powerful at times, especially if you haven’t been cleaning your ferret or their cage regularly.
Their smell is sweet and musky and may not always bother you that much. However, it would be problematic for someone who isn’t used to it or just walked into your home. So you have to be extra cautious about their smell when you’re about to have guests come over.
Even if you do wash your pet often and keep their cage and blankets clean, there’s bound to be some smell still left.
Anal Gland Secretions: Ferrets have anal glands that secrete a scent. This scent is unique to their species, and its primary purpose is to attract mates or simply mark their territory. This is a common phenomenon in most carnivores and even some omnivores.
Even though these animals typically give off scents when they feel threatened, your ferret may be smelling too strong because of it, especially if it hasn’t been neutered. Most ferrets in pet stores have their anal glands removed, so that’s not commonly the issue behind the stink.
Scent Glands in Skin: In addition to the anal glands, ferrets also have scent glands in their skin. These are pretty strong smelling glands, which is why ferrets have this musky smell, sometimes even after they’re given a bath.
Dirty Ears: Ferret owners clean their pets regularly but often ignore ears. Yes, much like our own ears, ferret ears can get dirty. All that wax and oils from the skin can accumulate over time, causing a strong smell.
Dirty Living Space: You can’t blame the ferret entirely for creating a funky smell in your home. If you’re not maintaining a clean living space for them, you’re part of the problem. A dirty ferret cage may be the reason why your room is smelling bad.
5 Tips to Control Ferret Odor in Your House
You can take preventive measures to ensure that the ferret odor doesn’t come to the point that it becomes bothersome. Even if it has, there are ways you can get rid of ferret smell in a house.
Clean Cage or Box Once Every Week
Make it a habit to clean your ferret’s cage or box at least once a week. You can’t just let their poo and pee for weeks, as that will make the atmosphere of the room unbearable.
If you own more than one ferret, you may have to clean the cage more than once a day. However, it’s less time-consuming if you do it every day, as compared with waiting for a few days when there’s a disaster in there.
Place the Litter Box in the Right Place
You should strategically place the litter box where your ferret does their business. You can place the litter right there so that they go in the litter box the next time they go.
If, for some reason, they don’t use the litter box. Place some droppings in it, so they understand that’s where they need to go.
Once they are trained, it will make your life much easier. You should clean the litter box at least twice a day. That will help keep the poo smells at bay.
Bathe But Not Too Much
Yes, bathing your ferret is good, but there’s also something like too much bathing, which will result in an even stronger smell.
You see, ferret’s skin produces oils that nurture their fur and coat. When you bathe them, those oils are washed away. If you do it often, the oil-producing glands go in overdrive, producing even more oil.
As a result, it’s difficult to control ferret odor as the oils produce too much scent.
Some experts say bathing them once a month is fine. It also depends on the season, so in winters, once every two months is recommended. And most importantly, only use natural shampoos that don’t damage their coat.
Clean Ears
Use a specialized ear cleaner designed for pets to clean your ferret’s ear. You can use a damp Q-tip to clean all the nooks. Be very gentle when doing this, and never insert the Q-tip into the ear canal as you can damage their eardrum.
You can clean their ears after giving them a shower, so at least once a month. However, it’s not necessary to do it right after the shower, as long as you do it at least once.
Odor Neutralizers
There are sprays that neutralize the odor of ferrets, but it’s not the most viable option. If you do resort to this option, make sure to check the ingredients whether they are safe. Also, do not spray directly on your ferret. Instead, spray it on a paper towel or cloth and then rub it over the ferret.
Read Also: About Febreze Professional Sanitizing Fabric Refresher
Will an Air Purifier Help With Ferret Smell?
As you can see, even with regular maintenance and cleaning, there can still be traces of that musky natural odor of your pet. This is where an air purifier can come in handy as it can constantly absorb any pet odor, while also cleaning the air.
Not all air purifiers will work to get rid of ferret odor in a room, as most only remove impurities from the air. However, those with odor-removing filters can definitely make the room fresher smelling.
The mechanism to reduce the smell differs by air purifiers, but the most common way is to use a carbon filter. Some also have the option to add essential oils or aromatics to make the space more fragrant.
Keep in mind that an air purifier is no substitute for regular cleaning of your ferret’s cage and litter box, as well as their monthly bath.
Read Also: 5 Powerful Small Air Purifiers For A Bathroom
What is the Best Air Purifier for Ferret Odor?
The Levoit Air Purifier LV-H132 is the best air purifier to remove and control ferret odor in your home. It features an activated carbon filter that acts as an odor remover. The three-layer filtration not only removes funky smells but also any pet dander that may activate allergies.
The main air purifying filter is a True HEPA filter which removes contaminants as small as 0.3 microns. This meets all common safety certifications and requirements (FCC, CARB, and ETL listed).
This Levoit air purifier is also one of the quietest, with only 25 dB of noise at the lowest setting. So you can have it on, without knowing it’s really on. You can adjust between three-speed settings.
You won’t have to change the filter for at least six months, which makes it an efficient choice. When it’s time for replacement, the air purifier will remind you, so you replace it timely.
