Ferret grooming

By Linda Matlack

Ferrets require a lot of the same care as cats and dogs. They need a bath every once in a while. They need their nails cut and ears cleaned frequently. They also need to be groomed a bit.

Nail clipping is the most common and most frequently performed grooming habit. Since ferrets hardly sit still for a second, clipping nails can be tricky. A tried and true way of tricking the ferret is what many ferret owners use to help them clip nails. Pour a few drops of Ferretone or Linatone on the ferret’s belly. While the ferret is happily licking up his favorite treat, cut his nails, using small-animal clippers and being sure not to get too close to the quick of the nail. Repeat drops of Ferretone as necessary to get all nails trimmed.

Cleaning ears is difficult. If you can get someone to help you with this chore it would be beneficial. The way I clean ears is by scruffing the ferret, dipping the cotton swab in baby oil, then swiftly rubbing all over the ear. Ferrets hate this and will fight you the whole time. You feel guilty for putting them through this, so be sure to give them lots of treats when you finish both ears. It makes you feel better -- not them!

Bathing ferrets can be fun or can be a nightmare. First, let me say that ferrets should not be bathed more than once per month because bathing them washes the oils out of the skin, which in turn makes the oil-producing glands work harder to put oil back in the skin, which then causes them to smell worse! So keep baths to a minimum. Some ferrets love baths because they love to play in the water. These types of ferrets make baths fun. Then there are the type of ferrets I have -- the kind that aren’t real pleased to be in the water and claw whenever I try to wash them, constantly trying to climb out of the tub. Then when they are out of the tub, they hate being dried off and are wiggly rats. Oh the joys! If you do succeed in getting your ferrets in the tub, use special ferret shampoo, available at most pet stores, to bathe them.

Finally, there is regular ferret grooming. Ferrets tend to smell sometimes, so there is a product called Ferret Deodorant Spray. Spray a lot on them, rub it in real well, right down to the skin, then brush out their fur with a small animal brush. This is another non-favorite of the ferrets -- and they will do their best to get away from you and that terrible brush!

At the end of the day, you will have a clean, good-smelling, well-groomed ferret running around making you laugh. However, you will also have two bandaged arms, Ferretone in your carpet, and nail slivers poking you in your feet when you least expect it!