| Bathing - CLICK HERE for the Pet Manual Forum Home Page |
| Charles Winters |
How often do you bathe your ferrets? My son used to bathe our Bacchus every
month or two. He said it was to eliminate the "ferret smell". B's been
living with us for about 6 weeks now. He smells just fine to me and his
coat feels clean. He's a Marshall ferret and was "descented" as a kit.
His normal roaming territory, when out of his pen, is a large unfinished
basement with lots of boxes, shelves, tables, looms, and assorted "junk" to
explore. While not particularly dirty, there is a lot of dust in the nooks
and crannies. Nevertheless, he seems to keep himself clean so I'm not
inclined to subject him to an unnecessary trip to the bathtub, something he
is not particularly fond of.
What is your practice? Do you use people shampoo or some other product?
thx- CW
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| steve robinson |
"Charles Winters" <chasw88@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:gO6dndzl1OlnNdffRVn-rw@comcast.com...
> How often do you bathe your ferrets? My son used to bathe our Bacchus
> every
> month or two. He said it was to eliminate the "ferret smell". B's been
> living with us for about 6 weeks now. He smells just fine to me and his
> coat feels clean. He's a Marshall ferret and was "descented" as a kit.
>
> His normal roaming territory, when out of his pen, is a large unfinished
> basement with lots of boxes, shelves, tables, looms, and assorted "junk"
> to
> explore. While not particularly dirty, there is a lot of dust in the
> nooks
> and crannies. Nevertheless, he seems to keep himself clean so I'm not
> inclined to subject him to an unnecessary trip to the bathtub, something
> he
> is not particularly fond of.
>
> What is your practice? Do you use people shampoo or some other product?
> thx- CW
>
never bath our little critters they keep themselves clean , more you
bathe them the smellier they will get
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| John&Diane Kolomijez |
I bathe my ferrets at season change, which is 3-4 times a year in Ohio.
Diane & The Boops
"Charles Winters" <chasw88@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:gO6dndzl1OlnNdffRVn-rw@comcast.com...
> How often do you bathe your ferrets? My son used to bathe our Bacchus
every
> month or two. He said it was to eliminate the "ferret smell". B's been
> living with us for about 6 weeks now. He smells just fine to me and his
> coat feels clean. He's a Marshall ferret and was "descented" as a kit.
>
> His normal roaming territory, when out of his pen, is a large unfinished
> basement with lots of boxes, shelves, tables, looms, and assorted "junk"
to
> explore. While not particularly dirty, there is a lot of dust in the
nooks
> and crannies. Nevertheless, he seems to keep himself clean so I'm not
> inclined to subject him to an unnecessary trip to the bathtub, something
he
> is not particularly fond of.
>
> What is your practice? Do you use people shampoo or some other product?
> thx- CW
>
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| Nanny |
I've never bathed my ferrets (nor my cats......same difference.....).
Nanny
"Charles Winters" <chasw88@comcast.net> schreef in bericht
news:gO6dndzl1OlnNdffRVn-rw@comcast.com...
> How often do you bathe your ferrets? My son used to bathe our Bacchus
every
> month or two. He said it was to eliminate the "ferret smell". B's been
> living with us for about 6 weeks now. He smells just fine to me and his
> coat feels clean. He's a Marshall ferret and was "descented" as a kit.
>
> His normal roaming territory, when out of his pen, is a large unfinished
> basement with lots of boxes, shelves, tables, looms, and assorted "junk"
to
> explore. While not particularly dirty, there is a lot of dust in the
nooks
> and crannies. Nevertheless, he seems to keep himself clean so I'm not
> inclined to subject him to an unnecessary trip to the bathtub, something
he
> is not particularly fond of.
>
> What is your practice? Do you use people shampoo or some other product?
> thx- CW
>
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| Connie |
"Charles Winters" <chasw88@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:gO6dndzl1OlnNdffRVn-rw@comcast.com...
> How often do you bathe your ferrets? My son used to bathe our Bacchus
> every
> month or two. He said it was to eliminate the "ferret smell". B's been
> living with us for about 6 weeks now. He smells just fine to me and his
> coat feels clean. He's a Marshall ferret and was "descented" as a kit.
>
> His normal roaming territory, when out of his pen, is a large unfinished
> basement with lots of boxes, shelves, tables, looms, and assorted "junk"
> to
> explore. While not particularly dirty, there is a lot of dust in the
> nooks
> and crannies. Nevertheless, he seems to keep himself clean so I'm not
> inclined to subject him to an unnecessary trip to the bathtub, something
> he
> is not particularly fond of.
>
> What is your practice? Do you use people shampoo or some other product?
> thx- CW
>
I bath my ferrets about every 2 months (sometimes more sometimes less). Mine
like to play in the wood chips I use in their box, and sometimes my one will
use it as a litter pan, so they are playing in that also. I also use a
ferret deodorizer (spray) every once in a while. That works well with the
"ferret smell". Mine don't seem to stink more after a bath, even after a few
days... Plus mine LOVE the water. I have a ferret shampoo that I use. If I
am out, I will use my herbal essence, just a little though, as not to get
them itchy.
HTH
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| Bill Leary |
"Charles Winters" <chasw88@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:gO6dndzl1OlnNdffRVn-rw@comcast.com...
> How often do you bathe your ferrets?
Two cases.
When we're having company (as in "a party") and can expect them to be handled a
great deal. We don't have any problem with the way the smell, so long as the
cage and bedding is kept clean, but some others seem to have more sensitive
noses. We have parties off this nature every three or four years so this case
is probably irrelevant for "often," but it's the only time they all get bathed
together.
The other is when one of them gets into something we don't want them to have on
them. Quasimodo and, to a lesser extent, Razzle like to swim in the ashes in
the wood stove, though they haven't gotten a chance in there in a few years, and
there's the occasional spilled soda or dive into a trash can.
I'd guess it works out to once a year for each one, but it's not a common thing,
and if they didn't get into stuff, it would be less.
- Bill
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| Frank |
Charles Winters wrote:
>
> How often do you bathe your ferrets? My son used to bathe our Bacchus every
> month or two. He said it was to eliminate the "ferret smell". B's been
> living with us for about 6 weeks now. He smells just fine to me and his
> coat feels clean. He's a Marshall ferret and was "descented" as a kit.
>
> His normal roaming territory, when out of his pen, is a large unfinished
> basement with lots of boxes, shelves, tables, looms, and assorted "junk" to
> explore. While not particularly dirty, there is a lot of dust in the nooks
> and crannies. Nevertheless, he seems to keep himself clean so I'm not
> inclined to subject him to an unnecessary trip to the bathtub, something he
> is not particularly fond of.
>
> What is your practice? Do you use people shampoo or some other product?
> thx- CW
My Furbys have a plastic basin to play Turtle with. Occasonally I fill
the pan with
room temperature water, and entice them into it with sinkable toys.
They will
snorkle for the toys, get totally wet, then they have a towel to wipe
off in.
I dont use any shampoos or such.
Frank.
--
* Never forget 9/11 and the cost of FREEDOM! 'Tedra' *
* Personal Page: http://oakgrovedesigns.net/ *
* Old Mill China: http://oakgrovedesigns.net/oldmill *
* Johnson Brothers Book: http://oakgrovedesigns.net/jbbook2 *
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| lin |
"Charles Winters" <chasw88@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:gO6dndzl1OlnNdffRVn-rw@comcast.com...
> How often do you bathe your ferrets? My son used to bathe our Bacchus
> every
> month or two. He said it was to eliminate the "ferret smell". B's been
> living with us for about 6 weeks now. He smells just fine to me and his
> coat feels clean. He's a Marshall ferret and was "descented" as a kit.
>
> His normal roaming territory, when out of his pen, is a large unfinished
> basement with lots of boxes, shelves, tables, looms, and assorted "junk"
> to
> explore. While not particularly dirty, there is a lot of dust in the
> nooks
> and crannies. Nevertheless, he seems to keep himself clean so I'm not
> inclined to subject him to an unnecessary trip to the bathtub, something
> he
> is not particularly fond of.
>
> What is your practice? Do you use people shampoo or some other product?
> thx- CW
My guys get bathed every 3-4 mos, but their ears get cleaned more often than
that, whenever they start to look a bit discolored. Washing them too often
will make their skin dry, so it produces even *more* oils (which give them
the musky odor they have), & it becomes a vicious circle.
I use ferret shampoo & conditioner - PPP brand, to be specific. Oberon &
Max, who are mostly white, also get a rinse w/ watered down hydrogen
peroxide, to get any yellowing out of their hair. I use about 1/3 cup
peroxide to 2 cups of water.
--
Lin, Ariel, Oberon, Max, & Puck
To email me back, take out everything from "K" to "2"
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| Jason and Holly Harper |
We bathe the ferts about twice a year (spring and fall). I have used
Ferretsheen but I just bought PPP quickclenz from the Ferretstore (it was on
sale) so I'm eager to use that in the fall. It smells really yummy for a
shampoo. ;-) Gotta agree with the others, you really don't want to bathe
Bacchus too often.
Holly
"Charles Winters" <chasw88@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:gO6dndzl1OlnNdffRVn-rw@comcast.com...
> How often do you bathe your ferrets? My son used to bathe our Bacchus
every
> month or two. He said it was to eliminate the "ferret smell". B's been
> living with us for about 6 weeks now. He smells just fine to me and his
> coat feels clean. He's a Marshall ferret and was "descented" as a kit.
>
> His normal roaming territory, when out of his pen, is a large unfinished
> basement with lots of boxes, shelves, tables, looms, and assorted "junk"
to
> explore. While not particularly dirty, there is a lot of dust in the
nooks
> and crannies. Nevertheless, he seems to keep himself clean so I'm not
> inclined to subject him to an unnecessary trip to the bathtub, something
he
> is not particularly fond of.
>
> What is your practice? Do you use people shampoo or some other product?
> thx- CW
>
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| jm, kylie & gilbert |
As much as I've heard the same thing - not to bathe ferrets to frequently -
my first ferret I bathed about twice a week and he was none the worse for
wear. He didn't have dry skin or any other symptoms. I used Johnson &
Johnson's baby shampoo on him and he smelled like a baby :-) It was before
I knew any better. I don't bathe my kids nearly that often anymore, but I
don't think it's as hazardous to their health as some folks make it sound,
unless you're using a harsh shampoo, then maybe it could be I suppose. JMHO
YMMV
jacquie, kylie & gilbert
"Jason and Holly Harper" <jhharper@tm.net> wrote in message
news:ddU2e.185$Jn3.34491@newshog.newsread.com...
> We bathe the ferts about twice a year (spring and fall). I have used
> Ferretsheen but I just bought PPP quickclenz from the Ferretstore (it was
> on
> sale) so I'm eager to use that in the fall. It smells really yummy for a
> shampoo. ;-) Gotta agree with the others, you really don't want to bathe
> Bacchus too often.
>
> Holly
>
> "Charles Winters" <chasw88@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:gO6dndzl1OlnNdffRVn-rw@comcast.com...
>> How often do you bathe your ferrets? My son used to bathe our Bacchus
> every
>> month or two. He said it was to eliminate the "ferret smell". B's been
>> living with us for about 6 weeks now. He smells just fine to me and his
>> coat feels clean. He's a Marshall ferret and was "descented" as a kit.
>>
>> His normal roaming territory, when out of his pen, is a large unfinished
>> basement with lots of boxes, shelves, tables, looms, and assorted "junk"
> to
>> explore. While not particularly dirty, there is a lot of dust in the
> nooks
>> and crannies. Nevertheless, he seems to keep himself clean so I'm not
>> inclined to subject him to an unnecessary trip to the bathtub, something
> he
>> is not particularly fond of.
>>
>> What is your practice? Do you use people shampoo or some other product?
>> thx- CW
>>
>
>
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| Jason and Holly Harper |
I don't necessarily think it's hazardous to their health. I'm just not
convinced that it's really needed. :) If you have ferts that like the
water I guess that's one thing, but none of mine have ever been that fond of
it (unless it's a huge water dish). :)
Holly
"jm, kylie & gilbert" <2jmpnmse@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:e_%2e.9671$z.186@newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.net...
> As much as I've heard the same thing - not to bathe ferrets to
frequently -
> my first ferret I bathed about twice a week and he was none the worse for
> wear. He didn't have dry skin or any other symptoms. I used Johnson &
> Johnson's baby shampoo on him and he smelled like a baby :-) It was
before
> I knew any better. I don't bathe my kids nearly that often anymore, but I
> don't think it's as hazardous to their health as some folks make it sound,
> unless you're using a harsh shampoo, then maybe it could be I suppose.
JMHO
> YMMV
>
> jacquie, kylie & gilbert
>
> "Jason and Holly Harper" <jhharper@tm.net> wrote in message
> news:ddU2e.185$Jn3.34491@newshog.newsread.com...
> > We bathe the ferts about twice a year (spring and fall). I have used
> > Ferretsheen but I just bought PPP quickclenz from the Ferretstore (it
was
> > on
> > sale) so I'm eager to use that in the fall. It smells really yummy for
a
> > shampoo. ;-) Gotta agree with the others, you really don't want to
bathe
> > Bacchus too often.
> >
> > Holly
> >
> > "Charles Winters" <chasw88@comcast.net> wrote in message
> > news:gO6dndzl1OlnNdffRVn-rw@comcast.com...
> >> How often do you bathe your ferrets? My son used to bathe our Bacchus
> > every
> >> month or two. He said it was to eliminate the "ferret smell". B's
been
> >> living with us for about 6 weeks now. He smells just fine to me and
his
> >> coat feels clean. He's a Marshall ferret and was "descented" as a kit.
> >>
> >> His normal roaming territory, when out of his pen, is a large
unfinished
> >> basement with lots of boxes, shelves, tables, looms, and assorted
"junk"
> > to
> >> explore. While not particularly dirty, there is a lot of dust in the
> > nooks
> >> and crannies. Nevertheless, he seems to keep himself clean so I'm not
> >> inclined to subject him to an unnecessary trip to the bathtub,
something
> > he
> >> is not particularly fond of.
> >>
> >> What is your practice? Do you use people shampoo or some other
product?
> >> thx- CW
> >>
> >
> >
>
>
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| L B |
Understanding ferret skin-oil production is the key to correct bathing.
As stated, the oil is what gives descented, neutered/spayed ferrets
(and anything the oil touches) their odor. This oil production may
fluctuate from ferret to ferret.
Any bathing should be minimal. Once a month would likely be the most
that is required for nearly any ferret. As stated, some bathe their
ferrets no more than twice a year. I would venture to guess that these
are the owners that concentrate more on keeping their ferrets' bedding
and litter box clean to minimize the musky oil scent.
Excessive bathing will likely cause a ferret to 'overproduce' skin oil
to replace the oil which any bathing has stripped away. More bathing
than is necessary just makes them overproduce more oil than is
necessary.
This, in turn, will not only make for a ferret that is more aromatic
than he/she originally was, the ferret won't be very happy, either, as
the excess oil on their skin hardens and turns into a crust, making
them even more itchy. Although the excessive scratching could create
skin sores, the more immediate problem for the owner would be a
miserable, irritated and stinky ferret that definitely won't want to be
bathed.
Also worth noting is that diet plays a part on a ferret's odor. Stinky,
low-quality food will not only make a ferret's poop stink, it will
affect the smell of the ferret itself. As an example, ferret food that
contains a high amount of corn product will actually make a ferret have
a 'corn-chip' smell, versus a ferret that eats food with little or no
corn content (not to mention that corn is not a digestable source of
protein for a ferret). Higher quality ferret food seems to have a lower
corn/fish content than some of the lesser brands.
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