I would love to have one as a pet but after handling a few, I’ve noticed that the smell is pretty hard to remove. Even when they’re neutered. I’ve heard people saying that they don’t have a smell if you change their bedding etc every day and wash them once a week, but I can’t help thinking that they’ve just got used to the smell and don’t notice it. Does anyone have ferrets? What do you think?
No, they always smell a bit. When I worked in zoo education, we had four young males that we’d take to schools, etc. They were washed twice a week and had hardworking keepers maintaining their spotless enclosures, and you could always smell them on your hands/clothes.
Lovely critters! But if you’re sensitive to smells, maybe not for you.
I didn’t notice the smell much until I deployed for three months. When I got home the smell was rather overwhelming.
Thanks guys. I guess they do always have an odour. Such a shame as they seem like lovely pets and great fun, but I’d be paranoid that other people would smell it off me. I was handling a few of them at a game fair recently and washed my hands thoroughly afterwards. I could still smell it on me and my clothes. It seems to be like silage in that it clings to everything. I didn’t find the smell bad or nasty, just strong and noticeable, but not something I want my house to smell of.
I had more than one friend with ferrets in college, and I did notice that some of them smelled LESS than the others–although that could have been to more washing, cleaner cage, etc. The ones with the least smell didn’t bother me, the ones with a strong smell was more than I wanted.
I’ve got a dog who can get rather stinky–to the point where I sometimes wash my hands after petting her. Not the same thing as ferret musk, but animals do come with smells.
I have had a couple of ferrets, both were smelly. It didn’t seem to linger in the house too long after I put them away or maybe I just got used to it. I don’t remember what sex they were.
Not quite the same thing, but chinchillas don’t smell at all and only need a dust bath about once a week. I have a great one and he is just as social as a ferret. If you are interested in a smaller semi-exotic pet that doesn’t smell, they are a good choice. I debated between a ferret and a chinchilla and the chinchilla got the nod for the smell reason. Chinchillas also live an unusually long time especially for smaller animals (up to 20 years) if you consider that a plus.
I have had indoor pets ranging from rabbits to guinea pigs and they all smell except for chinchillas.
I’ve had relatives and friends who jumped on the ferret bandwagon of the early 80s (because, IMO, of that silly *Beastmaster*movie) and they had many over the years. And yes, they always smell musky, don’t let anyone tell you different. Like a litterbox you will get used to it and not really notice it if you’re smelling it all the time. And, also like a litterbox, you can do things to minimize the odor. But yes, if you’re gonna have ferrets get used to your friends pretending not to notice how they stink every time they come over… 