How to Bathe and Groom Your Ferret

How to Bathe a Ferret

Like cats, ferrets are very clean animals and groom themselves throughout the day—but sometimes, these critters may need a bath. The frequency of bathing depends on your situation, but since they have sensitive skin that dries out easily, the maximum should be once a month. Bathing your ferret has nothing to do with getting rid of their smell; it’s more about removing their itchy skin, cooling them, or washing them if they get into something they shouldn’t.

Why Ferrets Need Baths

• Your little skunk got into something (garbage, dirt, someone spilled on themselves).
• In some dry climates, ferrets’ skin becomes dry and itchy. An oatmeal bath is ideal for this.
• When it’s hot, a cold water bath will help your ferret feel better.
• A flea bath may be necessary if your ferret has contracted fleas.

Bath accessories

The first thing you should do is gather and prepare everything near the bath or sink. You don’t want to leave your ferret unattended while you run and get something.

Shampoo

Choose a gentle shampoo. There are some made specifically for ferrets; however, you can use cat, kitten or even baby shampoo. Many people prefer baby shampoo and find that it helps relieve dry, itchy skin that your ferret may experience.

Oatmeal

If your ferret is not dirty, but you are just trying to give him some comfort, you can give him an oatmeal bath. Do not use instant oatmeal. Take raw oats, wrap them in a satchel or cloth, and let them soak in water.

Other items you like:

• Towels
• Facecloth (optional)
• Toys (optional)
• Treats (optional)
• Cup for rinsing (optional)

How to Bathe Your Ferret

Once you have the right products to properly bathe your favorite, you can begin the bathing process.

1. Run the Bath

You can choose to bathe your ferret in the tub or the sink, whichever works best for you. There are two things to note. The ferret’s body temperature is very high and is around 38C to 39C (101F to 103F). So what feels hot to you is actually cold to your ferret. Use water close to what you would use for a hot bath.

• Start running water.
• Fill the tub just a few inches, and make sure they touch the bottom—especially if you’re not sure if your ferret likes the water or not.
• Some ferrets love water and may like to swim around. Others will fight and try their best to get out.

2. Put them in Water

Gently lower your ferret into the water. Talk to them calmly and cheerfully. Keeping a calm tone will help your ferret, especially if they are scared. Read their entire body. You can use a cup to pour the water on them, your hands, or a cloth.

Grab some shampoo and lather up your little fuzzy. Be careful not to get the shampoo in their eyes, but if you do, just rinse it right away. You want to make sure their tail and belly are clean (since they get a lot of oil here).

3. Rinse them thoroughly

After scrubbing your ferret, you need to rinse the fur thoroughly. Leftover soap can cause their skin to dry out quickly. There are several ways to do this.

If you have a water-loving, patient ferret, you can drain the tub/sink and refill it with fresh water. A quicker way is to keep clean water with you in a bottle or jug ​​and use it to pour over your ferret. Or you can turn on the faucet and hold them under water.

• Rub the fur and rinse it well.
• Use your hand or a cloth to wash their faces.
• Do not pour water directly on their head.

The Oatmeal Bath

If you’re not doing a full shampoo bath and just want to give them an oatmeal soak, the process is slightly different.

1. When you shower, place your bag of oatmeal in the water and let it soak for a few minutes, allowing the water to become cloudy with the oatmeal.
2. Place your ferret in the bath and simply pour and rub the oatmeal water all over him, rubbing it into his coat and skin.
3. Let them sit in the water for a while, and then give them a quick rinse.

Drying Time: Now for Fun!

Drying off the ferret after a bath is very relaxing. Ferrets like to dry themselves in a crazy, erratic way.

• Be sure to lay out some towels. You may want to give them a place to dry or just let them run. Either way, you’ll laugh.
• Start by giving them a quick pat dry with a towel to get as much water out as possible. They usually cannot tolerate it for long.
• Let them go. They will run and rub themselves everywhere.

Enjoy Bath Time!

Your ferret is now clean. This adventure might get you wet, but it’s worth it to have a happy and clean ferret!

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. It is not intended to replace diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals showing signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

© 2018 Ask Huffman

Comments

Elizabeth on June 15, 2019:

How long do you let them soak in the oatmeal bath?

Thank you

Tanya from Alberta, Canada on October 11, 2018:

Thanks for the comments! I have never tried that brand of Oatmeal shampoo. something i will try!

I personally use FerretSheen shampoo for their baths.

Unable to reach this pageHome – RedBrain on October 06, 2018:

100 years of Bauhaus – FAZ

Ellison Hartley from Maryland, USA on October 02, 2018:

Cool article, and oh my gosh the wet ferret picture is absolutely adorable!

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