How to Get Rid Of Ferret Smell In Your House (9 Easy Ways)

Ferrets have a strong odor that can be difficult to eliminate. However, there are possible solutions to this problem. 

In this blog post, I will provide tips and tricks to help eliminate the odor and make your home smell fresh again.

In short: There are several ways to get rid of ferret smell in your house, ways such as: Air purifier, No baths, cage cleansing, bedding, etc.

9 Ways To Get Rid Of Ferret Smell In Your Home

1. No Baths

Contrary to what you may think, bathing your ferret will not eliminate the smell. It will only worsen it. 

Ferrets have natural oils in their skin that help protect them from getting wet and cold. So, When you bathe them, you are stripping away these oils, which can cause your ferret to smell even worse. 

2. Clean Their Cage Twice A Day

You want to clean their cage at least twice a day carefully. It will help remove any urine or feces causing the smell.

Using a cleaner specifically made for ferrets is essential, as regular cleaners can harm them.

Be sure to clean every part of the cage, including the nooks and crannies. A clean cage will go a long way in reducing the ferret smell in your house.

3. Wash Their Bedding Regularly

I have seen people go weeks or months without washing their ferret’s bedding.

Indeed, this is a huge mistake, as bedding can be one of the most significant sources of bad smell. You should wash their bedding at least once a week and more often if possible.

I recommend using laundry detergent made specifically for ferrets. It will help clean the bedding and remove the ferret smell properly.

4. Make Sure To Give Them The Correct Diet

Balancing your ferret’s diet with high-quality food with little to no smell will help improve their overall health. Be sure to give your ferrets a balanced raw meat diet and supplements to keep them healthy.

Furthermore, you also want to make sure they are getting enough water. An adequately hydrated ferret will have less of a scent than one that is not.

5. Invest In A Pet-Safe Air Purifier

The air purifier is among the most effective ways to eliminate the ferret smell in your house. It will help remove the odor from the air, making your home smell fresh and clean.

I recommend getting an air purifier designed for pets, as it will be more effective at removing pet odors. Choosing one with a HEPA filter will do a better job of removing the smell.

Also, ensure the air purifier has an activated carbon filter, as this will help remove the odor-causing molecules from the air.

If you are interested in an air purifier for your ferret, then check out the 5 best air purifiers for ferret odor control. I picked out the best air purifiers on the market that people really loved and included them all in one post.

6. Use House Plants

You probably already know that house plants can help improve the air quality in your home, but did you know that they can also help remove pet odors?

Certain house plants are known for removing odors from the air. The best ones for this purpose include bamboo palm, Boston fern, peace lily, and snake plant. 

Place these plants in the room where your ferret spends the most time, and you will notice a difference in the smell.

7. Create A Large Play Area

Ferret odor will accumulate if you have a small cage for your ferret. To keep the smell to a minimum, you need to create a large play area where you can run around and explore.

It doesn’t mean you must go out and buy a giant cage. You can use the space in your house by setting up some tunnels and climbing structures for them to play in. 

The more space they have to run around, the less likely they are to smell.

Note also that having a small play area is more likely to give your ferret stress and depression. And it will trigger its body to produce more oils, leading to an even worse smell. 

8. Train Your Ferret On Using The Litterbox

One of the most common causes of ferret smell is when they don’t use the litterbox. If you can train your ferret to use the litterbox, you will reduce the ferret smell in your house.

You can do a few things to help train your ferret to use the litterbox. 

First, make sure the litterbox is easily accessible. 

Second, use litter that is for ferrets. 

Third, put some of their feces in the litterbox to show them where they should go.

And finally, be patient. It may take some time for your ferret to learn how to use the litterbox properly, but eventually, it will get it.

9. Clean Their Ears

Ferrets have many glands in their ears, which produce a lot of wax. And if this wax doesn’t get cleaned regularly, it can build up and cause a bad odor.

Be sure to clean your ferret’s ears regularly. You can do this yourself or take them to the vet to have it done. Indeed, cleaning their ears is a very effective way to eliminate bad ferret smell.

10. Get Their Anal Glands Expressed

Ferrets also have anal glands, which produce a foul-smelling liquid. If these glands become full, they release this liquid, causing an awful smell.

The best way to prevent this is to have your ferret’s anal glands expressed regularly. If you don’t want to clean the anal glands, a vet or professional groomer can do it for you.

What Not To Do When Removing Ferret Smell In A Room

• Don’t use candles, Febreze, and scent litter: Avoid using anything that diffuses a fragrance into the air to try and cover up the smell. The fragrance can be toxic to most pets and will only worsen the long-term problem.

• Don’t shampoo your carpets: Having the carpets shampooed to eliminate the ferret smell is a logical thought. However, this is a bad idea. Because the chemicals in the shampoo can be toxic to pets, and for that reason, it’s best to avoid using it.

• Please DO NOT change your ferret’s diet frequently: Changing it too often can cause digestive problems, making their feces smell worse. 

It would be best if you did not do these things when trying to remove the ferret smell from your house.

If you follow these tips, you should be able to keep the ferret smell to a minimum. Remember to be patient and consistent; eventually, the problem will disappear.

Get Rid Of Ferret Smell FAQ

How Much Does It Cost To Get A ferret’s Scent Glands Removed?

Removing a ferret’s scent glands costs between $150 to $300. 
However, the price depends on various factors, including:
The vet you visit, the geographical location, and the age of your ferret.
To remove the scent glands, ferrets younger than six weeks old will cost more.

How Do You Get A Ferret Smell Out Of A Couch?

The best way to get a ferret smell out of a couch is to use a mixture of white vinegar and water. 
Use this solution to clean the affected areas and let them air dry. You can also sprinkle baking soda on the couch and vacuum it up after 30 minutes to help absorb the odor.

Why Are Ferrets So Stinky?

Ferrets have glands in their anal area that produce a foul-smelling scent. These dirty bedding and cages can make ferrets quite stinky. Additionally, their diet can also add to the ferret smell.

How Often Do I Need To Clean My Ferret’s Ears?

It would be best to clean your ferret’s ears every week or two. However, if you notice that your ferret is scratching its ears more frequently, you might need to increase the frequency of ear cleaning.

Final Thoughts

Ferret smell can be a big problem for pet owners. However, by following the tips above, you should be able to keep the ferret smell to a minimum.

Be sure to clean your ferret’s cage and bedding regularly and get their anal glands expressed periodically.

Avoid using fragrances to cover up the smell, and be consistent with your ferret’s diet. The problem will eventually disappear with a bit of patience and effort.