BigBallinStalin wrote:So what's all this I hear about removing the ferrets' sweat glands to reduce their smell?
Some owners of ferrets said that this is a must--no matter how many "o rly's" I gave them.
Well, it's a yes and no. You don't have to, but it's not going to make a difference to the ferret. Those Anal Scent Sacs people freak out about don't do much, but the Musk Glands do. The ferret smell comes from the glands which produce oil to maintain the ferret's coat. And those glands are all over the ferrets body, with most of them spread around their face. Dirty-waxy ears can smell too.
Anyway, my old ferret was 8 and I swear he smelled just like popcorn. Like butter-less popcorn. When I first got him he smelled like the attic, but over time their scent can change. The lesson here is that he didn't get too many baths.
Seriously, if you're going to get a pet then what can be better than a playful animal that smells like popcorn?
To keep my ferrets smelling badass I'd let them play in water for a "bath" but only use soap about once every 60 days or more (they hate to be scrubbed BTW). I'd clean their ears for them about once every three weeks.
Ferrets are like cats in that they keep themselves pretty clean and can be easily litter trained. So just like children, if you keep their cage and such clean then they won't smell bad.
EDIT forgot Ferret media
How Many Ferrets does it take to catch a squirrel?
) --- it's got SHIELDS!