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Ferrets are prone to get the same external parasites that many other pets are bothered with. Ticks, fleas, and mites are tiny pests that can become infested on ferrets especially if they taken outdoors or are housed with other house pets like cats and dogs. These body invaders irritate the skin causing extreme itching which can lead to other skin disorders.

The first signs of external parasites are visible. The ticks and fleas can be seen on the skin and the ferret will scratch at the skin. Mites are much smaller and may not be visible to the eye but also cause itching and skin irritations. Ear mites are usually transmitted from other pets including dogs and cats. Ferrets with ear mites may shake their head and the ear may have a discharge. A veterinarian can diagnose the mites by viewing portions of the ear content under a microscope.

After a qualified veterinarian has diagnosed the ear mites, the parasites can be killed with a prescribed medication. These medications only destroy the adult mites and not the eggs. It is important to follow-up treatment several days after the initial treatment to kill the hatched mites. To fully eliminate the mites, the treatment should be continued for at least 3 weeks or until it is positive that the mites are fully destroyed.

Ticks will attach to the ferret's skin and begins to feed on the ferret's blood. Ticks are known to carry dangerous diseases which can be transferred to the ferret. Ticks should be removed promptly to avoid such diseases and skin irritations. Simply pulling the tick is usually not the best method as the body can be pulled away from the head, leaving the head embedded in the skin. Using olive oil or petroleum jelly on and around the tick will force the tick to come loose on its own. The tick begins to struggle for air and releases from the skin to find oxygen.

Fleas are a nuisance, not only to ferrets but to their owners. They crawl and bite on the ferret's skin which leads to scratching, sometimes so severely that the ferret causes wounds on the skin. These lacerations can become infected leading to more serious and costly health problems. Infestations of these parasites that are left untreated can also lead to anemia in a ferret. Fleas are easy to detect as they can be clearly seen crawling on the ferret and will scatter and hide within the ferret's coat.

Flea control medications that contain pyrethrins are typically safe for ferrets. A veterinarian can recommend other name-brand products such as Advantage

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