by Angela Rednour

Created on: June 21, 2010

Ferrets, like all pets, require some grooming to ensure a long, healthy life. You really only need to bathe a ferret once every six months or so. Anymore than that can cause dry skin and can even make their natural ferret smell even worse! The best times to bathe a ferret are in the spring and fall months when they are shedding their coats.

NOTE: Some ferrets don't like water, so you will need to determine if you have a ferret that likes water or not. If they don't like water, it's best to bathe them in a small area, like the kitchen or bathroom sink.

Before you begin you’ll want to make sure you have all the tools you'll need. You'll need shampoo and a few towels. Baby shampoo or shampoo made especially for small animals is best. You’ll also want a couple of extra towels nearby for the ferret to roll in as they are drying.

NOTE: Ferrets are sensitive to temperature, so you want to make sure the water you are using is nice and warm before you let the water touch them.

Depending on whether or not your ferret likes water, will determine the best way to bathe them. A ferret who likes water won't mind running water, or a tub with an little less than an inch of water in it. However, ferrets who don't like water will probably be afraid of the bathtub, so a kitchen or bathroom sink will be best for them. They probably won't like the sound of running water either, so filling a sink with water may be the best option for them.

The first step is to get your ferret thoroughly wet. Avoid getting the head wet as they don’t’ like it much. Also you want to avoid getting water into their ears because this can cause ear infections.

Second, rub in the shampoo. Remember to clean their paws and tail. There will probably be a lot of squirming at this point so be careful not to drop them.

Once you are ready to rinse, make sure you rinse very thoroughly as soap residue can irritate their skin as well as leave it greasy feeling, thereby defeating your whole purpose. After they are rinsed, take a towel and wrap them up in it. They are going to want to get down and will be super wiggly so hold on tight. You may even want to sit on the floor so they don’t hurt themselves if they get away from you.

Once you’ve dried them so that they aren’t dripping water everywhere, take them to the pile of blankets or simply let them go. They will run about rubbing themselves on everything to help them dry. This is the best part. Their antics while drying themselves will make the hassle of bathing them well worth it!

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