Ferrets should be bathed
once every 6 weeks, minimum. Baths help reduce the natural scent of your ferret
while also keeping their skin healthy and fur shiny. Many ferrets also really
enjoy baths and it’s a great way to give them a fun little activity to change
up their daily routine. The easiest way to bathe your ferret is in your own
bathtub.
Fill Half of Bathtub With Warm Water
All bathtubs are made with a slant that allows water to drain. This means that half of the water is slightly deeper than the other half. Fill your bathtub where the shallow end only has about an inch of water while the deeper end has about 3 inches. Use luke warm water. Test the temperature of the water with your elbow, not your hands, as your hands tend to have a higher tolerance to heat. The water should be slightly warmer than room temperature.
Line Bottom of Bath With Towel or Grippable-Rug
Line the bottom of your bathtub with something that will allow your ferret to grip and will prevent them from slipping around. Bath mats work great for this, but laying a bath towel along the bottom of the bath works just as well.
For Drier Months Add in Oatmeal
If you notice that your ferret is frequently scratching or has dry patches of skin (which is common in colder climates during the winter months when air gets drier) you can add some plain oatmeal to the bathwater which will help alleviate your ferrets itch and also hydrate their skin, naturally.
Let Ferrets Play
Some ferrets are not huge fans of baths and don’t want to play- but others absolutely love the water. If your ferrets really seem to enjoy the water allow them to play around in the bath. You can add in ping pong balls or even rubberduckies to give them extra fun little things to play with in the water.
Use Wash-Cloth To Scrub Body
Once your ferret is used to the bath water use a wash cloth to help wet their entire body. Dip the wash cloth into the water, soaking it, and then draw it along your ferrets back- allowing all of their fur to get wet.
Use Ferret-Shampoo If Desired
If you want to truly get your ferret clean you can use a ferret shampoo (these can be found at most pet stores and even some department stores in the pet aisle). Dab a small quarter size amount of ferret shampoo onto a wash cloth and lather it up. Use the wash cloth to work the bubbles into your ferret’s fur, massaging in a circular motion to get the shampoo all the way to their skin.
Rinse If Shampooed
Once your ferret is all shampooed up, rinse your ferret. You can use a small tupperware dish and pour bath water over your ferret. Rub your hand through your ferret’s fur starting at the neck until you reach the end of the tail. Continue to pour water over your ferret, rubbing your hands through their fur until there are no more suds in their fur.
Dry With Bath-Towel
When you remove your ferret from the tub it’s very important to dry them thoroughly. You can do this efficiently with a bath towel. Simply wrap the towel around your ferret and massage the towel back and forth along them to soak up excess water. You can also use a blow-dryer on low heat if they permit it. Do not place your ferret back in their cage until they are entirely dry to ensure that they do not dampen their bedding or become chilled do to the dampness.
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Fill Half of Bathtub With Warm Water
All bathtubs are made with a slant that allows water to drain. This means that half of the water is slightly deeper than the other half. Fill your bathtub where the shallow end only has about an inch of water while the deeper end has about 3 inches. Use luke warm water. Test the temperature of the water with your elbow, not your hands, as your hands tend to have a higher tolerance to heat. The water should be slightly warmer than room temperature.
Line Bottom of Bath With Towel or Grippable-Rug
Line the bottom of your bathtub with something that will allow your ferret to grip and will prevent them from slipping around. Bath mats work great for this, but laying a bath towel along the bottom of the bath works just as well.
For Drier Months Add in Oatmeal
If you notice that your ferret is frequently scratching or has dry patches of skin (which is common in colder climates during the winter months when air gets drier) you can add some plain oatmeal to the bathwater which will help alleviate your ferrets itch and also hydrate their skin, naturally.
Let Ferrets Play
Some ferrets are not huge fans of baths and don’t want to play- but others absolutely love the water. If your ferrets really seem to enjoy the water allow them to play around in the bath. You can add in ping pong balls or even rubberduckies to give them extra fun little things to play with in the water.
Use Wash-Cloth To Scrub Body
Once your ferret is used to the bath water use a wash cloth to help wet their entire body. Dip the wash cloth into the water, soaking it, and then draw it along your ferrets back- allowing all of their fur to get wet.
Use Ferret-Shampoo If Desired
If you want to truly get your ferret clean you can use a ferret shampoo (these can be found at most pet stores and even some department stores in the pet aisle). Dab a small quarter size amount of ferret shampoo onto a wash cloth and lather it up. Use the wash cloth to work the bubbles into your ferret’s fur, massaging in a circular motion to get the shampoo all the way to their skin.
Rinse If Shampooed
Once your ferret is all shampooed up, rinse your ferret. You can use a small tupperware dish and pour bath water over your ferret. Rub your hand through your ferret’s fur starting at the neck until you reach the end of the tail. Continue to pour water over your ferret, rubbing your hands through their fur until there are no more suds in their fur.
Dry With Bath-Towel
When you remove your ferret from the tub it’s very important to dry them thoroughly. You can do this efficiently with a bath towel. Simply wrap the towel around your ferret and massage the towel back and forth along them to soak up excess water. You can also use a blow-dryer on low heat if they permit it. Do not place your ferret back in their cage until they are entirely dry to ensure that they do not dampen their bedding or become chilled do to the dampness.
