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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2013 11:39:16 GMT -5
How do you guys feel about using deodorizing sprays on ferrets between baths? I only bathe my ferret, Mads, at most once a month. I've read MANY conflicting opinions on the use of deodorizing sprays. There are things like: Marshall's Daily Ferret Spritz "Baby Fresh", tea tree sprays, there's also that Marshall's Goodbye Odor and Bi-odor stuff you can put in your ferret's water and/or food that supposedly reduces the smell of their waste, Tropiclean pet cologne (which sounds horrible to me), 8 in 1 Ferretsheen Deodorizing Spray, PPP Waterless Pet shampoo, other waterless shampoos,I've heard of "Dry shampoos" that are supposedly ok for using between baths, PPP Ferret Fresh Spray Conditioner for between baths, etc...you get the idea. Is it safe to use these things? Do any of you recommend any particular one? Thanks!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2013 12:05:19 GMT -5
If you ferret/s is neutered they shouldn't smell. Especially to the point that you need to use deodorizing spray. If they do smell, then you may not be changing their bedding often enough. I think bathing once a month is very frequent and may by itself result in extra smell. I bathed my ferrets only when needed, that is when they got dirty  no more than 3 times a year. I recently bathed Jeepers, it was his second bath in a year and probably last. It doesn't make a difference in his natural coat odor. It's slight and pleasant  |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2013 13:52:02 GMT -5
I actually just posted another post about reducing ferret odor in a room. I change bedding and everything else on a weekly basis religiously, and there are other things in the cage that I remove and clean daily, so that's definitely not the problem haha. His scent personally doesn't bother me, but I was just brainstorming ways in which I can minimize the overall odor.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2013 14:04:06 GMT -5
i know in my ferret room, smell can come from the carpet (they like to drag their food around and the carpet can get a bit messy). But can't put anything on that. If I smell something it is usually hidden/stashed food so I follow my nose. Also, I bought a carpet cleaner and run that every few months through their room....saves my knees from the pain of scrubbing the carpet by hand!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2013 14:05:44 GMT -5
I actually just posted another post about reducing ferret odor in a room. I change bedding and everything else on a weekly basis religiously, and there are other things in the cage that I remove and clean daily, so that's definitely not the problem haha. His scent personally doesn't bother me, but I was just brainstorming ways in which I can minimize the overall odor. I replied to your post I can also suggest that you ferret may pee on the carpet when playing outside his cage. I find that ferret pee is the substance that will cause very unpleasant odor if not promptly and appropriately cleaned This why I never leave my ferrets pee untended for a long time. My ferrets (currently just one, but more arriving this week!) live in my living room and controlling smell is very important. |
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Post by crazylady on Sept 10, 2013 14:26:39 GMT -5
Hi I never bath my ferrets ( I have some who are 12 years old and have never been bathed in there lives lol )I keep my lot clean by daily combings ( with a fine tooth comb ) then brushing with a medium brush and lastly a run over with a dry chamois leather to collect any stray hairs and dust this also puts a nice shine on the coat and distributes oil evenly along the hair shaft so they dont feel the need to produce excess oil that causes a strong musky smell I too have replied on your other post you can wash bedding and on final rinse add a few drops of vanilla essence this rubs off on your ferret it also becomes a smell he associates with his sleeping area so if you spray carpet after an accident with it he is unlikely to re offend in the same spot it can also be used in a spray bottle mixed with water 1/2 - 1 tsp per bottle water and sprayed around the room safely hope this helps take care bye for now
Bev
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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2013 14:49:05 GMT -5
CL, is vanilla essence the same as vanilla extract? Bre, I think some people are much more sensitive to smells than other people. Me, I don't smell so good (lol) and my husband is allergic to most scents. Perfume, scents in detergents and scented candles are a no no in my house. It sounds like you keep a really clean space for Mads. If I remember right, he is pretty young. Younger ferrets can be a little more smelly than older ones, but I think since he is downstairs, in a confined space, the basement is going to pick up his smell. You might try changing any air vents, wipe down the light bulbs and leave a bowl of vinegar water (somewhere up high, where Mads can't get to it). The white vinegar water will draw some smells, and you can change it out regularly.
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Post by Sherry on Sept 10, 2013 18:15:12 GMT -5
First completely stop bathing your little one. The more often the oils are stripped the worse the smell gets.
Stay away from the deodorizing sprays. They really don't need them and many are actually harmful.
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Post by goingpostal on Sept 11, 2013 11:31:08 GMT -5
I do not bathe my ferrets unless they get dirty or they are brand new to my house so I can flea check. Otherwise never. Feeding raw, washing and cleaning bedding and space as needed keeps the odor down but obviously ferrets will have some scent no matter what. I would never put something perfumy on an animal, far too risky for their health and putting "something" in their food and water is downright terrifying to me, no way. I have been around ferrets who have all that stuff given and applied and they smell worse than mine anyways.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2013 11:42:50 GMT -5
Ya, the majority of the things I've read say that deodorizing sprays aren't necessary and can even be harmful. I just thought I'd ask for all of your opinions.
Sherry, roger that! No more baths. However, I do put Ferretone on his tummy...that's how I administer it to him. This obviously builds up over time and causes him to smell more oily. Is it acceptable to just wash his tummy from time to time?
crazylady: I have the same question as poncesmom. Is vanilla essence the same thing as vanilla extract? How much should I add to the wash?
poncesmom: So, I just get some white vinegar and put it in a bowl away from his reach? Sounds simple!
cherieholmgren: So, can the smell of him just being on the carpet daily from playing, etc. get trapped in the carpet? Is it actually beneficial to spend the money on renting a carpet cleaner? I'm positive that there isn't any waste (feces or urine) that has gone uncleaned by me. He has never been out of his cage unsupervised by me. Also, if he does eat any treats or food outside his cage on the carpet, I do actually use the Nature's Miracle cleaner I use for his accidents on the whole area.
ALSO (VERY IMPORTANT): I am going to stop bathing my little Mads, but he absolutely LOVES playing in water. Like adores it. He even has his own kiddie pool. Is it ok for him to be in the water whenever he'd like as long as there's nothing to it other than water? Or will that also strip some of his oils?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2013 13:59:42 GMT -5
Ya, the majority of the things I've read say that deodorizing sprays aren't necessary and can even be harmful. I just thought I'd ask for all of your opinions. Sherry, roger that! No more baths. However, I do put Ferretone on his tummy...that's how I administer it to him. This obviously builds up over time and causes him to smell more oily. Is it acceptable to just wash his tummy from time to time? crazylady: I have the same question as poncesmom. Is vanilla essence the same thing as vanilla extract? How much should I add to the wash? poncesmom: So, I just get some white vinegar and put it in a bowl away from his reach? Sounds simple! cherieholmgren: So, can the smell of him just being on the carpet daily from playing, etc. get trapped in the carpet? Is it actually beneficial to spend the money on renting a carpet cleaner? I'm positive that there isn't any waste (feces or urine) that has gone uncleaned by me. He has never been out of his cage unsupervised by me. Also, if he does eat any treats or food outside his cage on the carpet, I do actually use the Nature's Miracle cleaner I use for his accidents on the whole area. ALSO (VERY IMPORTANT): I am going to stop bathing my little Mads, but he absolutely LOVES playing in water. Like adores it. He even has his own kiddie pool. Is it ok for him to be in the water whenever he'd like as long as there's nothing to it other than water? Or will that also strip some of his oils? I would strongly advice against giving Mads Ferretone supplement on regular basis. He doesn't need it if he is fed nutritionally sound diet. Also, it can be harmful because it contains two artificial potentially harmful preservatives. Instead, add natural oils to his diet. Most ferrets LOVE flax seed oil and extra virgin olive oil. You can also try good quality fish oil. I like using flax seed oil capsules as treats or aid for meds. and nail trimming. I just make a hole on one end of a capsule with a tooth pick and slightly squeeze so that ferret can lick the oil. I bought my own carpet cleaner in WalMart for about 200$. When I had carpeted flooring, I washed my carpet once a week, and sometimes less often. Renting a cleaner once is not enough, cleaning has to be done on regular basis. Having your own cleaner will save you a lot of money and eliminate the odor. I don't have carpets anymore, but I still use it on my sofas and rugs. |
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Post by crazylady on Sept 11, 2013 14:15:19 GMT -5
Hi yes vanilla extract is the same as vanilla essence add 1/2 tsp to the final rinse water when washing bedding hope this helps take care bye for now
Bev
p.s its fine for ferrets to play in plain water as long as there is nothing in the water as the natural oils in the coat act as a form of barrier and when they shake most of it is shaken off
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2013 14:28:55 GMT -5
Ya, the majority of the things I've read say that deodorizing sprays aren't necessary and can even be harmful. I just thought I'd ask for all of your opinions. Sherry, roger that! No more baths. However, I do put Ferretone on his tummy...that's how I administer it to him. This obviously builds up over time and causes him to smell more oily. Is it acceptable to just wash his tummy from time to time? crazylady: I have the same question as poncesmom. Is vanilla essence the same thing as vanilla extract? How much should I add to the wash? poncesmom: So, I just get some white vinegar and put it in a bowl away from his reach? Sounds simple! cherieholmgren: So, can the smell of him just being on the carpet daily from playing, etc. get trapped in the carpet? Is it actually beneficial to spend the money on renting a carpet cleaner? I'm positive that there isn't any waste (feces or urine) that has gone uncleaned by me. He has never been out of his cage unsupervised by me. Also, if he does eat any treats or food outside his cage on the carpet, I do actually use the Nature's Miracle cleaner I use for his accidents on the whole area. ALSO (VERY IMPORTANT): I am going to stop bathing my little Mads, but he absolutely LOVES playing in water. Like adores it. He even has his own kiddie pool. Is it ok for him to be in the water whenever he'd like as long as there's nothing to it other than water? Or will that also strip some of his oils? I would strongly advice against giving Mads Ferretone supplement on regular basis. He doesn't need it if he is fed nutritionally sound diet. Also, it can be harmful because it contains two artificial potentially harmful preservatives. Instead, add natural oils to his diet. Most ferrets LOVE flax seed oil and extra virgin olive oil. You can also try good quality fish oil. I like using flax seed oil capsules as treats or aid for meds. and nail trimming. I just make a hole on one end of a capsule with a tooth pick and slightly squeeze so that ferret can lick the oil. I bought my own carpet cleaner in WalMart for about 200$. When I had carpeted flooring, I washed my carpet once a week, and sometimes less often. Renting a cleaner once is not enough, cleaning has to be done on regular basis. Having your own cleaner will save you a lot of money and eliminate the odor. I don't have carpets anymore, but I still use it on my sofas and rugs. I've never heard that Ferretone was bad for ferrets before. So, if I were to start giving him natural oils instead, flax seed oil, extra virgin olive oil, and fish oil are things that I could use as substitutes? How much and how often do you suggest using them? |
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Post by crazylady on Sept 11, 2013 15:09:50 GMT -5
Hi I give mine 1/2 tsp olive oil daily it is good for the coat and skin and also acts to help loose hairs move along in the digestive tract olive oil can also be used for cleaning ears safely and can be massaged into split nails and hard skin on pads take care bye for now Bev
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2013 16:22:59 GMT -5
Mine love olive oil, not so much the extra virgin olive oil. I add a little, with a little warm water when I want them to try something new. And when Juliet is begging, and I run out of stuff (she just stashes most of it), I put a little dish down with oil. I've even offered canola oil. So, I hope that is okay.
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