My parents think that ferrets are smelly.

[ferretsandratscool]

I have done a lot of research, I am ready for ferrets in my life. My parents are on board with everything except the ferret smell. I would much rather get a ferret from a breeder rather then mills, for many reasons including better health and longevity. But my parents are aware that the ferrets from breeders have anal glands that secrete a extremely smelly liquid, while the pet store ferrets do not. They think it will make our entire house smell terrible, and that they will do it constantly. Is there anything you have in mind that could possibly change their opinions? And if you could describe to me the odor that “poofing” releases then I might better understand what I’m dealing with. I have kept many pet rats in my life and am curious if it smells anything like male rats? Personally I love the smell of my rats. To me they smell like ramen noodle soup or freshly baked bread. 
The breeder I found near me, strangely enough says that they have trained the ferrets to poof less? Is that possible? Or are they just trying to convince me to buy their ferrets. 

[Corvidophile]

They’re just trying to convince you to buy their ferrets, haha. Training is only as good as those enforcing it- no guarantee YOU will be able to continue the training in your own home. That said, ferrets poof very little. They will do it when fighting or when frightened. Smells kinda like sour skunk. If they don’t fight, expect it to happen a few times a year at most.

Ferrets have an odor all over their sebaceous glands under the fur, too, but when fed a high quality diet like raw, freeze dried, or a good wet cat food, they smell FAR far less than on kibble. Their excrement smells far less too. The body odor of a ferret is about the same as a dog, but more than a cat. You can smell them if you own a lot, don’t wash their bedding frequently enough, or pick one up and sniff the fur. A wet ferret smells similar to a wet dog, kinda corn chippy. A dry ferret can sometimes smell like grape soda like a rat does.

[unclejoe]

I've had one male ferret with scent glands. to me poofs smell like deisel fuel and roadkill mixed. Unlike skunks, the smell dissipates quickly. And Jaffa would sometimes poof when I picked him, because he was so happy and relaxed. weird, I know. If you have an experienced vet, the scent glands can be removed.
Jaffa was from a backyard breeder in Ontario. Unfortunaelym he got all of the Big 3 cancers and barely made it to his 6th birthday. I had a friend who purchased a ferret from an established and well known breeder, and that reffert unexpectedly passed in his sleep at age 3.
IMHO, rats smell way worse than ferrets. Scoop poop often and feeding them properly can reduce the smell.

[anunnaki]

I’ve owned 8 ferrets and you go nose blind to the smell very quickly. The first few weeks you will notice all the new smells from their fur to their poops which at first to me smell like maple syrup but soon you don’t smell anything. I clean the box and cage twice daily with a deep clean once weekly and yes they still smell. Even bedding washed in the strongest wash with hot water vinegar and baking soda will still have a ferret smell coming out of the dryer. Maybe line drying would fix that. I now only notice my babies smell when I take her outside to go to the vet (very strong scent). All mine were fed Marshall’s kibble (terrible). I recently switched my last baby to freeze dried raw but I haven’t noticed the smell change yet but I’m sure it will improve as time goes on. I think they smell wonderful but if I had to describe it to someone it’s musky armpit mixed with corn chips haha. Only thing I tell people wanting to adopt is they cost a lot of time and money but they are the most amazing pets I’ve ever had. Even smelly fur babies need good homes and love too. Good luck

[unclejoe]

I'm totally ok with the musk smell. it's the poop and pee that is worse, and you can deal with that by keeping their boxes clean.