Ferrets & water obsession?

[Deleted]

When I initially got my 3 sibling ferrets, they had fleas, making their coat & skin pretty unpleasant, plus made them smell bad (not a ferrety smell, like a dead thing smell), so after a talk with my vet, it was decided to have them bathed every few days with a flea killer shampoo that had an oatmeal extract to sooth the skin. That went over well, until they developed ringworm (as did I), so they needed a medicated anti-fungal shampoo & cream. Anyways, after that, they got the all clear & I haven't had issues with those 3 since. Then I got Vivi a couple months later, who was yellow instead of white & also smelt horrid, so she was bathed every few days as well with the flea killer & soother shampoo. She cleared up, looks great & smells ferrety.

Now, I have an issue, which I find is a little... err, strange & embarassing. As since they all had that initial bathing stage to get their condition back in form, I avoid bathing them unless they need it (like when they wrestle in the litter tray *face palm*). As they spend a lot of time in the bathrooms (ferret proof & easy to clean) all four of my little horrors have figured out how to open the shower doors (3 showers & they know all of them). They only do it when someone is in the shower & the water is going, as they like to sit on your shoulders in the spray & they really seem to enoy it, but otherwise don't notice the shower.

I've been told some ferrets like water more than others, but is this really something I should try to deter? I swear they smile when they do it, but I'm concerned on if this will damage their coat & skin? I haven't noticed an increased smell or excessive itching, everything still looks in fine order appearance wise, I'm just not sure what to do about this. I don't particularly mind them jumping in shower with everyone, though my hobb only does it when I'm in the shower (mummy man). I've asked a few friends & the vet, & they're not entirely sure about it, so thought I'd see if I could get some help here.

Anyways, sorry they turned out to be a bit long, I appreciate any help, & many thanks in advance

Cheers.

[Deleted]

Plain water is fine, bathing with soap strips the needed oils out of their skin and coat. Mine are water babies, I have set a shallow bin of water with toys that they play in

[melcab]

Mine like water too. I don't know if they'd be keen on getting in the shower, but they like shallow water.

[Sherry]

Mine used to love hopping in the shower with me, which would have been fine- had they not waited til I had a head full of shampoo to start nipping my feet
As it is, they do love to play in the water, and that in itself is fine

[Deleted]

This is a favorite pastime of Trixie. She just loves it

My girls get in the water almost daily. As long as there is no soap or shampoo, no problem

[Deleted]

My guys hate standing water (tub or what have you), but they love the shower. I often toss 'em in the bathroom with the shower trickling and they have the time of their life (and make a *mess*). They might smell extra fert-y after, but (like you've heard, LOL) it's not going to cause a problem re: skin and coat

[jadewolf]

I'm always so jealous of people whose ferrets like to play in water! My first pair, of which I still have Will, loved to lick the last drops of water from the bathtub, but if a human got in and showered, they stood worriedly by and occasionally peeked in as if to say "what are you doing?!?! That doesn't look safe!"

Somewhat more related, I had an old boy with bad hind knees and a severe laziness problem, and I actually did daily "hydrotherapy" for him, where I'd fill the bathtub and try to make him swim. Eventually he learned that he could just float around in the water, which was adorable but not exactly helpful. The plain water never hurt his coat. And he did get plenty of exercise doing the crazed drying-off scamper through towels.

Although, don't their claws get a bit ouchie on your shoulder in the shower?!

[Deleted]

Glad to know I don't have to worry about skin or coat issues. I always make sure to have my hair washed before they decide to join me, but I tend not to worry so much about the body wash I use for it's soap free. If I manage to get any of them, which is only a little, I wash it off quickly regardless.

I haven't even noticed any increase in their odour, but I have pet mice so I probably am just immune to it. Nails aren't an issue really, as their pretty blunt & I keep them trimmed (difficult, but not impossible with an raw egg milkshake, with pet milk, plus extra pair of hands). I'm used to sharp rat claws, so ferret claws got nothing. Admittedly though, it gets a bit stressful trying to balance 4 ferrets on your shoulders, even if only for 5 minutes-10 minutes.

[Deleted]

I think It could be a combo of two things. They found baths as bonding time with people and second they love water play. I don't let my kids in the bathroom but they think the shower is a really cool looking thing and want to play in it. If you like it and they like it go for it. Just don't let them get into soap or into anything sharp and your good to go.