How To Groom a Ferret: Karen Fleming

engl 3930 > staging server > how to > Groom a Ferret

How-To Groom a Ferret

By Karen Fleming

Our ferret, Bandit, keeps us laughing, usually while we are busy with something else, like talking on the phone. It's a bit like having a two year old. It is our job to keep him healthy. Grooming is a big part of a ferret's health. This page will show you how to groom nails, teeth, ears, and give a ferret a bath. Read on, have fun, and happy ferreting.

Nails

Scruff the ferret by its neck so that its feet are dangling, then clip the nails while the ferret is motionless; or place the ferret on your lap, facing away from you, and put some Linatone or Ferratone on its belly. While the ferret is licking itself, you can trim the nails with little trouble or interference. Be careful not to clip the nail too close to the quick (the pink part inside the nail), or it will bleed, and you will have one unhappy ferret. Should this happen, a little cornstarch with water will stop the bleeding ,as will styptic powder or Clotisol, a veterinary blood-clotting cream.

Teeth

To clean your ferret's teeth, use a cloth with a little baking soda on it to remove tartar, or use toothpaste specially made for cats and ferrets. Scruffing the ferret by the back of its neck will cause the ferret to yawn and will allow you to clean its teeth. Do not use a scraper.

Ears

A ferret's ears can accumulate a reddish brown wax buildup if they are not cleaned on a regular basis (at least once a week). To clean the ears, take a cotton swab that has been dipped in baby oil, peroxide or an ear cleanser,and gently sweep inside the ear. Never use a dry cotton swab. Be careful not to push the swab too far into the ear; you may damage the inner ear and eardrum.

Bathing

Most ferrets don't appreciate being bathed, so try to make bath time as pleasant as you can. The best way to bathe your ferret is to hold it securely while washing it. Do not fill a sink or tub and let the ferret run loose in the water or you will frighten the animal. Make sure to use a shampoo formulated for cats or a ferret shampoo that will not harm its eyes. Allow the shampoo enough time to work on the body odor. I usually clean the ears while I let the shampoo sit on the ferret. Be sure to rinse well or dry skin will develop and make the ferret itch.

Materials Needed

ferret
small sink
towel
cat nail clippers
q-tips
ferret shampoo
baby oil
baking soda
ferret brush
Linatone or another liquid ferret treat

For more ferret information

For Ferrets

Grooming Your Ferret

Grooming Tips

Just for fun

idiot.htm

engl 3930 > staging server > how to > Groom a Ferret

Copyright © 2001 Karen Fleming
Questions and comments to fleminka@paulbunyan.net
Last modified Feb. 2001

engl 3930 > staging server > how to > Groom a Ferret
How-To Groom a Ferret By Karen Fleming Our ferret, Bandit, keeps us laughing, usually while we are busy with something else, like talking on the phone. It's a bit like having a two year old. It is our job to keep him healthy. Grooming is a big part of a ferret's health. This page will show you how to groom nails, teeth, ears, and give a ferret a bath. Read on, have fun, and happy ferreting. Nails Scruff the ferret by its neck so that its feet are dangling, then clip the nails while the ferret is motionless; or place the ferret on your lap, facing away from you, and put some Linatone or Ferratone on its belly. While the ferret is licking itself, you can trim the nails with little trouble or interference. Be careful not to clip the nail too close to the quick (the pink part inside the nail), or it will bleed, and you will have one unhappy ferret. Should this happen, a little cornstarch with water will stop the bleeding ,as will styptic powder or Clotisol, a veterinary blood-clotting cream. Teeth To clean your ferret's teeth, use a cloth with a little baking soda on it to remove tartar, or use toothpaste specially made for cats and ferrets. Scruffing the ferret by the back of its neck will cause the ferret to yawn and will allow you to clean its teeth. Do not use a scraper. Ears A ferret's ears can accumulate a reddish brown wax buildup if they are not cleaned on a regular basis (at least once a week). To clean the ears, take a cotton swab that has been dipped in baby oil, peroxide or an ear cleanser,and gently sweep inside the ear. Never use a dry cotton swab. Be careful not to push the swab too far into the ear; you may damage the inner ear and eardrum. Bathing Most ferrets don't appreciate being bathed, so try to make bath time as pleasant as you can. The best way to bathe your ferret is to hold it securely while washing it. Do not fill a sink or tub and let the ferret run loose in the water or you will frighten the animal. Make sure to use a shampoo formulated for cats or a ferret shampoo that will not harm its eyes. Allow the shampoo enough time to work on the body odor. I usually clean the ears while I let the shampoo sit on the ferret. Be sure to rinse well or dry skin will develop and make the ferret itch.	Materials Needed ferret small sink towel cat nail clippers q-tips ferret shampoo baby oil baking soda ferret brush Linatone or another liquid ferret treat For more ferret information For Ferrets Grooming Your Ferret Grooming Tips Just for fun idiot.htm
engl 3930 > staging server > how to > Groom a Ferret
Copyright © 2001 Karen Fleming Questions and comments to fleminka@paulbunyan.net Last modified Feb. 2001