Does neutering ferrets can really get rid of bad smell?

As we mentioned on a previous post, ferrets’ bad smell comes from the glands all over their bodies. Nevertheless, most people think they come right from the perianal glands (located on the base of the ferret’s tail), reason why they decide to get them removed from their ferrets.

But, is this really worth it? Or are you just damaging a healthy animal?

Do not blame it on the perianal glands….

These indeed secrete a bad smell, but only when your dear ferret feels scared or excited only: They are not responsible of the “usual” bad smell of your ferret pet.

So…removing perianal glands DOES NOT solve the ferret’s bad smell problem. Though, it does reduces they strong smell ferret have during heat phase.

Why not neutering your ferret

There is a 30 % chance your ferret may suffer from rectal prolapse. But on the other hand, when your ferret keeps its gland it will eventually expel some gases that actually do not smell more than a cat’s or dog’s gas.

In some European countries ferret neutering is considered illegal, cruel and unnecessary. In the U.S. most pets stores sell ferrets already neutered.

The final decision is all yours!