Enjoyyyy! 2021 Edition. You may notice your ferret is not urinating, or the litter box remains clean too long. A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in New Zealand. The only good reason to wash a ferret is summer heat to help your ferret cool down. Preparing an oatmeal bath for ferrets is pretty similar to the one you can prepare for yourself. Plus, theyll be nice and clean for a change too! Excessive itching. If your ferret isn't dirty, but you are just trying to give him some relief, you can give him an oatmeal bath. That means, for example, the ferret decides it is a great time to dig in your house plant, break into your kitchen cabinet with flour, or some other ferret mischief. Different from shaking with excitement, nervous and stressed ferrets can be calmed down with a little attention and care. You will also have a chance to participate in giveaways and look at tons of beautiful ferrets all over the world! These are all healthy and normal times for a ferret to shake or tremble, so if your ferret is doing so around these times, you have no reason to worry. Then use your hand to scoop some water and rinse the head carefully, ensuring that the shampoo doesnt run into your pets eyes. Sickness or Pain. Reasons Why Your Ferret Might be Having the Shakes Best Exotic Pets is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. ). Since ferrets dont require baths, you dont have to worry about the period between two baths because it is not your job to give the ferret a bath. If the shivering persists even after its fur is dry, there is another issue affecting your dog. A ferret in pain has the following symptoms: squinty dull eyes. Or you can turn the tap on and hold them under the water. Yes, you can bathe a ferret. Why Cats Catching Bats? You can choose to bathe your ferret in the tub or in a sink, whatever works best for you. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Your ferret might play with it for some time, but if you see that he has had enough, finish up. That way when the situation occurs you will be prepared and you wont have any trouble giving a ferret a bath. Therefore, to treat back leg problems in ferrets you need to investigate the problem thoroughly first. Your email address will not be published. Another possibility is if they have an infection or are under stress, which can cause their body to release stored sugar too quickly. The type of oatmeal you have to use is colloidal oatmeal, not a regular one. Ferret owners should be aware that although ferrets can make good pets, they can sometimes carry germs that can make people sick. Regularly consuming carbohydrates is not natural for ferrets and brings them negative consequences, such as the development of pancreatic tumors. In fact, there are many different reasons why your ferret might shake that are innocuous and no reason for concern. Over time your ferret will learn that there is nothing to stress about, but this is a gradual process. What gives? Avoid using hot water at all costs, and . Seizures in ferrets can be very frightening to witness, as they cause the ferrets body to shake violently. It can take a while for their metabolism to calm down once they wake up, which is why ferrets will often continue shaking for a short while after waking. As your Cedar Rapids, IA veterinarian, I list some key ones below. But, only after bath the party is starting. Ferrets dont hide their reactions and shaking is one of the most common behaviors that youll see in your pet. In addition, you can add a number of their favorite toys to the bath to ensure they have something fun to distract them from the otherwise stressful sudsy experience. Well, hes not, so you can relax; hes probably fine and just doing what comes naturally to ferrets. Facts to Consider. Be ready for playtime and bonding immediately after. This page might contain affiliate links, which will earn us a commission. It is good to know that bathing ferrets should be a fast task because they dont like when they are wet. While drying the ferret you can also clean their muzzles. a brush. Dont be surprised if the shaking continues for as much as 20 to 30 minutes. The water and oatmeal mixture will soothe the ferret and once you rinse it, the fur will be shiny and soft. There are a few reasons why your ferret may be shaking after a bath. They may do this when they see their favorite toy or treat or when theyre about to go on a fun adventure. Grab your ferret out of the water, remove the excess water from it and wrap it in the towel. Finally, let it stand on its four feet as you prepare for the next process. Anxiety Can Cause Shivering. They will run, jump, dance and roll around desperately to get dry. The body temperature of your pet should range between 100 and 103 degrees Fahrenheit. Ferrets are rarely ever cold, so the chances of your ferret shivering from the cold are very slim unless its absolutely freezing in your home. All You Need To Know. Why Ferrets Steal/Stash Things & What Can You Do About It? Follow these few steps, and youll see your pet glow in just one bath. Again, its often a normal behavior, but its better safe than sorry when it comes to our pets. Customer: No JA: And what's the ferret's name and age? As such, their metabolisms are ramped up during sleep, which can cause them to shake. Whether you have concerns about your dog, cat, or other pet, trained vets have the answers! If your ferret is trembling after eating, you can try feeding it smaller meals more often or giving it breaks between meals to rest and cool down. Unless your ferret's shaking is accompanied by major signs of sickness like weakness, lethargy, and nausea, there's no reason for you to be concerned. Ferrets have giant bursts of energy, and when they run into a bunch of things after coming out of their cage, its actually a sign of good health. There are better ways to minimize the smell and you can read all that in my post about how to get rid of ferret smell. Don't make it too deep because your ferret won't be able to rest and that will make it even more stressed. Copyright 2023 Pets Kor | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme. If your ferret is injured or ill, it may shake and scream as a way to express its discomfort. The ferret's living space should be temperature controlled, with the temperature kept in their comfort range of between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Youll probably see your ferret shaking in each of the following scenarios. How to Tell the Age of a Cockatiel (Age Chart Included! Questions like do ferrets like baths, how to bathe a ferret, why do ferrets go crazy after a bath or what can I bathe my ferret with are all answered here, including what is the famous ferret oatmeal bath and instructions to use it. Usually, this means great things like treats, playtime, fun games. When a ferret sleeps, its body temperature drops, and its metabolism slows down. However, if your ferret is shaking longer than that, there may be an underlying cause and when that happens, your ferret needs to see the vet. Without proper grooming, the gunk layers up to form piles with a pronounced smell. However, ferrets can also be quite skittish and sometimes shake or tremble when nervous. Remember, ferrets are obligate carnivores, so avoid giving your ferret treats or diets high in carbohydrates, as this could have the opposite effect and make your ferret restless. Ferret war dance is nothing compared to the Quick I must dry! dance. Most of the time, theres nothing to worry about if you notice that your ferret is shaking. The good thing about an oatmeal bath is that it wont remove oil from the ferret body, but it will clean it from dirt. If you have multiple ferrets, you probably have a bed for each. In fact, Ferrets love to play; your ferret may just have noticed something new and unfamiliar that he thinks might be his new favorite toy. Still, people often misinterpret their ferrets shaking as shivering. A young ferret will spend more time awake because it's interested in exploring its environment and will want to play more. Weight loss (not due to seasonal changes) Fur loss (not due to seasonal changes) Grinding of teeth. Featured Image Credit: GuilleNeT, Pixabay, 6 DIY Reptile Enclosures You Can Build Today (With Pictures), How Do Cats Show Affection? Which isn't good. To bathe a ferret, you will need: A sink or tub; Warm water-about the temperature you would use to take a bath yourself. Also Read: How to Teach Your Ferret to Swim? In addition, ferrets often sleep in short bursts, which can also contribute to shaking. Copyright 2023 - VIVO Pets. Use your hand or a cloth to wash around their faces. Ferrets can harbor an awful lot of excitement in their little bodies! Plus, ferrets have an incredibly high pain tolerance and likely dont even notice that theyre running into everything! One of them, the most realistic one, is that they dont like being wet. You can gradually increase the time of exposure to a scary noise or the distance between its safe area and a new space. Generally, ferrets hate baths and getting wet, but there are always exceptions that can confirm the rule. The whole bathing process should not take more than four minutes. Is it causing them more problems than its doing them good? If your pet experiences any type of seizure, it is important to seek veterinary care immediately. But if your ferrets shaking is accompanied by other worrisome behaviors, such as obvious sickness, vomiting, lethargy, or other major symptoms, please bring your ferret to the vet. Try to ensure that your dog has cleared its bowels before showering to minimize the chance of an "accident". While we provide information resources and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Ferrets are extremely cute and fun pets. How Ferrets Show Affection? Lastly, brushing your ferret's coat often acts something like bathing, without introducing any of the unwanted drawbacks. Be sure it is not too hot or too cold. Do Ferrets and Rats Get Along? Symptoms ferret owners might see include weakness, lethargy, coughing, and an increased respiratory rate (breathing fast). There are very few times when your ferrets shaking should be a worry. You give them a gentle scrub and take them out of the tub, only to find them frantically flailing and flinging themselves to and fro in your home. Prepare a bath for a ferret and place the sock in the water. The towel should be clean and right from the dryer to rescue the now aggravated ferret. It's important for all owners worldwide to make sure that their ferrets get their yearly canine distemper shots as this is a very unpleasant disease and is fatal. towels. However, if the pet is reluctant, free it to self-dry, only that, youll have to keep focus to prevent the pet from rolling on the floor. PetKeen.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. [Reality or Myth], Is Hot Sauce Bad For Cats? Symptoms of low blood sugar in ferrets are: Your email address will not be published. Many dogs find baths to be a slightly traumatic experience, which can contribute to shivering after the bath. Can You Put Fake Plants In An Axolotl Tank? That depends on the ferret. Didn't find what you need? Dont make it too deep because your ferret wont be able to rest and that will make it even more stressed. Dont worry, your ferret isnt blind. Stress and anxiety are some of the main reasons ferrets tremble and shake. 3. Most of the time, ferrets shake is just a ferret whos exhibiting normal behavior. How do I prevent my ferret from freaking out during baths? Anja is a Friendly Ferret owner and a ferret parent who is involved in the ferret world for more than 10 years. So, lets start reading about ferret bath time. In the worst-case scenario, your ferrets wild antics cause them to fall off an elevated surface, contort themselves inappropriately, or otherwise find a way to become injured. Do your best to pat them dry immediately after the bath. No, dust baths arent good for ferrets. Fill the tub up only a few inches and make sure they can touch the bottomespecially if you are not sure if your ferret likes water or not. A ferret's normal body temperature is between 101 and 103 degrees Fahrenheit. If the experience is so traumatizing to them, is it even worth it to bother about it in the first place? Both should be cleaned once per week or more often if you spot any issues. Despite this, youll likely notice that all of your ferrets pile up in one bed. Its often for their own good and will help keep them clean and healthy, but they always seem to go crazy immediately after. Let your ferret stay on his back legs in the tub or on your hand. There are two other things to look out for following your ferrets bath time. An adequate diet is the best way to keep your ferret healthy and calm. Ferret antics is an endless source of fascination to watch and some of the things they do make us laugh out loud, but you might have a very different reaction the first time that you notice that your ferret is shaking. In severe cases, white muscle disease can be fatal. 9 Reasons Explained | How to Get rid? Ferret First Aid Kit: What It Contains? If that sounds like your dog, try to only bathe them when it's strictly necessary. A bird lamp will do. Fresh water should be available to your ferret at all times and changed regularly. Now if your ferret has trouble pooping, you could have a greater problem at hand. It wont make them clean or minimize their smell. 6. Customer: ferret JA: When did this shaking start? Additionally, regular bathing makes the ferrets coat dry and itchy, making them feel uncomfortable, stressed, and even smellier. Disclaimer: Information in questions, answers, and other posts on this site ("Posts") comes from individual users, not JustAnswer; JustAnswer is not responsible for Posts. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Take colloidal oatmeal and put it in the sock. The musky scent may actually become stronger for a couple of days after the bath. If you can recognize the cause of it getting stressed, for example, a novel noise or the fact you have brought the ferret to a completely new area, stop the noises or take the animal back to the place where it feels safe. Ferrets are very clean animals. Is Catnip Safe For Ferrets? If you suspect your ferret suffers from hypothermia, wrap them in a warm blanket and seek veterinary care ASAP. They usually won't tolerate it for long. As a result, it becomes difficult for him to pee. One common reason is that he feels hot and needs to cool down. Why are they so wild after a simple scrub-a-dub dub? Room temperature. VIVO Pets Ferrets Ferret Bathing The Complete Guide. Use water that is close to what you would use for a hot bath. Why is your playful, fun-loving ferret suddenly acting as if hes freezing, or terrified? It could be a sign of excitement, fear, or even pain. Did we mention ferrets hate the feeling of being soaked? When bathing yours, do not prolong the session. Signs Of A Sick Ferret: How To Recognize Them To React? Ferrets are very clean animals and groom themselves throughout the day, much like a cat. So what feels warm to you actually feels cold to your ferret. Shaking from excitement Some ferret owners say that their ferrets shiver for mundane reasons. Additionally, the sebaceous glands in the skin of ferrets produce oily substances with sharp musky-scent. The sebaceous glands in the tub or on your hand or a cloth to wash around their faces ramped. The answers to Tell the Age of a Cockatiel ( Age Chart Included time. 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Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in new Zealand why is your playful, ferret... Let it stand on its four feet as you prepare for the next process the aggravated! And itchy, making them feel uncomfortable, stressed, and for some time theres! To investigate the problem thoroughly first youll see in your pet s the ferret and place the in!