Ferret Grooming part 2
Trimming Nails
Nails should be trimmed once a month at the very least, though twice a month is better. When ferrets’ nails grow too long, they get caught on things, and can even rip completely out. This is obviously very painful for the ferret and can get infected. If never trimmed, the ferrets’ nails will eventually start to curl under, which again is very painful for the ferret. Frequent trimmings help to keep your ferret’s nails healthy and strong.
To clip your ferret’s nails, you will need:
Ferret or cat clippers – scissor style with a notch at the bottom of the blade for the nail are the easiest to use. Avoid using human nail clippers, as they pinch the nail before cutting, and can actually crush it if not sharp enough!
Styptic powder – accidents do happen, and you need to have something to stop the bleeding when they do. Corn starch or flour can also be used, but they are not as sterile.
Ferretone or another treat to distract your ferret.
You can cut your nails by yourself or with a helper. If it’s just you, here’s what you should do:
Ready all of your supplies! Put your ferret on its back in your lap or on a blanket or bed on a tabletop. Pour a little ferretone on your ferret’s stomach. (Wear old clothes until your ferret gets used to this feeling – it will react when the ferretone hits its belly, which splashes the ferretone around!) As your ferret licks off the ferretone, clip its nails. Not sure where to clip? Look at your ferret’s nail – there is a small red line in there called the quick. You want to cut about 1/8” above that. Cut the nail so when the foot is on the floor, the edge of the nail will be parallel to the floor. This will prevent the nail tip from breaking later.
Clipping nails with a helper is obviously a bit easier. Just have your helper scruff the ferret while you clip the nails. Give the ferret some ferretone after you’re done as a reward.
If you run into a ferret who just absolutely hates having its nails cut, you have a couple choices. You can cut a few nails at a time once a day until all nails are finished, you can sneak the ferret while it’s sleeping and stop as it starts to wake up, or you can wrap the ferret up in a towel. If you use the towel method, leave the ferret’s head and one paw sticking out. You will need a helper for this method. He or she will distract the ferret with ferretone while you clip.
Brushing Teeth
This process will definitely take a little getting used to for both you and your ferret! Be gentle with your fuzzy, and understand that the first few times are probably going to be a little alarming for it. You might want to ease into the brushing procedure by scruffing your ferret and just getting it used to having you touching its teeth.
So how do you brush a ferret’s teeth? First, wet the bristles of the brush and apply a very small amount (slightly larger around than the tip of a pencil eraser) of whatever dentifrice you’ve decided to use. If your ferret hates the flavor, you can add a small amount of ferretvite or ferretone to it to improve it.
Second, scruff your ferret, or, if this is your first time or you find it too difficult to do alone, have someone else scruff the ferret. Third, gently – with minimal pressure – massage the sides and bottoms of the back teeth, working your way up to the canines and incisors. Pay special attention to the molars, as their tongues can’t reach back here to clean off the teeth, and plaque and tartar buildup will be significant. Don’t try to brush the inside surface of the teeth.
And finally, when you’re done, give the ferret some ferretone, apologize, and watch it give you a dirty look and run away! The buildup from soft treats and foods should come off easily if you are brushing regularly enough. The frequency of the brushings will depend on the ferret and its diet. Ferrets that receive lots of soft treats and foods (baby food, soft diets, duck soup) should have their teeth brushed weekly. The rest of our fuzzy friends will need their teeth brushed every other week, or twice a month at the very least. Don’t assume that kibble is enough to keep their teeth clean! The kibble forms a kind of paste that tends to stick along the gum line and in between teeth, and brushing regularly helps to remove that.
Brushing at home doesn’t mean you never have to take your ferret in for a dental cleaning at the vet! No matter how faithfully you care for your ferret’s teeth, you will eventually start to see serious tartar buildup, which is when it’s time to head to the vet If you’re not sure what tartar looks like, take a look at your ferret’s teeth. If you see what appears to be grayish, greenish spots on your ferret’s teeth, that’s tartar, and your ferret needs a cleaning. Vet visits for a full cleaning (dental prophylaxis) should be done every one to three years, depending on how quickly your ferret’s teeth get dirty.
So now you know the basics of ferret grooming! Bathe no more than once or twice a year, clean ears and clip nails every couple weeks, and brush teeth as often as your ferret’s diet requires. Remember, part of having a healthy, happy ferret is maintaining a regular grooming schedule. Find one that works for you and your fuzzy and stick to it!
