The ferret is an adorable but delicate pet. You have to take care of it with great care and always following the guidelines of your ferret specialist veterinarian.
The ferret is a very small mustelid with a great ability to slip through very small holes and cracks. He is a born explorer and does not know the meaning of fear when moved by his almost infinite curiosity. Consequently, it tends to get its hair very dirty after its excursions through unlikely places.
This is one of the main reasons why there are ferrets that lose a lot of hair. If you continue reading this article on our site, you will be able to find out the causes and learn about the remedies to prevent your ferret from losing too much hair.
What negative effects does dirt have on a ferret's fur?
In our article on bathing ferrets we specify that this small animal should not be bathed more than once a month However, it is It is more than likely that the very unconscious sneaks in through some place that would seem horrifying to us, but for him it will be a place full of mystery and adventure.
Should we give him a bath every time he comes back like a pig? The answer is a resounding no.
However, the dirt accumulated in the fur is the cause of the blackheads, which is the preliminary sign of massive hair loss in our ferret. How to solve this dilemma? Keep reading, because on our site you will find the solution.
Why limit the frequency of bathing our ferret?
One of the main reasons for not exceeding the frequency of bathing our ferret is to prevent the protective oils secreted by glands distributed throughout its body from disappearing. These oils are essential to protect the hair and the dermis of the ferret.
These oils are partly responsible for our friend's powerful aroma. If we bathe our ferret excessively, his body will immediately regenerate the eliminated oil, whose smell will be more penetrating than the old oil. Also discover some tips to eliminate the bad smell of the ferret.
Dry cleaning
Exactly, dry cleaning is a good solution to remove adventurousdirt from our insane explorer and save him from probable body baldness. There are three products for our friend's dry cleaning:
- Dry Detergent
- Dry foam
- Wet wipes
Cleaning powders resemble talcum powder. They are distributed over the body or dirty area and then removed with a thick soft-bristled brush. We should not apply them to the face or genitals.
We will apply the dry foam to our hands and massage the dirty areas with it. To remove it, rub it with a clean cloth or towel. Then we will pass the soft brush. The face and genitals must be exempt from such application.
Baby wipes are the easiest and most comfortable way to clean our little explorer. After rubbing the dirty areas we will dry it with a cloth or towel and we will pass the brush. Nor should we apply it to the face and genitals.
Food deficit
A food deficit caused by an excess or deficiency of the different components of its diet, is a very frequent cause so that our ferret lose hair at close range. Find out more about it in ferret care.
Your veterinarian should correct inappropriate feeding and control excessive hair loss. He may also prescribe vitamins or other remediesto invigorate his coat. It is essential to feed it with specific foods and the ideal proportions to preserve its he alth.
Diseases
Dirt and insect bites can cause skin diseases, the effects of which affect the ferret's skin and fur. It is very important that you have all your vaccinations up to date. If you see your ferret downcast, a visit to the vet is imperative.
Lack of sleep severely affects the he alth of domestic ferrets, and is one of the reasons for excessive hair loss. This problem can kill them.
Remember that the ferret has nocturnal habits. If you make him play outside of his comfort hours, you will be seriously damaging his he alth. It can also suffer from a particular disease of ferrets that causes hair loss.
Heatstroke
Ferrets have a rather deficient thermoregulatory system for their body temperature. This means that during the summer they are very exposed to heatstroke, which can be fatal.
You should not bathe them, but you should spray them with water to cool them down, or put a damp towel over their cage. Obviously during the summer they shed their hair and "undress", losing much of their winter coat.
Prevention
Prevention is better than cure, as the saying goes. If you get into the habit of brushing your ferret for a minute every day, you will remove dead hair and adhering dirt.
You will also check your ferret's dermis, immediately noticing any anomaly. A well cared for ferret is a very happy animal.
