Ferrets are incredibly mischievous, quirky creatures that can go from calm and collected to fuzzy mayhem in no time. Their tendencies toward tricks are partly what gives them a bad reputation for being a smelly pet. They want to be clean at heart, spending hours at a time grooming themselves. However, they simply have a natural musk.
It is essential to find the right ferret shampoo to reap all the benefits of owning one of these playful pets without having to deal with their odor as much. There are plenty of pet shampoos on the market, but which ones work for ferrets? To help you out, we compiled a list of reviews for the top shampoos that you can use on ferrets.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023
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Best Overall
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Marshall No Tears Formula With Aloe Vera Shampoo for Ferrets |
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Best Value
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Marshall Tea Tree Shampoo for Ferrets |
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Premium Choice
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Petpost | Ferret Shampoo |
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Pro Pet Works Oatmeal Shampoo & Conditioner |
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Kaytee Squeaky Clean Critter Shampoo |
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The 8 Best Ferret Shampoos
1. Marshall No Tears Formula With Aloe Vera Shampoo for Ferrets — Best Overall
Marshall No Tears Formula With Aloe Vera Shampoo for Ferrets is the best overall ferret shampoo on the market. Ferrets have somewhat sensitive skin, and this company considered that when engineering its formula. It added aloe vera to the mix to balance out the pH to match what a ferret needs to stay clean and healthy. This balance is essential so as not to strip the natural body oils that a ferret needs from their skin and coat.
The idea behind the no-tear shampoo is similar to that of no-tear shampoo formulas for human babies, so it won’t sting your pet’s eyes. It is also a gentle cleanse yet deep enough to get rid of any overwhelming musk. The eucalyptus addition is what gives this formula a potent scent kick. The shampoo is also easy to use. Just lather well, try to avoid contact with your ferret’s eyes, mouth, and ears, and finish by rinsing them off with lukewarm water.
2. Marshall Tea Tree Shampoo for Ferrets — Best Value
Marshall recognizes that some ferrets’ and owners’ needs are different from others. This Marshall Tea Tree Shampoo for Ferrets is specially formulated for greasy fur and treats fleas and tick problems at the same time. Not only is it an effective shampoo, but it is also the best ferret shampoo for the money.
The formula has a pH balance that’s correct for the needs of ferrets according to ferret experts. The shampoo mixes the scents of spearmint with tea tree oil to eliminate the sometimes harsh odors of your pet. The coat is left glossy and soft with just a quick lather and rinse with lukewarm water.
3. Petpost | Ferret Shampoo — Premium Choice
Petpost is the next creator of quality ferret shampoos. It has engineered Petpost | Ferret Shampoo with OdorLock technology. Instead of covering up the strong musky smell of your furry friend, it locks on and gets rid of it permanently. The company generated its formula to contain natural safflower oil. This is what makes it such an effective odor killer, as it does so without the use of harsh chemicals that could present a danger to your ferret.
Petpost makes its products in the U.S.A. as an environmentally conscious business for pet paraphernalia. This eco-friendly drive is what guides the company to use natural ingredients and package products in recyclable packaging. It even has a 100% guarantee, stating that if its shampoo doesn’t work better than others after regular use, it will give you your money back. To use, lather the shampoo, allow it to sit on your ferret for a couple of minutes, and then rinse it off with water.
4. Pro Pet Works Oatmeal Shampoo & Conditioner
Pro Pet Works Oatmeal Shampoo & Conditioner is not specifically for ferrets but is safe for pets. It functions as both a shampoo and a conditioner, so if your ferret has delicate skin or suffers from flea bites or any rashes, this is an extremely gentle, healthy way to treat it. The entirely natural ingredient list helps restore the natural oils that a ferret needs to keep their skin moisturized and their coat shiny and soft. It also soothes dry, itchy skin common in ferrets, mice, and other similar pets. There are no toxicity concerns when using this shampoo.
Ferrets can have allergic reactions to a wide array of ingredients, so if you notice any hair loss after using this product, talk to your vet or try a different shampoo. This company also offers a money-back guarantee, so if something does go wrong or your ferret doesn’t enjoy it, the resolution is easy.
5. Kaytee Squeaky Clean Critter Shampoo
Kaytee Squeaky Clean Critter Shampoo can be applied to not only ferrets but also rabbits and other small critters. The versatility of the product is the reason that so many pet owners love it. Whether you need an excellent product to wash your mice, give your rabbit a soak, or clean the most recent mess off your ferret, this shampoo has you covered. The formula is tearless, making it safer for your pets to splash around while the shampoo has time to do its thing.
The pH is balanced to protect the more sensitive skin of your furry friend from any chemical irritation. Although it doesn’t include any essential oils to give it a robust and distinctive smell, it leaves your pet with a long-lasting baby powder scent. The softness of your ferret’s coat will be something to behold after they are finished with their lather and rinse.
6. Arm & Hammer Tearless Shampoo for Small Animals
Arm & Hammer is a cleaning company well-known for its use of baking soda to clean just about everything. It also makes pet products, everything from cat litter to cage liners, as well as a line of pet shampoos. Arm & Hammer Tearless Shampoo for Small Animals is not made explicitly for ferrets but is for any small critter, including mice, rabbits, ferrets, and guinea pigs. It is a tearless shampoo, which means it’s mild and safe. The formula washes and nourishes your pet’s coat to keep it healthy, soft, and shiny.
One exciting aspect of this shampoo is that it is waterless, making the application different than most. Use it every few weeks in your ferret’s baths to keep the musky smell down and the dirt off. The pH of the formula is balanced, making it a non-irritant for your small friend.
7. 8 in 1 Ferretsheen 2-in-1 Deodorizing Shampoo
8 in 1 Ferretsheen 2-in-1 Deodorizing Shampoo is explicitly produced as a ferret shampoo. This company recognizes the need for a deep clean when it comes to ferrets and their musky smell. To keep your pet safe, it has created a product that eliminates odors by using anti-odor microencapsulated enzymes instead of essential oils or added scents that may irritate a ferret’s skin. This way, you don’t just trade a strong, musky odor for a strong, botanical odor. Instead, your ferret will smell fresh and clean for days, if not weeks.
Ferretsheen has added plant extracts that target particular needs for ferrets, such as aloe vera for soothing irritated skin and jojoba oil to moisturize. It takes a while to make sure the shampoo gets rinsed out thoroughly, however.
8. PPP Pet Ferret Fresh Deodorizing Shampoo
PPP Pet Ferret Fresh Deodorizing Shampoo is unique in its smell and treatment, as it leaves your ferret with a piña colada fragrance. It cleans out your ferret’s coat and makes it soft and fluffy, and it also helps relieve any tangles, making a brush-out session afterward pain free for the ferret and simple for you. It uses a more straightforward formula than most others, functioning similarly to regular shampoo.
It also has a thinner consistency than shampoo and conditioner combinations, but this makes it easier for it to get to the skin and soak through matted fur. It is on the more expensive end of ferret shampoos, but many users feel like it does the job well and are willing to invest.
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting The Best Ferret Shampoo
When you are ready to buy a shampoo for your ferret, there are important things to keep in mind to help them stay as healthy as possible. Ferrets have specific needs, similar to those of rabbits or mice, when it comes to the maintenance of their coat and skin.
First, don’t try frequently bathing with a strong-smelling shampoo to get rid of their musky smell. Ferrets can quickly develop itchy, dry skin due to too many washings. Invest in a high-quality shampoo, and it will keep the musky smell down until the appropriate amount of time has passed to bathe your ferret again. They should only get baths every 6 to 12 weeks.
Second, you need to get the right shampoo. Here are a few things to look for when buying your first one or trying something new.
Ingredient List
Naturally, the only baths that a ferret would get in their native environment would be due to whatever rain or rivers in which they found themselves. Ferrets do groom themselves frequently, and although this helps with a dirty coat, it doesn’t do anything for their smell.
To mitigate dryness and itchiness in your ferret from unnatural substances in close contact with their skin, check out the ingredient list of the shampoo you’re considering. Make sure that most of the ingredients are natural and if not, that they are at least safe to use on pets. It is also helpful to find one with moisturizing ingredients, such as aloe vera, to prevent dryness caused by bathing.
Deodorizing Ability
The main reason for bathing ferrets is to get rid of their natural odor. A good ferret shampoo should be powerful enough to deodorize your pet so there isn’t a need for another bath for 6 to 12 weeks. The label should contain information on its capacity to eliminate odors and preferably, the ingredients that help it accomplish just that.
Additional Benefits
Shop around for a ferret shampoo that not only takes odors away but also manages to hydrate the skin and coat of the ferret while softening their fur.
Related read: How to Bathe and Groom a Ferret
Conclusion
Owning ferrets doesn’t mean sacrificing a clean and fresh-smelling home. Consider the best overall product on this list, Marshall No Tears Formula Shampoo. It treats your fuzzy friend like the household baby that they are while stripping them of their odor, keeping their natural oils, and adding aloe vera to hydrate their skin and coat. The company also made the best value product with the Marshall Tea Tree Shampoo, mixing spearmint and tea tree oils to make your ferret a bouncing ball of botanical scents.
We hope that this assortment of reviews for the top ferret shampoo products on the market has opened you and your ferret’s horizons to a fresh-smelling future!
Featured Image Credit: Stephanie’screativeImages, Shutterstock
