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Bathing your pet is usually one of the most enjoyable moments.
That’s if you don’t mind the splashing and the mess. To do right by your pet, you should choose his shampoo wisely.
Unlike cats and dogs, ferrets have sensitive skin.
If you want to get the best ferret shampoo out there, you should look through your options with caution.
Here, we’ll review some options for you to choose from.
6 Best Ferret Shampoos
Things To Consider Before Buying A Shampoo For Your Ferret
If you want to get the best shampoo for your ferret, there are a couple of things to consider first. Here are the three most essential ones.
- Natural Ingredients
Needless to say, natural ingredients are safer than artificial ones.
So, you’ll want to make sure that the main component in your shampoo is natural, to say the least.
This’ll protect your ferret’s skin from irritation, infections, and any health risks associated with synthetic substances.
- Hydration
Try to avoid buying shampoos that’ll dry out your ferret’s skin, especially if he already has dry skin or coat.
To do this, look for a shampoo that contains a natural hydrating agent, such as aloe vera and tea tree oil. The Marshall Tea Tree Shampoo is a nice example of that.
That being said, avoid shampoos that have synthetic hydrating ingredients like mineral oil.
It’s used to treat constipation for Some Animals. So, it’ll harm your ferret’s stomach if he consumes it by mistake.
- Deodorizing Effects
While strong odors aren’t good for your pet’s respiratory system, a deodorant shampoo will come in handy. It’ll control your pet’s body odor, so he doesn’t reek.
Plus, it’ll keep the coat clean and shiny. If you want to ensure your ferret won’t get overwhelmed with the smell, opt for a shampoo with a gentle fragrance.
Ingredients To Avoid In Ferrets’ Shampoos
If you want to ensure your ferret is getting the safest treatment possible, there are some ingredients you’ll want to stay clear of.
Otherwise, you’ll be left to deal with unnecessary health issues.
- Parabens
Parabens are present in most cosmetic products, even though they’re associated with a bunch of health risks.
For one, they interfere with the ferret’s body hormones and mess with the reproductive system.
That’s aside from their effects on the skin, which usually include redness and itchiness.
Instead of parabens, you can opt for a shampoo that contains natural seed extracts, such as lemon.
Some options will also have vitamins C and E. These won’t take a toll on your ferret’s body as parabens will.
- Added Dyes
A colorful shampoo is tempting to use, but the risks associated with it aren’t worth it.
A lot of color additives are claimed to cause cancer, along with some other health issues.
For example, Tartrazine, which is also known as Yellow 5, is known to trigger allergic reactions and hyperactivity.
In addition to that, a lot of color dyes contain coal tar. It’s a natural Carcinogen, which means it’s a primary cause for different types of cancer.
Consider buying shampoos that have white or pale yellow colors.
- Anything Sulfate
Once you read the word ‘sulfate’ on the shampoo’s ingredients list, put it back on its shelf. Whether it’s sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate, it’s bad news.
Sulfate can harm the digestive system and cause mouth itchiness if it’s consumed by fault.
Not to mention that it hurts the eye when it comes in contact with it. Moreover, if it’s not washed properly, it can cause permanent damage to the tissues.
Opt for shampoos that contain natural oils, such as olive and coconut. Keep off the sulfate shampoos for now.
- Mineral Oil
Mineral oil is the main component in most baby oils and cosmetics.
Pet owners think that means it’s safe for their little furry friends. I hate to break it to you, but it’s not even safe for babies! Mineral oil is derived from Propylene Glycol, which harms kidneys and causes liver abnormalities.
There’s also the fact that mineral oil is only used in shampoos as a moisturizer, so it can easily be replaced by a natural substance, such as aloe vera.
Tips For Bathing Your Ferret
If you’re still new to the pet-owning thing, you’ll need guidance for some hard tasks like bathing.
Even though it’s not difficult, it requires some cautions to keep your ferret comfortable.
On top of that, you should know that bathing your ferret too frequently isn’t preferred.
Using excessive shampoo can cause itchiness, and it can dry the skin out.
- During the Bath
Firstly, you should bathe your ferret in a deep sink to avoid splashing and creating a mess.
Also, don’t let the shampoo touch your ferret’s eyes and ears while bathing.
Try to keep them dry during the shower, and wash them after you’re done. Letting water into a Ferret’s Ear will be an open invitation for bacteria to grow inside.
Secondly, don’t let the water get too cold for your ferrets. Since they have a higher body temperature than humans, ferrets need their water to be warmer than you’d keep it for yourself.
- After You Finish
When you’re done, make sure not to leave soap residue in your ferret’s body.
Wash it thoroughly to avoid causing skin irritations. Moreover, when it’s time to dry your ferret’s coat, don’t use a blow dryer.
Use a towel instead; you’ll only be required to get rid of the excess moisture. There’s no need to expose your pet to hot air.
Lastly, don’t use shampoos labeled for dogs and cats. Pet owners think it’s the same, but ferrets have sensitive skin.
Dog shampoos can mess with the essential oils on ferrets’ bodies, which can eventually cause dehydration.
The 6 Best Ferret Shampoos On The Market: Reviewd
- Safe for all types of skins
- Instant effect
- 100% natural and organic components
- Chemical-free
- Compostable
- Highly absorbent
- All-natural
- Cost-effective
- May contain big flakes that can scratch your pets
The Fluppets pet shampoo is one of the few options available that’s made of all-natural ingredients.
It contains olive, coconut, and jojoba oils, along with rosemary and lemongrass.
Its formula is 100% non-toxic and hypoallergenic, so you can rest assured about using it on your pet.
The shampoo is free of paraben and sulfate, which means it won’t irritate your ferret’s skin in the least.
Additionally, its essential oils will leave a long-lasting smell on your pet’s coat, as well as a glowing shine.
The shampoo’s formula is highly concentrated, which means it’ll have instant effects on your ferret. Plus, it’s ideal for sensitive skin. I
t should have no side effects on your ferret’s skin, thanks to the absence of synthetic components.
- Balanced pH level
- It removes ticks and fleas
- It doesn’t affect the essential oils
- Balanced pH level
- It removes ticks and fleas
- It doesn’t affect the essential oils
- It contains artificial fragrances
The Marshall ferret shampoo is different from all other shampoos.
It has tea tree oil as its main ingredient, which is a common hydrating ingredient for pet shampoos.
The oil is popular for its effects on deterring fleas away from the coat. So, the shampoo doesn’t only clean, but it also clears your pet’s skin from unwanted visitors.
Despite its powerful effects, the shampoo is quite gentle on the skin, courtesy of the spearmint.
It keeps the essential oils in your pet’s skin intact to prevent dehydration. It also controls the ferret’s body odor and keeps it fresh for hours.
Tea tree oil doesn’t cause itchiness or irritate the skin, so it’s supposedly safe to use at any time.
It also has soothing effects on the coat, which leaves it looking shiny.
- Efficient dirt removal pH level
- Tearless
- Affordable price
- Efficient dirt removal pH level
- Tearless
- Affordable price
- Balanced pH level
- The ingredients aren’t disclosed
The Squeaky Clean shampoo is one of the safest ferret shampoos available on the market.
Its balanced pH level is the main reason for that. It’s also the reason that shampoo doesn’t irritate the skin.
In addition to that, it’s tear-free, so it’ll be of great help if your ferret squirms a lot while bathing.
Furthermore, the shampoo has a long-lasting odor that’ll stick to your ferret’s body. You’ll notice that its coat will get shinier and softer, thanks to the conditioning effects.
The shampoo is claimed suitable for all small pets, including guinea pigs and rabbits.
However, some guinea pigs owners mentioned that it irritates their skin. Besides, users complained that the shampoo contains synthetic fragrances.
- Multi-functional shampoo
- Gentle on the skin
- It acts as a deodorant
- Multi-functional shampoo
- Gentle on the skin
- It acts as a deodorant
- Affordable price
- Artificial colors included in the formula
When it comes to versatility, this 8-in-1 shampoo is hard to match.
It’s not only useful for cleaning your ferret’s coat, but it also serves as a deodorant.
We have the microencapsulated enzymes to thank for that. You’ll also love how enduring its smell is.
The Ferretsheen shampoo is packed with aloe vera, which is a soothing agent.
It’ll help with infections if your ferret has any. On top of that, the shampoo contains jojoba oil, which adds to the coat’s shine and hydration.
All things considered, the shampoo contains artificial fragrances.
This can irritate your ferret’s skin if he has skin infections of any kind. Additionally, it can have other side effects on the skin if used regularly.
- It acts as a deodorant
- Gentle on the skin
- Tearless formula
- It acts as a deodorant
- Gentle on the skin
- Tearless formula
- Users mentioned it causes some reddening in the eyes
If you’re a fan of the fresh smell of aloe vera, you’ll love this shampoo from Marshall.
It serves as a deodorant, along with its cleansing functions. It’ll leave your ferret’s coat smelling fresh and clean. Plus, it’ll be as soft as a teddy bear.
The shampoo’s main ingredient, along with aloe vera, is Eucalyptus.
It protects your ferret’s skin from irritations because it’s hypoallergenic. Besides, its smell is gentle on the respiratory system, so it won’t suffocate your pet.
If your ferret doesn’t like baths, you’ll be okay using this shampoo.
It has a tearless formula to make your mission as easy as possible. However, some users mentioned it causes minor reddening when it comes in contact with eyes.
- Ideal for dry skin and coat
- Efficient deodorant
- Instant results
- Ideal for dry skin and coat
- Efficient deodorant
- Instant results
- It costs more than similar brands
The Petpost deodorant shampoo works wonders for ferrets who have a bad body odor.
Its formula doesn’t only cover the smell up, but it also removes it permanently. As long as you’re using the shampoo, your ferret won’t smell.
That’s because the main ingredient in the shampoo is safflower oil, which is known for its efficiency in eradicating bad odors.
The shampoo also affects the coat instantly. After only one use, you’ll notice that the ferret’s coat is smooth and shiny.
The shampoo’s formula has hydrating abilities, so it’ll work for you if your ferret has dry skin.
All the Petpost’s main components are natural. Additionally, the bottle is recyclable, so you’ll be doing the planet a favor by using it.
The Final Verdict
Our favorite ferret shampoo in the previous list is the Fluppets Certified Organic Pet Shampoo.
It’s not only highly efficient and fast-acting, but it’s also 100% natural, which means it’s safer than most options.
On top of that, it doesn’t contain any substances from the previously-mentioned ingredients that you should avoid.
The runner up is the Marshall Tea Tree Ferret Shampoo. It’s as efficient as the Fluppets shampoo, but it costs less.
However, it contains synthetic fragrances, which can have side effects on your ferret’s skin. Nevertheless, it’s a multifunctional shampoo that serves as a deodorant.
It also hydrates the ferret’s coat and leaves it shiny, which is a bonus.