Descenting

Three words – DON’T DO IT!

Most ferrets purchased at pet stores are already descented. Descenting entails surgical removal of an anal gland that contains a scent. The scent gland has nothing to do with the parfume of the ferret. Remember in earlier reading (shampooing) it is the oil glands that produce the musk odor. The ferrets use this for two reasons, 1) mating, and 2) self-defense. Once the ferret is sexually altered, it leaves only self-defense. Ferrets being the escape artists that that they are should not be rendered helpless. Descenting is a tedious piece of surgery, endangers your ferrets life and has got to hurt like hell! A reputable vet will only descent if there is a medical reason to, such as it being impacted or presence of a cyst or tumor.