My new ferret scratches, bites, and shakes. Is she sick or stressed?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Exotic | Unknown - Exotic | Female
My ferret scratches and bites herself from time to time I had just got her a week ago from petco and she wouldnt scratch or bite and shakes after sometimes.I checked her but i see no fleas i bathed her once what could it be im worried i researched and i just see how delicate ferrets can be or i dont know if i just read to much into it and worry i really want to have her happy and healthy.
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on January 5th, 2019
Thanks for reaching out about Lola. Microscopic parasites such as mites, can cause itching. Ferrets are fastidious groomers and will often itch themselves. If the problem persists, a veterinary visit is recommended. Good luck.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on March 6th, 2018
Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Lola may have several conditions such as fleas, ear mites, a bacterial infection, or even certain hormonal imbalances. I definitely recommend bringing Lola to a vet for a physical exam, and the appropriate treatment for any fleas/mites she may have if necessary. I hope this helps and that Lola feels better soon!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Training & Behavior
Hi! I am here because I was searching help with ferrets. My ferret,Lola (2 yrs, playful, curious, doesn't bit, Adorable), is constantly biting herself and itching like a dog ( not the problem. her old owners had two dos were her only animal companion
Thank you for using Boop by Petco! Lola may have several conditions such as fleas, ear mites, a bacterial infection, or even certain hormonal imbalances. I definitely recommend bringing Lola to a vet for a physical exam, and the appropriate treatment for any fleas/mites she may have if necessary. I hope this helps and that Lola feels better soon!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
We recently bought a ferret about a month ago,and shes scratching herself alot!! We havnt bathed her she seems to kinda fall onto her side once in awhile, she isnt playing like she was she has long nails that havnt been clipped and with her scratchin
Thanks for reaching out about Sally. Itchy skin can be due to fleas, bacterial or fungal dermatitis, adrenal or other endocrine problems and more. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Falling over and wobbly, could be a low blood sugar, possibly an insulinoma. Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
My ferret is one and a half yrs old lately she has been scratching a lot I have no other pets and she does not go outside how can I help her
This is probably due to an allergy, although it could also be infection or mites. First of all, in order to rule out skin parasites, you will need to treat with a high quality flea treatment, then ask the vet to perform a skin scrape - this might reveal an infection or a mite infestation. If all of those came back negative, the next step is to treat the allergy symptomatically and try to discover the cause of the allergy. Three main type of allergies are usually affecting pets: food allergies, flea and parasite related ones and environmental type (allergens coming from trees, pollens, dust etc etc). Some medications can be given by the vet in order to repair any possible skin lesions (like steroids and antibiotics). Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have five rescue ferrets but too of the boys keep scratching. That don't. Have fleas
Hello. A ferret that is pruritic ( itchy ) without signs of ectoparasites ( fleas, lice ) is adrenal gland disease until proven otherwise. It is not uncommon for very itchy ferrets to have no obvious signs of hair loss. Occasional, cutaneous mast cell tumors can be very pruritic. These are almost always benign in ferrets & removal is curative. I would encourage you to have your ferrets evaluated by a veterinarian & have some diagnostic tests done to find the underlying cause of the itching. Then appropriate treatment can be started. Thanks for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
She scratches for like 5 minutes
Hello, I'm sorry to hear Snowflake is feeling unwell. Scratching in a young ferret can be a sign of external parasites, such as fleas, scabies or ear mites. I would suggest taking her to a vet to check for the above, and perform a skin scraping test to check for scabies or demodex mites. I hope this helps, and your ferret is feeling better soon!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My ferret doesn’t have fleas, isn’t over shedding, and is still playful. We use special ferret shampoo and he has a balanced diet. Why is he so itchy?
This is probably due to an allergy, although it could also be infection or mites. First of all, in order to rule out skin parasites, you will need to treat with a high quality flea treatment, then ask the vet to perform a skin scrape - this might reveal an infection or a mite infestation. If all of those came back negative, the next step is to treat the allergy symptomatically and try to discover the cause of the allergy. Three main type of allergies are usually affecting pets: food allergies, flea and parasite related ones and environmental type (allergens coming from trees, pollens, dust etc etc). Some medications can be given by the vet in order to repair any possible skin lesions (like steroids and antibiotics). Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
It seems like my ferrets scratch alot, especially one more than the other. They seem to scratch the most when they are excited. I have checked for fleas and their coats seem healthy. I also do not see dry skin or any irritations. I only gave them onc
Hello, Ferrets do scratch more than normal dogs and cats! They tend to be itchier creatures, and this very well may be normal behavior. :) They can get fleas, mites, and skin infections that make them more itchy though- usually hair loss, redness, and scabbing is associated with these (and obviously, if you see fleas!). If they are particularly focused on their ears, ear mites may be a concern. If you notice any hair loss, scabbing, or excessive black crusting in the ears, these would be signs to go to the veterinarian. These conditions are generally easy to treat with a course of medications, so nothing to panic about! I hope this is helpful! Thanks for using Boop by Petco!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
What is the best thing to use for extremely itchy ferrets? I have 2 and they scratch constantly; I know they are itchy animals, but this is way too much scratching (I’ve owed ferrets before) they're getting scabs and losing fur from scratching so muc
It is important to find out why they are itching first before putting anything on them. They could be suffering from a mite infection, a fungal or a bacterial infection. All of these cause serious itch and each of these is treated differently. Please take your ferrets to your vet for an exam to determine why they are itching. Mites itch terribly, the skin gets scabby and fur gets lost. Mites are easily treated with avermectin injections. A fungal infection may need oral medications or antifungal shampoo or both and a bacterial infection is usually treated with oral antibiotics.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Training & Behavior
Ferret has hair loss,around neck,face, scratching,appatite seems ok ,
Hi, and thanks for your question. This could be due to an allergy, although it could also be infection or mites. First of all, in order to rule out skin parasites, you will need to treat with a high quality flea treatment, then ask the vet to perform a skin scrape - this might reveal an infection or a mite infestation. If all of those came back negative, the next step is to treat the allergy symptomatically and try to discover the cause of the allergy. Three main type of allergies are usually affecting pets: food allergies, flea and parasite related ones and environmental type (allergens coming from trees, pollens, dust etc etc). Some medications can be given by the vet in order to repair any possible skin lesions (like steroids and antibiotics). Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My ferrret itches and bites but I herd that was a natural thing until my mom found a flea on her he has been outside only twice the whole time I've had him and I cannot afford to take him in and I can't afford to get an exterminator if he has fleas.
Please use a flea comb on Raffelle. It's a fine tooth comb that will catch the fleas if there are any. Dip the comb into warm soapy dishwashing water to clean it between combing. This will check for fleas and remove them and kill them in the soapy water. If you find a lot of fleas you can use a small amount of a cat flea prevention product such as Advantage on your ferret. Vacuuming the house often will remove fleas from the house also without using harsh chemicals. You also can bathe him in a gentle shampoo which will cleanse the skin and reduce itching. Also check his ears for discharge as ferrets can get ear mites that can cause them to itch. If you see ear discharge I recommend a veterinary exam to check for mites or an ear infection and they can then get you the appropriate medication. Thanks for using Boop by Petco to help you care for Raffelle.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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