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My ferret is extremely itchy, scratching, and losing fur. How can I help?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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 much. I’ve tried washing them, but I also know that you’re not supposed to bathe ferrets too often bc it dries the skin out and makes them even itchier, oilier, n muskier... so I’ve tried not to bathe them much, but it still doesn’t seem to be helping.

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on July 28th, 2018

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.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on December 26th, 2019
I'm sorry but there is really nothing you can give orally to him. You are not likely to find a dose small enough of medication to give him. It is best to just get him to the vet as soon as you can for an exam. He is uncomfortable for sure but I think he can handle it for another day.

You can try a soak of apple cider vinegar (NOT WHITE VINEGAR) that may help. One teaspoonful of apple-cider vinegar in a sinkful of rinse water. You don't need to rinse it off.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Davis
Veterinarian
Published on September 10th, 2017
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 Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Raffelle.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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