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My ferret scratches and has sores. Could it be fleas or allergies?
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Other | Unknown - Other | Male | neutered
We have a ferret who scratches and causes sores/scabs. He’s been treated by a vet 3 times in a year for this. Diagnosed ear mites (once) and a “skin infection” twice. I would like to research a skin allergy. What things should I try and is there anything I can put on him (someone suggested coconut oil) if his skin is dry/itchy
1 Answer
Most Helpful Answer
Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on December 1st, 2017
No, do not use coconut oil. He will lick it off and ingestion may cause pancreatitis. Not only that but it will be extremely messy and everything will stick to him. Not a good plan.
He is scratching for a reason and rarely will they scratch so much from dry skin to make sores like that on their skin. If you are not treating him EVERY month for fleas then I would be doing that. It looks and sounds like a flea allergy. Even if you are not seeing fleas, I suspect they are there. Fleas usually will bite ferrets but not stay on them too long so you may not find them. Treating for fleas is easy and inexpensive so I suggest you try this plan. It is not going to hurt him and it may very well help. You can use Advantage II for small cats.
https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/ferret-flea-control.htm
Don't forget to treat his environment for fleas too!
So, could it be dry skin.....sure, but I really doubt it. Like I said above it is really rare for the skin to be so dry that he would scratch that much unless you were feeding a very poor diet (which I don't think is the case) . His coat looks soft and shiny from the photo. So, be sure you are feeding a good diet (like Mazuri, Marshalls or Oxbow). And you can try this supplement for his coat if you want.
https://www.petsupplies.com/item/8-in-1-ferretone-skin-and-coat-supplement/650101/
For the current sore - you can treat it with this. Just use a very thin layer 2-3 times per day until healed.
Hope this helps. Best wishes.
He is scratching for a reason and rarely will they scratch so much from dry skin to make sores like that on their skin. If you are not treating him EVERY month for fleas then I would be doing that. It looks and sounds like a flea allergy. Even if you are not seeing fleas, I suspect they are there. Fleas usually will bite ferrets but not stay on them too long so you may not find them. Treating for fleas is easy and inexpensive so I suggest you try this plan. It is not going to hurt him and it may very well help. You can use Advantage II for small cats.
https://www.1800petmeds.com/education/ferret-flea-control.htm
Don't forget to treat his environment for fleas too!
So, could it be dry skin.....sure, but I really doubt it. Like I said above it is really rare for the skin to be so dry that he would scratch that much unless you were feeding a very poor diet (which I don't think is the case) . His coat looks soft and shiny from the photo. So, be sure you are feeding a good diet (like Mazuri, Marshalls or Oxbow). And you can try this supplement for his coat if you want.
https://www.petsupplies.com/item/8-in-1-ferretone-skin-and-coat-supplement/650101/
For the current sore - you can treat it with this. Just use a very thin layer 2-3 times per day until healed.
Hope this helps. Best wishes.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful