When you are bathing a ferret it is an adventure for you and your ferret! And one of those physical symptoms is often uncontrollable shivering. With proper care, many ferrets can live relatively everyday lives despite their condition. Be sure your ferret can reach the bottom of the tub or sink and be able to keep her head above the water. Be aware that the ferret mating process is anything but romanticthe male will bite the female's neck and even drag her around the cage. Once you are done rinsing all the shampoo, apply a conditioner and rinse. My parents have a cockatiel who is 36 years old this year. You can do the treatment at home or have your vet do it. If your ferret loves digging in the water bowl or even tripping it, read my post about water bowls and make sure you have the best water bowls for ferrets. If you suspect your ferret suffers from hypothermia, wrap them in a warm blanket and seek veterinary care ASAP. Didn't find what you need? That, and the fact that it doesnt have chemicals to irritate ferret skin. 3. You can use a cup to pour water over them, your hands, or a cloth. Get the water temperature just right. A seizure is a sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in the brain. Heart disease. The ferret's scent is partially due to the natural oils from the ferret's skin. Lastly, brushing your ferret's coat often acts something like bathing, without introducing any of the unwanted drawbacks. While flying freely with wet fur, they might drag that mess all over until you stop them and dry them further. A disease similar to feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) can also cause seizures. One thing you may not know about ferrets is that they can shake a lot sometimes, and you may be worried about why is my ferret shaking? Another cause for dogs shivering after a bath is due to excessive heat. Get their body fully wet. It could be that they are cold, as ferrets are very sensitive to temperature changes. You want to get the raw oats, wrap them up in a satchel or cloth, and let them soak in the water. In addition, you can add a number of their favorite toys to the bath to ensure they have something fun to distract them from the otherwise stressful sudsy experience. You may want to give them an area to dry off in, or just let them run around. That depends on the ferret. They usually won't tolerate it for long. Is it having a seizure? If your ferret is shaking and screaming consistently, its important to take them to the vet to rule out any underlying medical conditions. An oatmeal bath is great for this. However, ferrets can also be quite skittish and sometimes shake or tremble when nervous. If you have a water-loving, patient ferret, you can drain the tub/sink and refill it with fresh water. And despite excellent efforts to make them have fun baths, these small fuzzy carnivores dont always love the feeling of water trickling or splashing on their body. Thats not what they were hoping for, and theyll let you know. Now that you have a better sense of when you notice that your best exotic pet is shaking means theres a reason for you to call the vet, and when the shaking doesnt mean you should worry, you can get back to the sheer pleasure of enjoying these delightful animals. Removing water from their fur is vital to prevent severe complications such as hypothermia [2]. Tell us if this sounds familiar: While naturally musky, your ferret found its way into something downright disgusting, and now youre tasked with giving your furry friend a bath to freshen them up again. I've never tried that brand of Oatmeal shampoo. Customer: I washed him with cold water now he is shaking JA: I'll do all I can to help. A ferret's cage and play areas should include plenty of soft bedding, safe toys, and litter boxes filled with paper-based or wood-based pellet form litter. Answer (1 of 22): It is not uncommon for cats, including kittens, to shiver or shake after a bath. The frequency of bathing will depend on your situation, but the MAXIMUM should be once a month. But sometimes, shaking, particularly if it goes on for an extended period of time, is a warning signal. It should be slightly warmer than the temperature you usually put for your bath. Symptoms include weakness, lethargy, shaking, and seizures. Ferrets are susceptible to hypothermia because they have very little body fat and do not have a thick coat of fur. A ferret in pain has the following symptoms: squinty dull eyes. Insulinoma involves the beta cells in the pancreas of the ferret that develop into tumors, and unfortunately is fairly common in ferrets aged 2-4 and up. If they undergo the bath willingly, theyre less likely to get revved up and act out afterwards. Or, you can rinse a ferret in the tub with fresh water. Yes, you can bathe a ferret. Vets recommend bathing ferrets once a month to shed the greasy smelly substance. What now? They may even kick their way along the carpet and literally slide across the room, trying to manage the feeling of damp fur. This behavior is usually a natural response to the wet and cold sensations of being in water and being dried off. In pain or stress, ferrets will be very reluctant to move at all. What type of animal are we talking about? This involves the upper airways (nose and sinuses) and is due to irritation of these passages. Your email address will not be published. holding their limbs up. Here are some other behaviors youll see when caring for a ferret that might seem strange at first. The shaking may also be caused by the ferrets excitement arousal response, a physical reaction to visual or auditory stimuli associated with potential prey. Recently, I watched. Say that he is a good ferret because he really is. Try petting your ferret while it lays with you. 2023 The Arena Media Brands, LLC and respective content providers on this website. A flea bath might be needed if your ferret contracts fleas. Abdominal tumors. Seizures can last for a few seconds or up to several minutes and may occur sporadically or in clusters. Seizures can be dangerous, so you must seek veterinary care if your ferret experiences one. According to veterinarian there are some other reasons to that can make a ferret tremble such as white muscle disease and seizures. If you have multiple ferrets, you probably have a bed for each. 2. Well, hes not, so you can relax; hes probably fine and just doing what comes naturally to ferrets. Usually, this means great things like treats, playtime, fun games. Additionally, while a full bath is not advised, his ears and teeth do need regular attention. This is caused by the release of adrenaline, which gives the ferret extra energy and makes its heart race. Excitement is often the most common reason for shaking and screaming in ferrets. Rub your ferrets tummy, tail, and back legs first then go to the rest of the body. Ferrets, on the other hand, have some decidedly strange behaviors. That is why you can go with shampoos for kittens, just make sure it comes with a mild formula. Sneezing helps clear irritants and can be normal in ferrets as long as it is only heard occasionally. Theres nothing to worry about in this case. While ferrets look intelligent and social, their musky smell is a downright turnoff. Most of the time, theres nothing to worry about if you notice that your ferret is shaking. On the other hand, if you think your ferret needs a pick-me-up, try playing something thats more upbeat with a positive feeling. You wouldnt use dish soap for your own bath, so dont use it for any animal, including ferrets. This starts with the frequency of baths. Once the body is all wet, run a thin layer of shampoo on the ferrets coat and start massaging gently. Is he eating? With proper care, most ferrets with seizures can enjoy a good quality of life. Dogs Shaking for Other Reasons. The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. How long do you let them soak in the oatmeal bath? These little guys have big personalities! But this time, things are different! It occurs when the level of sugar in the blood drops too low. Additionally, regular bathing makes the ferrets coat dry and itchy, making them feel uncomfortable, stressed, and even smellier. If you have bathed a cat, bathing a ferret should not be any daunting. However, if these behaviors become excessive, they may indicate a more severe problem. Enjoyyyy! When a ferret is stressed, it will release a hormone called cortisol. Your ferret could be shaking for many different reasons, most of which are harmless. If your ferret becomes injured after a bath, it may mean discomfort, stress, and possibly a visit to the vet to find out the severity of the injury and the best course of treatment. This is a type of diabetes that occurs when there is a lack of insulin, which is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugars. Is it causing them more problems than its doing them good? Use water that is close to what you would use for a hot bath. Also, accustom the pet to the bathtub environment, so that it does not see it as scary. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Its very common to see ferrets shaking during and after eating. Instead, it is a common response of ferrets to any serious illness. Your ferret should settle down as its fur dries completely. Don't be surprised if the shaking continues for as much as 20 to 30 minutes. Pet Keen is reader-supported. 5. Therefore, keep it as comfortable as possible, and prevent it from feeling nervous. How Often Should You Take Your Bearded Dragon Out Of Its Cage? Once the ferret's skin dries, it will naturally produce skin oil. Fear can also cause shaking and screaming. As it can also be a huge shock for your pooch at the start. Seizures in ferrets can be very frightening to witness, as they cause the ferrets body to shake violently. Some companies make a suction-cup shower perch that you can use to shower with your parrot. Finally, let it stand on its four feet as you prepare for the next process. Ferrets have very sensitive skin which means you cant bathe them with your shampoo. Can You Put Fake Plants In An Axolotl Tank? And it could also be a reaction to poisonous substances. Also, be as quick as possible since ferrets get cold quickly. Plus, theyll be nice and clean for a change too! Pain can also cause shaking and screaming in ferrets. feeling hot when the fever breaks or after taking fever . Be sure it is not too hot or too cold. having trouble walking. A ferret can also roll on the floor to release the unfamiliar scent from the bathing ingredients. Unless your ferrets shaking is accompanied by major signs of sickness like weakness, lethargy, and nausea, theres no reason for you to be concerned. When Should Your Ferrets Shaking Worry You? Is he excited? Something lukewarm (105 to 115 Degrees Fahrenheit) is preferred since it is not too hot to cause trauma or too cold and shivers. If you think your ferret is shaking because of stress or nervousness, then you might want to try the following three methods to calm it down. Their way along the carpet and literally slide across the room, trying to manage feeling. Environment, so you must seek veterinary care if your ferret is stressed it... Area to dry off in, or a cloth many different reasons, most of the time, a... Recommend bathing ferrets once a month to shed the greasy smelly substance that can make a ferret it is uncommon... Want to give them an area to dry off in, or a.! 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