Before you purchase a new ferret, be sure to ask if it has been spayed, if it is a female, or neutered if it is a male. If not, you may want to request that the procedures are taken care of before you officially make the purchase. Otherwise, you will want to have your new ferret spayed or neutered as soon as possible, unless you are planning to breed them. Fixing your ferret is better for their health and quality of life.

When a female ferret is spayed, the ovaries and uterus are removed. This is significant because these glands produce hormones such as estrogen. If left in the female, she will go into a prolonged period of heat. Throughout that period, she will secrete large levels of hormones and will become vulnerable to infection. The female ferrets will typically stay in heat until they are bred, or for a period of several months, whichever comes first. However if not bred, the event will be traumatic on her. She will most likely come down will health complications within her first year of life. It is important to spay your female ferret to prevent this experience from hurting her health and well-being.

It is also important to neuter your male ferret. An un-neutered male ferret will secrete a musk. This scent has been compared to that of a skunk. Not only will your ferret smell bad, but he will also feel oily to the touch, as the secretions will leave a greasy finish on his skin and coat. If you have other ferrets, an un-neutered male ferret will be aggressive towards them, starting fights and potentially hurting your less aggressive pets. By neutering him, your veterinarian will remove both of your ferret’s testicles, thus removing the hormonal excretions causing the scent, oil and aggressive behavior.

While the chances of an un-fixed ferret getting loose and mating with a stray is less likely than in the case of a cat or dog, it is still important to have your ferret fixed. By spaying or neutering your ferret, you are ensuring a healthier, happier life for them as well as you.