When should you neuter a male ferret? Do you have to neuter him? I just want to know whether the ferret needs it or not, and at what age?
Answers:
If you're in the US and you bought him in a pet store, chances are he's already fixed. Look in his ear. Does he have two blue/back dots tattooed there? If yes, he's already been neutered and descented.
If you're in the UK, then he probably hasn't been fixed.
For little boys, it's not necessary. For girls, you need to because once they go into heat, they don't stop until they are bred. Perpetual heat can cause them to develop anemia and get very sick.
Major ferret breeders in the US (Marshall, Path Valley Farms) alter their ferrets at about 6-8 weeks of age. It is debated in the ferreting community that this is too soon and causes stunted growth (smaller ferts) and raises the risk of early Adrenal and Insulinoma. If your fert hasn't been fixed, the recommended age is around 10-12 weeks. (Ask your ferret-friendly vet for confirmation.)
Just like cats and dogs, if you don't plan on breeding your ferret, then I would strongly recommend you neuter him.
EDIT: The below answerer is correct in saying that if it's a boy and he hasn't been neutered, then he will smell more strongly. However, according to Ferrets for Dummies by Kim Schilling, descenting your ferret isn't necessarily required. She says they only spray when they get very excited or startled and that, unlike skunks, the smell dissipates very fast. I've heard the spray compared to someone farting - it reeks but it goes away quickly.
They don't "need" it, they aren't agressive like dogs. A female that will not be bred DOES need to be fixed, when they go into heat it can kill them unless they are bred.
If you buy one from a store it will already be done. Breeders may or may not get it done. It will lessen their smell, and getting the scent glands taken out will be a big help.
In my experience they should be done - they may get a little aggressive in time. Call your vet and get there opinion on age to be done
good luck
Where did you get the ferret? Does it have two blue or black dots tattooed on its ears?
If you got your ferret at a pet shop and it is tattooed then you don't have to worry about descenting or altering your ferret. If you got your ferret from a breeder then you should get a CLEAR answer from the breeder as to whether the ferret has been descented and altered.
I have never owned a ferret that wasn't already neutered/spayed. I hear behavior as well as potty habits can be horrible for ferrets who have not been altered. Most responsible ferret breeders will tell you to get your ferret neutered at 8-12 months of age. Whether or not you decide to do it is up to you.
FYI: Everyone is right about female ferrets being spayed. I did not include that information because your said your ferret was a male...but they are correct that unless a female is bred she could literally bleed to death.
No comments:
Post a Comment