unusual ferret smell

Question
hi,
i have recently bought my first ferret named freddie he is almost 6 months old. i live in the UK so he has not been descented and not yet neutered as have been advised by vet to wait until spring. however i have noticed he often releases a terrible scent similar to the scent released when scared, it almost smells like burning. i would like to know if this is normal or should i take him to see the vet and get this problem checked out?
he has had his jabs and other than this seems healthy, he eats and drinks well, loves to cuddle and play.


Answer
Hello Kay,

Congratulations on the new ferret!  You will have so much fun with him.  They are such great little guys.  

The anal gland smell on occasion is perfectly normal for your ferret.  Two of my guys are not descented and they do that sometimes for no reason (they are not scared or excited).  It's just something that ferrets do!  Luckily it dissipates quickly, and it is not harmful to him or you.  

Your vet is right about waiting as long as possible to have him neutered.  This allows him ample time to grow and develop and will help prevent certain problems later, such as adrenal disease.  You do, however, want to have him castrated before he goes into season in the early spring.  Males tend to get a bit more aggressive at this time of the year and smell SO horrible that breeders cannot keep them indoors!  Once neutered, it will take several weeks for the hormone levels to drop, so you definitely want to have it done before the breeding season starts, or you will have a very stinky boy for awhile.

-Cindy P.