Excessive Shedding

Question
QUESTION: I have a ferret that is 1 and a half years old.  He seems to be shedding a lot lately.  We live in New York and it is still winter time here, although my apartment is very warm.  His energy level is normal, as well as his appetite.  Do you think  his shedding is due to the fact that my apartment is very warm and dry?

ANSWER: Surprising as it may seem, your ferret's shedding probably has nothing to do with the warm and dry temperature of your apartment!  It is, however, a bit early in the year for a new coat although each ferret can (and will) shed at slightly different times.  This could be due to the artificial lighting in your house.    

Ferrets shed naturally up to twice a year, namely fall and spring.  You may notice little to no shedding at all, or it may be a much heavier loss of fur depending on the ferret.  There should be new growth visible near the skin if you part the fur where a new coat is growing in to replace the old one.  One of my guys in particular sheds heavily, and tufts of fur fall out in my hand if I genitally pluck him.  I get literally covered in fur whenever i hold him during shedding time!  

Ferrets are very sensitive to light cycles which signal shedding, breeding another other biological functions.  This is why temperature is not a factor to start the growth of a new coat.  Too much or too little natural light could be the cause for an abnormal shedding season.  Do you keep your lights on late in the evening?  This reaction could be nothing more than your ferret's body getting a signal by and increase in artificial light to start the natural process of shedding.    

You should only be concerned if bald spots appear with no signs of any regrowth.  This could indicate many conditions ranging from mites to adrenal disease.  One symptom in particular to look for loss of fur that begins on the tail and creeps up the hind end.  This is a classic symptom of adrenal tumors and should be diagnosed and treated by a veterinarian.  If a new coat does not grow in place of the old one, you should consider bringing him in for a skin scrape and a vet check up.

I hope I have sufficiently answered your question!  Please let me know how this turns out.  Thanks!

-Cindy P.
E.R. Vet Tech

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your prompt response.  He doesn't have any bald spots...just a ton of hair that ends up on my clothes when I hold him.  I normally do have my lights on in the evening.  Do you suggest that I expose him to more indirect sunlight during the day?

Answer
That's a relief there are no bald spots!  This probably means he began his shedding cycle early.  A ferret will be healthier if you try to keep to a relatively normal and natural lighting schedule similar to what is out of doors right now in NY.  Try to keep the lighting low after dark.  For example, I live in CT and it is 12:39 AM right now.  My computer has a constant blue glow that is never off, and I have a small light in the corner of my room on the lowest setting. A dimmer would work great too.  It's bright enough to see and type in my room, but not quite enough to read a book.  This amount seems to keep my creatures on track!

I don't need to change your schedule to the light and dark cycles.  Just keep the light dim at night and allow them as much natural sunlight as possible.  Don't, however, leave them in direct sunlight with no shade during the summer, since it might get too hot and toast your little guy!

Good luck to you!  A slightly off track shedding isn't a big problem, it just means that his natural perceptions of the seasons are a bit off.  Keep an eye on him and make sure no bald areas appear over the next few weeks.  

-Cindy P.