white ferrets smell less?

Question
Hi, I'm a manager of a pet store for 5 years now and I've noticed that the ferrets that are more white than brown smell less.  Am I just crazy?  I've asked a couple of employess if they have noticed this too and they agreed.  What do you think?

Answer
I agree.  I have noticed that as well in my own experience, but there have been no documented studies on the matter.  It could be that white ferrets (which is considered to be an "abnormal" gene of the standard sable) could also have less musk producing glands, or simply secrete less.  There is, however, no scientific evidence, so this is pure speculation.

I'm sure it has nothing to do with the anal glands or spay/neutering since the guys you see are both descented castrated.  I do know that the spay/neutering of a ferret will lead to a less stinky pet, especially the males during breeding season but I'm doubtful that this would have any correlation to color.  Also, the removal of anal glands does not really affect the smell of any ferret.  It is a misconception that descented produces a less stinky pet, and is in fact illegal in some countries such as the UK.  Both cats and dogs have anal sacs as well as ferrets.  They are only released when the animal is frightened or excited.  As a vet tech, i tend to see the expression of anal sacs from frightened pets all of the time.  Personally, i think cat/dog anal sac is worse than ferret (if you can believe that!) I do indeed own an un-descented male, and really smells no worse than my little descented girl.

It is hard to say if there is a correlation between smell and color since there is no hard evidence beyond what we have observed ourselves.  I do indeed agree that the white fellows tend to smell less, and if i do find any scientific study of this in the future, I will be sure to let you know!

Thank you.

-Cindy P.
E.R. Vet Tech