would a ferret be right for me?

Question
Hi my name is Alissa. i have been wanting a ferret for about 2 years.But my mom and step dad say they smell to bad.They said that i can get one if i want to but my mom said that i will start to smell like one.I really want one bad! but i don't want to smell. What should i do? do you think i will start to smell? i would keep it's cage clean and everything but it would have to go in my room.PLEASE help!...please write back asap!~!...~ALissa~

Answer
thanks for your question..
Yes, ferrets do have a musky ododr,they develop the odor as they become adults. Ferrets have a distinctive musky odor, caused by oil glands. Most ferrets have been descented by the time they reach the pet store. This means their anal scent glands have been removed. But they have scent glands elsewhere as well, and though descenting takes care of a lot of their odor, it will never eliminate all of it. It is not an unpleasant smell, just a little musky.
One ferret should not be an overpowering amount of smell, and the fact that you would keep the litter pan clean, and the bedding changed will help ALOT. There is so many tips I can give you.
I feed my ferrets a POULTRY based cat food, and then gave them a couple of drops of Ferretone every week. Commercial Ferret foods have alot of '
"fish oil" in them and cause the odor in their coat to be stronger., and their stools to be much heavier. You will notice a big difference in their coat, it will become softer, not so oily, and their odor will be less. I have used this feeding formula ( I learned from a vet who had ferrets) for 12 years, and have had ferrets live to 9+ years old on it, with no health problems.
Also, frequent changing of bedding (Hammocks, etc) and litter box will cut the odor considerably. Also, not bathing too much, which can cause excess oil production in the fur.
You should go to this website:
http://www.soyouwanna.com/site/syws/ferret/ferret.html

I think it will help you decide.Thank you, and good luck!
Let me know if you have any other questions!
amy