Ferrets are becoming increasingly popular as pets, and it’s no wonder. They are cute, cuddly, and can be real comedians with their antics. But with ferrets comes odor. Here are 6 reasons your ferret may have odor and solutions for them, as well as an overall solution for keeping the air in your home fresh, and relatively free of ferret odor.

Breeding Season–When it’s mating time, the male instinctively perfumes himself with urine to be noticeable to the females. Even though this is very natural behavior in the wild, doing it in your home can be traumatic for everyone.

The easiest way to stop this behavior is to have your pet neutered. Neutering and spaying will certainly decrease hormone levels of males and females and will lessen the odor. This should be done between 5 and 6 months of age, and can even be done at a later.

Ear Mites-Ferrets produce a large amount of ear wax, and this can lead to ear mites which make their presence known with foul smelling ears. Your vet can prescribe ear drops to get rid of the mites, and may also prescribe a cleansing solution to be used regularly to keep the ears fresh and avoid a recurrence.

Dental Problems-If you smell bad breath, is it often an indication that there is a problem with teeth or gums. Take your pet to the vet and have them give a thorough exam to make sure that the problems are not causing pain, and can be taken care of before they cause more serious problems.

Poofs-This smelly reaction is an expulsion from the anal sacs when your ferret is excited, ill, frightened, and sometimes just occurs during physical exertion. This is a temporary smell that eventually dissipates in the air, but while you’re waiting, it’s a pretty “up in your face” smell.

Surgically removing the anal sacs can greatly improve the way your ferret smells. But as with any surgery there are risks not only during the surgery but lasting side effects that can result because of it. If you decide to have this done, make sure your vet is experienced with the procedure, and has performed it enough to be considered an expert.

Skin problems-Dry skin and skin infections can cause ferrets to produce more oil to affect a natural cure. This additional oil means increased odor. Bathing your pet several times a month can lessen the oil and the odor. Be careful not to bathe too frequently or you will cause more oil to be produced because of dry skin.

Always use a shampoo that is specifically designed for ferrets, and consult your vet about skin problems and the exact frequency for bathing that will keep your pet’s skin healthy.

Unhealthy Diet–What you feed your ferret can have a big impact on their overall health. A poor diet can result in more frequent and odoriferous elimination than would occur from a ferret being fed a healthy diet.

Unlike people, a healthy diet for ferrets should contain a large percentage of fat and protein, and should be low in fiber. This is another area where consulting a vet will make life better for you and your ferret.

An overall solution to odor that will keep your home smelling fresh regardless of what is going on in the life of your ferret is to use an air purifier that is specifically designed to remove pet odor from your air, and one that can give you 24 hour coverage daily.

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A dog uses his mouth for many things. Among these would be to eat, to communicate with us and other animals, to gnaw, crush, and grind things. He also uses it to carry food and objects from one place to another. Needless to say, the mouth has a very significant function in your dog’s life.

When you notice that your dog has bad breath, it could be a sign of a health problem that needs to be addressed right away.

Periodontal Disease

This is a condition brought about mostly by the accumulation of tartar in the mouth. It is a common disease that in fact, about 50-80% of dogs has it. Food particles left in the mouth after a meal will eventually decompose. As a result, bacteria will grow in numbers forming plaque and tartar.

When this happens, tartar will push the gums farther from the teeth, causing them to loosen as time passes by. Loosened teeth can expose root sockets, thereby infecting it. Infection then goes to the bloodstream, and then on to the liver, kidney, and eventually, the heart.

Signs of Periodontal Disease

The following are tell-tale signs of the disease:

1. Change in eating habits.

2. Pawing (at the mouth)

3. Excessive drooling

4. Tenderness in the mouth

5. Oral bleeding

6. Inflammation and swelling (face, particularly around the eyes)

7. Nasal discharge

8. Sneezing

9. Bad breath

Of all the common symptoms, the most obvious would be bad breath.

Treatment

Once you suspect your dog has periodontal disease, take him to the vet right away. He can clean your dog’s mouth and prescribe medication, possibly antibiotics.

Prevention

Food has something to do with it. Studies show that a diet consisting mostly of canned meals (soft food) is never a good idea. Experts agree that dry food has a lowered risk, in terms of getting this disease.

Another way to prevent periodontal disease is to have dental checkups once a year. You can also give your dog herbal supplements, of which Echinacea is the most recommended. This can be in the form of mouthwash or tea.

Brushing! Just like us, we can keep our dog’s mouth clean and healthy with regular brushing.

You have a role to play in ensuring your dog is in the best of health. Do not wait until such time when he is already suffering from problems in his liver, kidney, and heart. Keep his mouth and body healthy.

Read more about diabetes in dogs, how to care for a diabetic dog and conditions associated with diabetes in dogs at DiabetesInDogsGuide.Com.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/bad-breath-in-dogs-what-causes-it-1498185.html