Treatment FAQ

what is a safe fle treatment for ferrets

by Juvenal Jaskolski Jr. Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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There are several safe flea treatments available for ferrets:

  • Frontline: kills ferret fleas, ticks and works on ear mites as well. The spray form which should be used 1 spray per pound, is the most effective and most economical. ...
  • Advantage: kills only the ferret’s fleas. ...
  • Revolution: kills ferret fleas, ticks, ear mites and skin mites and can be used for heartworm prevention. ...

The only flea medication labeled for use in ferrets is Advantage®. Topical flea powders, premise sprays, or even professional pest exterminators may be used safely, but consult your veterinarian first.

Full Answer

What flea treatment can I use on my Ferret?

What is the best method for the treatment of flea infestation?

  • Organophosphates and carbamates
  • Flea powder and sprays
  • Flea dips and dish wash
  • Permethrin and pyrethrin

What are good cheap treat for my ferrets?

  • Backyard breeder goals: The ferret owner is either engaging in a hobby or driven by profit by selling ferrets for sale
  • Backyard breeder prices: Prices range from $80-$350 USD
  • What you get for that price: Typically, backyard bred ferrets are: Predisposed to common ferret diseases Not vaccinated Not checked by a vet

What is the best flea shampoo for ferrets?

  • Treats odor with enzymes
  • Aloe vera for irritated skin
  • Jojoba oil for moisturizing
  • Tear-free

How should I treat my ferrets for fleas?

Ferrets can get fleas from other pets in your home, especially if they are outside daily and you don’t use flea medicine. You should treat every pet that goes outside with flea medicine every month (or more, depends on the medicine and what the vet recommended).

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How do you get rid of fleas on a ferret naturally?

Since ferrets like to groom themselves throughout the day, the chances are that they will ingest some of the chemicals left behind after being bathed with flea shampoo. Instead, use natural dish soap. The suds will help drown and kill the fleas but will not leave behind any residue to worry about.

Can you put flea medicine on a ferret?

Many veterinarians also like to use prescription flea and tick products for ferrets—the most common one being Revolution. As a rule, these products should be applied to ferrets once per month, year-round.

Is Natural Care flea and Tick Spray Safe for ferrets?

Nature's best contains essential oils, which can be toxic to animals. I would not recommend using it on your ferret.

Is Advantage II safe for ferrets?

Advantage II topical flea treatment and prevention for ferrets over 1 pound is a vet-recommended, monthly application that kills fleas through contact, so they don't have to bite your ferret to die.

Is Wondercide ferret safe?

Yes, it's safe for you and your family to pet, play, or cuddle with your pets as usual!

Is Capstar ferret safe?

I found the best and fastest way to get rid of fleas on ferrets is Capstar. Take any size Capstar pill and crush it into a powder. Then mix a tiny pinch of it into something your ferret will totally eat. I mixed it with cat or ferret Nutrical.

Can I use apple cider vinegar on my ferret?

Natural Cures: Apple cider vinegar added to your ferret's food or water may help to improve its nutrition and keep its fur soft and velvety.

Why is my ferret so itchy?

Causes. There are many suspected causes of pruritus, including fleas, scabies, lice, allergies, bacterial infections, abnormal cell development (tumors), immune disorders, and allergies. Diseases of the endocrine are thought to cause pruritus in nearly 30 percent of the affected ferrets.

Is Frontline Plus safe for ferrets?

It is safe to use on puppies and kittens (and ferrets). The Frontline Plus is gentle enough to use on pregnant or nursing dogs and cats. Frontline is not absorbed into the bloodstream and is off-label use for ferrets, but is safe and effective.

How do you apply advantage to a ferret?

Advantage is indicated for the treatment and prevention of fleas (Ctenocephalides sp.) ... Advantage contains imidacloprid. ... To break the flea life cycle Advantage is applied directly to the skin every 4 weeks. ... Advantage is safe to use on ferrets of any age.More items...

What is Revolution flea treatment?

Revolution is a topical parasiticide that is applied to the skin of dogs six weeks of age and older and cats eight weeks of age and older to kill adult fleas and prevent flea eggs from hatching, prevent heartworm disease and protect your pet against other parasites (see below).

What is the best flea killer for ferrets?

The active flea-killing ingredient should be pyrethrins. Don’t use anything containing organophosphates, carbamates or petroleum distillates. These ingredients may be harmful to ferrets. Use a flea comb to remove fleas from your ferret’s face, and be sure to keep the shampoo away from his eyes and nose.

What is the best product to use for ferrets?

One product more easily used for ferrets is the flea wipe. These wipes are easy to use, kill existing fleas and repel future fleas for up to two weeks. Make sure the wipes do not contain cedar oil, as this ingredient is toxic to ferrets. Keep in mind that if you have other pets, they need to be treated as well.

Why do ferrets lose sleep?

Aside from skin infections, allergies and anemia, flea bites can cause ferrets to lose sleep, stop eating and become irritable. Fleas can also transmit diseases, and if a flea is accidentally ingested, tapeworms can result.

How do you know if a ferret has fleas?

Common symptoms of fleas in ferrets include biting, scratching or licking the area or areas on the body where fleas are hiding. Often times, these actions are quite sudden. Think of how you react when getting bitten by a bug or stung by a bee! The ferret will do this in an attempt to remove the fleas from his body.

How long does it take for a ferret to turn into fleas?

Inside the cocoons, the pupae turn into fleas that emerge in 3 or 4 weeks as a new generation. While most ferrets are not overly sensitive to fleas, some may develop skin irritations, allergies and even anemia. Fleas reproduce quite quickly, laying batches of eggs on the ferret or other animals.

How often should I bathe my ferret?

Usually, a necessary first step is bathing the ferret with a flea shampoo. These baths should be done once a week for up to several months , or until there is no sign of fleas on your ferret.

What is the dirt that is left behind on a ferret?

Flea dirt is dried blood left behind on the ferret’s body by fleas. When exposed to many fleas, ferrets may develop skin lesions, scabs or hair loss. One way to check for this flea droppings is to use a flea comb. Gently combing through your ferret’s fur will often uncover these deposits.

How to get rid of fleas on ferrets?

We don’t recommend ferret flea shampoos because there aren’t 100% safe shampoos for them. Most of them are harmful to ferrets (even cats). Put your ferret in the bath and start scrubbing. Make sure to remove every flea you can see. Now that your ferret has endured one shampoo treatment, let him be in the water for few more minutes to drown the rest of the surviving intruders.

How long after a ferret bath can you give it flea medicine?

48 hours after the bath you can treat the ferret with the medicine. Pick the medicine that is safe for ferrets and apply it on the ferret behind the neck so your ferret can’t remove it alone. Later in the article, I listed ferret-safe flea medicine so you can check them there and contact your vet for a recommendation and dosage on how often to use the medicine.

How to stop fleas in my house?

Make sure that you treat the room without your ferret and his cage in it first so you can move the cage (with the ferret inside) to the first room you cleaned. There are powders against fleas you can put on the floor of every room and let it sink. After that, vacuum the room so no powder is left on the floor.

How to tell if a ferret has fleas?

The best way to know if your ferret has fleas is to check the fur and I recommend doing that when they sleep because they are energetic. Start with the back. Slowly go through his fur from the neck all the way to the tail. Be gentle, you don’t want to wake up your ferret. When the backside is over, slowly flip your ferret on his back and repeat with the belly.

What does it mean when a ferret scratches?

So if your ferret scratches more than usual, it might be a sign of fleas. So, it is important to determine which scratch is flea-related.

What does an adult flea do?

The adult flea jumps from a pet to your pet (or you) and then to your ferret. The first thing an adult flea does is feed, then it lays eggs. The problem with those eggs is that they aren’t attached to the fur, which means they can fall off when the pet is moving around so you can have them all around the house.

How long do fleas stay in cocoons?

They will burrow in some dark and cozy spot before you know it so they can spin themselves in a cocoon. The biggest problem with cocoon is that fleas stay it in 1-3 weeks when conditions are good. But, when conditions are bad, they can stay in a cocoon for months, even years!

What to use on ferrets for fleas?

Johnson’s is a mild alternative to traditional flea remedies and is easy to find. You can also try applying a small amount of organic insect repellent (such as Burt’s Bees Honey Insect Repellant) on your ferret’s fur.

How to get rid of fleas on ferrets?

Steps to get rid of ferret flea infestation 1 Consult your vet to choose a ferret-safe treatment if you spot fleas on your ferret. 2 To remove the fleas from the fur, use a flea comb as it will trap the fleas from the skin. Do not let the trapped fleas, fall off the brush and put them in a zipper bag instead. 3 Treat all the pets in your household for flea treatment. 4 Vacuum the hardest and darkest areas too. 5 Throw away the dust bag of your vacuum to prevent flea larvae from escaping back. 6 While cleaning their cage and bedding, place your ferret in a carrier without bedding. 7 After removing the bedding. Wash it with hot water. 8 Use soapy water to scrub the cage and disinfect it. 9 Keep the ferret away from the areas under treatment. 10 When using flea powders and flea bombs, it is mandatory to keep your ferret away. 11 In case of re-infestation, you should use the powder and bomb after 7-21 days.

Why does my ferret scratch my skin?

They cause the skin to itch, so check for heavy scratching behaviour. This is especially true if your ferret is allergic to fleas and their droppings. The scratching can lead to bald spots and inflamed skin. In some ferrets, there is also major blood loss and anaemia, which can cause stumbling and weakness.

How to get fleas out of ferret's face?

To remove fleas from the ferret’s face, use a comb, keeping the soap away from your pet’s eyes and nose. Alternatively, you can use flea towelettes, which have all the benefits of a flea shampoo without the hassle of rinsing. For young ferrets, some people also recommend using Johnson’s Baby Shampoo.

How long does it take for a ferret to feel better after worming?

After using. shampoo and other topical treatments, your ferret should feel relief for a few weeks. If you want a long-term relief though, you can also try flea pills or suspensions, which are mixed with your pet’s food.

How to get rid of ferrets in house?

If possible, remove the ferret from your home and use a bug bomb spray around its cage and furnitures in the house. Together with IGR (insect growth regulator), you can target fleas at all life stages. When used correctly, these should be able to remove all the fleas, eggs, and larvae within two applications.

What are the symptoms of fleas on dogs?

Other symptoms include diarrhoea, anorexia, vomiting, and drooling. It should also be noted that any of the symptoms above can be caused by other factors, so before rushing into any kind of treatment, be sure that you have actually seen the fleas on your pet.

How to treat fleas in a house?

In addition, you may need to treat your home for fleas by washing or dry cleaning bedding and vacuuming all carpets and rugs. You can use a powder product, such as Fleabusters, to kill flea larvae. Sprinkle the powder along walls, on the carpet, and inside couch cushions, then vacuum up the excess. The powder adheres to carpet and fabric fibers and dehydrates flea larvae when they come in contact with it. Another product that can be used is a flea bomb, but with a flea bomb, you need to take your animals and yourself out of the house while it goes off and for another couple of hours after it finishes. Then you can return and air your home out.

Can you treat ferrets with Advantage Multi?

The good news is that treating your ferret for fleas is pretty easy. We recommend Advantage Multi, a topical treatment that has been tested and determined to be safe for ferrets. Advantage Multi for Cats is FDA approved for the prevention of fleas and heartworm in ferrets. However, it is always best to check with your vet for what they recommend and the dosage required.

Can ferrets catch fleas?

Like other furry pets, ferrets can catch fleas. Ferrets tend to be exposed to fleas by other household pets (such as cats or dogs), outdoor animals if the ferret spends time outside, or fleas from a previous tenant in the home.

What is a flea infestation in ferrets?

What are fleas? Flea infestation is a common problem in pet ferrets. Fleas are a small insect parasite that may take up residence on your ferret, especially if exposed to fleas outdoors or in a house with dogs, cats, or other animals who have fleas.

How do you know if your ferret has fleas?

You may see the ferret biting, licking, chewing, or scratching itself.

Is Advantage safe for ferrets?

Topical cat medications such as Advantage® or Revolution® appear to be safe but should ONLY be used under the guidance of a veterinarian familiar with ferrets. The only flea medication labeled for use in ferrets is Advantage®.

Can you use flea collars on ferrets?

Certain products should not be used on ferrets. DO NOT use flea collars, and DO NOT use organophosphates, straight permethrin sprays, or permethrin ’spot-on’ treatments on your pet ferret, as these may be toxic.

Can fleas live on ferrets?

Since flea eggs fall off the animal, adult fleas can live off the ferret in carpets and other areas of the home; therefore, it is very important to treat the environment, as well as the pet.

1: Give Your Ferret a Bath

The first thing to do is bathe your ferret to kill any adult fleas that are living on the animal. Do not use flea shampoo found at the store, as these products contain chemicals and poisons that could be toxic to your ferret.

2: Utilize a Flea Comb

After bathing your ferret, it is important to take the time to comb them with a special flea comb found at a pet shop. The same flea comb that is used on cats can also be used on ferrets, so there is no need to search for a special tool of any kind. Starts with the head, and work your way back through the tail.

3: Talk to Your Veterinarian

It is a good idea to talk to your veterinarian about any preventative flea medications that you can administer to your ferret that will minimize the risk of another flea infestation developing in the future. Some products, such as Advantage, have shown promising results for ferrets, but others lead to negative side effects.

4: Treat Your Home

Bathing and treating your ferret will get rid of any fleas living on the ferret, but it will not stop fleas from congregating in your home and reinfesting your ferret later. You must get rid of any flea eggs that are hiding out around your house so they cannot hatch and turn into adult fleas.

5: Keep an Eye Out for Signs

Finally, once you have treated your ferret and your home, you should keep an eye out for signs of fleas daily. Look for signs of flea eggs on and around your ferret’s bedding, and check your ferret for fleas whenever you handle them. Check your other animals for signs of fleas at least once a week.

In Conclusion

Part of taking care of our beloved pet ferrets means taking care of fleas when an infestation occurs. The process is never fun, and it can be time-consuming, but it is necessary. Prevention is the best method when it comes to controlling fleas, as with any luck, you will never experience a full-on flea infestation in your home.

Flea Preventatives for Ferrets

Currently, there is only one flea product labeled for use in ferrets in the US. That product is Advantage Multi. The dose is not the same as it is for dogs and cats, so be sure to have your vet calculate the appropriate dose for each ferret. This product also prevents heartworm disease, which is spread by mosquitos.

Preventing Fleas in Ferrets

It can take 3 months or longer to control a flea infestation, so preventing fleas is much better! Have all the pet mammals in the home on a good flea control product as recommended by your vet. Not all flea products are safe for all pets, so be sure your vet says it’s a safe product to use.

Need to speak with a veterinarian regarding fleas or another condition?

Click here to schedule a video consult to speak to one of our vets. You can also download the FirstVet app from the Apple App Store and Google Play Stores.

What happens if a ferret bites your head?

excessive scratching of the skin. hair loss in areas where fleas are present. redness and irritation on the skin. Ferrets that have flea bites will often shake their head and ears excessively. When checking for eggs, it’s good to consider how long they’ve been there before using any chemicals or treatments.

How to get rid of fleas in carpet?

However, this doesn’t mean you should sacrifice your health for these animals– luckily, there are many non-poisonous options available as well as some natural remedies. Vacuum carpets thoroughly; this will remove eggs and adult fleas living in carpet fibers. Steam-clean couches, upholstery, and pillows.

How long does it take for ferret eggs to hatch?

Eggs hatch in two weeks to three months at most, so make sure you’re prepared! The best way is prevention: keep your ferret from getting sick by following these steps of keeping them healthy and happy! The. Flea infestations are a common occurrence for many pet owners.

How long does it take for fleas to leave a dog?

The best way to avoid problems with pests on your pet’s body is simply by keeping them groomed properly. Fleas will often leave the animal after about four weeks, but if you notice that there has been no improvement, it could be due to flea eggs!

Where do fleas hide in the house?

Where Fleas are Hiding in Your House Right Now. Fleas are primarily found outdoors, but they can also live for a while inside. Flea eggs hatch into larvae and pupae in carpets or flooring where it’s warm. They lay their eggs on the ground or near pet food that is left out overnight.

Can fleas make ferrets sick?

Fleas like to go on dogs, people, and even clothing. They might come into your house. Once they get in, they can make the ferret sick. Flea bites are very irritating and red. Ferrets with flea bites often shake their head or ears excessively when reacting to flea bites. Eggs hatch in two weeks to three months at most, so make sure you’re prepared! ...

Can ferrets get fleas?

Summary. YES! Ferrets can actually get fleas in a variety of ways. Particularly, Ferrets like to dig and bury themselves in tight spaces, are at risk of becoming infected with flea eggs, or even getting bitten by an infected ferret. The best way to avoid problems with pests on your pet’s body is simply by keeping them groomed properly.

How to get rid of fleas on ferret?

First, you need to get rid of the fleas from your cat and dog as they will only reinfest your ferret.#N#Secondly, get rid of fleas in your home (again...refer to the first thing.)#N#I use Comfortis for the dogs. It's a once-a-month pill that you give and kills after 4 hours and keeps them away for approximately 30 days. Each pill is around $15.00. Feed on a full stomach to prevent an upset tummy.#N#For the ferret, once the dog and cat flea issues have been addressed, give it a bath. A bath in an oatmeal bath should help with the sores and itching. Lather it up really well so as to kill as many fleas as possible. You may be able to mix some Dawn in there to help kill the fleas.#N#I would hate to put anything on the ferret since they are so limber, and susceptible to chemicals, so I'd just stay with the wash treatment.

Why is flea control so easy?

In the last few years, flea control has become much easier because of new types of chemicals on the market that interrupt the life cycle of the flea. The new chemicals are safe for humans and even very young animals because they mimic hormones or enzymes that are present only in insects.

How long does it take for flea control to work?

If Program alone is used as flea control for animals that are already infested, it will take several months to eliminate all fleas from the house, because adult fleas are not affected. Program works best as a preventive, or in combination with other products that kill adult fleas on the animal and in the environment.

Does jojoba oil kill ferrets?

It has jojoba oil, rosemary oil, eucalyptus oil, and citronella oil. I don't know if any of those oils are harmful to ferrets. It's working so fast on the dogs, and I'd like to use it on him, even if only to initially kill the fleas, and then immediately wash him, dry him, and dust him.

Does flea treatment help with ear mites?

If used monthly, this treatment will probably also control ear mites.

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