7 Best Ferret Shampoos – 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

If you have a ferret, you’re very familiar with the musky odor that comes along with them. Keeping their cage clean is a huge part of hygienic maintenance, but they also need baths! Like dogs and cats, you should only bath your ferret approximately once every 4 to 6 weeks, but they require their very own pH-balanced shampoo.

If you need to get more familiar with ferret shampoo, we rounded up seven of the best choices on the market. While similar, each one of them has its own special perks and benefits. Here are the reviews.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2024

The 10 Best Shampoo for Ferrets

1. Atlantic Rush Critter Shampoo for Small Pets—Best Overall

We absolutely love the Atlantic Rush Critter Shampoo for Small Pets. It is our best overall ferret shampoo that we tried, and we’re excited to tell you why. First of all, it is made for more than just ferrets, which is extra helpful for homes with multiple small species.

This shampoo is fragrance-free. So while it might take care of your ferret’s stinky issue, it won’t add any potentially irritating ingredients. It also nourishes the fur, leaving your ferret soft and shiny without stripping their natural oils. There are zero synthetic detergents or harsh soaps inside.

This shampoo contains all-natural ingredients without parabens, sulfate, and other chemicals. The formula is completely cruelty-free and safe for ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, sugar gliders, and many more.

We love all of the ingredients on the product list. We think that the most ferret parents could find this product beneficial, which is why it got our number one slot! You can use it for one or multiple furry friends.

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2. Marshall Original Formula with Baking Soda Shampoo – Best Value

Marshall Original Formula with Baking Soda Shampoo is the best ferret shampoo for the money we could find, and it is explicitly designed for your ferret pal! Hopefully, you can find some value in it if you’re looking to save a couple of dollars but still want a quality product.

This product is explicitly pH-balanced for ferrets to give them the best clean, nourishing their skin and coat. Ferret experts formulated this recipe, and it contains only safe ingredients to prevent irritation and reduce that natural ferret smell.

This product contains natural herbs and baking soda to curb odors. We love the way that this soap lathers up, with a clean you can feel. It leaves their coat silky, smooth, and smelling fresh. For the price, it’s hard to beat!

However, it might irritate some, as the ingredient lineup contains dyes and fragrances.

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3. Pet Post Ferret Shampoo – Premium Choice

Pet Post Ferret Shampoo might be a little more expensive than some of the other selections on our list, but it’s definitely worth your consideration. This product was specifically formulated to meet the needs of your ferret pal with quality ingredients.

This company provides a powerful solution with patented OdorLock technology designed to reduce your ferret’s odor, leaving them smelling fresh. This product contains no harsh chemicals or bleach, providing a safe combination of safflower and aloe to promote softness and a pleasing aroma.

What we love most about this product is that it has a 100% money-back guarantee. We love when companies stand by their products, helping you to know that if any issues should arise after purchasing their product, they will work diligently to make it right.

You will be very pleased with your purchase if you think it’s worth the few extra dollars.

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4. Marshall No Tears Formula with Aloe Vera Shampoo – Best for Young Ferrets

If you have a small guy or gal on your hands, they might benefit most from the Marshall No Tears Formula with Aloe Vera Shampoo. This shampoo allows you to wash your rambunctious young ferret without worrying about getting any of the product in their eyes.

This tear-free formula is suitable for ferrets of all ages, even though adults can benefit just as much! This product is explicitly designed to match the needs of most ferrets, using a specialized pH to nourish the skin instead of stripping useful oils.

This shampoo is a fantastic introduction for any young ferret. The fresh scent will leave their coats supple and fresh. It is both long-lasting and easy to lather. What’s not to love?

This shampoo contains a few ingredients that are hard to pronounce, fragrances, and dye. It can be somewhat irritating to certain ferrets, so it’s definitely something to watch out for.

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5. Professional Pet Products Ferret Shampoo

We highly recommend Professional Pet Products Ferret Shampoo if you have a particularly sensitive ferret. It says that it works for ferrets of all skin types.

This particular shampoo has a light piña colada scent, leaving your ferret smelling so fresh and tropical! This shampoo removes the glandular secretions that give ferrets that classic musty odor. We think it is exceptional for odor control and the smell is not completely overwhelming.

The list contains nourishing ingredients like aloe and safflower oil, which nourish and soften the skin and coat. We love that the ingredients list contains helpful, specific items that leave your ferret clean and supple.

While few, this product does contain unnatural ingredients, which could make it irritating to some ferrets. So, while it said that it is hypoallergenic, it might not work for all.

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6. Piccardmeds4pets Fresh-Ferret Aloe and Oats Shampoo

The Piccardmeds4pets Fresh-Ferret Aloe and Oats Shampoo is a fabulous, gentle option for any ferret. It contains aloe and oat to nourish the skin and coat without drying out your ferret’s sensitive skin.

This particular formula provides relief if your ferret is prone to hotspots, allergies, and itching. You get a little more with this product as well, as opposed to some of the competitors. However, it’s a bit more expensive, but your dollar stretches further as well.

In addition to the aloe and oat, it also contains emollients to protect the skin, leaving a healthy barrier. It also has antiviral and antibacterial properties thanks to the oat protein. This product is completely hypoallergenic and made in the USA.

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7. Marshall Pet Products Crème Rinse

If you’re looking for a way to soften up your ferret’s fur, we recommend Marshall Pet Products Crème Rinse. It’s deodorizing and conditioning to add a little extra softness and odor protection for your furry buddy.

We absolutely love the after-effects of this particular product. It leaves your ferret’s fur exceptionally soft without leaving behind any thick residue. This is simply an additional product to add to your collection and not a standalone fix.

Although it does clean, it’s more of a conditioner than a true shampoo so it may not clean as well as other products. This product is lightly scented for a fragrant finish. It is highly concentrated for effectiveness and a little goes a long way!

You simply lather them up, let the product sit on the fur for a few minutes, and rinse it out. It’s a terrific way to top off a bath.

Buyers Guide: Choosing the Best Ferret Shampoo

If this is your first time buying ferret shampoo, or you haven’t had the best luck with it, you might wonder how to know you’re getting a quality product. In this buyer’s guide, we will discuss why ferret shampoo is important and how you can select the best one for your weaselly pal.

Can You Use Cat or Dog Shampoo on Ferrets?

You should never use shampoo formulated for another animal on your ferret unless it explicitly states that it is safe for them. Most companies tailor their products to a specific species.

Only some ingredients are going to work for ferrets. There are products on the market that you can use on other domestic pets and your ferret, but it should always state this on the label, and you should never assume that it will be safe.

How Often Should You Bathe Ferrets with Shampoo?

To make sure your ferret maintains PH balance, you should bathe them at most once per month. Ideally, it would help if you bathed them every 6 weeks so you don’t dry out your ferret’s sensitive skin. Some will be more reactive to baths than others.

If you see that your ferret has irritated skin after a bath, it’s best to avoid them until they really need a good wash. Remember, you can also wipe them down between baths to curb a little of that odor.

What to Look for In Ferret Shampoo

There are a few aspects to keep in mind when you’re purchasing shampoo for your ferret. Here are the categories we find important before you take your pet to the bath.

pH Balance

Generally, ferrets have a pH between 6.5 and 7.5. They need a high-quality shampoo that will match the PH balance required. If you use other shampoos designed for different domestic pets, it could dry out or create a greasy coat.

Odor Reducing

Ferrets are notorious for their musky smell. While this is often manageable with enclosure hygiene, they will need a good lathering every few weeks. Many shampoos use odor-fighting ingredients like baking soda to curb these smells.

Softening

Many ferret shampoos contain ingredients that help the coat stay soft. Some of these additives include oatmeal, aloe, and safflower oil.

What to Look Out For

There are certain things to keep in mind when you are picking a ferret shampoo. You’ll want to avoid these harsh ingredients to ensure your ferret doesn’t get irritated with bathing—or have an allergic reaction.

Artificial Ingredients

Certain artificial ingredients can disrupt the skin’s natural oil balance, leading to hotspots, scaling, and other forms of irritation. It’s best to stick with more natural, hydrating formulas instead.

Harsh Soaps, Parabens, and Dyes

These harsh ingredients can do a number on your ferret—and many other pets, for that matter. It’s best to buy shampoos than explicitly advertise being free from these harmful chemicals.

Fragrance

While some fragrances can be beneficial to mask that ferret odor, it can also cause major irritation. If your ferret is sensitive, only purchase shampoos that nourish the skin without loading it up with an unnatural scent.

 

Conclusion

We love Atlantic Rush Critter Shampoo for Small Pets the most. It contains top-notch ingredients that will leave your ferret fresh and works for other small animals you might have in the home. We give it a thumbs up!

If affordability is your aim, we suggest Marshall Original Formula with Baking Soda Shampoo. It’s easy on the wallet, and it provides baking soda to combat that natural ferret odor. Everyone wins!

Pet Post Ferret Shampoo might be a bit more expensive than some competitors, but it contains a very thought-out formula. It has OdorLock technology and a money-back guarantee—so you can simply return it for a refund if it doesn’t meet your expectations.

Hopefully, our reviews led you to the best product possible for your ferret friends, no matter which you choose.

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Featured Image Credit: R1cky1uk, Shutterstock