Ferrets

Neutering Ferrets

Unless a female ferret (jill) is to be used for breeding it is essential that she is neutered or her oestrus suppressed chemically. If this is not done a state of permanent oestrus develops with high circulating levels of oestrogen. This can lead to alopecia (hair loss), bone marrow suppression and eventual death.

Neutering should be done before the first season, this will generally be in the spring of the jill’s first year.

Castration of male ferrets (hobs) has several benefits including reducing their dominant character and reducing the secretion of their sebaceous glands resulting in much less odour.