Ferrets have a naturally musky smell due to sebaceous glands in their skin. and anal glands. A lot of the smell is alleviated with spaying or neutering—and bathing can help. Some pet ferret owners opt for de-scenting, which is a surgical procedure commonly performed on ferrets to remove or reduce the function of their anal glands. To find out more about de-scenting, we recommend consulting a veterinarian who specializes in the care of ferrets.