How to Tell if a Male Ferret Is Fixed

The vast majority of male ferrets obtained from pet stores and breeders have been neutered, or fixed. This is because intact males have a strong scent and are more aggressive. They also mark their territories with a overpoweringly odoriferous mixture of scent oil and urine when ready to mate. Neutered ferrets make better pets. It is easy to determine whether or not a male ferret has been neutered by examining his external genitalia.

Things You'll Need

  • Towel
  • Good lighting
  • Someone to assist you
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Instructions

    • 1

      Gently lay the ferret on its back in your assistant's cupped hands, making a ferret recliner of sorts on your assistant's lap. Your assistant should hold the ferret gently around his abdomen under his front legs with index fingers. If the ferret struggles, offer it its favorite treat to distract it. If it continues to struggle, wrap its head and upper body in the towel and have your assistant hold it firmly around the abdomen under its front legs with both hands. Grip its back legs at the thigh to hold it still.

    • 2

      Confirm the ferret is a male by checking its middle abdomen for the raised tip of the prepuce, or external sheath of the penis. The fur on the prepuce may be darker in color than the rest of the abdominal fur.

    • 3

      Use your finger to gently locate the fur-covered scrotal sac, located just beneath the ferret's anus. If the ferret is neutered, the scrotal sac will be empty and not very noticeable. If the ferret is not neutered, the scrotal sac will contain two marble-size testicles.