Why are Baby Ferrets Spayed / Neutered at Such A Young Age?

Large ferret breeders usually spay / neuter their baby ferrets at around 6 weeks old.

Part of the reason for this is the fact that the female ferret is an induced ovulator which means that if she is not spayed she will come into heat (estrus) and remain in heat until she is bred. This can become a life threatening condition. If she remains in a perpetual state of heat her hormone levels will be too high for too long and can become toxic. Of course, you could have your adult ferret spayed. But having her spayed as a baby saves you the expense, worry and the responsibility of doing it yourself.

Male ferrets have no medical reason to be neutered. However, an un-neutered male will be more odoriferous and will display mating behavior such as biting another ferret on the back of the neck and dragging them around. A stud ferret makes a perfectly wonderful pet and is no more aggressive to people than is a neutered male.

Another reason breeders alter their babies is so they can do a de-scenting surgery at the same time as the spay or neuter surgery. De-scenting is the removal of the scent glands, which makes the ferret less smelly. Most ferret owners appreciate having their ferret de-scented although it does not remove their musky body odor, just the powerful skunk-like spray they can produce when frightened.

One final reason ferrets are spayed so young is so the breeders can keep a monopoly on the sale of ferrets. In fact, it's extremely difficult to even find a breedable ferret, as the large scale breeders will not sell one that has not been spayed or neutered.