A ferret should never STINK. Do they have an odor? Yes, but it is not offensive by any means. My dog smells worse than my ferret do right now. Their poop used to smell horrible but after being on a raw diet for almost two years I can't really smell it unless I'm right near it, much like dog poop. Washing them too often can actually make them smell more. (they secrete more oil if they are washed too often). We only wash ours when they get dirty (make a mess) or about once a month or once every other month. Many ferret keepers only bathe their ferrets 1-2 times a year!

It is rather stupid they are illegal in California. Their reasons are equally dumb.