One of the most common questions I see asked about keeping ferrets is "How hard are they to litter train".
The second is "My ferret won't use his litterbox, how can I get him litter trained?
Litter training is perhaps the top challenge in owning ferrets. It's probably best to start off by saying, if you are considering owning a ferret, be aware that they are never going to be 100% litter trained. They will have accidents.
If you can't handle this, a ferret may not be for you. If you are willing to put in the work, read on.
The first step is to get your ferret comfortable with using the litterbox inside the cage. Remove all shelves from the cage, bringing the living space down to one area. Place a litterbox in one corner (I highly recommend Marshall lock on pans!), food in another corner, water in the 3rd corner, and a bed in the last corner. This basically leaves the ferret no choice but to poop in his box. If he misses, it could go into his sleeping area or food, which most ferrets won't enjoy!
When you wake your ferret up to play, leave him in the cage for a few minutes. They usually have to poop about 10 minutes after waking up. Their tail will go up, and they will squat down before pooping.
If you see your ferret backing into the wrong corner of the cage, or they refuse to go into the box, pick them up and place them in the box. Repeat as necessary, usually 1 zillion times (just kidding!)
Once they do go in the box, lots of praise and even a treat are needed. (I like Ferretone as a treat) Just don't let that sneaky weasel try to trick you. Some ferrets will catch on and pretend to poop, expecting a treat. Make sure you see evidence before giving them that reward!
Litter training outside the cage can be a bit more difficult. Since the spaces for playtime generally tend to be fairly large, it can be more difficult to encourage a ferret to walk all the way over to a box and use it.
Placing multiple boxes around the room can help encourage the little stinkers to use them. They tend to forget they have to poop during playtime and don't realize it until they have to got NOW! Having multiple boxes can help "remind" them. Again, I prefer large square boxes to small triangle ones.
I also like to place puppy pads or old sheets/towels under litterboxes to help clean up the inevitable misses.
If your ferret misses the box, NEVER, I repeat, NEVER punish your ferret for having an accident. They were just doing what came naturally to them. Hitting them, or rubbing their face in their mess is cruel, and they will not associate the "punishment" with going on the floor, only that you are being very unpleasant towards them.
Again, it is important to watch your ferret's body language and be prepared for when they have to go. If you catch them backing up, place them in the litterbox.
Remember the mantra: repeat as necessary.
Good luck!
The second is "My ferret won't use his litterbox, how can I get him litter trained?
Litter training is perhaps the top challenge in owning ferrets. It's probably best to start off by saying, if you are considering owning a ferret, be aware that they are never going to be 100% litter trained. They will have accidents.
If you can't handle this, a ferret may not be for you. If you are willing to put in the work, read on.
The first step is to get your ferret comfortable with using the litterbox inside the cage. Remove all shelves from the cage, bringing the living space down to one area. Place a litterbox in one corner (I highly recommend Marshall lock on pans!), food in another corner, water in the 3rd corner, and a bed in the last corner. This basically leaves the ferret no choice but to poop in his box. If he misses, it could go into his sleeping area or food, which most ferrets won't enjoy!
When you wake your ferret up to play, leave him in the cage for a few minutes. They usually have to poop about 10 minutes after waking up. Their tail will go up, and they will squat down before pooping.
If you see your ferret backing into the wrong corner of the cage, or they refuse to go into the box, pick them up and place them in the box. Repeat as necessary, usually 1 zillion times (just kidding!)
Once they do go in the box, lots of praise and even a treat are needed. (I like Ferretone as a treat) Just don't let that sneaky weasel try to trick you. Some ferrets will catch on and pretend to poop, expecting a treat. Make sure you see evidence before giving them that reward!
Litter training outside the cage can be a bit more difficult. Since the spaces for playtime generally tend to be fairly large, it can be more difficult to encourage a ferret to walk all the way over to a box and use it.
Placing multiple boxes around the room can help encourage the little stinkers to use them. They tend to forget they have to poop during playtime and don't realize it until they have to got NOW! Having multiple boxes can help "remind" them. Again, I prefer large square boxes to small triangle ones.
I also like to place puppy pads or old sheets/towels under litterboxes to help clean up the inevitable misses.
If your ferret misses the box, NEVER, I repeat, NEVER punish your ferret for having an accident. They were just doing what came naturally to them. Hitting them, or rubbing their face in their mess is cruel, and they will not associate the "punishment" with going on the floor, only that you are being very unpleasant towards them.
Again, it is important to watch your ferret's body language and be prepared for when they have to go. If you catch them backing up, place them in the litterbox.
Remember the mantra: repeat as necessary.
Good luck!