ferrets crapping

[theferreter 311]

yes mate it works just get wire with big enough squares for the shit 2 fall through and every so often hit the wire with the hose

[j davies 8]

doe's any one know how to stop them shitting in the corners got a litter tray in one corner tried scooping there crap up and putting it in the tray but they still won't use it.

 

 

thats what ferrets do mate in the corner so if you want to tram=n them its up to you and good luck with it it might be diff if you got them lose in the house

[lorelei0922 2]

ok.. since no one has suggested this method.. i'll post mine..

 

i use fleeces and old blankets for bedding instead of straw or hay or shavings... cheap to buy... easy to wash... easier for me... and easier for training the ferret... it doesn't happen over night.. but i have 14 ferrets with 100% hit rate in the litter box.. it takes time... and patience.. and perseverance.. but it IS possible

 

first limit the ferret to a single level for a time until they figure out where to go... a space of 3x4 ish is about as large as you want to go at first. if you are not currently using fleece or other fabric bedding switch to it .. fill the bedding box ...

 

Clean out the hutch or living space.. i mean SERIOUSLY clean!! use a enzyme type cleaner that will eliminate any odours left behind in the corners...

 

give the bedding 2-3 days to become "familiar" ... you can skip this step if you are already using fabric bedding...

 

identify the corner that your ferrets seem to prefer... and choose a box... i use an extra large cat litter tray.. ferrets want to have their entire body in the box when doing what they need to... use a non clay based cat litter (just enough to cover the bottom of the box at first...with some fresh poo into the box put it into the corner THEY like...

 

then take the now familiar bedding out of the bed box.. (replace with fresh) and spread it around the rest of the living space. make a nice thick layer ... put heavy food and water bowls in the other corners to discourage them from using those corners... make sure the bedding is Everywhere...

 

given a chance ferrets are clean animals.. and wont mess in their own bedding ( yeah there are always those that will do it just to drive you nuts.. )

 

pick up each ferret.. give them a good whiff of the fresh poo in the box... ( dont rub their nose in it.. thats just cruel) stand back and watch... if you see them back up to go anywhere else.. quickly put them back in the box ... keep at it.. they'll get it eventually!

 

also try waking your ferrets to go to the box... Ferrets empty their bowels within 3-5 minutes of waking from a good sleep...in most cases at least... try waking them up... give them a quick stroke and that... and give them a whiff of the box.. it should trigger the need and hopefully they'll stop to go IN the box!

 

once they start going in the box... be sure to keep it cleaned out once a day... at first only scoop out the poo ( always remember to leave a little fresh for them... dont disinfect the box or even clean it out really well .. just a quick wipe is fine .. you want to leave ALL the poo smell in the cage IN THAT BOX... as their aim improves you can lessen the bedding spread around .. but do keep the other corners filled either with a bed of somesort.. a toy... or food

 

yeah i know its fiddly.. and its time consuming... and you might think that its sissy and mamby pamby.... but let me tell you.. i raised 17 kits this spring.. and 32 last spring and every single one of them was litter trained before they were weaned... most before their eyes were open and every adult ferret that has come to me has successfully learned to use the box...

 

good luck!