Any ferret owners out there that know a sucessful way to litter train?? I got her to go on news paper but i want to get another ferret. i'm hoping i'll be able to get them both to go in the litter box!!! thank you
2006-08-15 06:58:02 · 9 answers · asked by merivel7 3 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Okay, there's some good advice given already, except the 'hold his nose next to the poop' thing. This is what I do. First, make sure he goes before you let him out, yes, he will fake it, but if you wait, after hopping in and out of the litter box, he will eventually go. If you catch him in the act, (of going outside the litterbox), tell him 'NO!" sharply, and put him in the litterbox. And of course, positive reinforcement is great, tell him what a great boy he is, and give him a little treat when he gets it right. Also, you may need to put more than one litterbox around the house, they aren't as good at it as cats, and will need lots of reminders. Finally, if he's picked a corner that you don't want him going in, I find putting a piece of his bedding (like an old t-shirt), and one of his toys in that corner will usually deter him from going there. Well, hope that helps!!!
2006-08-15 08:48:33 · answer #1 · answered by Carpet Shark Luver 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First start off by placing a litter box where ever they are going potty. If you have them in a big room then you may have to set out quite a few. You can try different kind of litter boxes. Some ferrets like the corner ones and some (like mine) do not. Be careful what kind of litter you put in the boxes because some can be harmful to ferrets. Usually if you can get one trained the others will follow. My baby uses her litter box in her house(cage) but she also likes the corner of my bathroom so I placed on there and she uses it often. Most ferrets are like cats in the way they potty. They prefer to use the litter box or something similar like a potted plant. That part I had to break her of. Ha Ha! Be patient and good luck.
Please do not take the advice of the person who said you should hold their nose and tell them no. Ferrets are not like dogs. They are very intelligent but negative discipline does not work on them and can cause negative behavior.
2006-08-15 14:16:22 · answer #2 · answered by rayne 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When they go outside the box, GENTLY hold their nose close to the poo, and sharply say NO. Its best if you catch them in the act. Move the poo to the litter box so they can see. Be consistent. Under no circumstance should you squeeze, hit, through or subject the ferret to anything that may hurt it. The most important thing is to be consistant. Also, keep the litter box clean. I use a nice clumping litter for cats. Vets may not recomment it, because some tend to be dusty and the Ferrets can be alergic to it. Mine seem to do okay with it. No sneezing. Remember, ferrets feet are very sensative. they don't like to step in wet things. Letting them out of the cage after pooping wirks also, but it takes more time. One of mine runs to the litter box and fakes it, and then runs to the door to get out. You can also put litter boxes in a number of locations. Sometime, when ferrets get excited, they can't make it all the way back to the litter box in the cage and they will run to the most convenient corner. Eventually, you can take the additional boxes away, but they may tend to go back on occasion when the box is gone. It's a daily effort.
2006-08-15 14:11:31 · answer #3 · answered by Gary I 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
ok i have given this out to many of my ferret friend and even here and said it works here is how i did my training i got shoe boxes for some reason ferret like the size small for girl a little large for boys if you have both then yes one of each cut the front off you can eather put paper in it to reuse or throw away when needed put it were you know they go or around the spots.
Shoe stores do not mind giving you their empty box so you can easly get them, when ready to get them of the box if you choose to and to a litter box then put then start putting the box around or in the the pan what ferret love about shoe boxes if you cut the front all they need to do scoot their butts in you know ferret they want it as easy as they can a litte pan their to lazy some time to scoot back in so try it and i hope you are one of the many i have said it works for.
2006-08-15 17:46:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can't answer your question now. But maybe after I get ahold of my step-uncle who has six of them and works with all kinds of wildlife I could help you out if none of the other answers seem to work. Especially the ones telling you to yell at the ferret. I don't think that would work very well. They're nothing like dogs. Ferrets are the coolest pets other than capuchin monkeys though. And Beastmaster is one of my favorite movies. In case you haven't seen it, there's two ferrets in it.
2006-08-15 19:47:31 · answer #5 · answered by Elliot Ness 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My Mom is a vet and when she got a ferret she would wait infront of the cage until he went to the bathroom and then let him out. She trained him on this so now he knows that if he wants out of his cage, he needs to go first.
2006-08-15 14:04:02 · answer #6 · answered by neuralzen 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think they can be. they like to go, close to where they are whenever they get the urge. unless you're gonna have litterboxes all over your house. good luck
2006-08-16 13:44:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Try to see if this website helps. http://www.clickertraining.com
2006-08-15 14:05:41 · answer #8 · answered by sugarcarat 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask it here: http://www.everythingfert.proboards36.com/
2006-08-16 02:04:49 · answer #9 · answered by Em 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋