My ferrets don't seem to like the bedding I have now because they both are sneezing. I don't want to buy the bedding that's for ferrets b/c it is so expensive, and the budget that I have it just doesnt work. So I was thinking about how about I shred newspaper and use that as bedding. Would this be okay for my ferrets? If it's not then I guess I'm just going to have to buy the expensive stuff because I don't want my babies sneezing.
2007-03-12 04:39:01 · 11 answers · asked by Missy 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Ferrets do not need any sort of bedding like others mentioned. Corn cob is dusty and is a breeding ground for critters like mites, etc. Shredded newpaper is not very absorbant and is messy - newsprint gets on stuff and your ferret might be sensitive to the inks. I used to use no bedding in the cage - just wood stove pellets (or Woody Pet or Equine Fresh or Yesterday's News) in the litter box. Pleasent smell and easy to scoop out of the box. If your ferrets "miss" their litter box, you can put some of the pellets in the corners where the "misses" are. For my young kits (babies), I used CareFresh - nice, but not needed for most adults. As for sleeping bedding, use old t-shirts, towels, etc. If you don't have old stuff, try going to a thrift store and asking them for a bag of rags. You can get a whole bag for pretty cheap. You can hang them in the cage using shower curtin hooks. What causes the "ferret odor" is the bedding, so change it every other day or so. Then you can do "ferret laundry". =)
2007-03-12 06:00:29 · answer #1 · answered by BLONDAGE 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gather together every single shirt you own that you no longer wear. As long as it is nothing that their sharp nails can get caught in or buttons or something that can be chewed off and choked on its fair game! I find that old t-shirts, sweatshirts, and flannel p.j.'s work best.
Best thing about it is you will never buy bedding again because it is all washable! :) Also...more importantly to your little guys...there is no dust included and no more sneezing.
Good luck and take care of those fuzz butts!
P.S. Ferrets are notorious for respiratory problems. If the sneezing does not stop after you change their bedding please take them to the vet.
2007-03-12 08:44:20 · answer #2 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ferrets don't really need that kind of bedding. i don't use it, and using bedding like that can cause respiratory problems. I say get rid of the bedding alltogether. There's no reason for it, since they are litter trained and have hammocks and things to sleep in. It will save you a little money too. But lining the floor with puppy pads or news paper(not shredded) isn't a bad idea.
2007-03-12 07:59:46 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Ferrets are not rodents - they are mustelids. Shredded paper might work well in their littebox, but old clothes, blankets, etc. make better bedding for ferrets than anything else. They love to burrow in and pile up together to sleep. Just make sure to clean it at least once a week.
2007-03-12 04:59:43 · answer #4 · answered by Susan R 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You don't even really need bedding in a ferrets cage. All you need is some paper on the bottom and a little blanket for the ferrets to sleep on. Just be sure the blanket is smooth, the fluffier blankets tent to get tangled on their nails,
2007-03-12 04:49:15 · answer #5 · answered by Freedom_Fighter_From_Mars 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't suggest newspaper. I use wood shavings but you have to make sure that you are using the right kind. Some kinds are really dusty and it can get up thier nose. Also, DON'T USE CAT LITTER IN THE LITTER BOX! Unless you want to kill your ferrets. Cat litter clumps and if the ferrets try to eat it then they will choke. Also, cat litter is tooooooo dusty. If you don't know what kind of wood shavings are good, you need the cedar ones, any other kind is too dusty, or just ask the sales people what kind of wood shavings are best.
2007-03-12 05:17:57 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I recommend using corn cob. Often times rodents do not agree with pine bedding and it not only causes sneezing but can cause severe eye infections as well. If you litter box train them, corn cob wouldn't be a bad investment. It's not too expensive, it is easy to clean up, and it is harmless if they decide to eat it
I wouldn't recommend newspaper only because of the ink in it. You wouldn't want them to end up down the road with issues from the inks in the paper. Use something that is rodent safe.
2007-03-12 04:43:10 · answer #7 · answered by ♡LiL♥Kitten♡ 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
wood chips is what i use to use except in there litter box i put cat litter but not the cheap powdery stuff cause they can get really sick for that it gets up their nose and sneeze and everything else
2007-03-12 04:42:12 · answer #8 · answered by hppv50 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
im not sure what kind of bedding you are using, but aspen bedding seems to work well and is inexpensive.. if you do consider getting aspen bedding, i know that petsmart has a large bag of it in the bird section for about $10.. its a lot of bedding for a very cheap price
2007-03-12 04:45:23 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yes, that seems fine/ safe for ferrets. You would at least try it and see how they do. Newpaper is fine for hamsters to live in.
2007-03-12 04:42:51 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋