When
your ferret's gotta go, he's gotta go. As a responsible
pet owner, it's up to you to show him that he's gotta
go in the right place. Luckily, your little guy is
a fast learner and, if you take the time to teach
him, will readily take to using a litter box.
Getting the Right Ferret Litter Box
The
first step is selecting the best equipment for the
job at hand. Older and ill ferrets will have an
easier time getting into a low-sided litter box,
but a high-sided model works well for individuals
who prefer to back into a corner and tend to aim
high. Your pet's cage will need at least one litter
box, but keep in mind that larger enclosures and
multiple ferrets will necessitate multiple boxes.
Most
ferret aficionados like pelleted litter as a filler.
The dust-free pellets are large enough that your
pet can't easily fling them out of the box--as he
probably will do with a lighter material. Cheap
and readily available, newspaper is also a safe
choice. Please think twice before using clay litter,
as the dust it raises can lead to respiratory problems.
Cedar shavings are a must-to avoid, as they can
also cause respiratory complications.
Ferret Training
During
the initial stages of training, young ferrets, or
those who aren't yet up to speed on their toilet
habits, should be confined to a cage. It is recommended
that you leave a piece of feces in it as a reminder
that the box is his bathroom and not a playpen.
It's also smart to place him in his box as soon
as he wakes up for playtime, and pile on the praise
when he does his duty. As he gets the hang of it,
you can gradually increase his territory, moving
him to a larger cage or small play area. When he's
out and about, be sure to put another box in his
play area, and place him in it every half-hour or
so.
When
your pet's properly trained, it's smart to keep
multiple boxes in his expanded territory. If a box
is nearby, he'll be more likely to use it. Please
keep in mind that ferrets aren't quite as fastidious
as felines in this department, and even the most
well-trained individuals will have slip-ups--particuarly
if they become overly excited or frightened. If
your ferret goes where he shouldn't, clean the area
with disinfectant or a solution of vinegar and water
or an enzyme-based odor neutralizer and, if possible,
try to block off access to the spot. Never hit your
pet or rub his nose in his mistake--these tactics
are not only cruel, but ineffective. Instead, concentrate
on praising him profusely when he gets it right--and
always remember that because of his small size,
at least his "accidents" will not be big
ones!
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