Ferret Toilet Training

Though ferrets do not automatically use a litter box the way that cats will, they can be trained to do so. Toilet training a ferret should start when they enter the home, and the younger the ferret is, the simpler it will be. Being patient and consistent are the two most important features of toilet training a ferret.

  1. Natural Behavior

    • Mother ferrets teach their kits to defecate and urinate in corners. Kits will naturally continue this behavior unless they have been taken away from their mothers before they are ready. In kits who have been reared by their mother, you can take advantage of this behavior, but if the kit lacks the training, you can train it toward this behavior yourself.

    Litter Box Placement

    • To begin, place litter boxes in every corner of the area where the ferret plays. Place a rubber mat under the box to prevent leaks. Place some of the ferret's droppings in the pan so that they are drawn to the location. Triangular pans that fit neatly into corners can be a good choice for ferrets.

    Training

    • Watch your ferret for signs that it is getting ready to relieve itself. When it starts backing into a corner, raising its tail and crouching down, it is going to defecate or urinate. If it is doing this outside of its litter box, say "no" in a loud voice. If you catch it early enough, this usually stops the ferret. Then place it in the litter box and praise it when it relieves itself.

    Considerations

    • Ferrets will back up to use their litter box. This means that they will not want to step into the litter box or hop over the plastic side. Use a litter box with a very low lip to make sure that the ferret can easily get into it. You may also cut the side away from a cat litter box. Not only does this make the box easier to get into, it makes the litter box a less appealing place for your ferret to play. Though litter may spill out of the litter box, the droppings will be deposited toward the rear.

    Number of Litter Boxes

    • If you have more than one ferret, you will need to use several litter boxes. Dominant ferrets might not let other ferrets near their litter box, and some ferrets simply refuse to share. There are also ferrets who refuse to use a litter box if another ferret has been using it. If you have more than one ferret, having at least one litter box per ferret can prevent fights or accidents.

    Warning

    • Do not scold a ferret for relieving itself outside of the litter box unless you have caught it in the act. If you merely find droppings and you scold the ferret, the ferret will not know why it is being punished.