The Easy Way To Toilet Train a Ferret To Use a Litter Box
Are you finding it frustrating and difficult to toilet train your ferret? If he is not using a litter tray it can be hard to keep cheerful about the whole thing. If you would like to train your ferret to use a litter tray then keep reading.
If you have ever had a cat then training a ferret to use a litter box will be quite familiar. Ferrets are intelligent creatures and learn new things very quickly. With just 3 simple steps you can train you fuzzy to use a litter tray. Wouldn’t it be nice not to have to worry about inviting friends and family around? No smells of urine and poop and a great lovable happy pet.
If you can spare some time, patience and love for your furry friend, here are the 3 steps to follow to help make pooping in a litter box becomes second nature for fuzzy.
- Observe
- Act
- Repeat and Reward
Observe
Ferrets have some well known habits which will help you out here. You need to learn about your ferret and what his toilet habits are.
Some of the usual triggers to watch out for are things such as:
- Backing into a regular corner with tail raised
- Becoming restless after waking up.
- Sniffing around and investigating corners.
So what do these mean? Well, they are all indicators of a need, desire or warning of a need to relieve themselves. As humans we are familiar with the full bladder feeling when we wake up in the morning. Your ferret is no different. As for corners, even ferrets like their privacy.
If you combine this with noting where fuzzy wees or poops in his cage, you will be well up on the game. Now we have this basic understanding of our furry friend, not only do we feel a little closer, but there is an understanding of his habits and body.
Act
Armed with our observations and covert intelligence we can now act. The first thing is to get some litter trays or boxes. Did I say ‘some’? Yes that’s right. Your ferret won’t just use one place and having some spares allows you to adapt to his behaviour. Buy about 3-4 to start off with.
Job one is to go and place a litter box in each of his favourite corners along with his preferred area of his cage.
Next, let’s be there when he wakes up. You will find he is quite regular with his timings. Watch him closely. Hopefully he will investigate and use a litter in his favourite spots.
What if he doesn’t? Then as soon as you see the warning signs or he attempts to try and relieve himself anywhere but a litter tray, then pick him up and pop him in one. It is all about association. Be persistent and keep popping him back in if he tries to go elsewhere. He will get the message
Reinforce and Reward.
You need to be methodical and patient now. Habits are only formed by continual repetition. Keep watching and keep taking the right actions.
You must reward good behaviour as well. Soon your ferret will make the connection between pooping in the litter tray and rewards. Bribery is a wonderful weapon for animals and humans alike. You may even be able to reduce the amount of trays over time.
So as you can see from the above that you can train a ferret to use a litter box in 3 easy steps
Stop The Stench-Easy & Effective Ferret Toilet Training
Is your little nipper leaving you presents over your house? Do you dread bringing friends or dates home? Well you are not alone. But toilet training your ferret does not have to be hard.
Find The Habit:
Ferrets are intelligent animals and despite their reputation, like to keep themselves clean. They are also creatures of habit. You will find that once they have used one spot as a toilet they will re-use it regularly. A good place for a litter tray me thinks!
When To Start Toilet Training:
There is no best time to start. Now is as good as any time. The real question is whether you are ready. It is not hard, but just needs a little patience. The sooner you start the sooner you build good habits for you both. Build a happy ferret-owner relationship starting now.
Toilet Training Your Ferret- Litter Trays:
Cats do it and so do ferrets. Find that favourite spot he uses and pop down a clean litter tray. It will usually be secluded and private so look carefully. Please do not get angry or upset if he misses a few times. Do not rub his nose in it or use physical discipline. It is not right and won’t work.
Learn to recognise the signs and times he may want to go, like after eating or sleeping. Follow him to his spot. If you need to pick him up and put him firmly in his tray. Remember you may need several trays around the house
Get Cleaning
Do you like going in a toilet that has not been cleaned or flushed. You bet you don’t and neither do ferrets. They do not bury their waste like cats so get into good regular cleaning habits. Clean and empty daily at least. Not only does it make sure there is nothing to put you little fur ball off, but it cuts down the smell of stale pooh and wee!
Be Flexible:
Ferrets are individuals just like us. Not every one will follow standard behaviour exactly. Be prepared to adapt and improvise.
Quick Bonus Tip
Try putting some pooh into a clean litter tray and sit him in it next to it. Hope fully he will catch on. If not just keep picking him up and popping him back in.
Remember if your fuzzy uses the litter tray, reward him. Reinforce good behaviour
Crack this and you can move onto some advanced ferret training and really challenged yourselves and your fuzzies