Can you put cat litter in a litter box for a ferret????

Question

Can you put cat litter in a litter box for a ferret????

Answer 1

You can put it in there. But only if its no clump. (they sniff the litter and if can get in there lungs and clump up.) BUT you really shouldnt put it in there. Pellet litter is good for ferrets. easy to clean safe. And you can use Carefresh. Thats good too. But I really suggest using...

http://www.petco.com/product/104955/Supe...

http://www.ferret.com/item/marshall-ferr...

Both are very good to use.

EDIT:

For whoever said yesterday's news should look at this. It is not safe to use

http://homepage.mac.com/mattocks/morfz/y...

Answer 2

Get Yesterday's News. You can by it in many varieties, cat, ferret, rabbit, small animal.... all will do. The big thing is you can't use clumping litter. Yesterday's News is recycled newspaper, and it works great for odors!

It's at nearly all pet stores. And some grocery stores!

EDIT: Do you believe everything you read? I've never found any objects in Yesterday's News. My vet recommends it, and so do rabbit websites and rescue groups. It's very safe.

Answer 3

normal cat litter is clay. they do not recomend this for if they eat it they will get sick. paper shavings or the kob you can find in petsmart is good

Answer 4

That depends on what it is made of. Don't use clumping litter as it will stick to their butt and they can eat it, get it stuck in their eyes, and mouth and nose.

Using clay litter is bad because it has a lot of dust. This is bad for their lungs and it also tracks everywhere.

I use wood stove pellets. I can scoop them like cat litter, but the peed on pellets turn into sawdust. I just scoop out the poo and sift the pellets, and use the non-sawdust ones again. You can also buy horse-pellets (bedding). They are the same thing. Price - $4 to $8 for a 40lb bag. It lasts a long time.

Answer 5

You can - but I would suggest using Feline Pine as clay formulas can be harmful to ferrets.  If you don't like the Feline Pine - I would try Yesterdays News but Feline Pine has a better smell.  Good Luck!

Answer 6

It depends on the type of cat litter.

Clay litters have a high amount of dust and as ferrets like to snorkle in it (bury their nose) it will often lead to respiratory issues that will not only shorten the life of the ferret but will cost you a lot of money in the long run.

Clumping litters can also cause health issues. When a ferret defecates their r****m protrudes a bit, as they are lower to the ground than a cat the r****m can come in contact with the litter and will lodge to their bum leading to a very expensive and painful blockage. In addition a ferret snorkelling in a clumping litter can be a health risk as the litter will stick and swell if it comes in contact with the nose or eyes, and if the ferret were to eat the litter you'd again see a blockage that is life threatening and emergency surgery to correct it can be risky and is very, very expensive.

Cat litters that are recommended are the pelleted type or the new style natural cellulose fibers. Yesterday's News is common amoung many ferret owners as is Feline Pine or wood stove pellets (cheap and available at places like Home Depot). I prefer the cellulose fiber ones like Healthy Plus as they are very absorbent and contain odor well, in addition my ferrets all took to the litter quickly which made it an easy choice as I certainly didn't want to be picking p**p off the floor for too long.

An alternative is to use puppy pads or newspaper. Put it in the corners and reward when the ferret goes on the paper. Puppy pads are absorbent and have a plastic backing to protect your floors but can be costly, newspaper is not very absorbent so it needs to be changed with almost every use but it is generally free so it's definitely cost effective.

Finally if you would like the convenience of a clumping litter Swheat Scoop is a natural alternative to clay litters. I have one girl that likes to snorkle in it and it would stick to her nose so I do not use it and highly recommend watching it when first introduced but I do know of several shelter moms that use it and without issue. It is fairly expensive though and if you have more than one ferret you may find it cost prohibitive.

Good luck!

Answer 7

NO!!!  It can cause respiratory problems for them.  I use the Marshall Farms litter.  It's pellets & absorbs odor.  The plus side is you can flush it down the toliet in small amounts!