My ferrets won't use their litterbox!?

Question

It's driving my family crazy! We got a pair of ferrets, put them in a bigger cage, and without changing the litter, got them a triangle shaped litter box to replace their rectangular. For weeks they wouldn't use it, so we got a new rectangular one, keeping the same litter.

They still won't use it!

They'd much rather use the corner of the cage, which means I have to take it apart and wash it off every day!

Does anyone have any idea why they won't use it? Or even what I could do to convince them that they should use the litter box?

Answer 1

Put the litterbox in the corner that they do thier business in. They usually choose a corner and always go in that spot.

If that doesn't work then put a litterbox in each corner, they'll have to use atleast one of them. If they only use one then gradually begin taking the other boxes out and see if they continue to use the box.

Do you have any of their "business" in the litterbox? If not, scoop some up and put it in their box.

I hope I helped, good luck!

Answer 2

Do you have a two level cage or more or just a one level? i would recommend if its a two level or more putting litter boxes in every corner on the bottom level, or if its one level putting litter boxes in the remaining corners where their food and bedding are not. ( my ferrets actually like the rectangle boxes better) I dont know if you have noticed but ferrets usually do their business when they first wake up so this is a great time to start training them. Just know this is going to take a lot  of patience on your part. So when they first wake up when you let them out to play ( or if they are half asleep cuddle them a little bit to wake them up) put them immediately in their litter box. They will probably stare at you and try and walk out of their cage or try to use another place, but keep picking them up and putting them in the litter box until they finally go. Then immediately give them a treat so they associate this with something good. I recommend ferretone ( can find at pet store) if you dont already have it, ferrets go crazy for that stuff. You can put some one your finger and have them l**k it off. Eventually they will get the idea and you wont have to do this. Ferrets aren't like cats, you really really have to train them to use the boxes and then even still they may not use them 100% of the time. but i used this method on my ferrets and it worked for me.

Also ferrets are extremely smart one of my ferrets would "act" like she was using the litter box and then come up to me for a treat. i actually said "No, use your litter box" and she actually went back and used it. i almost fell over laughing! so watch out for that!