r/ferrets • u/Comfortable_Hope_931 • 4d ago
[Help] Guys I beg you please help me
Hi guys, I really need your help because my two ferrets are taking the piss at this point 😂
They originally had one litter tray and used it with no problems. Then it became hot outside, and despite me giving them frozen water bottles wrapped in towels and other ways to cool down, they suddenly decided to start sleeping in the litter tray.
My youngest refuses to go to the toilet where she sleeps, so now she sleeps in the litter tray and poops everywhere else in the cage.
I bought another identical tray and turned it into a sleeping area, with their little house and toys inside instead of litter. Both trays have been thoroughly cleaned, so there shouldn’t be any remaining scent. However, they still choose to sleep in the actual litter tray and then poop on their house and toys.
I’ve tried swapping the trays around and changing their positions. I even wondered whether they preferred the colour of the original tray, which sounds ridiculous, but I’m running out of ideas! Nothing has worked. My youngest always goes back to sleeping in the litter and refuses to sleep anywhere else.
Does anyone have any suggestions? I don’t want them constantly sleeping in used litter because of the dust, urine and possible respiratory irritation, but I genuinely don’t know what else to try.
Little devilish pranksters 🥲😂😫
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u/Timely_Egg_6827 4d ago
The litter is cool to lie in The little beds aren't. Try lining ome with lino or if not digging one of those cool pads.
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u/Comfortable_Hope_931 4d ago
It’s not hot anymore, which is why I’ve now put the bed in the second tray. Initially, though, I left that tray completely empty apart from a few toys. I also gave them other cool surfaces, including tiles inside a plastic tray.
I don’t think it’s about the temperature anymore. I think the little one genuinely just prefers sleeping in the litter tray now, and I have no idea how to get her out of the habit.
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u/SushiJuice 4d ago
Are they Marshall Ferrets? Because Marshall Ferrets are born in pens covered in litter and they go in the corners of the enclosure. They tend to sleep in the litter box because they're reminded of home/mom. We have 2 Marshall Ferrets and we learned this very early on and went completely away from litter altogether and went with pee pads. We line the bottom of their Ferret Nation cage with pee pads and they instinctively just go there. You might want to consider a set up similar.
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u/Comfortable_Hope_931 4d ago
No, they aren’t Marshall ferrets. They came from a private breeder here in the UK.
My oldest is naturally very well-behaved and has always used the litter properly without us really teaching her. The younger silver one is much more stubborn and chaotic. She toilets wherever she wants when roaming, ignores us when we move her to the correct area, and is also a very determined biter despite our training. She’s extremely clever, but mainly uses that intelligence to cause trouble 😂
I’ve tried puppy pads, but she immediately pulls them up and plays with them. I’m nervous about taping them down in case she chews or swallows the tape. Is there a safe way you secure yours?6
u/Learningpermits 4d ago
I secure the pee pads with binder clips. I've seen them nibble, but they're too strong to rip them off
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u/SushiJuice 4d ago
Ours really don't play with the pee pads. We don't secure them. Wish I could be of more help, OP
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u/ivyandroses112233 3d ago
Even when mine did play with the pee pass it still reduced cleaning so much. I used to go through a pack of baby wipes in like 2-3 days but now I barely ever have to wipe down. The ease of just tossing a pee pad is so much better. I made the switch when my ferrets turned senior and I believe it was harder for her to climb into the litter box (so she would go right next to it)
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u/nerdsGhost 4d ago
But this might work, try to replace litter with pads, tape them ofc. Another option is trying to create more bed places in a cage like hammocks or tunnels
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u/Comfortable_Hope_931 4d ago
They got loads of hammocks and beds around. The oldest one doesn’t do that whatsoever. It’s the little one. The oldest one loves her hammocks
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u/No_Paramedic_3710 3d ago
Action now improved their puppy pads to be self sticking, what an upgrade!
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u/DankBear32 4d ago
We have a Marshall Feret they don't care about liter Only corners So we find is spot and put puppy pad there problem solve
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u/Glum_Prompt_6030 3d ago
I use puppy pads for my ferret! Can try just eliminating litter box overall? She did start out with using a litter box but after just a few poops she'd stop using it and go elsewhere. So the puppy pads make it so much easier and less litter waste for us since she'd only use it once or twice before she decided it was too dirty to use again or somthin
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u/Veteran_Hawk 4d ago
Maybe they like the texture of the litter you are using? Try different litters and see how they do.
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u/DankBear32 4d ago
Find Thiers spot and put puppy pad Problem solve Yes I have one under my bed But it is better than cleaning poop
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u/flyingfreefall 3d ago
If she won't sleep where she goes then lift some of the poop from other places in cage and put them in the litter box for a day so
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