Ferret Question

LoveMyCooper · #1 (**permalink**) 03-29-2005, 02:05 AM

I bought my first ferret, Cooper, on Valentine's Day. So I'm guessing he is about 15 weeks old. I haven't had any problems with him until about 2 weeks ago. When I brought him home he ALWAYS used his litter box but now he refuses. He started using the other corner so I moved the litter box into the corner that he prefered but when I did that he switched back to the original corner. So I moved the box back again, and again he is using the non litter boxed corner to do his business. I thought maybe he didn't like the litter so I changed the kind that I was using, but he still refuses. The only time he will use it is sometimes when he wakes up I keep putting him in his box until he goes. I keep his box cleaned up and I always keep some of the old litter (not dirty though) in the box when I put new in. (I read that you are supposed to do this so the ferret won't think he has a sandbox instead of a litter box.)
I am open for any ideas or suggestions b/c I don't know what else to do.

Also he has been playing rougher than he used to. I think its just because he is getting bigger and maybe is getting bored while I am at work. (He has lots of toys to play with, but I don't think he does though. I have never seen him playing with any of them, except for one that I think he hid b/c I can't find it anymore.) So I have been giving him lots of outside of the cage time and lots of extra attention.
Another thing I was thinking about was that maybe his teeth are growing again, b/c of how he has started nipping again. What kinds of things can I give him to help his teeth?

Thanks for all of your help!!!
~Love My Cooper

NicoleRussell · #2 (**permalink**) 03-29-2005, 12:32 PM

with ferrets youhave to train them not to bite.
Thier litter mates have very thick skin---and the way they nip and play with them will make a human hand bleed. What I did with mine is: I screamed very loud when they nipped me too hard---let them know it hurt. It has to be loud and exaggerated so they can really understand what gives.
With the litter buy a corner litter pan (shaped like a corner) put some newspaper in it instead of litter (change it often)--make it flat like you would a puppy---and put one in every corner he uses. I had to do it with mine too.
Each time the animal does the right thing give him a raisen or some other treat he really likes---save that particular treat just for good deeds.
Good luck with your new ferret!Is he a marshall farms animal?

Mark_scuba · #3 (**permalink**) 03-29-2005, 01:46 PM

Also dont forget to strap down the litter box because they love to tip em over..
or you can put some duct tape on the bottom to make it stick to the floor ...
As far as bitting we just yelled NO and he stopped after a while ...Now all my kids hold him with no problems..
My littlest kid (18 months ) picks him up by the tail and hugs him and he must know she is a baby and puts up with it, and doesnt even play nip her...
He never broke skin with his nipping any of us...
We also have the excersize ball to let him run around in...
He loves it....

Ghroller · #4 (**permalink**) 04-07-2005, 01:42 AM

Thing with Male ferrets especially is they are VERY picky about where they go to the bathroom! Try a bigger and/or different shaped litter pan. 95% of all ferrets start as nippers. when he does just scruff him nicely, give him a little bing on the nose and yell "NO".

Ferrets Don't like being yelled at, it bugs the #$%^&#$%^&#$%^&#$%^& out of them. Aslong as he's getting 2-4 hours a day outside of his cage he'll be fine, I would suggest however getting him a cagemate. 1 more ferret isn't much more work.

If you need any advice on ANYTHING to do with ferrets just give me a PM, my gf and I have 4 and being a herper is was habit to research them to all #$%^&#$%^&#$%^&#$%^& lol.

bubblestheferret · #5 (**permalink**) 04-15-2005, 09:37 PM

Don't buy a corner litter pan, I had had my ferret for a year in a corner litter pan and she wouldn't touch it. So last year I changed to a litter box with newspaper and now she goes in it 100%.

Ghroller · #6 (**permalink**) 04-26-2005, 09:22 PM

I wouldn't say don't have one, you need have have something outside of the cage too unless your like discoloured rugs. They're digestive track is very short (4hrs) makes running to the cage difficult sometimes. Most ferrets I've found will use a corner pan, exceptions do happen. And as i said males are picky, if they can't get thier butts into it easily they won't use it.

Eraser · #7 (**permalink**) 08-25-2005, 08:24 AM

you can also try putting towels or a blanket down... ferrets are acutally clean little critters and they won't poo where the sleep.. i have a beach towel down on the floor in front of the litter box... and they always use it... (the litter box) but outside of the cage can be a different story.. im having a B@tch of time getting my youngest go in the cage before he comes out..some days he's good, on others.. he leaves me presents! my other two will actually use the cats litter box... too funny!!

Advertisement