How to litter train a ferret

Can ferrets be litter trained?

Yes. The RSPCA, VCA and the American Ferret Association all say ferrets can learn to use a litter tray. The American Ferret Association is honest that it can be frustrating, because ferrets "want to try out many new spots", like a child who has to test every toilet in a new building. They also mark territory, so a ferret may pick several toilet corners at once.

The good news is that ferrets are naturally clean and will not toilet where they eat or sleep. Work with their habits rather than against them, and most ferrets learn to use trays in the cage and in their play rooms.

How to litter train a ferret, step by step

This method comes from the American Ferret Association's litter training guide, with timings from Burgess.

1. Watch where your ferret goes. Let it show you its chosen corners, in the cage and in each room. Ferrets usually pick corners, spots near doorways and places under beds and sofas.
2. Put a tray in each of those spots. Use a high-backed tray and clamp or clip it in place, as ferrets push trays about. Few ferrets go back to the cage to toilet, so every play area needs its own.
3. Fill it thinly. Spread recycled paper pellets just deep enough to cover the bottom. Ferrets do not bury their droppings, and a deep tray invites digging.
4. Add a little of their own droppings. Place some in the new tray so it smells like a toilet, not a bed or a dig pit.
5. Use the tray after every sleep. Burgess says ferrets need to go within 15 minutes of waking, and many will leap out of their hammock in a hurry. Pop your ferret in the tray first thing, before playtime.
6. Reward the right thing. Praise or give a small meat treat the moment it uses the tray. Make sure it has actually gone, as some ferrets learn to fake it for a treat.
7. Clean accidents fully. Wipe up mistakes thoroughly so the smell does not draw it back, and never punish: ferrets do not link a telling-off with the mistake.
8. Block the spots you do not want. Put bedding, toys, tubes, baskets or furniture where you do not want a toilet, or give in and put a tray there.

What is the best litter for ferrets?

Recycled paper pellets. The American Ferret Association says pelleted litters are the best choice: they are heavy enough to stay in the tray, low in dust, highly absorbent, easy to scoop and usually the cheapest. VCA also recommends recycled paper pellets.

Sources do not all agree here. Burgess suggests unscented cat litter or wood shavings, and the MSD Veterinary Manual suggests non-clumping cat litter. The American Ferret Association and VCA warn against clay cat litter, and the American Ferret Association against pine and cedar shavings. We would follow the more careful advice and use paper pellets. For bedding on the cage floor, see our ferret bedding guide.

Which litter tray is best for a ferret?

A high-backed tray. Ferrets back into a corner to go, so the back wall needs to be tall, and RSPCA Australia suggests a splashback on the tray or the cage. The American Ferret Association says square, high-backed trays work well but can be hard to find, and corner trays suit some ferrets but not all. Try a few styles to see which yours prefers.

• A high back, low front so the ferret can step in easily
• A clamp or clip to hold it to the cage bars, out of chewing reach
• Newspaper or a puppy pad under and around it
• One tray in the cage, away from the bed and food
• One tray in each corner the ferret uses in play rooms
• An extra tray if you keep several males, who tend to go in the middle of the tray

Our guide to ferret cage setup shows where the tray fits on each level.

Why is my ferret pooping outside the litter box?

Usually because the tray is in the wrong place, too dirty, or too far away. Work through this list:

• The tray is not where the ferret wants to go: move it to the spot it keeps using
• The tray is too dirty: many ferrets refuse soiled litter, says the American Ferret Association
• The tray was cleaned too well: leave a little used litter in it
• There are not enough trays for the number of ferrets or rooms
• The litter is too deep, so the ferret digs instead
• The ferret was let out without a tray stop after waking
• The tray is near its bed or food

If a well-trained ferret suddenly stops using its tray, or has diarrhoea, ring your vet rather than starting the training again.

Cleaning the litter tray

Daily. The RSPCA, VCA and RSPCA Australia all ask for trays to be cleaned every day. A simple routine from the American Ferret Association: lay a folded newspaper over a thin layer of pellets, change the newspaper and droppings daily, and change all the pellets every 5 to 7 days, rinsing the tray. Leave a small amount of used litter behind each time so the tray still smells like a toilet.

A clean tray is the biggest single step to a home that does not smell. Our pages on whether ferrets smell and cleaning a ferret cage cover the rest of the routine. Make sure the ferret rooms are safe too, with our guide to ferret-proofing your home, and see our ferret care guide for everything else.