Ferrets Potty Training Problem

Question
Hi, My Girlfriend and I just adopted a brother sister pair of ferrets both about 2 years old and they have a 2 story cage that is very nice and has a fastened down litter pan on the first floor and when i bought them I was told they always use the litter pan. 2 weeks now they always go everywhere but the litterpan. they pee and poop all over the first and second floor and they do the same underneath my bed and behind my dresser and just anywhere on the floor, and even when I see them use the litter pan and i go to pull them out they poop the first chance they get to touch the ground and The family i adopted them from assures me they've never done that not even when they were first born and learning...i need help,very frustrating, i want them to be able to run loose in my room but it is a huge hassle to move the bed and clean and still have these permanent pee stains in the carpet...

Answer
Here's a quick tutorial for you; try everything on this list.  But do know that no ferret I've seen poops in a box 100% of the time.  Mistakes happen, but they shouldn't be a constant occurrence.

These ferrets were never properly trained, despite what the previous owners have told you.  I know that I'd be hesitant to adopt a pet if I'm told "oh yeah, he s*#&s everywhere"!

In the cage:

1. If you are using a triangular corner pan, throw it out.  Use a shallow, medium sized cat pan.

2. Get rid of your levels.  On the cage floor, you will have the litter box, the food and water, and a blanket.  Arrange hammocks and sleep-sacks to hang at different heights in the cage - this will stop them from pooping there, but more importantly, the ferrets will get to exercise their muscles by climbing up the cage bars to get to the hammock.

This should eliminate all cage problems indefinitely.  

Out of the cage:

1. If you don't visually see poop coming out of their behinds, they have tricked you in order to come out of the cage.  Its quite common for ferrets to "fake" a poop for a reward.  Even so, take them out and place them in a box again and again until they go.

2. Place litter boxes throughout the room strategically.  They get to pick their potty spots, so use your best judgment here.  A good rule is two boxes per medium sized room, in the ferrets' favorite spots.

3. Every time you see them use a box, give them a few drops of FerreTone or FerretVite, a liquid skin and coat supplement that all ferrets LOVE the taste of.  

4. Clean any accident spots very thoroughly.  Some people like vinegar, but I prefer to use "Nature's Miracle" on carpet.  It contains a natural, non-toxic enzyme that devours the pee.  Its great stuff and can be purchased online and at some hardware/grocery/pet stores.

Try this stuff and get back to me if you need to!

Stephenie