litter box

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
I have 2 ferrets and they used to poop in their litter box but now they're just going all over. What should I do?

ANSWER: Hi, thanks for your question. You didn't say how old they are or how long you've had them, but since you say they have been using their box and now all of a sudden aren't sounds strange to me. Have you changed the kind of litter you're using? Sometimes ferrets can be picky about what kind of litter they will go in. Have you changed anything else about their box, either moving it or getting a different box for them? If you have done any of these things, go back to the way they were and try slowly "weaning" your ferrets off the old ways and into the new. Or maybe either their box is getting too dirty or it's too clean. Make sure to clean it often, at least every couple of days, but also be sure to leave a poop or two in it so they can smell that it's their spot. If it's none of these things I honestly don't know what to tell you, maybe the ferrets are trying to tell you something. Sometimes a ferret won't go in his litter on purpose because he's mad at the owner or he's trying to get attention or he could be bored. But if BOTH are doing it I wonder what's causing it.

You may have to "re-train" them all over again. Be prepared to line your corners of your house with newspapers. You may have to be ready to get them some new litter boxes and put them in their new corners. Are they going in other, specific areas, or are they doing their business right next to the box? Maybe they are getting lazy and don't feel like climbing into the box to go. In that case either get a box with lower walls or cut it down some. If they are just going in other corners, maybe they're trying to tell you they prefer to go there instead. Ferrets are peculiar in that they "like" certain spots, and it's very hard to change their minds. It's usually just easier to go along with it and put a box or paper down in that area. If you see one backing up in the "wrong" corner, quickly put him in the box and give him lots of praise for going in the box. A treat might help enforce this behavior. Never yell or scold them for not going in their box, but always praise them for doing it right.

Again, this is pretty strange to hear they are both doing this. So just check and make sure nothing is different and observe their behavior as far as taking care of business is concerned.

Hoped I've helped a little, good luck! :)

~sheila

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I have a male and a female ferret and the female will be 2 years in Oct and the male will be 3 in Feb (they are spayed and neutured). I have not changed anything about they're litter box or anything. It may not even be both of them because I've only really been seeing the female do it. I just assumed that both of them were going in different spots.
Another question I had that doesn't have anything to do with litter training was: My female ferret has a swollen "pee butt". I've taken her to the vet and he said to keep an eye on it untill Fall. If it's not any better than she should get surgery for Adrenal Disease. And my question is, should I wait that long or should I get her in immediately?
Thanks for your help!
Christina

Answer
Hello, good to hear back from you! Okay then, if it's just the one than either he's being lazy or he might be trying to get your attention. Ferrets are like kids, even negative attention is still attention. Does he want to play with you more or wants you to hold him/pet him? Have you been away from home more? And if your litter box for them has not changed, maybe you can change it to try to get him to start going in it again. (Get one with lower walls, try putting another one in the corner he's switched to). It may even be that all of a sudden he just doesn't feel like sharing toilet, who knows? :) I'm not sure exactly how "territorial" domesticated ferrets can be, but I would say assume he's like a little person with his own likes and dislikes and growing character. Or maybe he is just picking new spots that he has his heart set on. Work around him and work with him as far as getting him to go in the litter box is concerned.

Well I'm not a vet and I would ask you if your vet is a good exotics/ferret vet. If the vet is a general cat/dog vet, maybe try taking her to a ferret specific vet who's knowledgeable in fuzzies. But if your current vet IS a good ferret vet, I would say trust in their opinion. They didn't go to school for 8+ years for nothing! :) So just do what they say and keep an eye on it.  

Hope I've helped, feel free to ask the other volunteers if you have more questions about Adrenal, they probably could help you a littler more in that area :)
~sheila