General Discussion

I have a new ferret. Ive had him maybe a week and a half. Im so frustrated already. He has a multi level cage. He wont stop pooping in every single level except the top. He has a litter box that he uses. Its at the bottom level. But, the other three levels he poops in too. I read that putting toys and food in the corners will stop it. It did not. I put food in 2 levels and a leash in one hooked to the wall and in the way. He pooped right next to one of the food bowls. It still had food in it. Im so confused because i thought they werent supposed to poop near their food. The top level is the only level he wont poop in and it has his water and is covered with fabric. I was in the process of making fabric for the rest but we had towels over some of the levels and he just pooped on them. So im afraid to cover the others in fabric. Any suggestions would help greatly.

Until you train him to properly potty train, you'll just have to deal with this. Try putting fabric on the second-to-last level, see what he does. Also, actually they usually do poop near their food because it's where they eat and it's just easier than moving to a different spot to poop.

How often have you been changing the litter boxes? Some ferrets can be super picky about their litter boxes being dirty and it's best to scoop the poop as soon as you notice it in there. Also try putting littler boxes in every spot he poops in to help him get used to the idea that the boxes are the best place for poo.

@Bumbling
Im trying to teach him yo use the box but i have no way to show him hes doing good. I have treats for him but he wont eat them. And if i touch him he instantly goes into play mode.

@Thyla
I have put fabric on the other levels today. I just hope it makes a difference. He definately noticed the change. I cant put boxes on all levels because there isnt enough room. He has room to walk across it but if i put a litter box there he would be walking through it to get to the next ramp.

@PrincessParrot
I scoop the litter box daily and change to new litter completely every few days. He uses his litter box he just uses everything else too. Also there isnt really any room for litter boxes at every level. Hes have to walk through the boxes to get to the next ramp.

Just a heads up - ferrets really should be kept in same gender pairs. You can keep one alone but they need an IMMENSE amount of time from you or they get bored and lonely and become neurotic. Humans really aren't the same to a pet as having another of their species around to play proper ferret games with. I highly recommend you get him a friend :-)

@Morphini
Im not allowed to get a second one. I still live with my parents in their house so even though im over 18 i still have to abide by their rules. When i move out, i hope that is fairly soon, i may get another one, but until then i cant get another.

Does he poop on the floor of the bottom level? If not, just add a litter box for each one, that should fix it... Or maybe not, because I have 0 experience with ferrets. :P

@FantasyFreak Honestly in that situation it would have been better to wait rather than buy one who will be unhappy but I guess there's not much you can do now. Something worth keeping in mind though. Sometimes it's better to wait until you live alone.

I always wanted a dog but my mother's rules for having one made it unfair on the dog if it lived with us. So I waited. It's hard, but it's worth it :-) As most caged animals need friends (or they genuinely will lose their minds) I recommend waiting until you leave home before you consider any more.

So long as you give him lots and lots of attention he should be fine for now :-) Definitely time for a (male) buddy for him when you move though.

RE: the litter boxes, get one for each level. You can cut it down later, once they've learned. A couple of times a day collect the poops they've done and pop them in the litter box. You should be spot cleaning (removing poop and old fresh food) every day anyway so it won't be too much bother. Don't put it all in or it'll fill the boxes, just a few so the boxes have the smell there. In time they'll naturally use them.

That's how I trained my rats :-) Once they've got it then you can put one out during their free time and they'll use it then too. Ferrets should be having an absolute minimum of 4 hours per day out and about - at least 2 of which should be one on one time with you. A lone ferret should be looking at about 6 hours a day out, with 3 or so (broken into two or three sessions) involving one on one attention from you. They should not be left out unsupervised ever during the play without you, but you can get on with other stuff in the room/s (depending on size) they're playing in. They are not cage animals like mice or hamsters. They're more like cats who sleep in a cage. A ferret - again, especially a lone one - will definitely go insane if kept in a cage for long periods.

I hope that helps. They're fabulous pets, and so much fun. Naughty little things too! Watch them with wires! And don't be surprised if you find everything you own tucked away in their beds at some point during their lives :-D They just love to hoard stuff!