QUESTION:

My husband and I are getting completely frustrated with our one year old male ferret's bathroom habits. We Have three male ferrets, and in the beginning all of them seemed to be hitting the litter box almost every time. All of a sudden, about 2 months ago, one of our babies must have decided that he no longer liked the litter pan. Instead of using the box when they are in their cage, he started pooping and peeing all AROUND the pan. On the left side, on the right side, and directly in front of the pan on the cage floor. The urine goes everywhere and it's a huge mess.

We put some towels/bedding all around the pan to stop him, and for awhile it seemed like it was working. But then we realized that he was actually starting to poo and pee right in front of the FOOD DISH (which is in a separate corner about a foot away from the litter pan)! He hasn't completely forgotten how to use the litter pan., because he still uses it once or twice a day, but all the other times, he goes right in front of the food. The other ferrets want to eat and they walk through the pee and track it everywhere. We have put bedding in that area as well, but he doesn't seem to care. We also tried giving treats when he actually went in the pan; still no luck.

Now we've gotten a smaller container to put him in. It is just large enough for a litter pan., food dish, water, and a blanket (a recommendation we read on a web site for if your ferret needs to be litter box trained). The small container just seems to be confusing/scaring him. He is just freaking out and bouncing around and stepping in the food and litter and tossing is everywhere. We have run out of ideas. This is getting so frustrating and nothing is working. Do you have any ideas? Please?

ANSWER:

Take him out of the small container, I have never heard of such a thing. When was the last time he went to the vet, just to make sure he is okay? Ferrets that have low blood sugar tend to forget where the litter box is when they are too tired from a low in sugar level. You might have the vet check his blood glucose level right there in the office to be sure he is alright.

What kind of litter pan. are you using and what kind of litter? Also how often are you cleaning the pan? Male ferrets urinate a good 3-4 inches in front of poop and some ferrets hate to walk where it is wet, so keeping the litter scooped 2-3 times a day will help. Placing old T-shirts all over the floor (weave them in through bars of cage, so they do not move them) this might deter him and will help absorb the pee, if he goes, and can be thrown in the wash easily and used again.

QUESTION:
My ferret was using a litter box just fine & then all of a sudden he was going outside of it. I have tried all different kinds of litter. Any suggestions? He also has gotten extremely fat. I thought it might be the food so I put him back on marshalls. He lives in a ferret cage as one of my dogs is not to be trusted. I let him out to play in a bedroom away from danger. Anything I can do?

ANSWER:
What kind of litter pan is he using, could it be that now he is larger he is filling it faster, as ferrets do not like to step in their urine, that could be why he goes in front. I recommend a recycled newsprint as litter, such as Yesterday's News, or Carefresh, they absorb the urine very quickly, odor free and easy to scoop. You did not say how old your ferret is, but have you had him checked at the vet recently?

Sometimes when ferrets are not feeling well they fail to use the litter pan. One very common reason, is when a ferret is hypoglycemic (low blood sugar), they tend to sleep more and on awakening, because the blood sugar is low, they find it difficult to get going. If this is his problem the vet will need to do a 'fasting blood glucose test' to determine if he needs medication. Try giving him GERBERS BABYFOOD (as a supplement), CHICKEN or TURKEY ABOUT 3-4 TEASPOONSFUL IN THE MORNING AND EVENING, WARM it a little first, you may need to add about a teaspoon of water so it is not too thick, this will raise his blood sugar and level it off. Do this until you see the vet.

QUESTION:
I have 2 ferrets that are both around 6 years old. My male ferret has recently stopped using the litter, and will even go to the bathroom where they eat and sleep (we have a 4 story cage). We tried taking away all but 2 levels of the cage (bottom level being the litter) and that still does not work. Sometimes he goes to the bottom to use it and sometimes he doesn't. It's getting to be a pain to clean up the messes every day, especially when it's on their blankets, hammocks, etc. He seems healthy otherwise, we took him to the vet and he doesn't have any health issues. And the female ferret does not do this, just our male. Do you have any suggestions?

ANSWER:
At 6 years of age he definitely has health issues. If he has used his litter all these years then something is wrong! First of all does he have cataracts, or is he losing his sight? He may be getting up to go and then lose his bearings as he cannot see? Having had ferrets for almost 25 years, the most common reason for a change in behavior, is due to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) did he get a blood glucose test at the vet? It can be done right there on a glucometer and if low, he will need medication, plus some supplemental feedings of BABYFOOD/CHICKEN. When a ferret has hypoglycemia, he will sleep more and then when it is time to eat, he may be too tired and the blood sugar drops even further. He can also have small seizures that the owner may not be aware of and this will disorient the ferret, so he cannot maneuver as usual.

You might want to feed him some BABYFOOD twice a day to help him until you get some answers, about 3-4 teaspoonful. The baby food will help raise his blood glucose level and keep it there for a while, so he will be strong enough to eat his regular diet. Hopefully your vet is ferret knowledgeable? If you need to print out info go to: www.miamiferret.org Click on HEALTHCARE and then on INSULINOMA, you will see symptoms of the disease that might help you identify your ferrets problem.

You must also consider that your ferret is now geriatric, so it would be like taking care of your grandma, you may have to make accommodations easier for him to navigate. Having one level, or a single floor cage may work best. Put down an old sheet with some baby blankets, that you can bleach. Each day you can remove the soiled pieces and wash, I am sure after having him all this time, you love him enough, to care for him in his old age.