Small, friendly, and intelligent, ferrets make excellent companions. As an added bonus, they can be trained to use a litter box. If you’re wondering how to train your furry friend, follow these three veterinarian-recommended tips. 

3 Litter Box Training Tips for Ferret-Owners

1. Placement

To begin training, put a litter box in your ferret’s cage. If your ferret already has a preferred “bathroom area” in the cage, place it there. Make sure the box is designed specifically for ferrets and filled with an appropriate type of litter—popular choices include recycled paper, wood pellets, and newspaper.

If the cage has multiple levels, put a box on each level, as most ferrets won’t venture too far to find a box when they need to urinate. Similarly, if you let your ferret roam around your home, put a litter box in every room they frequent to prevent accidents. 

2. Timing 

Most ferrets need to use the bathroom as soon as they wake up. When you see your ferret rising from a nap, put them in the litter box and wait for them to use it. After you do this multiple times a day for a week or two, your ferret should naturally head to the box upon waking. 

3. Praise

Like dogs and cats, ferrets respond well to praise. When you see your ferret use the box, offer their favorite treat and give them lots of attention. This strategy will help your ferret associate it with positive reinforcement.

In addition, if your ferret has an accident, don’t scold them; instead, calmly place them in the litter box if they’re not finished. According to veterinarians, you’re more likely to have a successful training experience if you remain calm and gentle at all times.

Keep your ferret happy and healthy with the help of Thompson Animal Medical Center. Located in La Crosse, WI, these compassionate veterinarians provide wellness exams, preventative care, vaccinations, dental treatments, and other care to animals of various types and sizes. They also offer 24/7 emergency services. Learn more about the clinic online, and call (608) 788-8820 to schedule an appointment.