litter box help!!

"heps1530" <heps15.RemoveThis@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:c84d75d04f01f3c772ef2fb3d35a8df3@localhost.talkaboutpets.com...
> My ferret that i just bought at petco about a week ago doesn't use his
> litter box. I waited two days before i put the litter box in because i
> wanted to see what corner he would go in. He went in one so i put the
> litter box in that corner. As soon as i did that he popped on the other
> corner. I don't know what to do? Should i move the litter box in the
> corner hes going in now?

If you're talking about *outside* the cage, then it's a good idea to make
sure the area he has to play in is limited in size. When he uses the
litterbox in that small area consistantly, then make the play area a little
bigger; etc, etc. Lots of verbal praise when he hits the box (NO treats -
once you stop giving treats for hitting the box, they'll have no motivation
to do it anymore). Supervise playtime strictly - when you see them backing
into a corner, scoop them up & put them in the box. Rinse & Repeat. And, as
Zeligg said, put some poop in the box, so they can see/smell what it's for.

Another thing to try is, when you wake them up for playtime, don't let them
out of the cage until they've done their thaaaaang in the cage. That will at
least save your floor from getting dumped on.

If they miss the box, do NOT punish them! Do NOT rub their noses in it, hit
them, etc. Simply place the poop in the box, show it to them, & that's it.
If you punish them, then put them in the box, they'll associate the box w/
the punishment you just gave them. Ferrets are smart, but they're also
rather ADD.

Should none of this work, start all over again w/ a different type of
litter. Ferrets are like people - some perfer Charmin, & some prefer the
generic store brand. :-D

Most of all, patience, patience, patience! I've had our Puck for a bit over
a yr now, & he's still only about 50% w/ the box outside the cage. I just
have to follow him around until he backs up, then put him in the box. Some
days are better than others - other days, he's bound & determined to wreck
our carpet!

--
Lin, Ariel, Oberon, Max, & Puck
To email me back, take out everything from "K" to "2"
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