One of the things that you will need to get for your new ferret is a litter box. By litter training your ferret early on, you will save yourself a lot of mess and time down the road. In this article, you will find a complete guide to ferret litter boxes and ten possible options for you and your ferret.
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10 Best Ferret Litter Boxes Available Today
The Marshall Ferret Litter Pan was designed specifically with ferrets in mind, unlike some of the other litter pans on the list that were recommended for small animals in general or even cats.
The front is low so that your ferret can get into the box easily without having to jump, which can make a mess or even be hard on your ferret as he ages. However, the other sides are tall to prevent your ferret from kicking litter out or backing up and creating a mess.
It is a square shape, but the edges are still designed to fit easily into the corner of your ferret’s enclosure. They also have a version that has a lock-on feature. It locks on with a screw mechanism so that you can easily lock and unlock the box as needed for cleaning.
- Optional lock-on feature to prevent your ferret from kicking up the whole pan
- Low front so that your ferret can access the inside easily
- Tall sides to prevent spillage and backup mess
- Some ferret owners prefer a triangle shape for the inside of enclosures
There are two Ware Manfucaturing litter pans on this list. The major difference between the two is that this one comes with a wire floor panel and plastic guard. The wire floor panel keeps your ferret elevated about the litter and mess to prevent your ferret from tracking mess throughout the enclosure or your house and to keep your ferret from kicking out litter.
The triangle-shaped litter pan also includes a lock so that you secure it to the side of an enclosure to keep your ferret from spilling its content when you are not paying attention.
Furthermore, it does come in a pack of two, which is great because you generally need one inside the enclosure and one for whatever room your ferret has access to.
- Comes in a pack of two, so you can have one in the enclosure and one out in your house
- Has a lock-in feature to prevent your ferret from kicking it over or up dumping it
- Comes with a wire floor panel to prevent spillage and keeps your ferret’s paws clean
- If you prefer square litter boxes for around the house, you will not have use for two triangle ones
The Kaytee Hi-Corner litter pan is designed for small pets like ferrets or rabbits. The main feature of this litter pan is the high walls that are meant to prevent your ferret from backing up and creating a mess outside of the cage.
Despite the high walls, this Kaytee litter box is still small enough to fit into most small animal enclosures, and it should definitely fit in an enclosure big enough to house a ferret.
While the litter box does not necessarily have a lock-in feature, it does have hooks to add a little extra security. It will be really easy for you to unhook and clean the litter box, but unfortunately, it is also easy for some ferrets to get it off.
Finally, the plastic they used to make the litter pan is not only easy to clean but also stain and odor-resistant.
- High walls to prevent any backup messes
- Plastic is easy to clean and stain and odor resistant
- It fits easily into most small animal enclosures
- While it does have hooks for added security, it does not lock-in, so it can still be up dumped
This is the second Ware Manufacturing litter pan on the list. It does not include wire shelves, so your ferret will be directly on the litter. Some ferret owners find it easier to litter train this way despite the potential extra mess.
The litter pan still locks easily into the sides of most small animal enclosures, but it is super easy to remove whenever it is time to clean it out completely. The plastic is stain and odor-resistant which also makes cleaning time really convenient.
This pan is designed for small pets, but you do have two size options to choose from. If you have the space, the bigger version of this litter box is often better for a ferret’s long body. No matter which side you get, it will have high backs to prevent backup messes.
- Locks and unlocks easily from the side of your animal’s enclosure
- Two sized options so you can pick what works best for you
- Sometimes being directly on the litter is better for litter training
- Without the wire bottom, your ferret may mess around the enclosure
The Kaytee Long John litter pan is specifically designed for small pets with long bodies just like your ferret. The shape is perfect for your ferret to comfortably fit inside and move around, which is not the case for all small animal litter pans. But even with the special design, it still fits easily into most small animal enclosures.
It also has tall sides and back to keep the mess contained inside the litter box rather than on the sides of your enclosure and a low entry at the front for easy access.
Finally, when it comes time to clean the cage, the plastic is really easy to clean as it is both stain and odor-resistant. The only downside is that it once again only hooks onto the enclosure rather than lock onto it.
- The shape is designed specifically for your ferret’s long bodies
- The high sides are meant to keep any mess inside the litter box
- Plastic is both stain and odor resistant for easy cleaning
- Only hooks onto the sides rather than locking on, so your ferret may be able to knock it around
The Lixit Corner Litter Pan is designed specifically for ferrets and rabbits, so you can trust that the shape will work for your ferret. It is a triangle-shaped litter pan, so it fits perfectly into the corner of the enclosure or the corner of a room in your house.
However, there is no lock-in feature, so your ferret will easily be able to knock it around, which can lead to quite a mess. But there is a small hole in the back corner, so you could buy a lock of some kind to attach it yourself, though that may be more hassle than you want to deal with.
It is made of durable, non-toxic, easy to clean plastic that comes in three colors: pink, blue, and green.
- Triangle shape fits easily into the corner of an enclosure or the corner of a room
- Made of durable plastic that is really easy to clean
- You have color options so you can pick what you like best
- Does not come with a lock-in feature so it is easy for your ferret to kick it around
The KittyGoHere Senior Cat Litter Box is technically made for cats, but it has several key features that make it a great ferret litter box.
First of all, because it was made for senior cats, it has a low entry point so cats with arthritis can easily get into it, but it is also perfect for your ferret to easily climb into it. The plastic is also durable and really easy to clean.
However, there are a couple of things that you need to keep in mind when using this cat litter box for your ferret. For instance, it might be a bit big for your ferret’s enclosure and it is square so it may not fit into the corner perfectly.
It also does not come with a lock-in feature because cats do not have an enclosure for the litter box to lock onto in the first place. However, if you happen to own a large ferret cage or want to use this litter box outside the cage, this is a great option to consider.
- Low entrance so your ferret can easily access it
- The plastic is durable and easy to clean
- It comes in two sizes so you can pick what works best for you
- It is not designed to easily fit in a small animal enclosure
Whether you like litter pans with high sides to prevent extra mess or if you prefer the look of low sides, the Oxbow Enriched Life litter pan could work for you. It comes with a removable shield that you can take on and off as you want, but it is secure so your ferret will not be able to do the same.
Additionally, both the shield and the litter box itself are made of plastic that is really easy to clean and 100% pet safe. It is meant specifically for guinea pigs and rabbits, but it still works great with ferrets.
Plus, the triangle shape that is meant to fit in the corner of rabbit and guinea pig enclosures will also work for your ferret’s enclosure.
The one downside is that it does not attach to the side, so your ferret may turn it over and create a mess.
- Removable shield so you can have high or low sides
- Made out of durable, safe plastic that is easy to clean
- The triangle shape fits easily into the side of small animal enclosures
- It is not easy to attach this litter box to the side of your ferret’s enclosure
The Arm and Hammer Sifting Cat Litter Pan is perfect if you are looking to make cleaning out the litter pan significantly easier. It comes with three pans total. One of the pans is meant to sift through the litter and another pan is used to remove the actual soiled litter. This three-pan system is perfect if you are wanting to say goodbye to the days of constantly scooping out the litter pan.
The plastic of all three pans is also coated with antimicrobial protection that combats bacteria and prevents any unwanted stains and odors. It is also extremely durable, so whenever you want to pick up the pan, you can trust that it won’t break, even if you use a heavier litter.
The one thing to keep in mind is that it might be a bit big for the inside of your ferret’s enclosure and it does not have a lock-in feature, but it is perfect for out in your house.
- Three pan system makes cleaning easy and scooping the litter a thing of the past
- Coated with antibacterial protection to combat bacteria, stains, and odors
- The plastic is extremely durable and can hold even heavy litters
- It is not designed to be inside of a small animal’s enclosure
The final litter box on this list is technically a rabbit litter box, but it still works great for ferrets and has a couple of unique features that are great for ferrets too.
First, it comes with pads that you can line the bottom with to make cleaning easy and prevent any unwanted stains.
The plastic it is made of is also extremely strong and durable, while remaining completely safe and non-toxic to your ferret.
It also has a unique design that makes cleaning a breeze. It has a plastic grate over the top that will prevent your ferret’ from getting dirty feet or tracking litter all around the enclosure or house. It also has a drawer that you can pull out of the bottom to make cleaning really simple without having to take out the entire litter box.
It comes in three sizes, though all of them are square-shaped.
- Comes with pads to keep cleaning easy and prevent staining
- Made of strong and durable plastic
- The drawer is removable for really simple cleaning
- Only comes in a square shape which does not always fit as nicely into corners
How to Pick Out a Litter Box For Your Ferret
When you go to pick out a litter box, there are a couple of different things that you need to consider. Let’s go over a few of them.
- Size: Ferrets have long bodies, and if you want your ferret to use it, he is going to have to fit comfortably inside and be able to move around properly. Additionally, if it is going inside your ferret’s enclosure, you are going to want to make sure it fits inside and can be easily brought in and out of the door for cleaning.
- Shape: Litter boxes typically come in two shapes: triangle or square. Triangle-shaped litter boxes are generally better for inside your ferret’s enclosure as they fit easily into the corner. However, square or rectangle litter boxes are usually a bit bigger and easier for your ferret to move around in.
- Material: You pretty much only want to get a litter box that is made of easy-to-clean and durable plastic. Any other material will likely stain really easily and could trap odors.
- Location: When you are picking out a litter box, you need to consider where you are going to put it. If it is going to be in the enclosure, you will need to decide on its size and shape in addition to some other features. For instance, you will want to be able to attach a litter box to the enclosure to prevent your ferret from dumping it over.
- Extra Features: You also may want to consider some extra features that some litter boxes have. For instance, some litter boxes have plastic or wire grates to prevent your ferret from getting his paws messy. Other litter boxes have sifters or drawers to make cleaning easy. If you narrow it down to a few litter boxes, these extra features can help you make your decision.
Can You Use Another Type of Litter Box For a Ferret?
Yes, you do not have to use a litter box designed specifically for ferrets. When it comes to litter boxes in the enclosure, one meant for small critters will generally fit better. However, for around your house, even a cat litter box could work great.
It is more important that you pay attention to the features, rather than the label. As long as it is the right size, shape, and material, and has a low enough entrance for your ferret, it should work perfectly fine.
What Type of Litter Should You Use?
In addition to picking out a litter box, you are going to need to pick out some litter to use.
Because ferrets have very sensitive respiratory systems, it is important that you make sure that you pick out a safe litter. When it comes to materials, the best option for your ferrets is either wood pellets, ordinary wood pellets from the store, or recycled paper litter. You want to avoid materials such as clay or cedar/pine because they have oils and dust that can hurt your ferret’s respiratory system and overall health.
Beyond just being careful with what material you buy and use for your ferret’s litter, you want to take other factors into consideration. For instance, you want to consider odor control, absorbency, and how easy the litter is to clean and scoop.
If you are interested in knowing more about how to choose a safe and quality litter for your ferret, this article contains a complete guide and ten great litters for you to consider using.
How to Train Your Ferret to Use a Litter Box
Training your ferret to use a litter box is really just a matter of patience and rewards. Once you get the litter box and litter all set up, you will want to move some of your ferret’s soiled bedding into the litter box. This will show your ferret what the space is meant for. From that point on, whenever your ferret goes to the bathroom elsewhere in the enclosure, simply move it into the litter box.
Additionally, whenever your ferret uses the litter box or even shows interest in the litter box, reward him. Ferret are very intelligent, so he will quickly figure out what you want him to do and what he needs to do in order to get the treat.
It is just important that you remember to be patient with your ferret and stick to a reward system. Evidence has shown that ferrets do not learn nearly as well with a consequence system as they do with a reward system.
Check out our complete guide on ferret potty training for a perfect, step-by-step guide on how to train a ferret to use a litter box.
How Do You Clean a Ferret Litter Box?
There are two kinds of cleaning that you will need to do for your ferret’s litter box. First, at least once a day you will want to scoop out all of the soiled litter and throw it away. Keeping the litter box clean will minimize odors and mess.
The second kind of cleaning is deeper cleaning. You will want to remove all of the litter from the box and then wipe it out with warm soap and water. You will want to do this kind of cleaning at least once a week if not more.
Why Is My Ferret Playing and Sleeping In Its Litter Box?
If your ferret is playing and sleeping in its litter box, there are a couple of potential reasons. The most common is that your ferret does not understand what the litter box is actually for. This is most likely the case if you have just started litter training.
However, if your ferret is fully litter trained and just started sleeping in the litter box, it could be a sign of a health problem and you may want to talk to your vet.
References and further reading:
- Ferret care and husbandry, Heather Bixler, VMD∗ and Christine Ellis, DVM
- Ferret Behavior Medicine, Sylvain Larrat, Noémie Summa
Contents
- 10 Best Ferret Litter Boxes Available Today
- 1. Marshall High Back Ferret Litter Pan
- 2. Ware Manufacturing Plastic Scatterless Lock-N-Litter Small Pet Pan
- 3. Kaytee Hi-Corner Litter Pan
- 4. Ware Lock-N-Litter Pan – Jumbo Size
- 5. Kaytee Long John Small Pet Litter Pan
- 6. Lixit Corner Litter Pan for Ferrets
- 7. KittyGoHere Senior Cat Litter Box
- 8. Oxbow Enriched Life Corner Small Animal Litter Pan
- 9. Arm and Hammer Sifting Cat Litter Pan
- 10. Calpalmy Rabbit Litter Box
- How to Pick Out a Litter Box For Your Ferret
- Can You Use Another Type of Litter Box For a Ferret?
- What Type of Litter Should You Use?
- How to Train Your Ferret to Use a Litter Box
- How Do You Clean a Ferret Litter Box?
- Why Is My Ferret Playing and Sleeping In Its Litter Box?
