How do you get your cat to use litter box?

Training a ferret to use the litter pan

A ferret eliminates by raising their tail and backing into a corner, usually always a corner. They will need to go as soon as they wake up. Before you let a ferret out of the cage, wait until they use the litter pan. In the cage, a ferret will not eliminate around their food area, try putting the litter pan in the opposite corners. Ferrets digest food very rapidly, every 3 to 4 hours, so they do eliminate a lot, but they will not go in a dirty litter pan. It must be kept clean, with a little feces left in it (to prevent being played in). When a ferret is out of its cage, it would be helpful to put an additional litter pan(s) in the area. An alternative, put newspaper or dog potty pads in the corners. Whenever you see a ferret backing into the corner, they are going to eliminate. Ferrets don't seem to have the ability to hold it, but try to catch them and put them into the litter tray. When a ferret is successful using the litter pan, use treats and praise as rewards. Never, never hit a ferret for bad behavior or rub their nose in feces, they do not understand.

Advice from other contributors:

* Ferrets are not always as reliable at potty training as cats. Some of the tricks I have tried with my ferrets are using a certain litter, and putting feces in the box to let them know where to go. I use blankets that were previously used to sleep in to put in areas where they should not defecate. It is also important to use a litter box that is low enough for them to get into easily. Some of my ferrets always push the box away and poop next to it. Even after owning ferrets for over 25 years I still don't have all the answers.

* I have been rescuing ferrets for several years and have found that the best solution to getting them to poop in the litter is limit their options.

* I had several who have been known to do anything and everything in their power to go behind or under the litter box.

* Solution - remove the litter box! I traded in cages so that the bottom of the cage is one big plastic tray and the 6' tall wire cage walls rise up from there. I dump about 10 lbs of litter into the bottom after every thorough cleaning, scoop as needed on a daily basis, and replenish low litter levels.Everyone seems to love it!

* When they get their playtime outside of the cage there are paper towels over news papers in every corner they have picked out as 'potty corners' and that all gets picked up and tossed out after each play session. I also found that it is easier if you let them pick out where they go and put the necessary supplies in those corner. I had one ferret who absolutely insisted in going in the bathroom and ONLY in the bathroom, which happened to be an off limits room to them at the time. Once we gave in and let him in he showed us that he wanted to back into the same corner as his mummy and daddy and that was all. Once we did that, he calmed down, he stopped being so agitated and hostile and was a very good little boy!

* Ferrets also have a very quirky sense of humor or perhaps its a design instinct or natural feng shui ability. It has been known that some ferrets will leave a single poop in a random area and if completely cleaned up they will replace it every chance they get! We left paper towels in those corners too, even though no one uses them. We just left them on the floor until company comes over and I picked them up.

* Easily. Ferrets habitually eliminate in a corner, they just do! Position its litter box first in a corner of it's cage & then move it to a corner of the bathroom, etc. or just leave the cage door open. Treat the box as you would a cat's litter box.

* Normally one would train animals by rewarding good behavior. How does one reward a ferret for doing its business in the right place and scold it for doing it in the wrong place? It may gain a complex and try to do its business in places that you can not see it. A ferret will want to be as hygienic as possible. Take advantage of this. Move the litter try to places where it tries to 'eliminate.' Also ensure that the contents of the litter tray are suitable for the critter - some cat litter is unhealthy for the animal and it will avoid it if at all possible.

* Ferrets go in corners, put newspapers in corners and a litter box. If ferrets go on the newspaper, put the poop in the litter box. If you see them backing up in a corner, say no, and put them in the litter box. If they go when you put them in the litter box, praise them. It's as easy as training a puppy.

* Corner-shaped litter boxes are made just for ferrets. Since it is their natural inclination to go in a corner, use corner-shaped litter boxes to make it easier to train. Put the corner-shaped litter box in a corner of the cage or room. * Ferrets can learn to use a litter tray. My ferrets use a litter tray from when we got them and they had never had one before. Some ferrets take longer to learn that they should go to the toilet in the litter tray. But it is possible!!!