How to Get a Ferret to Stop Digging in the Litter Pan
Ferrets are diggers by nature. While digging is not preventable, a ferret can learn the difference between where it is okay to dig and where it is not okay to dig. Ferret dig boxes provide hours of mental stimulation and exercise in a quiet manner and are easy to make. All you need is a cardboard box and some pet-safe box filler to make an exciting ferret dig box in just a few minutes.
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Things You'll Need
- Cardboard box
- Masking tape
- Pet-safe foraging box paper
- Ferret treats
- Ferret treat toy
Instructions
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1
Remove all plastic tape from a clean cardboard box and loosely reseal the bottom of the box using three to four 4-inch pieces of masking tape.
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2
Turn the box right side up and fill it with shredded paper or ping-pong balls.
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3
Sprinkle four or five small low-fat ferret treats among the filler to reward your ferret for good digging behaviors.
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4
Hide one treat-filled toy deep in the filling. This provides mental and physical stimulation for your ferret.
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5
Partially close the lid on the box leaving a small crack to tempt your ferret into investigating the box.
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6
Place the box in the appropriate location — habitat, playroom or pen.
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7
Replenish the treats daily, change out toys inside the box weekly and replace the box and filler when they become soiled.
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Tips & Warnings
Praise your ferret each time it chooses to play in the dig box to encourage healthy digging behaviors.
Praise your ferret each time it chooses to use the litter pan without excessive digging to encourage good bathroom manners.
Leave a few small pieces of feces in a corner of the litter pan to deter the ferret from digging between scoopings.
Heavy-scented litter prevents ferrets from smelling where they have marked. Switch to a less scented litter to discourage excessive digging.
Ferrets that do not get adequate amounts of mental stimulation with enrichment toys or daily time outside the cage will develop nervous or repetitive behaviors such as excessive digging.
