Here's ar article by Mary Van Dahm, Director of the GCFA shelter on the
topic of litter training stubborn ferrets.  We've handled nearly 1300
ferrets in the last 5 years and not all were equipped with a Norden
bombsight :D
 
 
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THE INS AND OUTS OF LITTER BOX TRAINING
by Mary Van Dahm
Director, CGFA Shelter
 
     I often get calls from people whose ferrets leave them presents. Not nicely
wrapped ones like you find under the Christmas Tree, but plain brown parcels
left in corners, behind sofas, and sometimes out in the center of the room for
the whole world to see. Let's face it, there are very few ferrets who are
perfect about using the litter box. With a little effort, tho, and a little
insight as to why a ferret goes where it does, you can greatly increase his
chances of hitting the right spot.
     First of all, you must understand that ferrets are "latrine" animals. This
 means that they pick a spot, usually in a private corner somewhere, and return
 to that spot when they have to eliminate. They also have short legs and a low
 profile. To them,a room looks AWFULLY BIG and the closest corner to them looks
 SO inviting.Therefore, they may choose more than one corner in a room or one
 corner in each room! Hopefully, as the more (ahem) intelligent species, we will
 realize their dilemma and provide them with extra liter pans as needed. In some
 areas where a litter pan won't fit, newspaper can be used. It may have to be
taped down so the ferret realizes that it's not a toy to crawl under or rustle
 around in! Placing a little feces on the paper can sometimes help the ferret to
 understand what the paper is for, too.
        Another thing you can try is putting old bread pans or Tupperware-type
 dishes (that are smaller than the average litter pan, but still big enough for
 the ferret to have room to do his duty) in spaces where regular litter pans
 wont fit. Whichever item suits your purpose, it is important to have the ferret
 realize that you are doing this for him to use. Sprinkle some old litter or
 some feces in the pan and show it to your ferret. Set him in it a few times,
 especially if he hasn't gone for a while, and keep setting him in it until he
 finally does relieve himself.
     Praise your ferret when he does the right thing. Give him a treat. But
 don't let him trick you! Some ferret will learn the motion of backing into the
 pan and pretend that they go just so they can get the treat. Let them know the
 difference between the desired results and an empty pan.
     Don't punish your ferret. Ferrets do not relate having their noses rubbed
 in their feces with the fact that they missed the pan. All this action does is
 alienate your pet from you and may actually cause him to pick more unwanted
 spots since his desired spot has been ruled off limits. If he still doesn't
 cooperate, even though you've got wall-to-wall litter boxes, don't despair.
There are still other things to try.
     Another important factor to realize is that ferrets have very short
 digestive systems. Approximately 3-5 hours after a ferret eats something, the
 unabsorbed leftovers are going to exit the other end. Also, ferrets will often
 eat and then settle down  for a nap. These naps will often last until the
 ferret is hungry again or until you come to wake him up. Waking the ferret will
 often trigger his body's  need to eliminate, but in his excitement over seeing
 you, he suppresses it temporarily. If you know that your ferret ate at a
 certain time, or if he just woke up, leave him in his cage until you see him
 use his litter box. If he seems reluctant to go and is more intent on you and
 getting out to play, walk away for a while and then come back and check his pan
 to see if he has gone in it. If he still hasn't done anything, use the "placing
 him in the pan repeatedly" method and he should eventually get the idea. It is
 a good idea to set him in the litter pan after he has been out for a while too.
 This will help
 prevent further accidents from happening.
Some ferrets will seem to have the right idea and head to the corner with the
 litter box in it , only to go right next to the box! Once again, setting him in
 the box repeatedly should help him get the idea.You may want to try using a
 different litter. Some ferrets don't like the feel of clay litter between their
 toes. Corn cob litter, which is sold in many pet shops, or pine shavings may be
 tried. DO NOT USE CEDAR SHAVINGS! They can cause respiratory problems in
 ferrets.  There is also a new litter on the market that is made from finely
 ground clay which can be tried, but I have found that it tends to cling to the
fetter's paws and is then spread around the house. Some ferrets like to dig in
 it and they get it up their noses and into their eyes causing irritation and
 sometimes infections. If your schedule doesn't permit you the time to
 constantly keep tabs on your critter while you're trying to correct his habits,
 you can
get pieces of plastic carpet runners and place a piece under each pan that is
 large enough to extend out for about a foot or more on each side of the pan. At
 least if the ferret misses, he won't ruin your carpeting.
     Another way of keeping your ferret away from places where he shouldn't go
 is to spray the forbidden areas with rubbing alcohol.  Most ferrets can't stand
 the smell of alcohol and will avoid these areas. Since rubbing alcohol
 evaporates fast, you may have to apply it several times until your critter
 gives up. DO NOT use Bitter Apple for this purpose. It will work just as well,
 but the main purpose of bitter apple is to leave a bitter flavor when you spray
 it.Unless your ferret is chewing the carpet, you're just wasting Bitter Apple.
 You may want to test the alcohol on your carpet in a small,  unseen area first
 to make sure that it won't react with your carpeting and leave a stain. Most
 carpets won't have any problems, but it never hurts to be sure.
     For litter problems inside the cage, limiting the ferret's open areas can
 generally help. Ferrets don't like to soil their bedding or food. arrange the
 contents of the cage so all he has room for is food bedding and litter pan.
 This van be done by either putting a larger pan in his cage, adding extra
 bedding to
cover all the bare areas or by putting the ferret in a smaller cage temporarily
 until he changes his habits. Once again, patience and perserverence are
 mandatory.
     Some ferrets that have been really good with their litter boxes can
 suddenly stop using them. Assuming that it's not a medical problem where the
 ferret is losing control of his bowels, look to see if anything has changed in
 your house or in the ferret's daily routine. Have you moved the furniture? Is
 there a new pet or person in the house? Are you letting him out a time
 different than usual? All of these factors can change you ferret's habits Most
 of the time, gently reminding him where the litter box is can be enough.
 Sometimes, if there is a new animal in the house - especially one that is also
 using the litter box, you may have to get an additional litter pan until your
 ferret gets used to the "intruder".  Some ferrets refuse to share their pans
 and you may need to keep a separate pan for him on a permanent basis.
     So, that's the scoop on the poop, more or less. I hope I've covered most of
 the frequently asked questions that I receive. If anyone has any problems or
 any other solutions to suggest, please call the shelter @ 1-(708) 964-4232
 [IFNS] <Reprinted from "Off The Paw">
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[Posted in FML issue 0349]