Hi everyone,
 
While I've subscribed to this list over two years, I rarely post,
preferring instead to lurk in the background and enjoy everybody else's
comments.  I've learned a great deal about our fuzzy friends and have made
some new friends here as well.
 
Now I have a problem I hope somebody out there can shed some light on.  My
six ferrets live in a very large four-level cage when they're not out
destroying my home.  I have always been proud of them because the "hit
rate" inside the cage is 100%.  They are even pretty good outside of the
cage, averaging about 90%--we know how ferrets can be!
 
That is, until recently.  About six weeks ago, Fargo decided to quit using
the litter box inside the cage.  Instead, he started using a corner on the
second level.  I added a corner litter pan to that corner thinking the
problem would be solved.  It was for about three days and then he moved to
the third floor.  I have not changed the type of litter we're using, or
their food, or anything else.  I have tried adding extra bedding assuming
that Fargo wouldn't soil his bedding, but he continues to refuse to use
the box.  The others are still using the litter box all the time, but I'm
afraid they may begin to see this as acceptable behavior as well.
 
Last night, Chester piled his toys in the corner Fargo's been using--I
guess he's tired of this behavior too!  Fargo removed the toys and did his
thing anyway.
 
Has anyone seen a problem like this before?  Anybody have any ideas on how
to stop this?  I'm completely stumped.  The only option I can think of is
putting Fargo in a separate single-level cage until he learns to use the
box, but I don't want to isolate him from the others.
 
Thank you all for any suggestions you might have.  I hope everyone had a
wonderful holiday season and a bountiful new year.
 
Guy E. Gerhard and the ferrets:
Thelma, Louise, Candy, Chester, Felix and Fargo
[Posted in FML issue 2554]