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Ferret Litter Reviews
We know how exciting it is to come home with a new pet! Ferrets are amazing animals and companions, but they do come with needs and responsibility. One of the most important items to consider when setting up your new ferrets home is where they will go to do their business and the type of litter you want to use.
Before you run to the pet store, keep in mind that there are a vast amount of options when it comes to small pet litter, and it may seem daunting to know which ones are the best. Not every litter will be right for your ferret so it's important to look for specifics when browsing. Be sure you know what size pellets will fit easily into your litter box, the weight of the pellets won't be too light and easily kicked up for an overly playful ferret, and the kind of material you want to use.
You can rest easy, though, with any of these five choices when looking for the best litter for your ferret.
Top 5: Ferret Litter Review
When looking for choice litter for your ferret(s), one of the top-ranking picks on Amazon is the Marshall Ferret Litter. This dust-free product is perfect for sensitive pets to take care of all their needs knowing their respiratory system will not be harmed in the process. One of the best things about this litter is that it is made with biodegradable materials that are completely flushable, making a great environmentally friendly option.
Ferret owners will find that they can order a 50-pound bag of Marshall litter, and if you happen to have an Amazon Prime membership for free delivery, you could have it in two days! Marshall Ferret Litter is one of the best choices on the market.
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Any ferret owner looking for a product made from 100% recycled paper should look no further than Fresh News Paper. This litter will help reduce waste, save trees, and is almost completely dust-free!
Paired with ammonia-locking technology, you will find that the amount of odor will be greatly reduced keeping your pet, and your home, smelling fresh and clean. Packaged in pet-friendly pellets, your ferret will find comfort in taking care of their daily needs.
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Whether you are a new Ferret owner or a long-time pet owner, the Kaytee Small Animal Potty Training Litter is a great option for anyone. This litter is perfect for first-time ferret parents as it easy to clean, quick to replace, and the ideal training product for your new furry friend.
Made from 100% bentonite, a natural, non-toxic, mineral to help absorb moisture, this litter is completely safe for your pet. These natural ingredients also provide ample odor blockers and help reduce the frequency of cage cleanings needed.
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Made from 100% compacted recycled paper, the So Phresh Paper Pellet for small animals is a highly rated choice for your ferret. This litter is a great option for ferrets with more 'kick' in their playtime.
These pellets are heavier than other paper fibers keeping your ferret's cage tidier and less messy than other brands. With the addition of baking soda to help eliminate odors, you'll find So Phresh to be the perfect product to have in your home.
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The Kaytee Clean and Cozy Bedding is a great option for ferret owners looking to encourage their pet's natural need to burrow, nest, play, and take care of all their daily needs while also being super absorbent and fresh.
This bedding can absorb twice as much as regular wood shavings and includes odor-blocking technology and is almost 100% dust-free.
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Top Pick
Whether you're browsing for pellets, loose paper, or compacted bedding, any of the five options will provide you a comfortable litter area for your ferret to use. If you're looking for the best value for your ferret while not compromising odor control and cleanliness, we recommend trying the So Phresh Paper Pellets first as they come highly rated for their use.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you litter train a ferret?
A common question when buying your first ferret is how to use the litter to train them properly. The best recommendation is to place some of their feces or urine in the litter box you're intending them to use. This will entice them to go in that same area, and as long as you keep it clean and contained, they should continue to go back when needed.
Can you put baking soda in ferret litter?
While baking soda is a common agent to help remove the smell of ammonia, most litter is already equipped with the product or another form of odor eliminator. Baking soda is non-toxic, so adding a little extra won't harm your ferret in any way.
How do I keep my house from smelling like a ferret?
The best thing to do is to ensure you are cleaning the cage regularly. Depending on how many ferrets you have using the litter box, will make cleaning days vary. The most ferrets using it, the more often it should be cleaned and changed out. Most of the time, you can do a quick scoop and change out every other, or every three days, but be sure you are doing a thorough cage cleaning every three to five days for sanitary reasons as well.
What is ferret litter made from?
There are different materials that are used to make ferret litter. Most commonly, you'll find litter that is either made from wood pellets or from recycled paper that has been compressed into pellets.
Should I buy a clumping litter or pellet litter for my ferret?
While you may see options for both pellet litters and clumping litters, you'll like only want to choose a pellet litter product for your ferret. Pellet litters are very absorbent, so they'll leave less of a mess in your ferret's cage to clean up. They also produce less dust, which can help keep your ferret clean and make it easier for you when you need to clean their cage.
Pellet litters are also a good option to consider because scooping them to clean your ferret's litter is easier with other types of litter. They also cost less than many other litter types, so you can even safe some money.
Clumping litters, on the other hand, are not a great option to consider for a few different reasons. They are more likely to get picked up by your ferret's paws and tracked around their cage or your floors. A clumping litter is also more expensive than a pellet litter, so you'll end up spending more money for a product that may not work how you want it to.
In some cases, your ferret may even decide to eat their clumping litter, which is another reason you may want to choose a pellet litter.
How much litter should I put in my ferret's cage?
You don't need to use much litter at a time in your ferret's cage. Unlike cats, ferrets do not need additional litter to use to cover their stool. You'll only need to lay down a thin layer of litter each time you change your ferret's litter.
Can you use cat litter for ferrets?
You should not use any clay or clumping cat litters with a ferret. Cat litter is overly dusty, which could lead to your ferret developing breathing problems. Unlike cats, ferrets often place their nose right down onto their litter, which means they will breathe in a lot of dust.
Is pine bad for ferrets?
Yes, pine is dangerous for ferrets and you should not use any bedding or litter products that contain pine. Pine, as well as cedar and other soft woods, can be toxic to ferrets. They have an essential oil which can cause liver damage or respiratory problems for a ferret.
Why is my ferret eating her litter?
If you've noticed that your ferret is eating her litter, there could be a few different reasons behind it. Sometimes, a ferret may start eating litter is there is a problem with their food. When ferrets don't get the protein they need, they may turn to something else, like their litter, in search of the correct nutrients.
You should read the label on your ferret's food bag to confirm that it contains at least 35% protein. Also, you should not feed your ferret anything with corn, wheat, or other grains, as ferrets don't digest these foods properly.
Ferrets may also eat their litter if they aren't getting the right quantity of food. If you suspect this to be the problem, try feeding your ferret an extra meal during the day.
Other times, ferrets may eat their litter simply because it looks very similar to their food. If you notice a lot of similarities in the appearance of the litter and your ferret's food, you may want to try changing litter brands to find something that looks very different from their food.
Is it safe for a ferret to eat litter?
No, it is not safe for your ferret to eat their litter. Eating the litter could be very dangerous for your ferret and may make them sick. If you notice this behavior, you will want to take steps right away to stop them from continuing to eat their litter.
What should I do if my ferret is digging in his litter box?
Some ferrets like to dig, especially if their litter box has a lot of litter in it. If you've noticed your ferret digging in his litter box and getting litter all over the place, it may mean you've put too much litter in their box. Try using less litter when you fill their box to see if it will help.
How often should you clean a ferret's litter?
The more regularly you clean or changes your ferret's litter box, the less noticeable the odor will be. The type of litter you use will likely impact how frequently you find it is necessary to change the litter. Some materials, like newspaper or puppy pads that many ferret owners use are not very good at controlling odors, so litter boxes that use these materials will need to be changed more frequently, even numerous times each day.
If you use a litter that is better at absorbing odors, you won't need to change it as frequently. Still, to keep your ferret's litter box clean and make sure they continue to use it, you should try to change the litter at least every few days.
Are ferrets easy to potty train?
You will need to train your ferret to use a litter box; don't expect them to pick it up right away. It is also important to note that all ferrets are different, so a method that works well with one ferret may be very unsuccessful with a different ferret.
Below are a couple of different training methods you can experiment with to see what works best with your ferret.
- First thing in the morning, wake your ferret up and put him in the litter box. If/when he goes to the bathroom, give him a treat to reward the behavior. Continue placing him in the litter box a few times each day and repeat the process for a week or so. Doing this can help get him into the routine or using the litter box first thing before he gets up and going.
- A second approach you could try is providing your ferret with lots of praise and treats whenever you see him go to his litter box. Making sure he has a pleasant experience with his litter box may make him more likely to continue to use it.
- Place some vanilla extract around your ferret's litter box. Ferrets like vanilla and will be drawn to it, making it more likely that they'll use the litter box.
- Finally, if your ferret has started making one particular location in your home into their 'litter box,' and you want to break the habit, you can place some of their bedding or their hammock in that spot. Ferrets don't like to go to the bathroom where they sleep, so if you do this, they won't continue using that area as their toilet. Just be sure to thoroughly clean the area to remove any smells and use one of the other methods above to encourage them to use the litter box.
Do ferrets poop a lot?
Ferrets will poop somewhere around four times a day. They prefer to poop in a corner, so training them to use a litter box will be key to protecting the rest of your home.
What can I do to make my ferret's litter smell better?
Staying on top of cleaning your ferret's litter box and cage is key to reducing the ferret odor in your home. Ferrets pee and poop multiple times each day due to their short digestive tracts, so the litter smell can build up rather quickly. A few things you should do to reduce the smell include:
- Giving your ferret a bath each month
- Washing their bedding each month
- Making sure they are potty trained and using their litter box, not a corner in a room
- Cleaning and replacing their litter each day
- Cleaning their cage regularly
- Using an air filter above the cage
- Placing bedding around the parts of your home/your ferret's cage where you don't want them to pee or poop
Final Verdict
We have taken the stress and wonderment out of shopping for the best ferret litter, and you can't go wrong with any of these five options.