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Post by bluemoose on Jan 19, 2011 18:28:23 GMT -5
So recently one or more (don't know who's doing it) of the ferrets has decided the feeding den is a good place to go to the bathroom. The den is a large plastic container they climb in and out of to get food. They've had it for several months now and this was never an issue before. For the most part they're good about using it for it's intended purpose and do most of their eating there.
Is it normal for ferrets to poop where they eat? I didn't expect this and the first time I just put it down to a fluke but it keeps happening and seems to be getting worse. When I went to put food in this morning there poops in two corners. Is there any way I can discourage this?
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Post by rarnold18 on Jan 19, 2011 19:03:30 GMT -5
I don't know... I have two litter boxes that my crew decided were better for sleeping in.... maybe another rubbermaid type bin that can be turned into a remote litter box?
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Post by bluemoose on Jan 19, 2011 19:12:46 GMT -5
Well they have free roam of the room and there are litter boxes scattered all over for them so they're not short on places to go. I could make a giant one from a bin and see if that helps. I don't want to confuse them though with a feeding den and litter box that look so similar
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Post by sherrylynne on Jan 19, 2011 19:26:23 GMT -5
I'd try a different feeding den for a bit. Maybe just a cardboard one for now. Lucrezia used to gather up all the meat she could when she was young, and poop right on top of it. It's their way of saying "MINE!!!" Thank heavens she outgrew it
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Post by angelfish on Jan 20, 2011 0:13:35 GMT -5
Pita did that once so far but I'm pretty sure it was in protest. I think she wanted more food than she got.
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Post by Heather on Jan 20, 2011 0:26:17 GMT -5
Unfortunately, you've discovered someone in your business who feels the necessity of laying claim to food or space. Many animals actually do this to make the food disgusting for others so that no one else will steal their stash. Ferrets do this too, much to the total disgust of their caretakers. They rarely think that kibble is worth this type of special care, but raw food does. It's worth fighting for I've found that this seems to happen more often with little ones when they're first switched and they suddenly discover that this food is awesome....most appear to grow out of the behaviour. I found that my guys would periodically go through this behaviour when a new fuzz found their way into the business. Just an observation ciao
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Post by bluemoose on Jan 20, 2011 0:45:38 GMT -5
Well I haven't noticed them doing it on the actual food (thank God) but I suppose they could be claiming the space since that's where the food appears. Mine have all been on raw since I got them though and I've had my newest one for several months.
For now I'll just hope whoever it is knocks it off since all of yours seem to have just done this as a phase. I'll take more drastic measures later if I have to.
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Post by halblingefrau on Jan 21, 2011 11:30:53 GMT -5
I have the opposite problem... litter box turned into feeding den. I agree with Sherrylynne though, try using a cardboard box. Ever since I put in a box as a "hidey house", they've been stashing meat in there instead of the litter box. And there's the added bonus of tossing it if it gets gross.
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Post by novemberkris on Jan 21, 2011 13:48:34 GMT -5
Although it is likely territorial, are the litterboxes "private"? Paulie has been rather sensitive about whether I'm around when he goes to the bathroom (unless he is in MY bathroom). I've been thinking of converting a bin to a litterbox to eliminate these "privacy" accidents when he's out. I also know, with cats you want to have the same number of litter boxes/food bowls as cats if you can. Maybe an extra feeding den would help?
Digression: I have to butt in to say, Sherrylynne, Lucrezia is such a little diva. I told that sheet protest poop story (and isn't Lucrezia often involved in a protest poop story) to my grandfather last night and it tickled him. (He grew up with a ferret back when ferreting was legal [Depression]--and his boy was fed rabbit, b/c if you didn't get the rabbit first, Cuddles would eat it. We trade stories a lot.).
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Post by sherrylynne on Jan 21, 2011 23:01:10 GMT -5
Yes, she definitely is that And yes, she's usually the one who protest poops on me as well
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