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Post by lozza on Dec 9, 2010 6:07:17 GMT -5
Hi All I dont know if this is the right place to post this.... i figured it is sort of a cage issue... I really need your help! Ever since i've switched to raw Rufus REFUSES to use his litter tray. All he does is dig in it and then sleep in it once he has made a huge big mess. He used to be really good and ONLY use it all the time but now he just poos where ever he wants and it is driving me insane! It is taking me so much longer to clean up after him and its really impossible! I have tried leaving his litter tray a little dirty (leaving some poop in there) so he remembers what it is for but he just REFUSES to use it and Im tearing my hair out! LOL I have also tried moving the litter tray to different places within the cage (it is a large corner litter tray which he has never ever had a problem with before - he always seems to want to poop in a corner, and it is the type of tray he used to use before I got him It really is like he is doing these things on purpose ha ha and then sitting back and laughing at me.. the little bugger!!! :-) what can i do? Please help!!
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Post by katt on Dec 9, 2010 6:18:22 GMT -5
Is he a late alter? If so you might want to read this thread... holisticferret.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=talking&action=display&thread=6364He could be entering a false season... Also, I would ditch the corner box. Most ferrets won't use them at all. They prefer a nice big box that they can "easily" (by their definition, not ours! haha) fit all four feet in with extra room to move around and find the proper position. Hopefully someone else will be on soon with more advice too. I know Sherrylynne has a great thing on litter box training...
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Post by lozza on Dec 9, 2010 7:05:26 GMT -5
oh! well he was about 3 - 4 years old when i got him neutered (he wasnt done before i adopted him!) So maybe that is what's going on? He is pooping everywhere.. it seems to be getting worse and worse.. Ive just cleaned his cage out tonight and its one of those nights where i am super tired after work so maybe it just feels a little bit more stressful than normal... but its getting hard to handle it all!
That thread is very interesting.. and it kind of makes sense! It is now spring so it kind of makes sense that he would be doing that.. i really hope it passes!!!
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Post by lozza on Dec 9, 2010 7:06:32 GMT -5
OMG i *think* he just used his litter tray (well he was at least in it without digging at it) so i got him out of his cage and gave him a big cuddle and said GOOD BOY WELL DONE about a million times) haha
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Post by katt on Dec 10, 2010 16:27:00 GMT -5
Yeah. I don't know much about late alters as both of mine are mill bred ferrets. But from what I have read it sounds to me like he is going into "season." Or so he thinks. How long ago was he altered? Not too long ago right? I believe that some of them grow out of it... I would keep congratulating him when he does well. Could you maybe use puppy pads or newspaper for bedding for a while? Leave some hammocks in for him so he still has cozy spots, but put the pads/newspaper where he has "accidents" (OR on-purposes, whichever they are lol) and it will make clean up easier. Just crumble up and toss the dirty ones and put in more.
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Post by maddiesmom on Dec 11, 2010 9:53:56 GMT -5
I've also been learning that the same saying goes for ferrets as it does with dogs (and children HAHA) a tired ferret is a good ferret He's been going outside and for walks a lot, mental stimulation is more tiring as well lol I am still having problems with Murtagh, but since I understand whats going on its been much easier to deal with Being in the cage is the issue right now, in our case, but he can't be out when I am not home, its just now safe! I've had to remove the shelf from the cage and my mom thinks I'm mean because of it... but hes hitting the litterbox more now. I'll wait until he's doing it more consistantly before I put it back in How long has he been on raw? It could be related to that, too
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Post by snowbunnie on Dec 11, 2010 18:03:44 GMT -5
OH this is the what i need to read... one of my boys has stared doing this too. i was about to post about it and see what every one thought... the only thing is with mine is that he is only 5 months and a marshal's ferret. but i have noticed that he is getting pretty stinky lately and he is getting pee all over his belly and going where ever he darn well wants to go in his cage and out of his cage... corner whats a corner, he has seemed to forget about that, the middle of the hall way seems like a fantastic spot in his eyes to take a pee..... i don't know what to do we have litter boxes all over the house, his brother is starting to pick up on going in interesting spots too... ughhhh i need to get this under control its driving me and my boyfriend nuts
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Post by sherrylynne on Dec 11, 2010 18:07:37 GMT -5
What's likely happening with your's Snowbunnie, is he's become a teenager With all of any teenager's attitude! Just remain consistent about his training, and if he insists on going wherever, whenever, you might have to start restricting how large an area he has to play in right now.
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Post by snowbunnie on Dec 11, 2010 18:26:00 GMT -5
humm i wonder what would be the best way to go about that... since we have had them they have had run of the house thats prob why we have had litter training issues in the first place... its hard because we have a basement suite so the living room and kitchen are mixed. i could block off the hall way and let them have that as a run. and maybe block them down in the bottom floor of the cage? do you think that will work.
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Post by katt on Dec 11, 2010 18:56:39 GMT -5
Sherrlynne, could you maybe post that potty training thing you have? I think that might help...
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Post by Heather on Dec 11, 2010 21:43:46 GMT -5
Create the thread for it and I will sticky it (or you can sticky it ) I can never find it when I want it (probably getting the wording wrong in the search ) ciao
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Post by sherrylynne on Dec 12, 2010 1:04:08 GMT -5
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Post by katt on Dec 15, 2010 0:40:50 GMT -5
I'll sticky it in general then Only reason I can always find it is I copied it and messaged it to myself Thanks!
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