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How can I get my ferret to stop digging?
Many ferrets love to dig. They'll dig in their litter pans, under
the cushions of the couch and at the carpet near closed doors. To
get your ferret to stop tossing litter all over, start out by putting less
in the pan, and keep it just clean enough that there's a dry layer on top.
Litter digging tends to be a kit behavior, perhaps because kits have
so much energy and are often cooped up in cages, so with time and luck your
ferret will grow out of it. It's nearly impossible to train a ferret
not to dig at all, so you're better off protecting your property and removing
the temptation. Some digging, especially in the litter pan, can be
out of boredom, so playing with the ferret more can help, too. You can also
help control your ferret's digging by giving her somewhere approved to dig.
A box filled with dirt, sand and gravel, then set into a larger box
to contain the mess, can be great fun to a ferret. Your ferret may also
enjoy digging outside, closely supervised of course.
How can I stop my ferret from digging in his food or water?
A lot of ferrets like to dig in their food or water bowls. If the
bowls are in contained areas and the ferrets are willing to eat off the
floor, the easiest solution is to provide a back-up water bottle and ignore
the digging. You can also put the bowls in larger pans to contain
the mess; use separate pans for the food and water, so the spilled food
doesn't get soggy and spoil.
Heavy bowls that angle inward can help, or for more diligent water-bowl
diggers, you can switch to a bottle. Likewise, some people find
that a J-type rabbit feeder works well for food, though others find that
just gives their ferrets a lot more food to joyfully spread around the
room. At least one person used a PVC p-trap with a smaller opening
instead. Another nearly dig-proof design is to put the food in a
covered plastic Tupperware-type container and cut a hole in the top just
big enough for the ferret's head.
Written by Pamela Greene of FerretCentral.Org
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