What is the Best Litter & Litter Box for Pet Ferrets in 2019?
If you talk to any ferret owner, you will understand that they share a special bonding with their pets. You may think that I am talking like a crazy person. If you have a ferret at home, then you will understand what I actually mean. Once you become close friends with your pet, you will obviously want to ensure that your ferret is healthy all the time. The best indicator of this is the animal’s poop. Since the poop tells you a lot about your pet’s health conditions, it is rather important that you choose one of the best ferret litters in the market.
When it comes to choosing the best litter box for your pet ferret, you have to remember that odor and safety of your pet should be your primary considerations. You should also keep an eye on the absorbance rate so that the ferrets remain comfortable. The moment the ferret step out, the contents of the box should remain inside and not spill out.
Top 5 Litter Brands for Pet Ferrets
Factors to Consider While Choosing the Best Ferret Litter Box
Choosing any litter box for your ferret will not be a good idea. You have to keep certain factors in mind while shopping for such a product from the market. Thinking with a clear mind while shopping for litter box will ensure that your pet remains comfortable inside and is also unable to dig their own poop.
- Safety of Your Pet: When you decide to choose a good litter box for your ferret, it is important that you choose one that provides proper safety to your pet. You will come across several ferret owners who use cat litter boxes that are not at all recommended for ferrets. These do not have the proper safety measures meant for ferrets, which makes them unsuitable for ferrets.
- Control Odor: It is important that the substance used to make up the entire litter box should be capable enough to control the odor of the poop effectively. Poop odor can also make ferrets uncomfortable and disturb them a lot. According to experts, the pelleted litters are the best when it comes to a litter box.
- Makes Training Simpler: The litter box that you choose should make training simpler for ferret owners and also allow the ferrets to get in their proper places whenever it is time to poop. The covering of the box should be embedded within it and not allow the odor to escape. It should also pacify the pets and let the owners clean the box easily and fast.
- Free From Dust: It is important for you to know that ferrets have a highly sensitive respiratory system. This is why it is important that you choose a dust free litter for your pet. It is their nature to roll over and smell their own litter while they poop. The pellets remain in their own place due to their weight and do not spread dust.
- Easy Cleaning: Make sure to choose a litter that is simple for you to clean. This is probably one of the most important factors to consider. A clean litter box will automatically promote good health for your pet ferrets and also prevent them from falling seriously sick. These animals are quite sensitive and will simply refuse to use a litter box if it is not clean.
Top 5 Ferret Litter Boxes
Why Are Some Litters Considered Bad For Ferrets And How To Choose The Right One?
If you have cats at home, one of the best and highly common litter is clay litter. However, this does not make it the best for ferrets. The simple reason behind this is that clay tends to become thick when it gets wet. Clay may easily stick to the fur of your pet or even its paws, eyes, the anus region, and the nose. It is very difficult to get rid of it. Ferrets normally have a tendency of dragging their bottom on the litter to wipe. Clay can easily get stuck in their anus and cause a major blockage which can be dangerous for them.
There are also some clay litters that are pretty dusty. This may cause some serious respiratory problems for your ferrets. These animals love to dig almost anywhere they wish. This also includes their litter box. While digging, ferrets love to snorkel. While doing so, the dust from the clay may enter their respiratory system and cause some serious issues.
It is good for you to note that any silica-based litter is not a good idea for ferrets. It may give rise to several serious respiratory problems. However, if you consider the user-friendliness and the price, you will find several better options than clay. Silica-based litter is bad for the respiratory system of ferrets and also fail to get rid of the odor properly.
It will also be a good idea to keep away from cedar or pine wood shavings. These are filled with oils that can also cause respiratory issues in ferrets. These wood shavings have oils because these are not processed in a way to get rid of the oil. Apart from ferrets, rats and rabbits also face similar health problems. The oils in these wood shavings can also change the normal functioning of some specific liver enzymes.
What Are The Safest Litters For Ferrets?
You must be wondering which litter to use for your ferrets. Well, there are several options to choose from. Litter that is made from recycled paper is a good option. It is comparatively cheap and comes with several great features. Litter made from recycled paper is rather effective in controlling odor and do not contain a lot of dust, which is good for your ferrets.
Another great option would be wood pellets. These are not pine or cedar wood pellets since these contain a lot of oils. The wood pellets I am talking about are actually compressed sawdust and do not come with a heavy price tag. These do not contain any oils and are great for the overall health of your ferrets. These are available in any hardware store and not just pet stores. These are not specially designed for animal litter.
Best Ferret Litter List
As discussed above, there are several options when it comes to animal litters. Choosing the best after proper research may take a lot of time. In order to save your time and effort, we have come up with some of the best animal litter for your beloved ferrets.
① Marshall Premium Odor Control Ferret Litter
Are you unable to get rid of the odor from your ferret cage even after several attempts? Try the Marshall Premium Odor Control Ferret Litter, which is designed to be highly absorbent and easily control odor. It is made with 100% recycled paper, which also makes it biodegradable and environmentally safe.
This litter is non-allergic and dust free due to the high absorbent qualities of this product, you simply have to use a small amount of it. Around 2cm to 3cm needs to be poured in order to cover the bottom of your ferret’s litter plate. It is also recommended to skim through daily and get rid of the solid waste. It will also be a good idea to change the litter pan on a weekly basis or whenever needed.
Pros
- Special odor control ingredients and natural paper fibers get rid of ammonia odor easily.
- Flushable recycled paper makes cleaning very simple.
- Made from biodegradable and environmentally safe material.
Cons
- Some users may find the pellets quite big and tough to scoop.
- Some may also find the size of the bag small.
② Oxbow Bene Terra Eco-Straw Pelleted Wheat Straw Small Animal Litter
It is true that wood shavings normally do not absorb liquid, which does not make scooping effective. If your pet ingests the wood shavings, it can also cause health issues. However, the Oxbow Bene Terra Eco-Straw Pelleted Wheat Straw Small Animal Litter is completely different. It not just absorbs liquid fast, it also proves to be good for the digestive system of ferrets if ingested.
This product is made from high-quality wheat straw that are compressed into pellets. It is also twice as much absorbent than newspaper-based litter and also lasts much longer than ordinary wood shavings. When wet, this litter product expands and also separates in order to absorb almost 300% more than its own weight in moisture. This also makes it very simple to scoop.
Pros
- Special technology is used to compress the wheat straw that helps it to absorb double than newspaper based litter.
- Natural fiber from the wheat grass makes it good for the digestive system if consumed by ferrets.
- This product is also more hygienic than wood shavings.
Cons
- It fails to get rid of odor effectively.
- Tends to turn to mud when wet.
③ Kaytee Critter Litter Premium Potty Training Small Animal Litter
This is an all-natural sanitary solution for small animal litter pan training sessions. The Kaytee Critter Litter Premium Potty Training Small Animal Litter is designed in a way to make it almost 90% dust-free and highly effective in absorbing liquid. This litter product is made from non-toxic and natural bentonite that easily absorbs moisture upon contact and also gets rid of bad odor.
Pros
- Eco-friendly natural potty training litter that is 90% dust-free.
- Suitable for all types of small animals such as rabbits, rats, and ferrets.
- Made from non-toxic bentonite, which is extremely good at absorbing moisture upon contact.
Cons
- There are mixed reviews of this product being highly absorbent.
- Fails to get rid of bad odor properly.
④ Kaytee Kay Kob Bird and Small Animal Natural Bedding and Litter
With the help of this product, it is very simple to keep your beloved pet’s habitat odor free and dry for a long time. The Kaytee Kay Kob Bird and Small Animal Natural Bedding and Litter is made from natural corn cob, which makes it highly absorbent and also good at eliminating bad odor. This litter product also does not cling or stick to habitats of cages, due to which it is very simple to clean.
You may easily use this litter as bedding for small animals and birds alike. However, it is not at all recommended to use it with reptiles, since it can easily give rise to gastrointestinal blockage is consumed by them.
Pros
- It is made with dried and natural corn cob that makes it very good at absorbing liquid and eliminating bad odor.
- It is graded and processed for bedding purposes.
- It does not cling or stick to cages or habitats that allows you to clean it easily.
Cons
- May not work well for rabbits.
- There are mixed reviews of it being highly absorbent.
⑤ Fresh Newspaper Small Animal Litter
This litter product is good for the environment and your home. It is made with Ammonia Locker Technology that makes it highly useful at getting rid of bad odor and absorbing liquid faster. The 100% biodegradable newspaper used in making this product basically makes it dust-free and is suitable for all types of small animals such as ferrets and rabbits.
Pros
- Gets rid of bad odor almost immediately.
- More absorbent than clay and wood shavings.
- Highly effective and safe for all types of small animals.
Cons
- The price may seem high for some users.
- Fails to get rid of odor.
⑥ So Phresh Paper Pellet Small Animal Litter
These litter pellets are pretty good at absorbing moisture fast. It is safe for use in a small animal habitat and can also be used as a bedding option for these animals. The baking soda content in the product makes it capable enough to get rid of bad odor and it is made of natural paper that helps it to lock in moisture faster. The 100% recycled paper used in the making of this product makes is environment friendly and biodegradable.
Pros
- Contains baking soda to get rid of odor effectively.
- Made from 100% recycled paper.
- Does not break part even when wet.
Cons
- Sharp pieces of plastic in the litter.
- If consumed may cause health issues.
⑦ Purina Yesterday’s News Non Clumping Paper Cat Litter
This is basically a cat litter and is made from 100% recycled paper. The paper pellets are gentle enough and is almost 99.9% dust-free. Tests have revealed that this litter product is able to absorb almost 3 times its own weight in moisture as compared to clay-based litter.
The Purina Yesterday’s News Non Clumping Paper Cat Litter also effectively gets rid of bad odor. It is made of non-toxic pet product that is harmless for your pet.
Pros
- Can easily 3 times its own weight in moisture as compared to clay-based litter.
- Effectively controls odor.
- Designed to provide fresh scent on a daily basis.
Cons
- Is only designed for cats and not for smaller animals.
- Cannot control odor as it claims.
Best Ferret Litter Box List
Just like there are a wide array of litter products in the market for small animals such as rabbits, ferrets, and rats, there are also several types of litter boxes for them. You have to choose the right one so that your pet is able to lead a healthy and happy life in its cage. Some of the best ones have been discussed below for your knowledge.
① Ware Scatterless Lock-N-Litter Small Animal Litter Pan
This litter box is one of the best when it comes to ensuring a clean and safe habitat for your pets. This is attractively designed and has a low front end to allow your pet to enter it easily. The wired floor panel ensures that the poop does not come in contact with your pet’s feet. You can easily attach it to any wired cage with the help of integrated clips. The product is made from odor-resistant plastic and is very easy to clean.
Pros
- Keeps the habitat clean and safe.
- Easy entre due to the low front.
- Wired floor keeps the mess in.
Cons
- The quality of the plastic is thin.
- There have been reviews of the product breaking even under slight pressure.
② Ware Lock-N-Litter Small Animal Litter Box
This litter pan made by Ware is another great solution for keeping the habitat of your pet clean and safe. It also has a low front for easy access and is made from odor resistant plastic. You can easily secure it with a wired cage.
Pros
- Can securely attach to the wired cage without spilling.
- Designed to fit all types of wired cages.
- Made of odor resistant plastic.
Cons
- The plastic can easily break even under mild pressure.
- It fails to stay in one place inside the cage.
③ Kaytee Hi-Corner Small Animal Litter Box
This product from Kaytee makes it very simple for you to potty train your pet. It is designed to fit in most of the cages and can also be used outside the cage. The high corners of the product does not allow the litter to get spilled and also lets you clean it very easily. It is made from odor and stain resistant and easy-to-clean plastic.
Pros
- Can be used both inside and outside a cage.
- Made from stain and odor resistant plastic.
- High corner design avoids spilling of litter.
Cons
- No hooks to securely place the litter box inside the cage.
- The front flip should be a bit higher than it is.
④ Kaytee H-Corner Small Animal Litter Pan
This litter box is one of the best for small animals such as ferrets, rats, and rabbits. The unique corner design makes it suitable to fit inside any cage and it also comes with built-in hooks to attach it to a wired cage. The high corners prevent the litter from spilling over inside the cage. It is made from odor and stain resistant plastic.
Pros
- It is designed to make potty training simple.
- The plastic makes it very simple for you to clean the box.
- Cage attachment made simple with the built-in hooks.
Cons
- The size may appear to be big for medium sized cages.
- May not be suitable to potty train bunnies.
⑤ Marshall Ferret Litter Box
This litter Pan by Marshall is basically a combination of the best features of a regular litter pan and corner litter pans. It is ergonomically designed and comes with 7-inch-high corners and a 2 inch front lip. It also allows you to attach it to any cage. The front-end opening measures 9 inches wide and 5 inches high.
Pros
- It is ergonomically designed to suit the unique habits of ferrets.
- It is a combination of the best features of corner pans and regular pans.
- The front opening is wide enough to allow easy access to small animals.
Cons
- The lock-on hook is not strong enough.
- The plastic is also weak and can easily break.
Conclusion & What is the Best Ferret Litter & Litter Box
The litter and litter box lists mentioned above will help you save time and effort when you decide to go buy a suitable litter and litter box for your ferrets or any other small sized animal. Out of those mentioned in the list of litters, the best is the Marshall Premium Odor Control Ferret Litter (CHECK BEST PRICE HERE). It is made of natural paper fibers that also have special odor control ingredients that effectively control ammonia odors on contact.
It is also non-allergic and dust-free that is best suited for small animals. The paper used to make this litter is also flushable that allows you to clean it faster and easier. It is also environmentally safe and biodegradable.
On the other hand, the best litter box is the Ware Scatterless Lock-N-Litter Ferret Litter Pan (CHECK BEST PRICE HERE). It is designed to keep the habitat of your pet clean and safe and the pan also has a low front for easy access. The pan itself is wide enough to let you clean it effortlessly and it securely attaches to any wired cage. Different animals have different habits. Thus, it is important that you carefully choose the best litter and litter box for your pet.
