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Post by Deleted on Aug 25, 2014 17:20:18 GMT -5
Good afternoon all.
My wife and I just replaced all the carpet in our house and replaced the toe molding around those rooms as well. We'd like to help discourage our little ones from decimating the corners again simply because they don't feel like using the litter box that they know they should be using.
Has anyone found anything that works for making them want to avoid corners in a room? We're adding two more litter boxes into the area of the house they hang out in to see if that helps, but we also know that they are fully aware of where they should be going, and at times they simply choose not to.
-M-
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Post by Deleted on Aug 25, 2014 17:29:36 GMT -5
Ferrets are designed to poop in corners. Did you ever hear the joke: "how do you drive a ferret crazy?" Give them a round litter box.
Seriously, I know this is a problem. You might try buying some of those heavy duty rubber carpet protectors, that office chairs slide on. Stick them in the corners and put a puppy pad down and then put the litter box on top of it.
Make sure that your litter boxes are big, they like space to turn around in. The puppy pad under it, should help catch any misses. Mine tend to like the same corners, so that's where the pads go.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 25, 2014 17:43:47 GMT -5
Yea I know that is where they want to go. I also know ours know where they "should" go. They often run to the litter box and the make a mess right next to it. (headwall)
We plan to put new boxes near where they often go, but was hoping for something like a scent to put down to deter them, or some type of protection to cover the toe molding. The issue we have is that Sherlock will move pretty much anything if he doesn't want it where it is (including the litter box we have) just so he can make a mess there.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 25, 2014 19:23:03 GMT -5
I get where your coming from. Fortunately my boy won't "go" on fabric (outside of his cage that is, he has no problem doing it inside the cage.. weird) so if I have a little matt or bathroom rug in the corner where he likes to intentionally poop, he'll skip to his litter box. But for his cage I'll share with you what I do and maybe you can use it.
I their cage they have one litter box on the bottom level, it's back is facing the back of the cage and I have heavy duty hooks drilled into it and attached to the back of the cage, so the problem with him pulling the litter box out and pooping is no longer an option. That worked for a while, but then he started putting his front paws in the box or in front of the box, turning around (where he isn't in the box just facing it) and going right on the fabric. So, I decided to get his alligator sleep sack and put it right there in the corner. And problem solved! I've been doing it for months and unless it isn't there then he doesn't miss. Of course I had to attach hooks and hook it onto the cage so he couldn't move it.
Since your problem is with the outside of the cage, may I suggest putting a heavy something in the corner? Or maybe box with their toys in it or something similar. I have my dogs crate/cage in one corner, and the other corner I have a small matt. I hope this has helped you any, and I don't know of any sprays to use... perhaps one of us should invent that? Haha
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Post by Heather on Aug 25, 2014 19:55:06 GMT -5
Unfortunately, the corners belong to the ferrets and yes, litter boxes get moved to the center of the room. One thing to consider is your litter box styles when trying to get them to use a litter box and to try and remember that ferrets mark territory. Using a litter box is not one of their strong points, though they can and do so (some better than others). We consider ourselves lucky when we can count on a near miss from the litter box, rather than them finding their own corner to place their poop. I place my litter boxes in corners and a few other locations throughout the house where they frequently make deposits. If I catch them going in reverse then I plop them in the litter box. No matter the age, ferrets are never really litter box trained ciao
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Post by Sherry on Aug 26, 2014 8:56:34 GMT -5
Also try potty papers in those corners. Just make sure to tape them up the wall a bit.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2014 1:20:07 GMT -5
OT love your log in name!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2014 12:32:04 GMT -5
Your first mistake was to put down carpet again. You will learn. We got rid of carpet in this house long ago and put in Pergo. I am grateful for it every single day. We didn't even have ferrets and skunks then, just cats and dogs and little kids. We had put new carpet in too and it was destroyed in three years. After that we decided no more carpet.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 27, 2014 14:52:22 GMT -5
Cindy; Oh my gosh I've always wanted a skunk! Haha, I think they're so cute and love their personalities. Unfortunately they are illegal here in Tennessee.. perhaps if I ever move I'll choose a state that is skunk-friendly. And yes, when we moved into our house it was ALL carpet. And within 2 years of having 3-4 dogs, and 2-3 cats we had a 4 storied house go from all carpet to ALL wooden... much better. Haha
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Protection
Aug 28, 2014 16:19:24 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by Deleted on Aug 28, 2014 16:19:24 GMT -5
I gave up on litter boxes I have way too many that think "oh would this make life easy for mom let me just go in front of the box so the floor and bottom of the box need cleaned" or they think "you want me to get in something to potty let me just slide it through poo" I ended up with potty pads taped to the molding and floor I use about 10 3 or 4 times a week depends how much they go. I tried newspapers but that ended in the news staining the finish which was awful getting off there's still a headline under one of the pad areas. Walmart has lavender scented pack of 100 for $23 best thing I've ever tried.
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Post by Thérèse on Aug 30, 2014 9:17:48 GMT -5
Never even seen scented puppy pads. Be wary if they are using essential oils (EOs) to scent them, just like with litter, this is not a good option because EOs cannot be excreted from a ferrets system and will build causing possible problems later in life. Just fyi
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Post by Sherry on Aug 30, 2014 9:52:31 GMT -5
Thanks for catching that Therese! Yes, double check on those in case of essential oils.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2014 0:55:20 GMT -5
I have followed Sherri's advice about carpet protectors. I got several feet from Lowes and put it down in one of the potty box areas that only partially meets ferret approval. I have an area rug over it and use a potty pad for absorption. But it is really a load off my mind when I see a ferret land mine. Also, I tend to put fluffy sheets or towels along the baseboards to discourage creative landmines. If you find nice bathmat/rugs (they have the rubber backing) then they make great butt wipe areas around the litter box. Last: if you do a search on this site for "carpet protectors" you will get all of the related advice.
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Protection
Sept 2, 2014 15:56:05 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2014 15:56:05 GMT -5
Ill check the label for oils the scent is in the plasticy part of the pad that keeps the floor dry if any get a tear i change them out i dont want anyone getting curious and trying to eat it.
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