What kind of litter can you use for a ferret?

Answer 1

When choosing a litter for your ferret, It is recommended to use litter made specifically for ferrets. == == It is best not to use cat litter for ferrets. The dust from the litter can cause respiratory illness. Instead use Marshalls ferret litter, or Yesterdays News litter. Some ferrets may ingest the cat litter causing bowel binding. If you have no choice but to use cat litter, try to get 99% dust free litter. Do not use clumping litter

Avoid Corn cob litter. It can add to respiratory problems due to dust, and some ferrets ingest the corn cob pellets and get intestinal blockages. Corncob bedding is not recommended as it harbors mold, is not digestible and can be a source of intestinal impaction if swallowed. Corncob litter and plain newspaper are not very absorbent and therefore will not absorb odor well either. Avoid clumping kitty litters and clay, as these may become stuck in a scooting ferret's rectum and expand, potentially blocking it up, and if they accidentally ingest any it will cause blockage in the stomach AVOID cedar; it has volatile oils that can cause lung damage. Pine is a problem for those ferrets who are allergic to it or those who drag in it too much, but otherwise the beads made from pine sawdust are alright. Litters made from things like recycled newspapers or recycled cardboard are among the ones that are safe. They can, but some litter that is clay based and has dust should be avoided. So, your typical cat litter should be avoided, but some of the alternative ones that are so easy to find these days, such as the wood based, recycled newspaper are fine. You can also use litter made just for ferrets or wood stove pellets (a large bag can run $4 or so at Lowes, but they're usually a seasonal item) Is it true that clumping kitty litter is bad for your ferret? Do not use clumping kitty litter for ferrets, it is a potential hazard that could lead to a painful death. Ferrets scoot after using the litter box, and could cause the litter to enter the rectum, where it can expand and cause blockage. Also if a ferret accidentally ingests clumping litter, it will also expand is the stomach and cause blockage.
Litter made for ferrets or cheap kitty litter (like clay). Avoid litters that clump or made of cedars or pines.

Answer 2

You should use litter made specifically for ferrets, as some cat litters may be harmful. Refer to related question below, for more information.

advice from another contributor:

Some people will tell you not to use it for fear of ingestion and so forth and so on. I've used kitty litter since I've gotten my ferret and so far the best that I've used that doesn't cause her to sneeze constantly is Arm & Hammer Multicat litter with ammonia block. It doesn't make too much of a mess and it's more dust-free than the other litters and it is also unscented which helps prohibit her from eating it. I would suggest kitty litter over other alternatives such as corn cob bedding because not only does corn cob not reduce odors that much it really intensifies the smell and when you go to scoop the litter out it doesn't all come out in one clump but in fact makes more of a mess by scattering it all over the litter pan to where you have more spots you have to scoop.

So in my opinion, kitty litter is fine for ferrets as long as you get the stuff that is 99.9% dust free or virtually dust-free. You could also use the pellets made for the automatic kitty litter scoopers but that usually runs 6 bucks for a half a pound bag.

refer to related question below:

Answer 3

Sure, just make a note that if it was purposely scented like pine or something else, don't use it for the rabbit!

--Animalexpert40

Answer 4

Most cat litters are not recommended for ferret litter boxes. Cat litters are very dusty and when the ferret inhales it breathes in the dust. This can serious breathing problems such as coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing.

Clumping cat litters are a no-no. When clumping litter is ingested it expands and can block the ferrets stomach or intestines which can be deadly. After going to the bathroom ferrets wipe their bottom along the litter. Clumping litter can cause skin inflammation and in worse cases blockages.

Wood chips are another no-no as they contain a lot of dust as well as oils that are irritating to the ferrets paws, skin, eyes and lungs.

There are many types of litter available that are specifically made for ferrets. They contain less dust and less chemicals than cat litters and are available in some pet shops or online. Alternatively you could line the litter box with newspapers. Newspapers are less absorbent though and so would need to be changed more frequently.

Answer 5

No, cat litter is extremely dusty, and since guinea pigs are very low to the ground, it's bad for their respiratory system to breath in all that dust. Some acceptable litters are as follows: Carefresh, or fleece blankets with towels or uhaul pads underneath.

Answer 6

Of coarse you can! As long as the ferret has some place to go.