The 5 Best Litters For Ferrets

Ferrets May 3, 2022
Written by | Updated Feb 27, 2024
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Best Litters for Ferrets

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The 5 Best Litters For Ferrets

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Best Litters for Ferrets

Ferrets are similar to cats in a number of ways. They spend a great deal of time grooming themselves and they can be litter trained. Litter training your ferret helps keep the cage clean and tidy, plus it helps with odor control. On top of litter training your ferret, however, you have to choose the right litter that will get the job done.

In this article, we’ll talk about litter training your ferret and provide some tips for choosing the best ferret litter. You’ll also see our top 5 picks for the best ferret litter.

We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below where we highlighted the features of each product. You’ll also find more detailed information about each product later in the article.

Compare Best Litters For Ferrets

Overall Best
Marshall Premium Odor Control Ferret Litter

1. Marshall Premium Odor Control Ferret Litter

Runner Up
Yesterday's News Purina Cat Litter

2. Yesterday's News Purina Cat Litter

Budget Pick
Kaytee Critter Litter Premium Potty Training Small Animal Litter

3. Kaytee Critter Litter Premium Potty Training Small Animal Litter

Premium Choice
So Phresh Paper Pellet Small Animal Litter

4. So Phresh Paper Pellet Small Animal Litter

Best For Odor Control
Vitakraft Fresh World Ultra Strength Small Animal Bedding

5. Vitakraft Fresh World Ultra Strength Small Animal Bedding

Materials
Recycled paper
Materials
Paper
Materials
Bentonite
Materials
Paper
Materials
Recycled paper
Capacity
10 pounds
Capacity
31.0 pounds
Capacity
8 pounds
Capacity
20 pounds
Capacity
2130 cubic inches
Key Features
Non-allergenic, recycled, non-toxic
Key Features
Unscented, Non-Clumping, Odor Control, Dust Free, Low Tracking
Key Features
Non-toxic, absorbent, odor control
Key Features
Absorbent, odor control, dust-free
Key Features
Odor control, dust-free

What To Look For In Litter For Ferrets

When it comes to choosing litter for your ferret, you need to think about safety as well as practicality. It makes so sense to choose a litter that won’t absorb liquid or help control odor, but it also doesn’t make sense to choose something that could harm your ferret.

Here are some important things to look for in ferret litter:

  • Safe, non-toxic ingredients. Ferret litter needs to be made from safe, ideally natural, non-toxic materials. Things like recycled paper or wood pellets are ideal.
  • Odor control. The entire point of a litter box is to contain waste and control odor, so choose a ferret litter that supports that goal.
  • Dust-free. Ferrets have sensitive respiratory systems, so it is important to choose a litter that is 99% or more dust-free. Fortunately, most ferret litters are.
  • Easy to clean. Ferrets don’t cover their stool like cats, so you’re better off using a thin layer and replacing it every few days. Choose a little that is easy to replace since you won’t be scooping.

Our Top Picks For The Best Litters For Ferrets

Now that you have a better idea what to look for in a ferret litter, it’s time to start shopping! Keep reading to see our top 5 picks for the best ferret litters.

Overall Best
1.

Marshall Premium Odor Control Ferret Litter

Product Info

  • Materials: Recycled paper
  • Capacity: 10 pounds
  • Key Features: Non-allergenic, recycled, non-toxic
Pros
  • Made from 100% recycled paper materials
  • Non-toxic and non-allergenic
  • Up to 400% more absorbent than clay litter
Cons
  • Not as soft as some materials
  • Large bags can be fairly heavy
This recycled paper litter is made specifically for ferrets and it comes in 10-pound, 18-pound, and 50-pound bags so you’ll never run out. It is made from 100% recycled paper in a non-toxic and non-allergenic formula, making it gentle on your ferret’s sensitive respiratory system. It offers excellent odor control and is up to 400% more absorbent than clay litter.
Runner Up
2.

Yesterday's News Purina Cat Litter

Product Info

  • Materials: Paper
  • Capacity: 31.0 pounds
  • Key Features: Unscented, Non-Clumping, Odor Control, Dust Free, Low Tracking
Pros
  • Unscented, won’t irritate respiratory system
  • Made from recycled paper, dust-free
  • Absorbs 3x its weight in liquid
Cons
  • Large bags can be fairly heavy
  • Paper bag is not resealable
Ferrets have sensitive respiratory systems, so it is a good idea to choose an unscented litter. This litter is made from recycled newspaper, so it is highly absorbent and fragrance-free. It absorbs 3x the moisture by mass than traditional clay litter and it delivers effective odor control. It comes in a scented version as well, if that’s what you prefer, and is sold in a 30-pound bag or as six 5-pound bags.
Budget Pick
3.

Kaytee Critter Litter Premium Potty Training Small Animal Litter

Product Info

  • Materials: Bentonite
  • Capacity: 8 pounds
  • Key Features: Non-toxic, absorbent, odor control
Pros
  • Designed for potty training
  • Non-toxic, all-natural materials
  • Absorbs odor and liquid on contact
Cons
  • May become wet with large amounts of liquid
  • Very fine, may take more than other litters
When litter training your ferret, you need something that absorbs odor and liquid well and is made from natural, non-toxic materials. This litter is made from all-natural bentonite which absorbs 10x its weight in liquid and controls odors very well. It does have a tendency to form a paste if you don’t change it often enough, however, so just make sure to replace it as needed.
Premium Choice
4.

So Phresh Paper Pellet Small Animal Litter

Product Info

  • Materials: Paper
  • Capacity: 20 pounds
  • Key Features: Absorbent, odor control, dust-free
Pros
  • Fast-absorbing pellets lock in moisture
  • Made from natural materials, 99% dust-free
  • Fragrance-free with baking soda
Cons
  • Larger pellets than some paper litter
  • Larger bags can be fairly heavy
Another paper litter, this option is highly absorbent and dust-free. It is biodegradable and compostable after use because it is made entirely from recycled paper. It comes in a 10-pound and 20-pound bag that is resealable for your convenience and it is entirely fragrance-free as well. It uses the power of baking soda to control odor and is fast absorbing as well.
Best For Odor Control
5.

Vitakraft Fresh World Ultra Strength Small Animal Bedding

Product Info

  • Materials: Recycled paper
  • Capacity: 2130 cubic inches
  • Key Features: Odor control, dust-free
Pros
  • Controls odor for up to 14 days
  • Absorbs 3x its weight in liquid
  • All-natural and 99.5% dust-free
Cons
  • Very fine litter, may be kicked out of the box easily
  • Doesn’t expand as much as some litter
This recycled paper litter comes in fine granules that are soft and gentle on your ferret’s feet. It is 99.5% dust-free and absorbs up to 3x its weight in liquid, making it highly absorbent. This litter controls odors for up to 14 days and is biodegradable and compostable. Made in the USA, this paper litter is completely safe for your ferret and it does its job very well.

Tips For Litter Training A Ferret

Ferrets are intelligent animals and they can be trained to use a litter box. This helps reduce the buildup of waste in your ferret cage and also helps control odor. It is fairly easy to litter train a ferret, but it doesn’t require a little time.

Here Are Some Simple Tips For Litter Training A Ferret:

  • Look for an area of the cage where your ferret consistently does its business – this is the best place to put your litter box since the ferret is already used to going there.
  • Place one litter box on each level in a large ferret cage – ferrets have fast metabolisms, so they go fairly often and need to have a litter box nearby when it’s time to go.
  • Choose a litter box with low sides that are easy for your ferret to step over – you don’t need to fill the box very full, so there is no point choosing one with high sides.
  • To get your ferret used to using the box, place it in the litter box each time it wakes up from a nap – if it climbs out without going, putting it back in until it does.
  • Give positive reinforcement in the form of a treat when your ferret uses the litter box – this will encourage it to keep using it and it will eventually become a habit.

Once your ferret is litter trained, all you have to do is provide a litter box and clean it out as needed. You should be able to go 5 to 7 days between replacing the litter, but it may need to be done more often in cages with more than one ferret.

Final Remarks

Choosing the right litter for your ferret is important because it plays a significant role in keeping the cage clean and controlling odor. Your ferret’s safety is the priority, so choose a litter made from non-toxic materials and do your job as a responsible ferret owner in cleaning the litter box at least once a week.

If you’re still not sure where to start in looking for ferret litter, try out one of the top 5 best ferret litters we’ve reviewed above. Good luck!

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Kate Barrington is avid pet lover and adoring owner of three cats and one dog, her love for animals has led her to a successful career as a freelance writer specializing in pet care and nutrition. She has been writing about pet care and pet products since 2010
4 Comments
  1. Cyndi McCool

    My daughter picked up Kaytee Bird &small pet wood pellets litter. I wanted to make sure it is safe for our new little boy.

    • Kate Barrington

      Hi Cyndi, we can't find any information about this product that says what type of wood is used in the pellets. Does it say on the packaging? Pine and cedar are not recommended because they contain oils that can be harmful to small pets, but aspen is fine!

  2. Weasel

    I have had a couple of ferrets over about 20 years. I have never had one so stinky as the one I have now. She’s an I’ m sad adoption because we took her on Christmas Eve and no one shouldn’t be alone on Christmas. We clean her every other day but she stinks. Can you help?

    • Kate Barrington

      Hi Liz, is your ferret spayed? Unfixed ferrets tend to have a stronger odor than fixed ferrets due to the hormones.

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