Can Ferrets Use Cat Litter? (9 Interesting Facts)

If you own a pet ferret, you may find yourself considering having it use cat litter. But before actually letting your ferret use cat litter, you will want to know whether such cat litter is really good for ferrets. Read on, to find the answer.

Can ferrets use cat litter? Yes, ferrets can use certain types of cat litter – including wood pellet and recycled paper cat litter. However, some types of cat litter such as those that are sand-based, those that are clay based, those that are silica-based and those that have heavy oils scents are unsuitable for ferrets.

One problem that ferret owners tend to face is in the fact that there isn’t much litter material in the market meant specifically for the ferrets.

Therefore a ferret owner will often find themselves wondering, what can I use in my ferrets litter box? And because ferrets are similar to cats in so many ways, that is how the idea of using cat litter comes up.

Then the question becomes, can I use cat litter for my ferrets?

Generally, while seeking litter for ferrets, one often ends up having to consider cat litter.

And while most ferret litter options are similar to those for cats, there are important facts to remember. One of those is the fact that ferrets have this tendency to ‘snorkel’ in litter materials.

This means that certain litter materials that are otherwise alright for cats may not be the best litter for ferrets.

Further, you have to understand that ferret toilet habits are quite different from cat toilet habits. For instance, while cats bury their mess after business, ferrets normally don’t.

So that becomes another key consideration, while working out what litter to use for ferrets.

Is Cat Litter Safe For Ferrets?

There are many types of cat litter. Some types of cat litter are safe for ferrets. And some other types of cat litter are unsafe for ferrets.

Thus what is necessary here is not a blanket question on whether cat litter is safe for ferrets. Instead, a more useful question would be on what cat litter is safe for ferrets.

With regard to what kind of cat litter can ferrets use safely, that would include wood pellets and recycled paper.

But things like sand-based, clay-based and silica-based cat litter would be unsafe.

Thus the relation between ferrets and cat litter is nuanced. Some forms of cat litter may be safe for ferrets, while others aren’t.

Can Ferrets Use Cat Litter?

So far, we have established that some types of cat litter are safe for ferrets. Others aren’t. This leads to an interesting general question: can you use cat litter for ferrets?

That is an important question because, as we said earlier, it is not always easy to find specialized ferret litter in the market.

Only one or two odd stores may be having the likes of the specialized Marshall ferret litter at a given time. Yet one way or the other, the ferret owner has to go home with some sort of litter material for their ferret…

This is what ultimately leads to the question: can I use cat litter for my ferret?

This is the true position: that ferrets can use the forms of cat litter that are safe for them. Those include wood pellet cat litter and recycled paper cat litter.

On the other hand, ferrets shouldn’t use the forms of cat litter that are unsafe for them. Those include the sand-based, clay-based and silica-based litter, as well as cat litter with heavy oils.

Thus what we should be asking ourselves is not whether ferrets can use cat litter generally. Rather, what we should be focusing on are the types of cat litter ferrets may use.

What Kind Of Cat Litter Can Ferrets Use?

One kind of cat litter that ferrets can use is the one we refer to as wood pellet cat litter. Indeed, when thinking of ferret litter pellets should come somewhere near the top.

Another type of cat litter that ferrets can use is that which we refer to as recycled paper cat litter. Some actually regard it as the best litter to use for ferrets.

Now we shouldn’t only be thinking of what litter is good for ferrets (to use it). We also need to ask ourselves what litter is bad for ferrets (and avoid it).

Thus what is necessary here is a two-pronged approach. Firstly, we ask ourselves, what is the best cat litter for ferrets? Then we ensure that the ferrets only use that.

Then we ask ourselves, what cat litter is unsafe for ferrets? Then we avoid that.

Let us then look at some specific forms of cat litter, and their appropriateness for ferrets.

Can Ferrets Use Wood Pellet Cat Litter?

Ferrets can use wood pellet litter.

But the ferret litter pellets need to meet a certain criteria.

Firstly, they must not be hardwood pellets. Remember, a litter material is supposed to be absorbent. Yet these hardwoods usually aren’t.

Secondly, the ferret litter pellets mustn’t be from woods that are expressly known to be harmful to ferrets. Those include cedarwoods.

It is at this point that someone may ask, can ferrets use pine litter? And the answer is ‘no’ – as pine can harm them.

So the general point is that not all types of wood pellets are suitable.

All in all, due to its ability to absorb and clump around waste, wood pellet can also function as some sort of odor control ferret litter.

On another point, the ferret litter pellets must not be too large. That would affect their ability to absorb waste, among other issues. So they need to be reasonably small pellets.

Can Ferrets Use Recycled Paper Cat Litter?

Recycled paper cat litter tends to be very safe for ferrets. It also works very well, as an effective ferret litter material.

In fact, it is often ranked as the best ferret litter box material.

You only need to ensure that it is specifically that which is unscented recycled paper litter.

Can Ferrets Use Scented Oil Cat Litter?

No, ferrets shouldn’t use scented oil cat litter.

The heavy oils in it have the potential to affect the ferrets’ respiratory systems.

Moreover, the ferrets themselves tend to be averse to these heavy oils. Thus even when you make this sort of litter available to the ferrets, they may tend to keep away from it.

Can You Use Regular Cat Litter For Ferrets?

Much of the cat litter that pet supplies vendors stock tends to be of the ‘regular’ variety.

This leads to a question on, can ferrets use regular cat litter? And the answer is usually ‘no’. That is because the regular cat litter in question here is usually clay-based.

If ferrets ‘snorkel’ in it (as they are apt to), they may develop respiratory problems. If ferrets eat it, they may develop internal blockages. So it is not ideal.

But if the ‘regular’ cat litter is of a special type made using wood pellets or recycled paper, it may be suitable for ferrets.

Can You Use Clumping Cat Litter For Ferrets?

No, you shouldn’t use clumping cat litter for ferrets.

The problem with clumping cat litter is in the fact that the core material in it is clay. And this presents several risks to ferrets.

For one, as said earlier, ferrets have this strange liking to ‘snorkel’ in their litter materials. Now when they snorkel in clay-based litter of this type, the results can be catastrophic: things like respiratory issues.

Moreover, the ferrets may attempt eating the (clay-based) clumping litter. That can leave them with life-endangering internal blockages.

Can You Use Crystal Cat Litter For Ferrets?

No, you should completely avoid using crystal cat litter for ferrets.

The crystal cat litter in question here turns out to be a silica-based form of litter.

Now the problem with this sort of silica-based litter arises when ferrets breathe it in – while ‘snorkeling’. It can end up causing them very nasty problems of a respiratory nature.

So it is best to avoid using crystal litter for ferrets.

Can Ferrets Use Cat Litter Boxes?

So far, we have been focusing our attention on the possibility of cats using cat litter materials. But what about the cat litter boxes? Can ferrets use cat litter boxes?

The answer is that the cat litter boxes tend to be alright for ferrets – both in size and design.

You only need to ensure that the materials in the cat litter boxes are not those that can harm ferrets.

There will also be need to train the ferrets on the use of the cat litter boxes – which can be quite a task.

Final Verdict – Can Ferrets Use Cat Litter

There are some forms of cat litter that are suitable for ferrets and others that aren’t.

The forms of cat litter that are really ideal for ferrets include wood pellets and recycled paper cat litter.

Conversely, the forms of cat litter that are unsuitable for ferrets include clay-based, silica-based and sand-based ones. Those with heavy oil scents are also unsuitable.

Clay-based, silica-based and sand-based cat litters can cause problems to ferrets when the ferrets either eat them or ‘snorkel’ in them.

If the ferrets eat the clay-based or sand-based cat litters, they may develop internal blockages.

And if the ferrets snorkel in the clay-based, silica-based or sand-based litters, they may develop respiratory difficulties.

However wood pellet and recycled paper cat litter should be alright for ferrets.

As a pet lover, make sure to learn about pet more and give your pet ferret a good and comfortable life!

Rajkumar Ravichandran

Welcome to Learn About Pet. My name is Rajkumar Ravichandran and I love all pets, travel, and amazing food. I write about my passion and personal experience caring for multiple pets in this blog! ❤️