Every ferret owner is always cautious about ferrets’ poop. This is because it is an excellent way to determine the health of your ferret. However, you will not be able to achieve that if the poop is not visible for you to analyze.
To be able to analyze the poop, you would need a good pine litter. Most people think since this pine litter works well for my cat, it can as well work for my ferrets. The truth is, ferrets are fragile animals, and not all litters are suitable for your ferrets because some litters offer some limitations. Now, can ferrets use pine litter?
Certain types of pine litter are not suitable for ferrets. Wood shavings pine litter can be dangerous to their health. The oil content in the pines is not suitable for ferrets or rabbits because they can cause respiratory disorders or liver problems.
In this article, we will explain why you should not use some pine litters for your ferrets.
Can ferrets use pine litter?
Pine litters come in various forms. The type you choose to use is important. Some pine litters are considered toxic for your ferrets, and many pet owners opt not to use them.
Pines are made from evergreen trees, and they can vary from soft to hard. Both can be used to make litter, but softwood is notably known to contain some essential oils that are poisonous to your ferret. This wood sometimes expels vapor into the air, which could cause respiratory and liver damage when inhaled or eaten by your ferret. As such, ferret owners try to stay far away from this type of litter and focus on getting an alternative.
Cedar, pine, and other softwood have not been processed thoroughly to remove oils that naturally occur in them. Hardwoods are also advised against. However, hardwoods such as aspen do not have essential oils or phenols. Yet, ferrets seem to dislike these types of litter.
Most ferret owners do not understand the negative effect, especially new ferret owners. Also, people feel that since ferrets dig burrows in the wild, they can use any kind of material to poop in or sleep on.
Well, ferrets know what makes them comfortable while in the wild. So, replicating that at home is of great importance to their health.
What Pine Litter Is Good for Your Ferret
Pine litters come in various forms:
- wood stove pellets
- feline pine litter
- horse stall pellet
- wood shavings litter
The difference lies in either how they are being processed or the source (hardwood and softwood).
Let us look at the different forms and see how each one affects your ferret
The Wood Stove Pellets
The wood stove pellets are made of compressed hardwood. They are not expensive and can be used as ferret litter. However, quality varies, but you should be sure they are no cedars or other addictive substances from softwood before buying.
Also, check the label on the product to be sure of its purpose. Some are specifically not for animal use because they contain chemicals for wood stoves. They are dust-free and can be easily gotten from local stores.
Feline Pine Litters
Feline pines are pelleted pine litters from softwood. They are highly absorbent, 100% natural, and have low dust. It contains some softwood chemicals and odors, which may cause some respiratory and liver problems for your ferret. Feline pine litter is highly recommended not to be used as ferret litter.
Horse Stall Pellet
Horse stall pellets are 100% natural solution. It is inexpensive, safe for some animals, and has low dust. Like feline pine, it has a pine scent, and some animals like ferrets find it irritating. Although it absorbs odor well, it should never be used as a ferret’s litter.
Wood Shaving Litter
Wood shavings are either from pine or cedar and are made of softwood. They have not been processed to remove essential oils that are naturally present in all softwood. These essential oils contain aromatic hydrocarbon and phenol. When released into the air, they cause respiratory disorders and liver problems in your ferret.
Why is pine litter safe for cats but not ferrets?
People often wonder why some of these litters that are good for cats are not good for ferrets. I once told myself that ferrets can handle anything thrown at them since their natural habitat is in the wild. That does not turn out well in so many cases, as my ferret developed health issues until I traced the cause down to the type of litter I use.
So, why are pine litters good for cats, and aren’t good for ferrets? Ferrets are much smaller with short legs, and that gives them a low stature. Their body type makes them more susceptible to inhaling and ingesting anything around them.
Their immune system is also not as strong as cats’, thus leaving them vulnerable to all sorts of illnesses. But cats’ immune systems are better equipped to fight off infections. So, what works well for a cat might not work well for your ferret.
How to Know the Best Pine Litter for My Ferret
When choosing your ferret litter, you need to consider two things: safety and odor control.
As mentioned earlier, there are various pine litters available out there. In choosing the best for your ferret, you would need a product that meets the above requirement.
Since many pine litters are processed differently, the need to go for the one with the best odor control is important.
Recycled and compressed wood pellets are the most absorbent, which means they have the best odor control.
The pelleted litters are best for your ferret and are heavy enough to remain in the litter pan when the ferret steps out. They are inexpensive, contain less dust compared to other litter types, and can be easily scooped.
Frequently Asked Question
Can ferrets use pine litter?
Not all pine litters are good for ferrets due to the essential oils they produce. This essential oil is dangerous to their health and can cause respiratory or liver disorders. However, some ferret owners use wood stove pellets.
How long does pine litter last?
Well, it depends on the amount you add to your litter pan. However, 70lb of wood stove pellets will last you about 4 weeks.
Is pine litter the best?
Pine litters such as feline pine do a great job managing odor from urine, but they are poor at controlling odors from poop. However, most ferret owners have advised changing the litter when it’s 90% sawdust.
Are ferrets allergic to pine?
Ferrets are allergic to some pines like feline pine, which are made from softwood. Softwood is poisonous and contains some chemicals which are not healthy for your ferrets. These products have been known to cause respiratory and liver disorders.
How often do you clean pine litter?
Changing your litter depends on the type of litter and the number of ferrets you have. Some can be changed every 2 or 3 weeks. While some change their litter 3-4 times a month.
Conclusion
Getting a litter is one thing but knowing the perfect one for your ferret is another thing. People often think ferrets cannot use pine litter, but that is not true as pine litters vary, so you are left with knowing what your ferret needs.
The most suitable pine litter is the wood stove pellets being that it is absorbent and dust-free. Also, it is free from harmful chemicals that can cause harm to your ferret. Though wood stove pellets are made of hardwood, it serves your ferret well when it is well processed.
Other forms of pine litter are to be avoided at all costs because of their harmful chemicals.