The 4 Best Ferret Litter Pans: Reviewed and Ranked

Written by Judie Sigdel
Updated: December 8, 2022
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Your ferret can learn to use a litter pan, both inside his cage and out if you keep two things in mind. First, be mindful of the fact that ferret kits (babies) won’t naturally use a litter pan as a kitten or cat will. You will need to train them

Second, remember that ferrets won’t travel far to find a place to relieve themselves. This means that you will want to buy a litter pan for your ferret’s cage and one for every room of your home to which he has access. In general, triangular corner litter pans are best for ferret cages because they don’t take up much space, while rectangular pans can be placed throughout your home.

Ferrets instinctively back into a corner to relieve themselves. So, the perfect litter pan will feature a high back to ensure that their waste remains inside the pan. 

  1. Marshall Ferret Litter Pan
    • Specially designed with high corners
    • Made from durable, easy-to-clean plastic
    • Perfect for ferrets, rabbits, and most small animals
    • Designed to fit the unique habits of ferrets
    Check Chewy Check Amazon
  2. Kaytee Tall Corner Small Pet Litter Pan
    • Quick-release carabiner lock for secure attachment
    • A tall back wall prevents waste from escaping
    • Works on all wire cages
    • Easy cleaning
    Check Chewy Check Amazon
  3. Kaytee Hi-Corner Small Animal Litter Pan
    • Perfectly designed to fit the corner of your ferret’s cage
    • High back prevents waste from escaping
    • Stain and odor resistant
    • Size is designed to fit larger enclosures
    Check Chewy Check Amazon
  4. PetFusion BetterBox Non-Stick Litter Box
    • Low entry for pet access
    • Premium ABS material; anti-microbial, non-stick coating
    • Curves simplify cleaning
    • High walls contain litter
    Check Chewy Check Amazon

Top Picks: The Best Ferret Litter Pans Available Today

#1 Best Overall: Marshall Ferret Litter Pan

The Marshall Ferret Litter Pan is our best overall choice for its ergonomic design, especially for ferrets. Its high corners and walls prevent messy over-the-edge accidents. And it’s crafted from durable, easy-to-clean plastic so you can spend more time playing with your pet and less time cleaning up after him. 

One disadvantage of this ferret pan is that some reviewers reported that the product sticker is difficult to remove. 

Pros and Cons of the Marshall Ferret Litter Pan

ProsCons
This ferret litter pan is ergonomically designed with high corners and walls to prevent over-the-edge accidents.The product sticker may be difficult to remove.
It’s made of durable plastic that’s easy to clean.
Best Overall
Marshall Ferret Litter Pan
  • Specially designed with high corners
  • Made from durable, easy-to-clean plastic
  • Perfect for ferrets, rabbits, and most small animals
  • Designed to fit the unique habits of ferrets
Check Chewy Check Amazon

2. Best Budget: Kaytee Tall Corner Litter Pan with Quick Lock

Our choice for the best budget ferret litter pan, the Kaytee Tall Corner Litter Pan with Quick Lock, features a quick-release carabiner lock for secure attachment. Simply attach the litter pan to any wire cage and unclip it for easy cleaning. This is a great feature for ferrets since they like to rearrange unsecured items in their cages. 

This litter pan features a tall back wall to prevent waste from escaping the pan and soiling the area behind it. At 13.5” x 8” x 8.75”, it’s large enough for your ferret to use comfortably without taking up too much precious “real estate” in his cage. 

One disadvantage is that you can’t select the color that you will receive.

Pros and Cons of the Kaytee Tall Corner Litter Pan with Quick Lock

ProsCons
This tall corner litter pan attaches to any wire cage with a quick-release carabiner lock.You can’t select the color of the litter pan that you will receive.
Unclip the carabiner lock for easy cleaning.
This ferret litter pan features a tall back wall to prevent waste from soiling the area behind it.
It measures 13.5” x 8” x 8.75”, so it won’t take up too much room in your ferret’s cage.
Best Budget
Kaytee Tall Corner Small Pet Litter Pan
  • Quick-release carabiner lock for secure attachment
  • A tall back wall prevents waste from escaping
  • Works on all wire cages
  • Easy cleaning
Check Chewy Check Amazon

#3 Best TriangularKaytee Hi-Corner Small Animal Litter Pan

  • Great for in-cage use and for liberty training big bunnies, ferrets and others.
  • Made of plastic that’s stain and odor resistant so it stays cleaner and fresh-smelling longer.
  • High corner design helps prevent spilling litter to make cleaning even easier with no messes.
  • Size is designed to fit larger enclosures, and is great for rabbits, ferrets and larger small animals.
  • Available in different colors so you can color coordinate your pal’s style 
  • Ships in a variety of random and fun colors!

The Kaytee Hi-Corner Small Animal Litter Pan is perfectly designed to fit the corner of your ferret’s cage. It’s spacious enough for your pet to use comfortably without taking up too much valuable space in his cage. You can also place them in the corners of rooms where your ferret is allowed to roam.

It features a high back to prevent waste from escaping the litter pan and soiling the surrounding area. And it’s crafted from plastic that’s stain and odor resistant so your ferret’s cage will be easier to clean and will smell fresh longer.

One reviewer reported, “I love the height of the sides and my three ferrets quickly started using it.” Another reviewer placed eight Kaytee Hi-Corner Small Animal Litter Pans in corners throughout their house. They said, “With free-roaming ferrets, the more corners you have covered the better.”

One disadvantage of this ferret pan is that it doesn’t have hooks that secure the pan to the cage. 

Best Triangular
Kaytee Hi-Corner Small Animal Litter Pan
  • Perfectly designed to fit the corner of your ferret’s cage
  • High back prevents waste from escaping
  • Stain and odor resistant
  • Size is designed to fit larger enclosures
Check Chewy Check Amazon

#4 Best Rectangular PetFusion BetterBox Cat Litter Box, Non-Stick Large Litter Box 

  • Vet Recommended Features: Open top box to promote healthy usage (enclosed spaces might cause behavior issues). High walls to contain litter. Low entry 
  • Superior Hygiene & Cleaning: Non-stick coating reduces sticking up to 70%. Anti-microbial. Less odor
  • Smart Design: Spacious curves are inviting & make for easier scooping/cleaning. Easy grip lip for all ages
  • Large Size & Safety: 22.6 x 18.1 x 8.0 inches

Most cat litter boxes aren’t accessible to long-bodied, short-legged ferrets, but the PetFusion BetterBox “Cat Litter Box” is the notable exception. Its low entry will allow him to enter and exit the litter pan easily. And it has high walls that will protect the surrounding area from your pet’s waste. 

This unique litter pan is crafted from premium ABS material and an anti-microbial, non-stick coating that reduces sticking up to 70%, making it more hygienic for your pet, for you, and for your family. Plus, it features spacious curves that simplify cleaning and maintenance.

One reviewer, a veterinarian, said, “As a professional who knows a thing or two about litter boxes, I would highly recommend this box. It is also made of a very strong material and the non-stick coating is genius. I’m very surprised someone didn’t think of this sooner!”

Features Non-Stick Coating
PetFusion BetterBox Non-Stick Litter Box
  • Low entry for pet access
  • Premium ABS material; anti-microbial, non-stick coating
  • Curves simplify cleaning
  • High walls contain litter
Check Chewy Check Amazon

How to Choose the Right Litter Pan for Your Ferret

There are four main factors to consider when selecting the right litter pan for your ferret:

  • Whether the litter pan will be placed inside or outside of your ferret’s cage
  • The litter pan’s design
  • How easy the litter pan is to clean
  • Which litter you will use

Let’s examine these factors in more detail:

Whether the Litter Pan Will Be Placed Inside or Outside of Your Ferret’s Cage

If you’re going to place the litter pan inside of your ferret’s cage, you should probably select one that is triangular. Ferrets instinctively back into corners to use the bathroom. If yours has already selected a corner for this purpose, that’s where you should put his litter pan.

Also, the triangular shape won’t take up as much cage space as a rectangular litter pan will. If your ferret’s cage is exceptionally large, you may choose to purchase a rectangular pan instead. You should situate it in your ferret’s preferred corner just like you would a triangular one.  

The Litter Pan’s Design

It’s important to select a litter pan with a high back wall. This will ensure that your pet’s waste will remain in the pan instead of soiling the surface behind it.  However, the litter box should not be high on all four sides. Ferrets are small, dainty creatures, and shouldn’t be forced to scale a small wall whenever doing their business. An average cat litter box is inappropriate for a ferret because all sides are high. The ferret should be able to enter and exit the box easily without exertion.

Next, read the vendor’s description thoroughly to determine how the litter pan is constructed, what materials were used, and their claims as to why you should select their product. Then read customer reviews, which will provide you with real-life insight as to the litter pan’s functionality.

How Easy It Is to Clean

The vendor’s description of the litter pan will indicate whether it is easy to clean and, if so, how they recommend doing so. Customer reviews will tell you how well their litter pans withstood multiple cleanings and whether all stains and odor were removed.

Which Litter You Will Use

While it may not directly affect the ferret litter pan you buy, it bears mentioning that ferret litter is different than cat litter. Whereas most cat litters are made of clay (which can create dust), ferrets are very sensitive creatures and cannot tolerate clay litter. Types of litter that are popular for ferrets are recycled paper, wood, and wheat-based pellets. Ferret urine has a very strong ammonia-like smell that some compare to that of battery acid. It’s recommended that ferret owners change the litter in the box every 3-4 days to keep odor under control. When putting fresh litter in the box, you should make it more of a shallow layer, as ferrets don’t cover their stool like cats do. If too much litter is put in the box, ferrets will often dig, causing spillage.

Our Criteria and Experience: How We Chose the Best

When making our recommendations for the best ferret litter boxes, we researched many products to find ones with the following features present:

  • Durability–the materials used in the construction of the box hold up against wear and tear without cracking or breaking easily. Other durable options would include a steel tray.
  • Safety–the materials used are safe for your cat. BPA-free plastic construction was preferred.
  • Functionality–the litter box was size-appropriate for your ferret; there was at least one low side for your ferret to enter and exit the box comfortably; we chose options in different shapes and designs such as triangular or rectangular.
  • Washability–if a cage litter box, it’s easy to remove or re-attach into the cage to clean.

Up Next…

About the Author

My passion is writing about animals. I’ve published articles on pet parrots, birds, and small animal care and reviews about pet food and products. I have an ever-evolving aviary and menagerie that has included cockatiels, parakeets, conures, European starlings, a chukar partridge, guinea pigs, dogs, and cats. I’m also the author of Faith without Labels: a Guide to Eclectic Spirituality.

The 4 Best Ferret Litter Pans: Reviewed and Ranked FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What do you put in a ferret litter box?

Choose a litter that’s safe for ferrets. These include:

  • Recycled newspaper pellets
  • Alfalfa pellets
  • Denatured wood litter pellets

Never use litter made from cedar or pine wood shavings. They contain essential oils, which are harmful to ferrets. Also, avoid the following types of cat litter:

  • Silica-based crystal cat litter can cause respiratory issues in ferrets.
  • Clay litter can get into ferrets’ eyes and get stuck on their paws. It also contains silica.
  • Sand-based cat litter can clog ferrets’ sinuses if they tunnel in it.

Is any cat litter safe for use in a ferret litter pan?

In a word: No.

While corn-based cat litter is theoretically safe for ferrets, it is associated with several significant health risks. The issue is that some ferrets eat corn-based litter because they like the taste. This is a problem because:

  • It may be soiled from their waste.
  • It can cause intestinal blockages.
  • It is prone to mold.

In addition to potential health issues, most corn-based cat litter is dusty, and your ferret will track it around your home.

How big should a ferret litter pan be?

You should choose a litter pan that can easily accommodate your ferret’s length, which may be up to 16” when fully grown. While the walls, especially the back wall, should be high, it should have a low entryway so your ferret can enter and exit easily. That’s why most litter boxes designed for cats are unsuitable for ferrets.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.