If your ferret keeps digging in its water bowl, start by securing the bowl so it can’t be tipped over and give your ferret another appropriate place to dig and play. Digging is natural ferret behavior, and some ferrets simply decide that a bowl full of water is an excellent place to do it.
Why Does My Ferret Dig in the Water Bowl?
Because, unfortunately for your floor, digging is something ferrets like to do.
Ferrets are curious animals with strong digging and burrowing instincts. Some will dig at carpet, bedding, litter boxes, houseplants — and water bowls.
Water also adds another element to investigate. Your ferret may paw at it, splash it or dig enthusiastically enough to empty half the bowl onto the floor.
That doesn’t necessarily mean anything is wrong. Your ferret may simply have discovered a particularly entertaining activity.
How Do I Stop My Ferret From Digging Water Everywhere?
You may not be able to convince your ferret that splashing is a terrible idea, but you can make it much less messy.
Secure the Water Bowl
Start with a heavy ceramic crock or a bowl that securely attaches to the cage.
This won’t necessarily stop the digging, but it prevents your ferret from combining digging with the even more exciting activity of flipping the entire bowl upside down.
If your ferret is tipping the bowl as well as digging in it, see our guide to stopping a ferret from tipping over its water bowl.
Don’t Overfill the Bowl
Your ferret needs reliable access to fresh water, but the bowl doesn’t need to be filled right to the rim.
Leaving some space at the top can reduce the amount of water that gets splashed out during minor digging and pawing.
Put Something Waterproof Underneath
A washable waterproof mat or shallow tray under the water bowl can contain smaller spills and make cleanup much easier.
This doesn’t change your ferret’s behavior, but sometimes managing the mess is considerably easier than negotiating with a ferret.
Should I Switch to a Water Bottle?
A water bottle is one option for a particularly enthusiastic water digger because there’s no open bowl to splash in.
Water bottles have their own advantages and disadvantages, however, and you’ll need to check regularly that the drinking tube is clean and flowing properly.
We’ve compared the options in Should Ferrets Drink From a Bowl or a Water Bottle?
Give Your Ferret Somewhere Else to Dig
If your ferret loves digging, providing a better place to do it may help redirect some of that enthusiasm.
A simple dig box can give your ferret an appropriate place to burrow, dig and generally make a spectacular mess on your terms instead of theirs.
Dig boxes can be made from a sturdy container with appropriately chosen digging material inside. The container should be large enough for your ferret to move around comfortably and high-sided enough to contain at least some of the excavation.
Supervise your ferret while using a dig box and make sure the materials inside are safe and free from fertilizers, chemicals or anything your ferret could dangerously swallow.
What If My Ferret Just Likes Playing in Water?
Some ferrets genuinely seem to enjoy water play.
Instead of letting the drinking bowl become the swimming pool, you can occasionally offer a separate shallow container of water for supervised play.
Keep the water shallow, make sure your ferret can easily get out and never force a ferret into the water.
The Simple Fix
Secure the drinking bowl, protect the area around it and give your ferret a better outlet for digging and water play.
You may not completely eliminate the occasional splash, but you can usually stop the water bowl from becoming a daily indoor water feature.