The Proper Ferret Diet

A proper diet offers your ferret a healthy and long life; if not fed with proper diet, ferrets are at risk for serious ailment. In feeding your ferrets, offer them high protein with lower fiber diet since they are known to be meat eaters. The only food you can feed for your ferret during the middle of 1980′s down to the later time is the premium cat food. It is not bad to feed your ferrets with premium cat foods, however, there are a variety of ferret foods out in the market that consist of higher-quality fat with low content carbohydrates. Ferrets require this blend of fat and lower carbohydrates for their longevity. Most especially, your baby ferrets must receive this type of diet. In choosing a ferret food, make sure that the product contains good carbohydrates ingratiates such as rice flower or brewer’s yeast and must have at least 35-40% protein, 18-30% fat, 2% fiber, 21% amino acids and with less than 7.0 % ash level. And, always keep in mind that ferrets won’t eat food that contains poorly processed frozen fish; so don’t feed them with this type of food. Even to the point of starvation, some ferrets are finicky that will never eat this food. Premium ferret food is usually more costly than higher quality cat food, but the total cost will go down since ferrets eat minimal amounts of food. Ferrets don’t need to take supplements if they are fed with healthy diet.  

For your ferrets’ longevity, they should be fed to gain calories needed at least twice a day. Remember to feed your ferrets with proportional amount of foods since they are small animals. A moist diet should be removed after your ferrets are done eating this, since it is only edible up to 45 minutes. A dry pellet diet is a different option for you to choose from.  It can stay longer and can be left in the cage all day. Dry pellets are beneficial to your ferrets’ dental care. Fresh water should go along with dry diet.  It is preferably served in a water dish than a water bottle; however, you must maintain clean and potable water a few times a day.   

You can use treats to train your ferrets however it is not necessary. The best choice of snacks are cooked eggs and meats. Candy, dairy products, nut products and even fruits that are high in sugar can cause dietary problems with your ferrets, so better not to feed them with this type of food. Major health issues that may happen to your ferrets include malnutrition, obesity, tooth decay, diarrhea, intestinal blockage, insulinoma, and hypoglycemia. Feeding your ferrets with too much treats is not ideal since these can cause your ferrets to refuse their regular diet. Ferrets are not used to vegetables and grains, so those must be avoided at all cost. Also, do not feed your ferrets with onions since it can cause their death.

A healthy ferret’s life means giving your ferret the proper nutrition. It can help minimize the risk of putting your ferrets in life-threatening illnesses and can ensure them a strong and happy life. The best way for a ferret owner to show love and affection to their funny and frisky ferrets is feeding them a good diet.

About the Author

James A. Myers is a nature lover with special interest in animals – particularly feral ones. He adopted his first pair of ferrets 3 years ago and raised them to become a family within a family. Visit James’ website www.ferretcaretipscenter.com for tips and tricks on how to give ferrets the care that they deserve.


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