The Right Diet for Your Ferret
Ferrets are at risk for serious health problems if they are not fed a proper diet. Ferrets are meat eaters and require a lower-fiber high-protein diet.
Premium cat food was the only commercial food choice for pet ferrets until the mid-1980’s. High quality cat foods are still okay to feed ferrets, but presently there are numerous choices of ferret foods on the market that provides the higher-quality fat needed, as well as lower content of carbohydrates.
In order to achieve a maximum life span ferrets need this mix of fat and lower carbohydrates. It is particularly important that a kit (baby) ferret be fed this type of diet. The proper food for ferrets will have good carbohydrate ingredients such as or brewer’s yeast or rice flower with at least 18-30% fat, 35-40% protein, 2% fiber, and needs to contain 21 amino acids and have less than 7% ash level.
Also, take into consideration some ferret foods are made with poorly processed frozen fish, and your ferret will not eat it. Some ferrets are so finicky they will refuse food they don't like to the point of starvation. High-quality ferret food is usually more expensive than comparable quality cat food, but ferrets eat much less food than an average cat. Ferrets do not need any dietary supplements if they are fed the right types of food.
Ferrets need to eat at least twice a day in order to get the calories they need to sustain a healthy life. With an average weight of between one and two pounds, ferrets are relatively small animals, their food portions should be small too. If a ferret is fed a moist diet the food should not be left out for more than forty five minutes.
You might also want to consider a dry pellet diet. A dry pellet diet is longer lasting and can be left in the cage all day. Dry pellet food will also help to keep the ferret's teeth clean. Ferrets on dry diets need fresh water all the time. Ferrets prefer to drink water from a dish rather than a bottle, but if your ferret gets water from a dish it should be cleaned and changed several times a day.
Giving your ferret treats is not a necessity, but they can be helpful when housebreaking your ferret. Cooked eggs and meats are the best choices for a snack. Avoid fruits because they are high in sugar as well as candy, nuts and nut products, dairy products such as ice cream and milk; these products will cause nutritional problems.
Some health problems include intestinal blockage, insulinoma, and hypoglycemia, malnutrition, obesity, tooth decay and diarrhea. Treats can also cause your ferret to refuse to eat a normal daily diet, so use treats sparingly. Vegetables or grains should be avoided because ferrets can not easily digest them. Onions are poisonous to ferrets.
Proper nutrition is essential for a ferret to live a healthy life. It will minimize the risk for serious life-threatening illnesses and ensure your ferret is happy and comfortable. Ferret owners have a reputation for showing lots of affection towards their pets, but the best way to show love to your ferret is with a proper diet.
For more information about the proper ferret diet visit Ferret-Care-Center.com.
