What to feed a ferret?

If you have never kept these cute little animals at home, the question is “what to feed a ferreta” can be confusing. However, if you follow our recommendations, your pet will be healthy and cheerful.

What to feed a domestic ferret?

Ferrets can be fed both dry food and natural products. The main thing is that the diet is complete and balanced.

If you choose the first option, look for specialized dry food for ferrets. The food must be super premium. 

The minimum content of protein in dry food for ferrets is 32%, fat is 18%. But grain should not be included in the composition. Sometimes dry food is poured with chicken broth.

When feeding naturally, keep in mind that ferrets are predators, and therefore need a lot of protein. So it’s definitely not worth making a vegetarian out of a pet. It is necessary to feed the ferret with meat (chicken, turkey, duck). You can give the ferret boiled sea fish (without bones) and eggs. From time to time it is permissible to feed the ferret lean beef or lamb (boiled).

Some owners feed minced meat to ferrets. As a rule, this is a mixture of poultry (including offal) and boiled porridge (buckwheat, rice or oatmeal). You can add cottage cheese. However, keep in mind that the proportion of meat in this dish should be at least 80%.

Make sure that fresh water is always available (especially if you offer dry food to your ferret), otherwise your pet will become dehydrated or overheated. Water should be at room temperature.

Food and water bowls are washed regularly.

Can I feed my ferret dog or cat food?

Not! The nutritional needs of a ferret are very different from those of dogs and cats. So if you’re already choosing dry food, go for one that’s been formulated specifically for ferrets. In addition to the health benefits, specialized food will help your ferret keep his teeth healthy.

Can you give a ferret bones?

The jaw apparatus of ferrets is adapted for crushing bones. In addition, bones are a source of nutrients. So bones need to be added to the ferret’s diet.

How many times to feed a ferret?

If you have observed the behavior of a ferret for a long time, you probably noticed that he constantly “snacks”. The metabolic processes in these animals are fast, so strictly regulating their diet (2-3 times a day) is not the best solution. Ferrets need constant access to food. Your task is to fill it up in time and make sure that the food does not spoil.

As a rule, in the “free” mode, the ferret eats 7 – 10 times a day, but does not overeat at the same time. Ferrets know their limits and are not prone to overweight.

What not to feed a ferret?

There are foods that should never be given to a ferret. These are carrots, apples, dairy products (except cottage cheese), flour, sweets, fried, fatty and smoked, raw fish, whole nuts, as well as waste from your table.