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The best diet for a ferret is what it evolved to eat, ie, whole prey (mice and rabbits) plus raw meat and organs. Ferrets do not need carbohydrates and, in fact, they're bad for them. There is proof that feeding kibble is directly linked to insulinoma (a pancreatic disease).
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoAlthough it is written with dogs in mind, I suggest you read one of the two "Raw Meaty Bones" books as a starting point. Basically, most meats are fine. Liver probably should be limited to once every other week to avoid hyper-vitaminosis A, but is an excellent food in limited quantities.
Frozen whole carcasses of rabbits, rats, mice, and baby chicks are good. I feed mine ground rabbit with bones (raw and cooked), whole quail (raw), quail eggs, and chicken (raw). I also feed other things, like Wysong Ferret Archetypal 1 and 2, Zupreem Grain Free, Natures Variety Instinct pelleted rabbit meat, and a couple of different brands of cooked canned rabbit. Some of these things are matters of convenience for me, but I have worked hard to make sure that they were all healthy choices for my animals.
I try to rotate what I am feeding, and I always keep some of the two dry foods available for free choice feeding. Ferrets are subject to hypoglycemia after only a few hours of fasting, so I want them to always have something available, even when the raw meat has been taken up.
Remember to NEVER serve cooked bones, but ferret sized bones WITH meat are great. Bones without meat can cause constipation.
Thanks for asking such a great question, and for feeding your ferret properly. The more we look at most manufactured pet foods, the less we like them.
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Does fruite kill a ferret?
no fruit doesn't kill a ferret the only think not to feed a ferret is meat any type of meat
Can you feed your ferret carrots?
No. They are obligate carnivores and can only digest meat.
Are Lites Ok too Feed your Ferret?
Ferrets are strict carnivores (meat eaters) and should be fed food specifically made for ferrets
How does a ferret get food?
A ferret in the wild is a carnivore it eats only meat it gets it’s food from other animals after hunting it
What is in ferret food?
It depends on the particular brand of food but high quality ferret foods contain a high percentage of animal protein (meat), fats, vitamins and minerals as well as a small percentage of grains. They higher the meat content and lower the grain content the better.
Can a ferret eat lettuce if you run out of ferret food?
No. Ferrets are obligate carnivores meaning that they can only eat meat or meat based foods. Their body is unable to digest fruit, vegetables, dairy or grains and feeding these to the ferret can cause it to become unwell. If you run out of ferret food maybe try giving the ferret some raw meat or an egg.
What kind of cat food do you feed your ferrit?
You should only feed very high quality cat food (or ferret food!) to your ferret. Both animals are obligate carnivores and derive all necessary nutrients from meat. Food should be at least 35% protein, 20% fat and have less than 3% fiber. At least 4 of the first 6 ingredients should be meat. Good ferret foods: 8in1 Ultimate Crunchy, Zupreem Premium, Evo Ferret, Wysong Ferret Epigen 90, Natural Gold. Good cat foods: Evo cat, Wellness Core, Orijen, Go! Fit and Free, Natures Variety Instinct, and Blue Wilderness Kitten. I used the More Dooks food chart for reference.
Is it bad to feed ferret food with cat food to a cat?
High quality cat food can be fed to ferrets, they are both obligate carnivores and only digest meat. However, ferret food should not be given to cats as cats have specific nutritional requirements which only complete cat food can provide. Food should be minimal in grains and vegetable/fruit ingredients and high in meat based protein. Cat food is regulated by AAFCO. There is no governing body regarding ferret food, which means manufacturers can put whatever they want into the food. Cat food is designed for a cat's digestive track, ferret food (supposedly) for a ferrets digestive system, though there are no studies proving that high quality cat food shouldn't be fed to ferrets
What type of cat food is good for a ferret?
Is cat food right for ferrets? Do you feed dog food to your cat? Of course not!Most cat foods are unsuitable for ferrets, because of their low protein content and high fiber. Most cat foods contain corn, which can lead to blockage in ferrets.Do not feed your ferret any kind of cat or dog food, they will suffer from improper nutrition and will become ill and could possibly cause death.If you are unable to obtain ferret food, you can temporarily give them a high quality kitten food, like Iams or Science diet, just ask your veterinarian first before you give it to them. Evo brand cat or kitten food is the same ingredients as Evo for ferrets.If you have to give cat food, go for high quality kitten kibble. The cat food should contain a minimum of 32% meat based protein and 18% fat and a maximum 3% fiber. The higher the protein and fat percentage is better, with low carbohydrate and fiber content. Learn to read and interpret the pet food labels.From another contributor:You can feed your ferret cat food as an occasional treat - kitten food is best, and they really like it. However, cat food should not form the main part of a ferret's diet as ferrets need a diet made up of >38% fat and protein. Cats need less, so most cat food is around 36% fat and protein - a ferret fed entirely on cat food will develop health problems due to nutritional deficiencies in its diet.The best thing to feed your ferret is proper ferret kibble, which is formulated to meet their needs and contains the fur and feathers that would be found in a wild ferret's (polecat's) diet, with small amounts of other food such as meat, egg and the very occasional treat such as a single sultana. Do not feed your ferret any other vegetable matter - they are obligate carnivores, meaning they have evolved to survive on meat alone, and vegetable matter can cause fatal intestinal blockage. Milk and dairy products should also be avoided - almost all adult ferrets, like adult cats, are lactose intolerant.Dry cat food, only in a pinch , for a day or tworefer to the link below "What is the best food for a ferret".No, most dog and cat canned food is mostly vegetable proteins. You know those chunks that look like meat ...well its the vegetable protein, they use that because it stays the same color/shape and texture, giving the owner a false impression.Ferrets need high quality ferret food like Dr's. Foster & Smith Original Ferret food.______________________________________________________Both cats and ferrets are obligate carnivores so some cat food are ferret suitable. Any food given to ferrets needs to have at least 35% protein, 20% fat, and have less than 3% fiber. At least 4 of the first 6 ingredients should be meat.Good cat foods are: EVO, Wellness Core, Orijen, Go! Fit and Free, Natures Variety Instinct, and Blue Wilderness. Most of these (if not all) are grain free and very high in meat protein.Dog food should not be fed because it does not contain taurine, a necessary nutrient for ferrets and cats.
Are ferrets canivores?
Yes ferrets are carnivores. They eat raw meat, fish and eggs. You can also feed your pet ferret special ferret food. Ferrets cannot digest foods such as fruits and vegetables and feeding it to them may cause stomach problems or block the ferrets intestines.
What is a ferrets food source?
Ferrets are obligate carnivores meaning they are meat eaters, and must be fed a high quality ferret food that is primarily meat based.
Is it ok to feed a ferret dog treats?
No. Some dog treats contain too much plant matter and not enough meat which can cause stomach problems. Special ferret treats are available. The special treats have a higher meat content. If you do not want to purchase these special treats try giving your ferret small bits of raw meat as a treat.
