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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 two
refer to the link below "What is the best food for a ferret"
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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.
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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.
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoFerrets are true carnivores (strict meat-eaters - whole prey). Ferrets lack a cecum and appendix, the section of intestine that helps omnivores process vegetables and cannot adequately handle diets high in fiber or carbohydrates and requires a diet high in protein and fat, consisting mainly of meat and animal products. They cannot digest vegetable, fruits, or grains.
Wiki User
∙ 7y agoNone. Cat food is specially formulated for cats, and will not provide a ferret with the correct nutrients a ferret needs. Ferrets need food that is designed especially for ferrets.
Do not feed a ferret any cat food. Cat Food is not formulated for a ferrets nutritional needs. A ferret's health would suffer and possibly cause death eating cat food. A high quality ferret food is recommended, if not available, an alternative is high quality Kitten food like Iams or Eukanuba (not cat food) can be used in case ferret food is not available.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoNo. Cat/ kitten or dog / puppy foods are not suitable as they contain too much plant matter and not enough meat which makes it difficult for the ferret to digest. The also lack some of the vital nutrients that a ferret requires to stay healthy. Ferrets can survive on high quality kitten food as they contain less plant matter but it is not recommended.
Ferrets are carnivores and so should be fed raw meat. Meat such as chicken, rabbit, lamb, beef, turkey etc. Chicken and duck eggs are also good and are a great source of protein.
Special ferret pet food is available in pet stores. Chose the ferret food with the highest meat content possible. Different foods are available for your ferret depending on their age. If you Google "ferret food comparison chart" you will be able to find the best food for your ferret.
Ferret supplements such as FerrTonic and FerrTone are also available. They usually come in liquid or paste form and contain extra vitamins and minerals to keep your ferret as healthy as possible.Make sure your ferret has a fresh dish of water or water bottle beside his food dish as some ferrets will refuse to eat if there isn't water nearby.
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoNo. Cat/ kitten or dog / puppy foods are not suitable as they contain too much plant matter and not enough meat which makes it difficult for the ferret to digest. The also lack some of the vital nutrients that a ferret requires to stay healthy.
Ferrets are carnivores and so should be fed raw meat. Meat such as chicken, rabbit, lamb, beef, turkey etc. Chicken and duck eggs are also good and are a great source of protein.
Special ferret pet food is available in pet stores. Chose the ferret food with the highest meat content possible. Different foods are available for your ferret depending on their age. If you google "ferret food comparison chart" you will be able to find the best food for your ferret.
Ferret supplements such as FerrTonic and FerrTone are also available. They usually come in liquid or paste form and contain extra vitamins and minerals to keep your ferret as healthy as possible.Make sure your ferret has a fresh dish of water or water bottle beside his food dish as some ferrets will refuse to eat if there isn't water nearby.
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoFerrets are carnivorous, and should be fed meat and its by-products. Cat food will work in a pinch, but note that much commercial cat food is hopelessly adulterated, and bad for your pet.
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Is it okay to feed ferret food to your cat?
Depends on the type of ferret food as all have different ingredients. as long as the food meets your cat's nutritional needs.
What happens if ferret eat cat food?
A ferret can eat cat food, but not as a main source. They should be eating food made especially for ferrets only. A high quality kitten food can be a second source of food for ferrets.
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
Will meow mix harm a ferret?
Meow Mix for cats is not an appropriate diet for a ferret. Feed your ferret a high quality ferret food or if not available, a high quality kitten food (not cat food) such as Iams or Eukanuba kitten food. DUH! ITS CALLED MEOW MIX NOT FERRET MIX! :)
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.
Can a ferret be fed dog or cat food?
Ferrets should be fed ferret food. Ferrets can eat a high quality kitten food but is has to be high in protein content. Dog food does not meet a ferret's nutritional needs. None of the above ferrets can not eat dog food or treats same with cat food and treats this can cause a stomach blockage for your ferret
Could a cat open a packet of cat food?
scientsts have found out that they can and also open some crisps yes my cat opens the kitten food that I feed to my ferret all of the time.
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.
My cat is very big not fat just big and he kills rabbits and mice all the time Would he get along with a ferret?
More than likely, your cat will not get along with a ferret. Ferrets are a type of rodent which is like prey to a cat.
What are good types of ferret food?
Well, ferrets enjoy raw egg once a week. NEVER use cat food on long term. It is OK as an occasional treat but is NOT RECOMENDED in the long run, because it causes digestive upset and MALNUTRITION. Cat food isn't a complete and balanced diet. It is also very high in carbohydrates and can cause obesity. Ferrets like raw meat because they are carnivores! Be sure you're ready to feed a ferret, it gets costly. _____________________________________________ Good brands high in meat protein: Ferret- 8in1 Ultimate Crunchy, Wysong Ferret Epigen 90, Evo ferret, Dr Foster and Smith, Natural Gold, Zupreem, purina LabDiet Ferret, Kaytee Fiesta MAX
How does the type of cat food a cat eat affect its weight?
yes, your vet will tell you the best kind of food for your cat, there are some brands that are not very good and contain a lot of by=products.
How does ferret food differ from cat food?
Cat food is make specifically for the cats nutritional needs. Ferret food is made for ferrets nutritional needs. Ferrets and cats are two different animals by size, weight. Ferrets are strict carnivores that lack a cecum and an appendix that makes them unable to digest vegetables, fruits and grains, and must have a high quality protein foods in order to adsorb the nutrients to thrive and live, because of their rapid digestive system (about 3 to 4 hours). Although ferrets and cats are different animal, they are both obligate carnivores so their nutritional needs are slightly similar. Cats digest food in about 6 hours, ferrets three. 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 for a ferrets digestive system, though there are no studies proving that high quality cat food shouldn't be fed to ferrets.
