Ferret Nutrition

 Feeding your ferret a proper diet is extremely important. Ferrets are strict carnivores and should be fed a high protein diet (at least 34%), high fat (at least 20%) high quality chicken or lamb based dry ferret diet. Chicken or lamb should be listed in some form (poultry, lamb or poultry meal) as the number one ingredient in the list of ingredients on the back of the bag. You should also look for food that is naturally preserved with vitamin E and has no artificial colors.

Ferrets have very short digestive tracts, so they need a food that contains easily digestible meat protein. Foods that list grain or corn as the first ingredient should not be used. Grocery store kitten or cat foods are not adequate. If you are feeding your ferret grocery store kitten or cat food, please switch to a commercial ferret food or kitten food brand and give your ferret a fatty acid supplement daily. Your ferret is not getting the proper nutrients with grocery store cat or kitten food. Grocery store foods contain too much fiber and not enough quality animal protein. This food can also contribute to stones in the kidneys and bladder, malnutrition, dull coats and other health problems for your ferret. It's never too late to make the switch (especially if your ferret has been diagnosed with insulinomas).

Many now feel that supplementing your ferret's regular chow diet with natural meat is the best way to provide proper nutrition. You can do this by either giving your ferret some cooked chicken (this can include skin, fat, chicken livers, chicken hearts), or some raw chicken that has been frozen and thawed (the freezing process can kill some bacteria and parasites). Some people even recommend allowing ferrets to chew on the soft ends of bones as well. Bone marrow contains a lot of nutrients (including calcium) ferrets need. Chicken baby food can also be a form of meat supplement (but not for extended periods or as a regular diet).

For a natural, high protein, high calorie recipe for ferrets, you can visit http://www.trifl.org for "Bob's Chicken Gravy". This meal supplement or replacement has worked very well for sick ferrets and ferrets with insulinomas. It can also be used as a supplement or "treat" for ferrets to ensure over all good health.

Note: Please be aware that a raw meat diet could introduce your ferret to internal parasites or disease. If you do want to feed your ferret raw meat, please check with your veterinarian for advice. It is very difficult to feed your ferret a balanced "all natural" diet. It is recommended that you should feed your ferret a balanced ferret food in addition to the real meat. Also, never give your ferret small bones to chew on (especially chicken or turkey bones), as they could splinter and get lodged in your ferret's digestive system (requiring surgery). Your ferret can eat the soft cartilage at the end of large bones or the bone marrow . Ferrets can chew on larger bones that have been softened by boiling.

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