One of the most asked questions by new ferret owners is, “What do ferrets eat?” Ferrets have been popular domestic pets for a long time, coming in third next to cats and dogs, but very little is known about these fuzz balls’ diet. Most pet owners simply substitute cat and dog food for proper ferret supplement, not knowing that these grocery pet foods can do more harm than good to their pets.
This article aims to answer the fretting ferret owner’s question about what ferrets eat. There’s really no need to panic if you know the proper nutritional make up of the ferret pet food you’re planning to purchase.
Give your ferrets foods that are high in animal protein
The ferret’s ideal diet should include foods that are very high in animal protein. It’s important to know a little bit about their digestive systems. Ferrets are carnivorous by nature, and their tummies can’t process plant-based nutrients well. If you want to maintain your ferret’s luxurious fur, and keep the cuddly fur ball from having horrific bald spots and flaky skin, you should keep its diet limited to easily digestible meats.
This means that feeding your ferret leftover meat parts, which can’t be digested by humans, will simply not do. You need to give your ferret pet food, which both have high animal protein and could be easily processed by their tiny digestive systems. This diet could prove to be a bit pricy, but it can save you the trouble and expense of having to visit the vet because of frequent ferret illnesses.
Give your ferrets foods that are high in good fat
It’s vital that your ferret gets its daily requirement of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids. These compounds can also be found in most high quality meats. Unlike some pets which can’t take in too much fat, ferrets thrive in foods that have high quantities of good fat in them.
Should you happen to have a ferret who’s slightly obese (a very rare case), just give your pet the usual recommended ferret diet because it’s never good to withhold food from your furry friend. Try to make them lose weight, instead, through regular exercise.
Avoid foods with high fiber and carbohydrate content
As we’ve pointed out in the previous sections of this article, ferrets can’t process plant-based nutrients very well. These include fiber and carbohydrates, which are usually found in grains, fruits, and nuts. If you’re wondering what ferrets eat then the answer is simply foods which are high in protein and fat. Grains, nuts, and fruits should be crossed out of the menu because they could give your ferrets serious digestive problems.
If you’re comparing the nutritional values of different ferret food mixes in the market, then you should take note of the carbohydrate and fiber content. Fiber could be good for humans, but they’re horrible for your ferret friends. Ferret food with a lot of extenders (ergo, carbohydrates) might be sold cheaper off the shelf, but it’s not very good at keeping your pet ferret healthy.
Never give your ferrets foods that are too sweet
If you could, you should avoid giving treats that are too sweet, because high sugar content is never good for any ferret. Chocolates are totally out of the question because it could give your ferrets nasty headaches. Ferrets would initially love sweets and would probably try to steal a bite off a chocolate bar in your hands, but don’t give in to their whims. You’re the pet owner and you should know what’s good for them.
Always follow these tips about your ferrets diet to keep your pet healthy and happy for a long time.