The lack of truly ideal ferret foods is one reason there is a growing interest in more natural diets for ferrets.
basic feeding rules
Ferrets have unique feeding requirements, which are now being addressed by commercial pet food manufacturers, although with varying success. Ferrets are obligate carnivores, and food passes through a ferret’s digestive system very quickly. They have a sweet tooth but don’t give up — avoid sweet treats (including raisins and other fruits).
The ferret diet should list meat, poultry or fishmeal, or animal by-products as the first ingredient. Ferrets love fruits and vegetables, but not their system. They do not digest fiber well; A banana comes out a banana. For this reason, a ferret diet should be high in animal protein, high in fat and low in fiber.
feeding young ferrets
Whether you’re feeding raw or commercial food, you should always feed at least two types of food in your young ferret’s daily diet to prevent them from chowing down on one food. Ferrets imprint on foods when they are young, so dietary changes will be easier if you need to change your ferret’s food later.
There are vitamin supplements for ferrets and hairball treats that ferrets generally like, and they do provide some benefits.
Raw Diet Pros
Good diets are expensive, but well worth it. I did further research on raw food diets and found a diet combining raw meaty bones and minced meat kept our ferrets in top condition. Feeding whole raw meaty bones helps prevent tartar build-up on the teeth and adds calcium to the diet. Even if they are not being fed a raw food diet, they can be fed a dry complete once or twice a week to keep their teeth clean.
You will notice an overall improvement in your ferret’s energy and coat condition. A bonus of a natural diet is that stool volume is reduced because more food is absorbed and odor is greatly reduced.
There are many websites that have information on raw feeding. When feeding groups of ferrets, watch to make sure there is no fighting over bones.
raw diet cons
The biggest drawback to feeding any fresh, cooked meat would be the ferret’s general habit of hiding the food for later. It is very unhealthy and dangerous to have piles of meat kept in the corner of the cage. Make sure you collect the leftovers after each feed. When raw bones are first fed it may turn your ferret’s faeces white/grey, the ferret’s digestive system will develop stomach acid to break down the bone and should soon return to normal.
(Note that not all veterinarians promote raw food diets.) A ferret’s natural diet in the wild is a mix of small mammals, some birds, fish, amphibians, and invertebrates. When feeding groups of ferrets, watch to make sure there is no fighting over bones.
keep balance
Probably the best thing to do is pick up a bag or two of the highest quality ferret food on the market. Make sure you check the ingredients on the pack and see that the first ingredient is meat. Make a meal of some dry food, some raw bones and meat and even a vitamin supplement. Gradually you can increase the amount of raw food in the diet. Make sure you keep taking vitamin supplements to make sure your ferret doesn’t miss out.
Canned ferret food can be given as a treat or supplement, but only occasionally.
The diet you feed your ferret is important to their health and overall well-being and may even help your ferret live a long and happy life.
Source by Catherine Smith
