Ferrets are lovely – and long – furry creatures that make for extraordinary pets. No matter if you already have one or you’re only thinking to get one, you should plan ahead and inform yourself about the do’s and don’ts of ferret diet. It’s not rocket science, but it’s better to know what you’re doing. So keep on reading to find out how to feed your ferret right.
How to Feed Your Ferret Right
What and When to Feed Your Ferret
A ferret’s body has a high metabolic rate, which means they will quickly digest and process what they eat. So, in general, expect your ferret to eat more meals a day than you do. Around eight to ten small meals a day is the norm for a mature and healthy ferret.
Now on to the ‘what’ part. Like cats, ferrets are carnivore creatures and they will indulge in whatever has meat on it. Usually, a ferret meal should contain food sources high in protein. Local pet stores will have food pellets for ferrets and those can be the primary option, but always make sure that the ingredients are of high quality. Good ferret food should contain chicken or lamb as the main ingredients. Also, try to avoid corn and grain, as those might cause your ferret health troubles on the long term.
But don’t think that it’s enough to keep your ferret on food pellets only. It’s important to feed your long furry friend some cooked or raw chicken or other similar homemade foods. Fresh meat, white fish and even scrambled eggs are some of the protein rich foods that your ferret will love.
What to Avoid
First of all, avoid feeding you ferret friend food intended for other animals, such as cats and dogs, because they might not meet the nutritional standards a ferret diet has. On the other hand, depending on your area, your local pet store might not have special ferret food, and in that case it’s ok to grab kitten food, as it has a higher protein content than adult cat food, so therefore should work for ferrets as well.
Since ferrets are carnivore by nature, avoid feeding them foods that have high levels of carbohydrates and sugar. Some such foods are fruits, vegetables and dairy products. Their digestive system can’t process these foods, so they will only develop problems.
What to Pay Attention To
Ferrets can swallow hairballs from grooming themselves, but unlike cats, they don’t regurgitate them, so that may pose a problem. To solve this, you can buy special supplements that prevent the developing of those hairballs, so make sure you include these in your little furry friend’s diet.
Another thing you may want to do is to vary your ferret’s diet. Variety is always a good idea, even if your furry friend falls in love with one type of food.
Ferrets do love a treat, but keep to chicken, turkey, lamb or occasional cat treats, and away of chocolate or ice cream. Also, never give your ferret dog treats or dog food.
