Ferret Feeding: Ideal Menu

These mammals always have to eat animal products, except milk and its derivatives, as they are carnivores. Therefore, ferrets should not be fed vegetables.

Ferrets are becoming more and more frequent pets in our homes. Therefore, an adequate and balanced diet is essential for the animal to have a healthy and happy life. So, let’s talk about the main feeding points for ferrets. So, do you want to know which menu is ideal for this cute one?

Ferret feeding: the ideal menu

First, ferrets are carnivorous animals. Therefore, this means that all food given to them must be of animal origin. Therefore, grains such as wheat or corn, legumes or vegetables are not beneficial to ferrets.

So animal products are all they need in their diet. For example, meat, offal, fish and even eggs are needed to regulate a ferret’s digestive system.

However, they do not digest dairy products well. So avoid yogurt, milk and other similar foods.

processed food

Currently, we have rations specially prepared for ferrets. A few years ago, when these mustelids were less known, it was difficult to find rations, snacks and other foods prepared for them.

First, when looking for ferret food, make sure it is made with animal products.

In addition, the feed must not contain cereals, vegetables or other food groups. Finally, it is worth remembering that cheap pet foods tend to have a lot of fat and other low quality components, which will harm the ferret’s diet.

In case you can’t buy quality ferret food, cat food, especially kitten food, usually has the necessary nutrients for these small mammals.

In addition, they are fed a high percentage of animal protein and low in fat, cereals or pulses.

There is a myth that ferrets become aggressive when they eat fresh meat, both raw and cooked. However, this is not true.

After all, the way you get the food doesn’t change the animal’s behavior. However, what can happen is that they like the fresh meat so much that they are nervous before eating it.

Ferret feeding: an alternative to animal feed

As an alternative to feed, and even as a supplement, ferrets can receive fresh meat. However, the exception is pork.

Other than that, they can eat many types of meat. Among them, chicken, rabbit, lamb, veal, turkey, duck. You can test which one the animal likes to eat the most.

In addition, ferrets can also consume internal organs (guts) from animals. For example, heart, kidney, tongue or liver can be part of the ideal diet for ferrets.

Finally, it is worth remembering that, in the wild, ferrets hunt small prey and eat them whole, including the internal organs.

In addition, they can also be fed with fish. In this case, sardines and salmon are especially interesting.

In fact, with the exception of canned tuna, they can enjoy many other fish. For example, dogfish, hake, fresh tuna, anchovies etc. Even shrimp can be part of the ferret’s diet.

Before giving ferrets fresh meat, you should ensure that there are no harmful bacteria in the meat. Therefore, you can either freeze the meat for at least 14 days or cook it to destroy any parasites it might have.

Additionally, some people also choose to give ferrets bones for fun and they can also eat the marrow.

However, if you are giving bones to your pet, be careful about the right size in relation to the pet’s mouth.

Also, bones must always be raw. After all, cooked bones, especially poultry bones, can break and injure any part of an animal’s digestive tract.

Awards and Treats for Ferrets

Ferrets, like any other pet, can receive prizes and treats throughout the day.

In this case, the prizes must be products of animal origin. Furthermore, it is also necessary to avoid sugar, chocolate, fruit or yogurt.

The safest treats for your ferret’s health are biscuits made especially for ferrets.

So remember the recommendations: Cookies should be low in vegetables, legumes, or cereals, and high in animal protein.

Prohibited food for ferrets

Like any other animal, there are many foods that are not recommended or even prohibited.

Therefore, they should be completely excluded from the ideal menu for ferrets. Here are some examples:

• Dairy products : milk, yogurt, ice cream, cheese and other dairy products.
• Chocolate : Chocolate is toxic to ferrets.
• Sweet products: Although ferrets are very curious about sweets, sugar is harmful to them and should always be avoided.
• Onion : Onion is also toxic and should never be within reach of ferrets.
• Dog food : Dogs are omnivores and there should be pulses and cereals in their diet. In case there is no ferret food, they can only be fed cat food.

An ideal diet for ferrets is essential for your pet to be healthy and live long. Fortunately, there are now many foods suitable for them on the market.

Including, not only specialized foods, but also butcher’s products that can vary the flavor of the dishes you offer your pet.