| Ferrets are built to eat only certain types of foods. | | | | the future. Mix cat foods, ferret foods, cat and |
| Due to a small digestive track, they're bodies need to | | | | ferret foods, different brands etc. Always keep |
| absorb their nutrients quick. And this comes in the | | | | things fresh and moving. |
| form of fats and meat based proteins. This means | | | | I haven't seen too many fat ferrets. Even with |
| they have difficulties digesting fibrous foods, such as | | | | access to food all day and a lot of sleeping, a fast |
| veggies and grains and all of their energy comes | | | | metabolism keeps their weight in check. An adult |
| from fat and protein. | | | | usually won't eat more than half a cup a day. |
| Ferrets sleep for the most part of the day, but they | | | | Remember, to use a low heavy bowl for food and |
| do tend to eat in smaller portions multiple times a | | | | water, even better, use a food dispenser and water |
| day. This means, that there should be fresh food and | | | | drip. If your ferret is still gaining weight, there might |
| water available at all times. | | | | be some underlying health issues you should have a |
| And since ferrets are carnivores - a high protein, high | | | | vet check out. |
| fat, diet is healthy for their mind state. For simplicity | | | | Snacks and treats should be used only for training |
| sake, I'm going to assume that you're looking into | | | | purposes. Don't let your ferret get used to it though. |
| purchasing a dry pellet food. We can discuss raw | | | | If you follow the guidelines above, well fed ferrets, |
| whole foods (which you should look into) at another | | | | have all the vitamins and nutrients they need. There |
| time. This is what you should look for when | | | | are too many foods out there that are just plain bad |
| purchasing food. If it's anything besides a high-quality | | | | for ferrets to eat. Fruits, veggies, candy or bread can |
| ferret food, then a high-quality cat food should do it | | | | be bad for your ferret's digestive tract and might |
| contains this: | | | | spoil your ferret's palate. Remember - small digestive |
| - 30% Protein | | | | tract - so stick with the fats and proteins. If you |
| - 20% Fat | | | | must reward them, then stick to cooked eggs, |
| The protein should come from a meat-based product. | | | | chicken or ferret vitamin treats specifically made for |
| Watch out for meat "by products". These may be | | | | ferrets. |
| tough for digestion in ferrets. Also watch for | | | | Food is a good tool for socializing. If you have just |
| vegetable based proteins like corn, soy, and rice, | | | | adopted a ferret, you should feed your ferret bits of |
| again this doesn't go well with a ferret's digestive | | | | food by hand. Slowly graduate to petting while |
| system. | | | | feeding and carrying while feeding - all done with |
| Ferrets can be picky eaters. You should train your | | | | patience of course. If you have a young ferret, 10 |
| ferret from an early age to be familiar with different | | | | weeks or younger, make sure to soak the food in |
| types of brands and mixing dry and moist types of | | | | water for a few minutes before feeding. |
| foods. Doing this will make things easier for you in | | | | |