FERRET NUTRITION

Ferrets can be should be fed a dry ration as the primary diet because it is more energy efficient than a canned diet and is better for the teeth and gums. The food you choose should have at least 32% to 40% protein and 20% fat. Several brands of high quality food designed for kittens such as those found in a veterinary office or pet store have been used successfully in the past. Currently there are several brands of dry foods designed specifically for the ferret which are also suitable. Some people recommend mixing two or more types of kitten or ferret foods together to ensure a 'complete'ration. Your veterinarian may wish to alter your pet's diet as he or she ages, such as lowering the dietary protein to put less work on the kidneys. Since ferrets pass food through their bodies at a very rapid rate they need to eat frequently. Obesity is rarely a problem. Allow the ferret access to dry food at all times in a heavy crock type bowl or a feeder hung from the side of the cage. One study indicated that the higher the corn content of the diet, the more likely ferrets were to develop bladder stones. Corn is commonly used as a filler for many pet foods. The less expensive the food, the more likely it will have a higher grain content as well as lower quality meat protein. There is still some controversy in the scientific community over the exact dietary ration that should be used for the ferret.

Ferrets may be fed meat scraps and eggs as treats. Since they are carnivores by nature, these are healthy snacks to offer. Although ferrets appear to be very resistant to the development of Salmonella infections, it is probably wise to cook these foods prior to feeding. These food can be fed in the amount of one to two tablespoons per ferret per day. Some ferrets enjoy bits of fruit and vegetables such as green peppers, bananas, cucumbers and melons. In the wild, a ferret would get some of these foods from the stomach of its prey. Feed no more than 1 tsp per ferret per day of a fruit or vegetable. They cannot digest fiber well, and if these items are fed in excess, your pet may develop diarrhea. Foods such as breads, breakfast cereals, cakes and cookies should not be fed. Many of these items contain refined sugars which can cause damage to the ferrets pancreas resulting in diabetes. Unfortunately, ferrets love sweet foods and may beg for these treats, but you take a serious risk with your pets health in offering them.

As mentioned, the ferret has a very high fat requirement in its diet and it may be necessary to add a fatty acid supplement to the food. If the coat is dry or brittle in your otherwise healthy pet already on a high quality kitten or ferret food, you might try adding up to 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon per day of a fatty acid supplement. Particularly in the colder areas of the country, where the air inside the house dries out dramatically in the winter, it may be necessary to add this supplement. If your pet's coat is already shiny and thick, then this supplement is not necessary. Ferrets that have hair loss, excessive itchiness to the skin, scabs or other lesions or those with dry coats that do not respond within two weeks to a fatty acid supplement should be examined by a veterinarian.

Ferrets have a tendency to develop hairballs, particularly those over one year of age. Unlike cats, ferrets do not vomit these masses of hair and they can develop intestinal obstructions or become severely debilitated. Give about 1' or 1/4 tsp every three days of a cat hairball laxative product to lubricate the hair and keep it moving out of the stomach before it forms a large mass. Ferrets generally love the taste of this sticky substance.