Proper Feeding for Your Ferret
Ferret Diet
If you want your ferret to live for a long time, a proper diet is very important. Without correct feeding your ferret is at risk for serious health problems. Ferrets evolved to be meat eaters and need a low fiber, high protein diet in order to thrive. Several years ago the best choice for feeding ferrets was high quality cat food. You can still purchase premium quality cat food for your ferret, but there are now many different ferret food choices on the market that provide the combination that your pet needs – high quality fat along with low carbohydrates. The proper mix will help ensure that your ferret can achieve a maximum life span.
Baby Ferret Diet
The proper diet is extremely important for a baby ferret. Here’s what to look for when buying food for your ferret: 35-40% protein, 18-30% fat, 2% fiber, 21 amino acids, less than 7% ash and some good carbs such as rice flower or brewer’s yeast. Watch out for some ferret foods that use frozen fish as you ferret will not eat it. Some ferrets may even refuse food that they don’t like until they starve. Higher quality ferret food is frequently more expensive than a premium quality cat food, but ferrets tend not to eat very much, so it may not be very expensive in the long run. If you give your ferret a healthy diet supplements will not be necessary.
Dry Ferret Food
Your ferret will need to eat at least twice a day to ensure the amount calories to maintain good health. Because ferrets are small animals the portion size given should be small as well. With a moist diet, the food can only be left out for about forty five minutes and then, if it has not been eaten in that time frame, it should be removed. If you want to have the food available for longer than that, you may want to consider dry pellet food. Dry pellets can be left in the cage all day and they are also a good idea to help keep your ferret’s teeth clean. If you choose a dry pellet diet for your pet, remember that there should also be fresh water available. Use a dish for the fresh water as ferrets seem to prefer drinking from a dish rather than a water bottle. Also, be sure to change the water often to ensure freshness and cleanliness.
Ferret Treats
Treats are not necessary for your ferret but can help when you are attempting to housebreak your pet. Good choices for snacks are cooked eggs and meats. You should stay away from high-sugar fruits or candy as well as any dairy products like ice cream or milk. Also, avoid nuts or nut products. Any of these things can cause nutritional problems. Health problems that your ferret could encounter include malnutrition, obesity, tooth decay, diarrhea, intestinal blockage, insulinoma and hypoglycemia. Be sure to use treats sparingly so your ferret doesn’t begin to refuse its normal food. Vegetables and grains are not well tolerated by ferrets, so make sure to avoid them. And, onions should be avoided at all costs as they are poisonous to ferrets.
Making sure your ferret has a healthy diet is crucial in maintaining a long and healthy life. Your ferret will be happy, comfortable and less likely to develop any life-threatening illnesses. Most ferret owners are known for giving their pets lots of love and affection, however, the best way to be kind to your ferret is to make sure they are feed correctly.
