How to Fatten Up a Ferret

The domesticated ferret is closely related to wild minks and muskrats, and needs the human owner to recognize that it has special diet needs. The ferret needs high-quality food and treats. It also needs a meat-based diet because it is a carnivore and animal protein would be a part of the natural diet in the wild. If a ferret appears thinner than normal, the owner will need to fatten the ferret up.

Things You'll Need

  • High-quality ferret food
  • Food and water dishes
  • Ferret treats
  • Ferret vitamin supplements
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Instructions

    • 1

      Examine the ingredients on the back of the bag of ferret food that you feed your ferret. The food should contain the highest amount of animal protein that you can find, and ideally should be between 35 and 38 percent protein. The food should also include more than 18 percent fat. Ferrets also need the following vitamins in their food, Vitamin D, A, C, and the B vitamins, according to the Weasel Words website.

    • 2

      Feed the ferrets each day, and check the food dishes frequently to ensure that the food and the water is full. Ferrets can be free fed instead of feeding several times a day. Ferrets that have food available to them all day can get fattened up by eating whenever they want.

    • 3

      Give additional ferret treats to the ferret during the day to help it fatten up. Ferret treats can include vitamin supplements designed for ferrets and any other treats that are designed for ferrets.