Ferret Diet

Playful and curious, ferrets make excellent pets for people happy to devote energy to them. Like any animal, a pet ferret is a responsibility that requires one to provide appropriate medical care, housing, recreation and, of course, food.

  1. Nutritional Needs

    • Because ferrets are carnivores, it is important that their diet contain a high level of animal protein, with lesser levels of vegetable protein. The Humane Society recommends food containing at least 34 percent animal protein and 22 percent fat be offered.

    What to Feed

    • Provide your ferret with dry ferret food pellets and occasional treats of turkey and chicken . Cat and dog food is not appropriate; fruits, vegetables and eggs, which can cause illnesses, should be avoided.

    How to Feed

    • Ferrets regulate their own food intake, so the owner must provide a steady stream of available food. Remove treats after an hour if they have not been consumed and be sure to place the food dish away from the ferret's litter.

    Baby Ferrets

    • Baby ferrets require soft, moist food. Place a small amount of water on the pellets, place in the refrigerator for a couple of hours and then serve.

    Considerations

    • it is important to shop around as the health benefits of a nutritionally sound food are significant and not all ferret food indicates the percentage of animal protein versus vegetable protein. Additionally, since ferret food is dry, it is important to provide your pet with an abundant water supply.