Homemade Ferret Food

Ferrets are carnivore, and should be fed as such. They adjust to new foods best at a young age, as older ferrets will often ignore new food. Adding a new food should be done gradually, mixing it at first with the old, to give the ferret's digestive tract a chance to get used to it. Ferrets don't digest fiber well, and it should be avoided except as an occasional treat. The metabolism of a ferret is very fast, so food and fresh water should be available to them at all times.

  1. Homemade Food

    • Ferret food should be composed of protein (chicken or poultry are usually the best), a simple carbohydrate, and animal-based fat. Ferrets need 65 different minerals every day. Supplemental ferret food isn't difficult to make. Many people will take leftover meat, add some eggs, boil the mixture in a little bit of water or low-salt chicken broth for about thirty minutes, and then use a blender. Leftovers can be frozen. Alternatively, try mixing chicken baby food with FerreTone liquid. (FerreTone is a nutritional supplement.) Recipes for ferret food can be easily found, but keep in mind that a ferret shouldn't eat a lot of sugar or fiber. If the recipe calls for either one, it's better to skip it. Remember to ask a veterinarian before changing a ferret's diet or adding supplements.

    Ferret Treats

    • An occasional treat is fine for a ferret, but don't overdo it. Remember that ferrets have a hard time digesting fiber, so limit the number of raisins, grapes, and other fruits. Many ferrets enjoy hard-boiled or scrambled eggs as a treat. Most will also enjoy a piece of cooked meat. Treats should not be in place of a ferret's regular food.

    Raw Diet

    • For years it was thought that the best food to give to a ferret was kitten food. Eventually, commercial ferret food became more prevalent on the market. Many of these products still contain fillers, sugars and other ingredients that are difficult for a ferret to digest. Many ferret owners have switched their pets to a "raw diet" that is closer to the type of foods that a ferret would find in the wild. Always check with a veterinarian before making a drastic change in a ferret's diet, and also ask if supplements will be needed. The raw diet features chunks of raw meat (often chicken or beef), liver once or twice a week, and raw eggs yolks. Never give a raw egg white to a ferret or any other animal because of the possibility of bacteria.