Choosing the Correct Ferret Diet
A ferret’s diet is crucial for longevity, without a proper diet ferrets are at risk for serious health problems. Ferrets are meat eaters; therefore they cannot survive without a lower fiber-high protein diet.
Until mid-1980’s premium cat food was the only choice for feeding pet ferrets. High-quality cat foods are still acceptable for ferrets, but the commercial foods made specifically for ferrets provide higher-quality fat, as well as lower content of carbohydrates.
Ferrets need this combination of fat and lower carbohydrates in order to achieve a maximum life span. It is especially important that a baby ferret receive this type of diet. The right ferret food will have good carbohydrate ingredients such as rice flower or brewer’s yeast with at least 35-40% protein and 18-30% fat, 2% fiber, need to contain 21 amino acids, and less than 7% ash level.
Also, some ferret foods are made with frozen fish that has been poorly processed, and your ferret will not eat it. Some ferrets are so finicky they will refuse to eat to the point of starvation. High quality ferret food is usually more expensive than high quality cat food, but ferrets eat minimal amounts of the food, which brings down the overall cost. Ferrets do not need any dietary supplements if they are fed the right types of food.
In order to get the calories they need to sustain a healthy life ferrets need to eat at least twice a day. Ferrets are relatively small animals so their food portions should be small too. If a ferret is fed a moist diet the food is only good for about forty five minutes, soon after the food should be removed.
You should also consider a dry pellet diet. A dry pellet diet can be left in the cage all day. Dry pellets also help to clean the ferret’s teeth. Ferrets on dry diets must have fresh water all the time. Ferrets prefer water from a dish rather than a bottle, but if your ferret has a water dish it should be changed several times a day.
Giving your ferret treats in not a necessity, but can be useful with housebreaking your ferret. Cooked eggs and meats are the best choices for a snack. Avoid fruits because they are high in sugar, as well as candy, dairy products such as ice cream and milk, nuts and nut products; these products will cause nutritional problems.
Some health problems include obesity, malnutrition, intestinal blockage, insulinoma, hypoglycemia, tooth decay and diarrhea. Use treats sparingly because they may cause your ferret to refuse to eat its normal daily diet. Ferrets do not digest vegetables or grains well, so those should be avoided at all cost. Onions are poisonous to ferrets.
Providing a ferret with the proper nutrition is essential for a healthy life. It will minimize the risk for serious life-threatening illnesses and ensure your ferret is happy and comfortable. Ferret owners have a reputation of showing an ample amount of love and affection towards these funny and frisky pets but, the best way to show love to your ferret is to reward them with a good diet.
For more information about the proper ferret diet visit Ferret-Care-Center.com.
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