The lack of truly ideal ferret foods is one reason there is increasing interest in more natural diets for ferrets.

Basic feeding rules

Ferrets have unique feeding requirements, which are now finally being addressed by commercial pet food manufacturers, albeit with varying success. Ferrets are obligate carnivores and food passes through a ferret’s digestive system very quickly. They have a sweet tooth, but they don’t give up; avoid sweets (including grapes and other fruits).

Ferret diets should include meat, poultry or fish meal, or animal by-products as the first ingredient. Ferrets love fruits and vegetables, but their systems don’t. They don’t digest fiber well at all; a banana that enters leaves a banana. For this reason, a ferret’s diet should be high in animal protein, high in fat, and low in fiber.

Feeding young ferrets

Whether you are feeding raw or commercial foods, you should always feed at least two types of food in your young ferret’s daily diet to prevent them from imprinting on one food. Ferrets are imprinted on food when they are young, so varying the diet will make things easier if you need to change your ferret’s food later on.

There are ferret vitamin supplements and hairball remedies, which ferrets generally love, and which provide some benefits.

Raw Diet Pros

Good diets are often expensive, but they are worth it. I researched raw food diets further and found a diet that combines raw meaty bones and ground meat that keeps our ferrets in top condition. Feeding whole, raw meaty bones helps prevent the formation of tartar on the teeth and provides calcium in the diet. Even if they are not fed a raw food diet, they can be fed along with dry food a few times a week to keep their teeth clean.

You will see an overall improvement in your ferret’s energy and coat. An advantage of a natural diet is that the volume of the stool decreases as more food is absorbed and the odor is greatly reduced.

There are many websites that contain information on raw eating. When feeding groups of ferrets, watch to make sure there are no fights over bones.

Cons of the raw diet

The biggest drawback to feeding any meat fresh and cooked would be the ferret’s normal habit of saving food for later. It is quite unsanitary and dangerous to have a bunch of meat hidden in the corner of the cage. Be sure to pick up leftovers after each feeding. When first fed raw bones, it can cause your ferret’s feces to turn white/gray in color, the ferrets digestive system will develop stomach acids to break down the bone and will soon be back to normal.

(Note that not all vets promote a raw food diet) In the wild, a ferret’s natural diet is a mix of small mammals, some birds, fish, amphibians, and invertebrates. When feeding groups of ferrets, watch to make sure there are no fights over bones.

Getting the balance right

Perhaps the best thing to do is pick up a bag or two of the highest quality ferret food on the market. Be sure to check the ingredients on the package and see that the first ingredients are meat. Prepare a meal with some dry food, some raw bones and meat, and even a vitamin supplement. You can gradually increase the amount of raw foods in the diet. Be sure to keep vitamin supplements to ensure your ferret doesn’t miss out.

Canned ferret food can be given as a treat or supplement, but only occasionally.

The diet you feed your ferret is vital to its overall health and well-being and could even help your ferret live a long and happy life.