What is the Best Ferret Food for your Pet?
What is the best ferret food? Most importantly, ferrets need good amounts of both fats and proteins, especially animal protein. Ferrets have very short digestive cycles so they can't get what they need from most vegetable proteins. You can feed you ferret chicken, turkey, beef, or lamb and it will be fine. Most ferrets are not fish lovers and fish products will also make their litter pans very smelly.
The ferret food that you choose should contain around 30-35% protein and 15-20% fat. If your ferret is a healthy weight, simply allow it to eat until it is satisfied. For years ferrets have been fed good quality cat foods. As long as your brand fulfills the above requirements keep using it, but always read the labels. Specialty ferret products were actually designed for mink or cats and modified for ferrets. They are also rather expensive. If your ferret is healthy, cat food is fine. "Totally Ferret", from Performance Foods is made exclusively for ferrets.
You can feed your ferret cat or kitten food such as Iams, Science Diet, or ProPlan. The best ferret food may be a little more expensive but your ferret will actually eat less, so it will still be cost-effective. The health of your ferret will also be better so you will save on vet bills.
Ferrets up to three or four years old can be fed kitten foods. However older ferrets with kidney problems should eat a ferret food that is lower in protein. In general, don't feed your ferret any soft foods. This is because it typically contains less protein and can lead to dental problems. If your have a very young or ill ferret a soft food is acceptable.
Ferret food to be avoided includes any brand of dog food, too many dairy products, too much fiber, raisins, chocolate, garlic, onions, too much sugar and too many vegetables.
You can supplement your ferret food with either Ferretone or Linatone. Your ferret will love them both. They both contain vitamin A. Never give your pet too much as high doses can make them ill. Too much of these vitamins can also cause diarrhea. A few drops a day is plenty to keep your pet healthy.
If your pet has hairballs you can use a cat hairball remedy such as Laxatone or Petromalt. This will help them to expel some of the hair and other (strange!) things they seem to love eating. Ferret food should provide for good nutrition but don't forget the occasional treat!
