How to Feed Your Ferret

Ferrets are obligate carnivores, which means they require a diet that's very high in meat-based protein and fat. Because they lack a cecum, ferrets cannot digest plant protein, so fruits and veggies should be limited to occasional treats - no matter how much they beg!

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Exercise Pens For Ferrets
• Ferret Ear Cleaning Solutions
• Dry Ferret Food
• Ferret Cages With Starter Kits
• Ferret Deodorizing Sprays
• Ferret Hammock
• Ferret Shampoo
• Ferret Toys
• Litter Boxes For Ferrets

1. Purchase a high-quality ferret food, a high-quality kitten food or a natural meat diet.
2. Choose a food that contains a minimum protein level of 34 percent and a minimum fat level of 19 percent. Younger ferrets (under 1 year of age) require a food with a higher fat content of 20 to 22 percent.
3. Review the ingredient list carefully. The first ingredient must be a meat source - for example, chicken, chicken meal, lamb or beef.
4. Avoid corn in the first three to five ingredients. Corn is very difficult for a ferret to digest and can cause health problems such as urinary tract infections.
5. Read the ingredient list to make sure that taurine is included. Taurine is an essential ingredient for a ferret's diet. Without taurine, a ferret, like a cat, can develop serious health problems that may eventually result in death.
6. Try to introduce a wide variety of foods during the first six months of your ferret's life. Ferrets imprint on foods when they're young, so this will make things easier if you need to change your ferret's food later on.
7. Consider feeding your ferret a mixture of at least two high-quality foods because ferrets can be very picky eaters.
8. Place the food and water bowls away from the litter pan, preferably on another level of the cage.
9. Keep a full bowl of food available at all times because a ferret's digestive system takes only about 3 to 4 hours from intake to output.
10. Be sure to keep water available at all times as well, in either a bottle, a bowl or both. Change the water daily for freshness.

Tips & Warnings

• Because some ferrets like to dig in their food and water or spill their dishes, a crock-lock dish that attaches to the side of the cage is recommended. A heavy ceramic bowl is another good option.
• Ferrets like to play in their water bowls and make a mess. To prevent this, attach the water bowl higher up the side of the cage, or give your ferret a separate water dish just for playing in. Put a dish of water inside a bigger dishpan so that the ferret can play in the water without soaking the floor.
• Dog food does not contain taurine and is not an appropriate diet for a ferret.