FERRET NUTRITION: Feeding your fuzzie...

Ferrets have a unique diet compared to other animals and ferrets are sometimes mistakenly put into the rodent family. But ferrets are mustelids - a member of the weasel family and cousins of the otters, minks, badgers and others. The reason this difference is important to know is because of the diet. Rodents eat vegetables and plant matter. Rabbits eat grass and certain flowers. But ferrets are meat eaters and as such require a unique diet that is rich in protein, moderate to low fat, low carb and preferably sugar free.

In the wild, ferrets evolved to feed on a diet of rabbits, mice and other small rodents, and they've been known to eat insects. As such, they needed a diet high in protein and fat. A food that contains around 38% meat protein and 15% fat is preferred. Note that not all proteins are created equal. Meat protein and vegetable protein are chemically different and ferrets don't digest veggies well at all.

Fresh meat is a popular option with many ferret owners. Ferrets will often prefer chicken to beef, though and mutton is a possible choice also, but it's very high in fat, so take care. Naturally, any fresh meat must be obtained from a quality source to ensure it's free of parasites, bacteria and toxins which can very easily jeopardize your ferret's health.

Today, ferret owners prefer to use commercially provided ferret foods such as Totally Ferret, which are more readily available and safer to use. Again, it's important to check the label to ensure that it contains at least 35% protein from meat sources, and 15% fat. They should also be relatively low in fiber, 3% or less. In a pinch, they can be fed cat food for short periods. But the protein and fat levels, and other ingredients, are not ideally balanced for ferrets. Perhaps one of the best ferret foods to buy and preferred by many, is Totally Ferret altho there are many other brands just as good and nutritious that may be more readily available in your area. Just read the labels!

Many ferrets are also fond of sweets, enjoying raisins and bananas. But any treat like that should be given in very small quantities and only occasionally. Ferrets, whose name is rightly derived from the Latin for 'thief', earned this moniker for their habit of stealing and/or hoarding small objects. So be sure that any raisin or other small treat is eaten before giving your fuzzie any more. Quite often they will run off with a treat and hide it in their stash for later, only to eat too much at another time and disrupt their dietary balance and that can lead to stomach upset and/or health problems. (Plus, decaying food can also smell bad.)


Ferrets in general are also finicky eaters and will snub new foods when introduced in their diet so make sure that you are using more than one type of food at all times, ideally meat and poultry flavors, especially with young ferrets who will "imprint" certain foods. This will prevent them from being stuck on only one type of food and have such a hard time adjusting later on. When introducing a new food always mix it with the old one that they are familiar with so that they can get used to the new food.

Apart from fresh meat and/or a commercial pet food designed for ferrets, it's always a good idea to have some mineral and vitamin supplements on hand. Most pet foods will have these supplements built in, but ferrets may need some extra elements, especially since they're prone to adrenal ailments and certain bone deficiencies so supplements can be helpful for some. Examples of these include Ferretvite and Ferretone but give only in moderation. (I usually give mine as a daily treat and they love it.)

Using the right food will keep your ferret healthy, energetic and keep their coat in excellent condition. Knowing the do's and don'ts of ferret nutrition is just one of the many steps needed to care for your fuzzie and will ensure a long, happy life for your ferret.

Ferrets have very high metabolisms. As a result, they should have access to food and water at ALL times. Their digestive systems work quickly and they will typically process anything they've eaten within a few hours. For that, and other aspects, to function properly, they also need LOTS of water, especially in hot, dry weather.

Ferrets, though they sleep about 18 hours per day, are typically extremely active for the hours they're awake. They're exploratory and love to move things around. That means they'll tip a bowl over, shove food out or hide it, spill and splash water. Getting gear to minimize those problems, and keep the ferret's quarters clean, can be a challenge.

Fortunately, as you would expect, there are hundreds of choices on the market today. There are more styles and designs of water dispenser and feeding mechanisms available than you could even look at, much less buy.

Some food dispensers are just a simple bowl. While not ideal, if that's what you prefer, at least make sure it's sturdy, heavy and non-chewable. A heavy enough bowl can't be tipped over, even by a jumping ferret. It should be non-breakable and made of material that the ferret can't break off with his or her teeth. Ferrets love to chew on things! Especially rubber!

At the same time, it should be easy to clean, non-toxic and not subject to rust. Wooden bowls, while attractive, can retain moisture providing a place for bacteria to grow. Cedar, for example, emits odors that are bad for the ferret. Plastic, on the other hand, doesn't have any natural compounds to oppose the growth of bacteria and many metals rust. Marble or other hard stone is ideal, but harder to find.

Automatic feeders, typically plastic, are a good compromise. A J-Feeder (so-called because of its shape) allows you to provide several days of food. It dispenses a small amount gradually and can be attached to the side of the cage, making it impossible to tip over. At the same time, the shape helps minimize spreading of food. There are several other designs of auto-feeders, or gravity feeders, as well. A quick trip to the pet store online or off will provide many options for you to choose from.

Selecting a water dispenser employs many of the same criteria. Here, though, the spill factor is even more important. Make sure that anything you choose can't be tipped over. Many ferret owners will use a ball-and-tube style dispenser for this reason. Ferrets learn to push up the ball, dispensing a small amount of water, then the ball drops back down to close the tube.

Some dispensers have small sections for carbon filtration, or dispensing liquid vitamin supplements and other things.

Outside the cage, a heavy, low crock bowl is a common choice. They work well, but getting one with a rubber bottom will help keep your floor from getting scratched. It's important, though, to keep the ferret from chewing on the bottom, which requires a very hard form of rubber that may defeat the purpose.



Super Pet Pet-Ware Scatterless Dome Dish 4.5 Inch


Whichever style of food or water dispenser you select, be sure to keep it clean. At least once per week, preferably more often, it should be completely emptied and scrubbed out with a dish detergent. Rinse thoroughly. For glass or porcelain dispensers use a mild chlorine bleach from time to time, then rinse very well.

Just like humans, domesticated animals like dogs, cats, and other pets, are affected by the health hazards of modern living. Pollution, poor nutrition, stress and unhealthy lifestyles can lead to a variety of illnesses and conditions that are very similar to those experienced by humans.

In fact, many, if not most pet health concerns can be addressed by helping your pets to live a healthier lifestyle.

While it has its place, conventional medicine for animals and 'modern technology' have failed our pets in many ways.

The PetAlive Homeopathic range of products has been formulated with this knowledge and is specifically designed to treat your pet in a holistic and safe natural manner.