Ferrets are now a popular choice of pets for many people, and it’s no wonder – they can be affectionate, playful and highly trainable. Like all pets, especially if you’re a new owner, these adventurous pets need lots of TLC and attention to their diet, which is especially important in ferret care.
Meat Should be a Staple of their Diet
Ferrets are first and foremost carnivores, so meat is an essential part of their diet. In fact, raw meat from the prey of wild ferrets are the key to their survival. However, feeding raw meat to a domesticated ferret is not the best idea; not only does raw meat spoil faster, but also it mean introducing potentially harmful bacteria and parasites to them.
This is why most ferret owners opt for dry pelleted feed, which is not only convenient and practical but also it doesn’t spoil as easily.
What Not to Feed Ferrets
Ferrets cannot extract nutrients from plants, which is why their ideal diet consists of food that is low in fiber and carbohydrates. In addition, ferrets need to eat every 3-4 hours because of their short digestive system and fast metabolism, so they need food that is high in energy, animal-based protein and fat.
In the past, cat and dog food was given to ferrets but these days especially prepared ferret food is now generally available in supermarkets as well as online. This formulated diet is best for ferrets but if you have trouble finding good quality ferret food in your area, you may give premium quality cat food (not the generic kind, as they contain too many nutritional deficiencies for ferrets) to your pet. Dog food is no longer a good option as it contains too many carbohydrates.
It’s important to remember that ferrets can easily get attached to a certain flavor or brand of food just like cats – they also don’t adjust easily to a new diet if that food becomes unavailable. That is why you should pick premium food that is more likely to be available in the future. It will be easier to get your ferret used to different flavors, to avoid their getting attached to just one taste of food that will become eventually unavailable.
Treats
As a fun part of ferret care, some pet owners like to give their ferrets treats, such as fruits or vegetables. However, treats should only be given in small quantities and in small pieces. Avoid giving your ferret treats that contain a lot of sugar, salt and spices. Other treats to avoid giving a ferret include: chocolate, peanut butter, marshmallows, human snack food such as potato chips and ice cream, and coffee.
If you really want to give your ferret some treats, it’s best to stick with pieces of cooked meat including chicken, cooked eggs or melons. You can also give him or her supplemental treats that help improve their overall health, especially for their coat, teeth and skin.
Ferrets make for fun and interesting pets for new owners. They are also easy to take care of if the basics of proper ferret care are followed.
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