Ferret Diets

It can sometimes be difficult to navigate all the different foods that are available for ferrets. So here are some basic rules to follow.

First and most important basic principle of all is that ferrets are strict carnivores, so they can only digest animal proteins. They don't get nutrients from plant proteins and don't have the necessary gut components either.

It is therefore necessary:

1. A diet based on good quality animal protein and a fairly high fat content. Food should contain between 32 and 40% protein in most cases. For fat, you should aim for around 20 to 30%.
2. Next, the food should be low in fiber and carbohydrates. The amount of fiber should be less than 3-3.5%, and the amount of carbohydrates below 8%.
3. The first ingredient must always be of animal origin, never vegetable.
4. At least 3 to 4 of the first 6 ingredients must be of animal origin. Note that the ingredients are in order of quantity, so the first is what the food contains the most, and the last is what is present in the smallest quantity.
5. Corn (a plant protein) should be avoided as much as possible.
6. Among the supplements that are acceptable: cooked and unspiced meat, eggs, liver, fatty acid supplements (omega 3 and 6, for example Sunshine Factor), laxative pastes (for the prevention of heartburn), hair, such as Vitalax).
7. Fruits and vegetables should be given in very limited quantities: about one teaspoon per day maximum.
8. Be careful with cat foods, because while they may have the right levels of protein, fat and fibre, their vitamin, mineral and amino acid content is not designed for ferrets.
9. Of course, give fresh water every day!

At AnimaPlus, we recommend Zupreem ferret food because we know it meets all of these criteria. Additionally, it does not contain any potentially questionable preservatives (such as ethoxyquin and BHT/BHA) and does not contain any by-products in its manufacturing. The previously mentioned supplements (Sunshine Factor and Vitalax) are also available from us, as is NutriCal (a very tasty dietary supplement) which may be offered sporadically.