Ferrets have unique feeding requirements that are now finally being addressed by commercial pet food manufacturers, though with varying success.

Ferrets are obligate carnivores and food passes through the digestive system of a ferret very quickly. Ferrets also lack the ability to derive nutrition from plant matter. For this reason, a ferret diet must be high in animal protein, high in fat, and low in fiber. All foods, including foods intended solely for ferrets, are not created equally, so be careful what you are feeding your ferret.

Have Food Available at All Times

Ferrets have a quick metabolism along with a short digestive system, so they need to eat frequently (usually every 3 to 4 hours). It is best to have food available constantly. Most ferrets will eat only enough to meet their needs and will not become obese if allowed constant access to good quality food. Fresh, clean water is also a necessity at all times. If you are having a problem with your ferret gaining too much weight, check with a vet to rule out a medical problem and for advice on meeting their diet needs while maintaining a good weight. Increased exercise is usually the best way to approach obesity once health problems are ruled out, rather than diet restrictions.

Dry foods are the most convenient choice for ferrets, as they can be left available at all times without concern of spoilage. Canned ferret food can be given as a treat or supplement, but only occasionally.

Basic Requirements for a Ferret Diet:

• High in protein (30 to 40 percent on the label nutrition analysis)
• Protein must be high quality, highly digestible, and animal-based (not plant-based)
• High in fat (at least 15-20 percent, perhaps up to 30 percent if growing or pregnant, on the label analysis)
• Very low in carbohydrates and fiber (less than 3 percent fiber)

Analyzing Processed Dry Foods

Unfortunately, the nutritional analysis on food packaging doesn't always tell the whole story. You must also analyze the ingredient list, as the quality and availability of the proteins and fats can vary widely. However, even ingredient lists can be misleading. The ingredients listed first are the highest proportion of the food item, but you have no idea exactly what proportion. Be aware of ingredient splitting, which can push similar but less desirable items down the list, but if added together, might make up a high proportion of the diet (e.g. soy flour and soy meal).

Protein Sources

Look for meat and meat meals as opposed to by-products. Meat and poultry by-products are the bits that don't make it into human foods. They may be low in digestibility and therefore not really a useful protein source. Eggs are also a high-quality protein source. Look for meat or meat meals or eggs to make up the first three ingredients (you'll find very few foods that meet this requirement, but definitely avoid any that do not have high-quality proteins or fats as at least most of the first six ingredients). Beware the use of corn gluten, soy meal, rice gluten, and other vegetable or grain-based proteins that may boost the protein content, but are not useful to ferrets. Also watch for added sugars (sucrose, fructose, corn syrup, etc.).

Fats

Look for high-quality sources balanced in omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids (poultry fat is usually considered a good source). This can be hard to determine from an ingredient list or nutritional analysis, however, and the fatty acid quality and balance are affected by processing as well.

Ferret Foods

There are several ferret diets available now, and some are better than others. Good diets tend to be expensive, but are worth it. There is no perfect diet—very few foods come close to meeting the requirements set out above. It is really a matter of picking foods that you can readily get that are as close to ideal as possible. The lack of truly ideal ferret foods is one reason there is a growing interest in more natural diets for ferrets.

Any diet changes should be made gradually, mixing in the new food with the old and gradually reducing the amount of the old diet. It is often a good idea to use a mixture of foods starting when ferrets are young, as some can be stubborn about trying new foods, which may create problems if their current food becomes unavailable. Try to make sure you have two quality foods your ferret will eat.

A Word on Cat Food

For many years, the common recommendation was to feed ferrets a premium dry cat or kitten food, but that recommendation is now considered out-of-date. As the science of ferret nutrition improves, there is little doubt that premium ferret diets are the best to feed ferrets. Still, if you are unable to find a good quality ferret food (consider ordering online if nothing else), you may have to settle for cat food. If so, make sure it is a premium diet (e.g. Eukanuba, Innova). Use a kitten food, high in protein, but as your ferret gets a bit older (four years or so), switch to adult food. Again, you must check labels and pick foods with only high-quality animal proteins at the top of the ingredient list. Make sure they are high in fat and very low in grains, sugar, and fiber.

Treats

Treats should be given in moderation. There are vitamin supplements for ferrets and hairball remedies which ferrets generally love, and they provide some benefits. These make good training aids and treats but should be used sparingly. Other treats include eggs (hard-boiled, scrambled), bits of cooked meats, or freeze-dried liver treats. Commercial ferret treats should only be used if they are meat-based—avoid those with grains, vegetables, or sugars.