Ferret Food

Ferrets are carnivores by nature. Cat food usually provides no protein or the fat necessary for the proper metabolism of the ferret, although the high quality food for the young cats can be used for a specific meal time.

However low-quality foods in the diet of the animal are not appropriate and check the labels as the three most abundant ingredients should be meat products, because ferrets can not properly digest grains compounds used in cheaper brands of cat food.

The ideal Ferret food contains 32-38% protein and 15-20% fat, the origin of the ferret food proteins should always meat, not soy or similar plants. Although high protein content is essential if it is greater than 38% may generate occasional kidney stones and urinary obstructions in older ferrets.

Most of the ferrets love sweets like raisins and peanut butter, but such foods should only be given occasionally, as even a small amount of sugar can sometimes lead to anomalies in the functioning of the adrenal glands and pancreas, where insulin is produced.

Although plant products can provide some trace elements in the ferrets diets the fact is that their digestive system is relatively short an can only extract so much of the energy from the body so for this reason it should ever only be fed as a supplement, and not an alternative to the usual diet

Ferrets spend most of the time between 14 to 18 hours a day sleeping but when they are awake they are very active and have a single minded purpose to explore extensively their surroundings. Ferrets are crepuscular animals and are most active at dawn, dusk and into the night. Caged they must be removed on a daily basis to exercise and satisfy their curiosity for at least an hour in some form of playground.

Ferrets, like cats, can use a box in a corner to make their stools with a little training, but you need to have boxes in different rooms because they do not hold anything in when they want to go.

Ferrets are also good tenants in a backyard and they love a garden. However if allowed to roam freely, the ferrets are fearless to the point of recklessness and will explore any hole they find, including drains and pockets of clothing.

They should always be monitored closely and preferably restrained by a leash with a harness with 2 sections.