What Do Ferrets Eat? A Guide to Feeding Your Pet Ferret

There’s a lot to consider before bringing a ferret home, and one of the most important things to learn about is their diet. Providing your pet with the best nutrition is an integral part of caring for them properly so they can be strong, energetic, and healthy for many years. These animals have specific needs that have to be met, and the guide below is a good place to start if you’re ready to dive into what a ferret should and shouldn’t eat.

Ferrets Are Carnivores

Like cats, ferrets are obligate carnivores, which means they require a meat-based diet that provides a high amount of animal protein.

Ferrets hunt a variety of prey in the wild, including rodents, reptiles, birds, and eggs. So, pet ferrets can be fed a varied diet that includes foods like poultry, beef, eggs, and fish.

Generally, a ferret’s diet should be high in protein (30-40% or more) and fat (20% or more), but low in carbohydrates and fiber (4% or less). When shopping for ferret food, whether it’s dry, wet, or frozen or freeze-dried raw, check labels to ensure it’s balanced properly.

Note: If you’re hoping to feed your ferret a homemade diet, consult a veterinarian for guidance to ensure you provide the right balance of nutrients.

A Main Diet and Treats

Baby ferrets nurse from their mothers until they’re around 6-8 weeks old. Once they’re weaned, they can eat solid foods.  

Feed your ferret a main diet that’s complete and balanced specifically for them, and also provide treats that are species-appropriate (e.g., pieces of cooked, unseasoned, unsalted meats).

The complete meals can make up about 90% of their diet, with nutritious treats making up the remaining 10%.

Multiple Types of Ferret Foods to Choose From

Dry food for ferrets should be appropriately sized so it’s easy for them to eat it, and you can moisten it with water if your ferret needs or prefers it that way. Another option is wet food, which can provide extra hydration. And you can also opt to give your ferret raw nutrition.

An example of a dry ferret food is Oxbow Essentials Ferret Food, which is for ferrets of all ages. It’s nutritionally complete and provides 100% of daily recommended vitamins and minerals. The first five ingredients are animal proteins and fats, and this food doesn’t contain potatoes, corn, or peas.  

An example of a wet ferret food is Evanger’s Turkey Dinner For Ferrets & Exotic Pets, which is formulated for obligate carnivores and provides a lot of moisture. Featuring a single source protein, this food is complete and balanced with vitamins and minerals, and it’s free of grains, carbohydrates, fillers, preservatives, and gluten.

An example of treats for ferrets is Atlantic Rush Freeze-Dried Beef Hearts Ferret Treats, which feature one ingredient without any fillers or preservatives. These can be used during training and playtime and for enrichment, and their crunchy texture may help support your ferret’s dental health.  

Provide Variety, Plenty of Food, and Fresh Water

It’s a good idea to give your ferret different types of foods and treats to provide variety. This can help ensure they’ll get the nutrition and flavors they need to stay active, healthy, and happy. Whenever you introduce a new food, though, do so gradually.

Because ferrets typically don’t overeat and have a fast metabolism, you can free-feed them. Leave dry food out for them all the time so they can eat whenever they want. 

Always ensure your ferret has access to clean, fresh water at all times in a bottle or sturdy bowl. And provide food in a sturdy bowl that won’t tip over.

Note: If your ferret requires supplements for any reason, such as a health concern, discussing that with your veterinarian is best, as they can guide you in how to provide the safest and most effective supplements at the right doses.

What To Look For and What To Avoid

When shopping for ferret food, purchase animal-based meals and treats that are formulated for these little carnivores. Also, check labels to see if a food is formulated for all life stages or a particular life stage to be sure you get the right one for your pet. 

• Look for high-quality ingredients like muscle meats, organs, and eggs.

• Avoid dairy, sugar, and plant-based ingredients, such as potatoes, peas, corn, seeds, grains, nuts, breads, cereals, fruits (including dried fruits), and vegetables that ferrets can’t digest properly.

• Certain foods that are safe for humans, such as chocolate, are harmful to ferrets, so only give them foods that are appropriate for them, and ferret-proof your home to prevent them from gaining access to foods they shouldn’t eat.

• You might also opt to avoid foods that contain artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives, sticking instead with those that contain only natural ingredients. 

• Don’t feed your ferret dog food, cat food, or cooked bones.

Note: Check the guaranteed analysis of any food or treat to be sure it’s high in protein and fat and very low in carbohydrates and fiber. 

Is Cat Food Good for Ferrets?

Since cats and ferrets are both obligate carnivores who rely on a high-protein, animal-based diet, many people wonder if they could feed their ferrets cat food. Experts don’t recommend this, as a ferret-specific diet that’s formulated for this species is ideal. Plus, wet and dry cat foods often contain plant-based ingredients that ferrets shouldn’t consume.

Bottom line: To ensure your ferret gets the right nutrients at the right levels, feed them high-quality ferret-specific complete meals and treats.

Feed Your Ferret Right

Feeding your ferret right starts with choosing species-appropriate foods, but different ferrets might have slightly different dietary requirements based on their age and health. Talk to an exotic veterinarian to determine if your ferret needs supplements or changes to their daily diet. Your vet can also provide guidance on supporting a young ferret’s growth or a senior ferret’s health with the right foods and supplements.

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