What To Feed Your Ferret | RSPCA

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1. Home
2. Advice and welfare
3. Pets
4. Ferrets
5. Diet

Ferrets What to feed your ferrets

Ferrets are strict carnivores and need a well-balanced, meat-based diet to stay fit and healthy. Ferrets can't be vegetarians. It's thought that ferrets can't digest large amounts of fibre or complex carbohydrates (starches), such as bread and cereals. Don't feed these to your ferrets!

A balanced diet

To keep your ferrets healthy and happy, they'll need a diet:

• Suitable for their age
• Health
• Level of activity
• Whether they have young.

The best thing to do is to ask your vet about a complete, commercially available diet for your ferret.

Your ferrets will need to feed throughout the day. This is because they have high metabolic rates which means they need to eat little and often. They'll need to have food available at all times.

It's a good idea to encourage your ferrets to forage for their food. You could hide their food or treat or use food toys.

Make sure your ferret is eating the right amount

Check your ferrets' are eating enough, especially when they're living with other ferrets. If ferrets eat more food than they need, they'll become overweight and may suffer.

The amount your ferrets need to eat depends on their age, body weight, level of activity, health and whether they have young. It also depends on the type of food you feed them.

Remember:

• Read and follow the feeding instructions for any ferret foods that you buy
• Only give your ferret treats in small amounts. Suitable ferret treats include pieces of meat and cat or ferret treats
• Make any changes to their diet gradually. Sudden changes may upset their digestive system.

Drinking water

Make sure your ferrets have constant access to clean drinking water, as they'll become seriously ill without it. Check their water supply twice a day and make sure it doesn't freeze if your ferret is outdoors in winter.

Talk to your vet if your ferrets' eating and drinking habits change, as it could be a sign that they're ill.

Find out more

Caring for your ferret

Read our advice on how to care for your pet ferrets so that they're happy and healthy.

Neutering your ferret

Neutering your pet can help prevent illnesses and some unwanted behaviours.

Making the right home for your ferrets

Keeping your ferrets healthy and happy starts by creating a great home for them.

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