ferret diet

[hammyratty]

Ok I was just reading a post on here about feeding ferrets mice.  Well that got me thinking...for those of you who have ferrets, what does their basic diet consist of? What do you feed them every day?  Cause I've been a little interested in ferrets, I've heard a lot about their behavior and stuff and they seem quite interesting...and I thought that one day when I have my own house (that won't be for many years), I may be interested in getting ferrets.  But now I'm seeing all this stuff about feeding them raw meat on that other post...and I couldn't have an animal that has to have raw meat (I wouldn't feel comfortable with that), so I am just wondering what exactly they do eat.  Thanks.  

[NutKitty]

They don't need raw meat in their diet - it's not a necessity.  You can feed it if you like, but I won't do it.

Try looking at the selection at theferretstore.com - they have a ton of ferret food examples.

[AngelZOO]

Here, I made a ferret food chart. Including all the brands of dry ferret food.
You don't have to feed them the BARF diet, but a lot of people feel it is best for them, if you can transition them onto it. Ferrets will basically eat whatever they were given as a kit.
They need more meat derived protien then cats and dogs.
Ferret kibble is more expensive then a cat or a dogs food however.
And they need to have a mix of at LEAST 2 different kibbles in their daily meal (they should have food 24/7), but 3 or 4 or more would be even better.

You can feed high quality kitten/cat food to them as long as the ingredients are good and the protein/fat/fiber percentages are appropriate as well.

http://www.pwnd.org/~angel/ferret/ferretfoodchart.html

[dude_buddy]

No raw meat needed! Cooked chiken and things like that occasionaly is you prefer. Like AZ said, 2 or more foods. I feed my four ferrets a mix of Shepperd & Greene, Maxx cat food, 8in1, and anything else I find on sale. I am so lucky, my ferrets arent picky eaters but some are. Ferrets are the greatest pets but very high matinence, expensive, and require constant attention. Do your research carefully, the best book is Ferrets for Dummies by Kim Shilling. Good luck! Feel free to PM me if you want more information!!!! Good Luck!!!!!

-Krista

[Blue]

Total ferret is supposed to be excellent - it's the only ferret food specifically tested and forumlated for ferrets or something like that. If I had a ferret, I would feed it a blend of total ferret and a premium cat food -- like chicken soup for the cat lover's soul.

I would choose that particular brand because it's got pretty high quality ingrediants and seven? different sources of meat protein.

I don't feed my dog or rats low-quality kibble so I definitely wouldn't feed my ferret grocery store brands.. I wouldn't even feed them IAMS or the like.

Ferrets can also tend to be very picky if you feed them only one type of food.. and whoops, you run out! What are you to do? So it's always better to offer a variety.

[AngelZOO]

Blue: Ick Iam's is horrible lol. That doesn't go in my house
Right now Keiji is eating...

Felidae (the best cat/kitten food)
Maxximum Nutrition Kitten
8 in 1 Ultra
Chicken Soup for the Cat Lovers Soul.

His mix varies from time to time to keep it interesting, ferret food is VERY over priced in this town, plus he gets his treats which is a mix of a few things like his kibble and raw or cooked meat, as I'm attempting to switch him to the barf diet.

Totally Ferret is a good food, not my fav however, out of the ferret foods. The Ferret Store Brands are pretty good and Zupreem has an awesome protein amount of 40%

[hammyratty]

Thanks guys for all the info! It will definately be a while before I look into getting a ferret because my mom doesn't want me to have a ferret while I'm living here--I don't have time with all the other animals I take care of, and I don't have the space. But one day I might look into it...so it is a relief to hear that I don't have to feed them raw meat, lol.  And when I do look into it, I will definately be doing a lot of research just like I did with rats when I was a newbie.  thanks  

[JohariZ]

First ingredients in the food should be from animals. not corn. Chicken, beef and the like. ferrets like protein, need it.

I don't know how good it is for them, but Prom got into the rat's Zupreem Monkey Chow. He seems to like it, but I only let him have one.

Z