Diet
Ferrets are obligate carnivores so require a diet that is high in meat protein, high in fat and low in fibre, they are not very good at processing vegetable matter and are lactose intolerant.
They also have a very high metabolism so food passes through their digestive system quickly (roughly 4 hours end to end). Food and fresh water needs to be available 24 hours a day as ferrets eat little and often.
Their natural diet would be raw meat but the easiest ways to feed your ferrets is with ferret kibble, as this can sit in the bowl for days, not go off and requires no butchery skills, there are several brands available in most large pet stores.
Ideally it needs a meat protein content of 30 - 40 percent, fat content of 20 - 30 percent and no more than 3 percent fibre. If you can it is probably best to vary they brands of kibble you feed your ferrets. This gives them a bit of variation and stops them becoming dependent on one brand, they can get quite fussy over kibble and may not take well to a new brand if you cannot get their regular one for any reason.
Drinking water can be supplied in a small animal drinking bottle or bowl, however bowls of water tend to be used more for paddling than drinking.
All types of raw meat and offal can be given as a treat, whole rabbit carcasses are a favourite of working ferrets, chewing on raw bones will also help to clean the teeth. Meat on the bone must be raw as cooked bone can splinter and cause internal damage.
Foods with a naturally high salt content such as bacon, ham, cured meats and other human foods like crisps and chips can be harmful to your ferret as high salt levels can be poisonous.
Some ferrets like vegetables and although they have limited nutritional value they can be given as treats. Cat food can also be given as a treat but it too lacks some of the nutritional value of ferret kibble. Ferret treats and supplements are also available from most pet stores such as Ferretvite and Ferretone.
If you have kits (8 - 10 weeks old) then they will enjoy ferret kibble soaked in warm water or beef mince served at room temperature. You will probably find that they will gorge themselves to bursting if you leave food in the cage all day so you may have to feed little and often until they realise that they don't have to eat it all in one sitting.
