I'm researching ferrets..

Question

I would like a ferret but have decided to do lots of research on them! I would like to know what meats they can eat and if they can eat them raw or cooked.

Things like pork, lamb, bacon, beef, chicks, chicken, mice etc.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Like cats, ferrets are strict carnivores. Although they will accept a somewhat varied diet in captivity, they should be fed primarily meat. They do not digest carbohydrates or roughage well. Ferrets can be fed ferret food from a pet supply store or a good quality cat food. Ferret food is more expensive then cat food but does provide exactly what the ferret needs in its diet. However a good quality cat food can also be fed and is almost the same thing as ferret food. Dry and can can both be fed. They can also from time to time be fed dog food. You can give your ferret leftover fully cooked meats from time to time as a tasty treat. Fish that is not oily, vegetables, fruit and cereal can also be fed from time to time. Ferrets tend to eat less in hot weather. Ferrets have a high metabolism and like to eat sever times a day. Water should always be provided in a gravity driven hanging water bottle such as the bottles used for rabbits.

Hope this helped=) Good luck!

Answer 2

my son has 2 ferrets, they are fun to watch.....are far as food goes we have  intruduced them to differant foods and the only things they will eat is ferret food and they like to eat  the dry dog food out of the dogs dish.......we tried all meats, fruits,veggies they wont eat any of it..... we read they like chicken but not the  two that we have....   they have been known to steal candy and eat some of it......

Answer 3

Chicken wings - cheap and a great meal, feed it raw. if you want to cook it take the bones out because they can splinter your ferrets throat. also raw bones are a great natural teeth cleaner and a good source of calcium.

Mince - also feed this raw, usually the cheaper the better with mince when it is cheaper it is usually more fattier you dont want to but lean mince because it just wont do anything for your ferret.

Steak, turkey, lamb - again raw

Chicks, rabbits, mice, pheasant - if you could get a rabbit or chick with all its fur and feathers would be great this would be the closed you can get to a natural diet for a ferret.

Heart, liver - these are also great for ferrets, if you go to a butchers you could ask him for the left over chicken carcasses they will usually give this to you for free as it will only get chucked away.

Meats not to feed-

bacon

ham

gammon

anything that has added salt or has been modified.

I think thats about it, oh yeah and just a tip feed meat in the evening so flies dont get onto it.

Good luck!

Answer 4

If you are planing to feed your ferret a mainly raw diet it VERY important to talk to a Vet.

But for lot of information I suggest

http://www.ferretuniverse.com/

AND

http://www.ferretcentral.org/

But most importantly.

http://www.everythingfert.proboards36.co...

This is a forum that you can ask all the questions you want about ferrets. Its great to learn everything you want to know from, behavior, to food, to housing. There are tons of pics. And everyone on gives out great information since we are all ferret owner or a few who want to be like you. As a member myself we answer all the questions we can and give more information then you thought there would be. I hope you check it out.