| Ferret Food - CLICK HERE for the Pet Manual Forum Home Page |
| TheDarkTrumpet |
Hello all,
As some of you know, I've been doing a lot of research on ferrets and
came across some conflicting information that I wanted to go over with
some others here.
I heard that cat food (kitten food) is good for a ferret, but there's
special food that's better for a ferret. What type of food is good for
a ferret? Does it matter which type is given to the ferret?
Thanks
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| swamp |
On 26 Oct 2005 14:33:27 -0700, "TheDarkTrumpet" <dthole@gmail.com>
wrote:
>Hello all,
>
>As some of you know, I've been doing a lot of research on ferrets and
>came across some conflicting information that I wanted to go over with
>some others here.
>
>I heard that cat food (kitten food) is good for a ferret, but there's
>special food that's better for a ferret. What type of food is good for
>a ferret?
Ferret food! It actually exists, believe it or not, and is made by
several manufacturers. Everyone raves about Totally Ferret and Mazuri.
Some complain that Marshall's gives them smelly poop (it does) but as
far as nutrition goes it's a pretty good kibble. You can order these
online at:
http://www.ferret.com/
http://www.ferretstore.com/
Some kitten kibbles are good as well, Iamb's, Eukanaba, and Wellness
among them. Look for minimums of 20% fat and 30% protein, both of
animal origin. Also, 2 of the first 3 ingredients should be meat
based. Lastly, ferrets can "imprint" on foods when they're young,
meaning they can resist diet changes when they're older. Thus, it's
recommended that ferrets be given a mix of different kibbles so they
won't go off their feed should a particular kibble become unavailible
for whatever reason.
Note: Beware any kibble that contains dried fruit. Those are blockages
in a bag.
>Does it matter which type is given to the ferret?
As long as it meets the minimums, no. However, going back to that
imprinting thing, you should introduce them to as many healthy foods
as you can when they're young. My 3 y/o and I banged heads for 3
months before he'd even *look* at chicken or ground beef as potential
food, and another 3 months before he'd grudgingly eat it. And then,
only if it was coated in Ferretone. He'd give me looks like I was
trying to poison his delicious Ferretone w/ that awful meat. The 8
w/o, otoh, dove right in. Now a fat (2.6 kg) 2 y/o, he still prefers
raw chix over everything else.
>Thanks
No problem, and welcome to the wacky world of ferrets,
swamp
--
"Who me officer? What's a ferut? These guys?? No, they're Polish cats."
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| John&Diane Kolomijez |
I prefer Nature's Balance Cat/Kitten, Chicken Soup for the Kitten Lover's
Soul, Innova/Evo Cat/Kitten and Felidae Kitten. Many kitten foods are just
as acceptable a diet for ferrets.
Try making a duck soup with real chicken, turkey and some organs. Add some
softened kibble to the soup and offer this as well. Blend it all together
in a blender or processor to make it a milk shake texture. Serve it up in a
bowl a few times a day in addition to the dry kibble diet.
Read ingredient labels. Protein should be meat based, low fiber. The first
three ingredients on the label should contain some type of meats. Avoid
corn products and anything too high in fiber.
There are various kibble that also contain lamb, veal, turkey if chicken is
a problem for some ferrets. I have been fortunate that through the years of
ferret ownership (12 yrs.) none of my ferrets had allergy or intestinal
issues with chicken.
Diane & The Boops
"swamp" <swamp92@> wrote in message
news:dr80m11gj0a0po6n29gi2u5hpte90m0mqb@4ax.com...
> On 26 Oct 2005 14:33:27 -0700, "TheDarkTrumpet" <dthole@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> >Hello all,
> >
> >As some of you know, I've been doing a lot of research on ferrets and
> >came across some conflicting information that I wanted to go over with
> >some others here.
> >
> >I heard that cat food (kitten food) is good for a ferret, but there's
> >special food that's better for a ferret. What type of food is good for
> >a ferret?
>
> Ferret food! It actually exists, believe it or not, and is made by
> several manufacturers. Everyone raves about Totally Ferret and Mazuri.
> Some complain that Marshall's gives them smelly poop (it does) but as
> far as nutrition goes it's a pretty good kibble. You can order these
> online at:
>
> http://www.ferret.com/
> http://www.ferretstore.com/
>
> Some kitten kibbles are good as well, Iamb's, Eukanaba, and Wellness
> among them. Look for minimums of 20% fat and 30% protein, both of
> animal origin. Also, 2 of the first 3 ingredients should be meat
> based. Lastly, ferrets can "imprint" on foods when they're young,
> meaning they can resist diet changes when they're older. Thus, it's
> recommended that ferrets be given a mix of different kibbles so they
> won't go off their feed should a particular kibble become unavailible
> for whatever reason.
>
> Note: Beware any kibble that contains dried fruit. Those are blockages
> in a bag.
>
> >Does it matter which type is given to the ferret?
>
> As long as it meets the minimums, no. However, going back to that
> imprinting thing, you should introduce them to as many healthy foods
> as you can when they're young. My 3 y/o and I banged heads for 3
> months before he'd even *look* at chicken or ground beef as potential
> food, and another 3 months before he'd grudgingly eat it. And then,
> only if it was coated in Ferretone. He'd give me looks like I was
> trying to poison his delicious Ferretone w/ that awful meat. The 8
> w/o, otoh, dove right in. Now a fat (2.6 kg) 2 y/o, he still prefers
> raw chix over everything else.
>
> >Thanks
>
> No problem, and welcome to the wacky world of ferrets,
>
> swamp
>
> --
>
> "Who me officer? What's a ferut? These guys?? No, they're Polish cats."
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| Jason and Holly Harper |
Couldn't have said it better, Swamp. :) It's been three years since I've
had a kit, but I did make sure he ate a variety of kibbled foods. My kids
will eat just about anything now. Of course they also think that if their
regular food is put on the floor it's a treat and different from what's in
their bowl. But I'm getting off subject. :) We use The Ferret Store's
brand of food, Superior Choice Original diet.
Holly
"swamp" <swamp92@> wrote in message
news:dr80m11gj0a0po6n29gi2u5hpte90m0mqb@4ax.com...
> On 26 Oct 2005 14:33:27 -0700, "TheDarkTrumpet" <dthole@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>>Hello all,
>>
>>As some of you know, I've been doing a lot of research on ferrets and
>>came across some conflicting information that I wanted to go over with
>>some others here.
>>
>>I heard that cat food (kitten food) is good for a ferret, but there's
>>special food that's better for a ferret. What type of food is good for
>>a ferret?
>
> Ferret food! It actually exists, believe it or not, and is made by
> several manufacturers. Everyone raves about Totally Ferret and Mazuri.
> Some complain that Marshall's gives them smelly poop (it does) but as
> far as nutrition goes it's a pretty good kibble. You can order these
> online at:
>
> http://www.ferret.com/
> http://www.ferretstore.com/
>
> Some kitten kibbles are good as well, Iamb's, Eukanaba, and Wellness
> among them. Look for minimums of 20% fat and 30% protein, both of
> animal origin. Also, 2 of the first 3 ingredients should be meat
> based. Lastly, ferrets can "imprint" on foods when they're young,
> meaning they can resist diet changes when they're older. Thus, it's
> recommended that ferrets be given a mix of different kibbles so they
> won't go off their feed should a particular kibble become unavailible
> for whatever reason.
>
> Note: Beware any kibble that contains dried fruit. Those are blockages
> in a bag.
>
>>Does it matter which type is given to the ferret?
>
> As long as it meets the minimums, no. However, going back to that
> imprinting thing, you should introduce them to as many healthy foods
> as you can when they're young. My 3 y/o and I banged heads for 3
> months before he'd even *look* at chicken or ground beef as potential
> food, and another 3 months before he'd grudgingly eat it. And then,
> only if it was coated in Ferretone. He'd give me looks like I was
> trying to poison his delicious Ferretone w/ that awful meat. The 8
> w/o, otoh, dove right in. Now a fat (2.6 kg) 2 y/o, he still prefers
> raw chix over everything else.
>
>>Thanks
>
> No problem, and welcome to the wacky world of ferrets,
>
> swamp
>
> --
>
> "Who me officer? What's a ferut? These guys?? No, they're Polish cats."
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| TheDarkTrumpet |
Thanks for the response everyone.
Diane - I won't really be able to make duck soup with organs in it and
stuff. The reason for this is that I'm vegetarian, and having any meat
inside the house (except pet foods) is kinda taboo for me.
I'll have to check for the special ferret food people recommend and see
about it. I'm thinking of getting my ferret tomorrow if I decide to
get one.
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| swamp |
On 27 Oct 2005 06:33:19 -0700, "TheDarkTrumpet" <dthole@gmail.com>
wrote:
>Thanks for the response everyone.
>
>Diane - I won't really be able to make duck soup with organs in it and
>stuff. The reason for this is that I'm vegetarian, and having any meat
>inside the house (except pet foods) is kinda taboo for me.
Well, consider the meat and chicken gizzards a pet food "exemption."
If you feel it necessary, put a small fridge in the garage. Ferrets
are obligate carnivores. They don't produce the enzymes or have the
gut or gut flora to digest plant matter. It goes right thru them,
largely unabsorbed. Humans, as omnivores, can opt for vegetarianism
and avoid malnutrition if they're careful about supplementing. Ferrets
don't have that luxury. If they're not fed meat-based fats and
proteins they'll starve, and if that makes you uncomfortable I suggest
another choice of pet.
>I'll have to check for the special ferret food people recommend and see
>about it. I'm thinking of getting my ferret tomorrow if I decide to
>get one.
Get that second fridge while you're at it,
swamp
--
"Who me officer? What's a ferut? These guys?? No, they're Polish cats."
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| TheDarkTrumpet |
Having the pet food in the house doesn't really bother me being meat
and stuff, the cutoff is raw meat that is bought elsewhere.
To explain a bit more, anything that's in pet food (in a bag) is OK for
me to have around, and I'm not too bothered.
Going to the grocery store and buying meat, though, is too far - even
for any pets I own (including cats). It's kinda where my line is
drawn, heh.
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| John&Diane Kolomijez |
That is understandable that you are vegetarian. But if you intend to have
ferrets, please remember that they are carnivores.
Kibble can be a good diet & many ferrets do thrive quite well on a very high
quality kibble. But adding meat & organs to their diet is giving them more
of what they need to stay healthy. Limiting their diet to only kibble and
omitting any meat or organs, you would be depriving them of what is
considered their natural diet. I cook my meat and organs before serving
because my ferrets will not eat raw. That was not imprinted on them,
unfortunately. So I try to do what I can to assure they get what they need
in the form of cooked.
As important as being a vegetarian is to you, having a diet of meat, organs
and good meat-based kibble is just as important to the well-being of a
ferret.
I love all animals, but I cannot own a pet that needs to survive on live
feed so I choose not to have snakes, frogs. I cared for some frogs many
years ago when my son brought them home from the lab at school. I did feed
them live crickets and meal worms but it was very difficult for me. Once
they lived out their lives, I chose not to have frogs again.
The pets we choose to own should blend with our life style and beliefs.
There is nothing wrong with that. But we have to be willing to make
exceptions if we choose pets that differ from our beliefs. Please take that
into consideration if you are thinking about ferret-ownership.
Diane & The Boops
"TheDarkTrumpet" <dthole@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1130500306.351819.41710@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Having the pet food in the house doesn't really bother me being meat
> and stuff, the cutoff is raw meat that is bought elsewhere.
>
> To explain a bit more, anything that's in pet food (in a bag) is OK for
> me to have around, and I'm not too bothered.
>
> Going to the grocery store and buying meat, though, is too far - even
> for any pets I own (including cats). It's kinda where my line is
> drawn, heh.
>
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| Joan |
That attitude has always amused me. It's okay to feed meat that's
processed so that it doesn't look like meat, but not okay to feed the
real thing? Isn't that rather hypocritical??
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| Anne |
At the time , I use Hill's Kitten, Hill's natures best, Royal Canin
Kitten 34, and Oliver's Kitten mixed together and then they get raw
veal and chicken, and i'm planing getting them started on BARF soon.
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| TheDarkTrumpet |
It may seem somewhat hypocritical, but it's called compromise.
Think about this. I'm vegetarian and enjoy being vegetarian. I also
enjoy animals so I have a choice to make to not be at all
hypocritical...either stop being vegetarian or stop having animals.
Now, that's not much good is it?
How about another option - I will not process meat for either myself or
anything around. This goes so far that I will not prepare meat for
anyone. The same goes for my animals.
Is this a compromise? yes, it is because while I would prefer not to
have antyhing to do with meat I'm willing to because it benefits my
pets. Where I draw the line is processing it.
I hope this clears up your more-than-likely misconception about me.
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| TheDarkTrumpet |
If it's absolutely impossible for a ferret to live on kibble and be at
least moderately healthy, then I will have to reconsider my options for
a ferret.
Compromise is important to me, while I don't intend on the animal
eating vegetables, I prefer not to process it myself.
I'll have to do more research on this and determine what's best for the
ferret and move from there.
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| Joan |
It's quite probable that feeding kibble which is high in carbohydrates
causes, or at least contributes to, the development of insulinoma. The
best diet for ferrets is the one they evolved to eat, ie, whole prey.
A balanced raw diet is the next best one.
It depends on how long you want the ferret to remain "moderately
healthy." If you're content with 2-3 years, then the kibble will
probably be satisfactory.
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| Enrico |
I feed my guys Performance Food's "Totally Ferret". It is high fat,
high protein food and they seem to love it. Kitten food is ok in a
pinch (if the pet store is out of T.F.) but ferrets have a very short
digestive system, so they really need the high fat/high protein food.
On 26 Oct 2005 14:33:27 -0700, "TheDarkTrumpet" <dthole@gmail.com>
wrote:
>Hello all,
>
>As some of you know, I've been doing a lot of research on ferrets and
>came across some conflicting information that I wanted to go over with
>some others here.
>
>I heard that cat food (kitten food) is good for a ferret, but there's
>special food that's better for a ferret. What type of food is good for
>a ferret? Does it matter which type is given to the ferret?
>
>Thanks
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| Joan |
The best kibbles I'm aware of are Natural Gold and EVO Feline, which
are 50% or better protein and less than 10% carbohydrates. They're the
next best thing to feeding whole prey and/or raw. I don't consider any
of the other ferret or kitten foods to come even close as an optimum
diet for ferrets.
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| Anne |
At the time , I use Hill's Kitten, Hill's natures best, Royal Canin
Kitten 34, and Oliver's Kitten mixed together and then they get raw
veal and chicken, and i'm planing getting them started on BARF soon.
|
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| Enrico |
I feed my guys Performance Food's "Totally Ferret". It is high fat,
high protein food and they seem to love it. Kitten food is ok in a
pinch (if the pet store is out of T.F.) but ferrets have a very short
digestive system, so they really need the high fat/high protein food.
On 26 Oct 2005 14:33:27 -0700, "TheDarkTrumpet" <dthole@gmail.com>
wrote:
>Hello all,
>
>As some of you know, I've been doing a lot of research on ferrets and
>came across some conflicting information that I wanted to go over with
>some others here.
>
>I heard that cat food (kitten food) is good for a ferret, but there's
>special food that's better for a ferret. What type of food is good for
>a ferret? Does it matter which type is given to the ferret?
>
>Thanks
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| Joan |
It's quite probable that feeding kibble which is high in carbohydrates
causes, or at least contributes to, the development of insulinoma. The
best diet for ferrets is the one they evolved to eat, ie, whole prey.
A balanced raw diet is the next best one.
It depends on how long you want the ferret to remain "moderately
healthy." If you're content with 2-3 years, then the kibble will
probably be satisfactory.
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| TheDarkTrumpet |
It may seem somewhat hypocritical, but it's called compromise.
Think about this. I'm vegetarian and enjoy being vegetarian. I also
enjoy animals so I have a choice to make to not be at all
hypocritical...either stop being vegetarian or stop having animals.
Now, that's not much good is it?
How about another option - I will not process meat for either myself or
anything around. This goes so far that I will not prepare meat for
anyone. The same goes for my animals.
Is this a compromise? yes, it is because while I would prefer not to
have antyhing to do with meat I'm willing to because it benefits my
pets. Where I draw the line is processing it.
I hope this clears up your more-than-likely misconception about me.
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| Joan |
The best kibbles I'm aware of are Natural Gold and EVO Feline, which
are 50% or better protein and less than 10% carbohydrates. They're the
next best thing to feeding whole prey and/or raw. I don't consider any
of the other ferret or kitten foods to come even close as an optimum
diet for ferrets.
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| Doug Smith |
For me I have fed my guys inova evo for dogs. They seem to love it
and they do really well on it. My breeder suggeted it. Hers do great
on it to. I have had no luck with ferret brand foods. There fur gets
really bristle. Like a wire brush almost. I tried evo for felines
and it just seemed to rich for them because they ended up with the
runs. It went away after I mixed it with another food. Euckanuba for
kittens is also awesome. My guys absolutely love it and there fur
stays healthy. It is also really easy to get around here. I would do
totally ferret but it is next to impossable to get where I live. Like
I said to ferret food like marshells has been the worst for me to feed
them.
On 26 Oct 2005 14:33:27 -0700, "TheDarkTrumpet" <dthole@gmail.com>
wrote:
>Hello all,
>
>As some of you know, I've been doing a lot of research on ferrets and
>came across some conflicting information that I wanted to go over with
>some others here.
>
>I heard that cat food (kitten food) is good for a ferret, but there's
>special food that's better for a ferret. What type of food is good for
>a ferret? Does it matter which type is given to the ferret?
>
>Thanks
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| michael warren |
i myself am vegetarian and spend the occasional half year as
vegan....however for me when it comes to pet ownership ...(i own both cats
and ferrets..2 of each) i kinow it is very important for their health to
include fresh meat and prey...and the upside of preparing this food yourself
is you can know what exactly they are eating as well as choosing from where
to source the meat products (ie organic and free range)....it is a necessary
evil when owning carnivorous pets ....also it is almost a form of animal
abuse not to at least provide an animal with a diet within your
means....some people advocate the feeding of live food ie mice and rats i
couldnt quite do this....another upside of at least trying to move away
from kibble is that your not supporting the petfood industry which to me
seems quite full on ....particularly in america (marshalls farm which not
only breed ferrets for pet stores and animal testing industry ...also
needlessly descent ferrets...
"TheDarkTrumpet" <dthole@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1130517557.700909.136400@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> It may seem somewhat hypocritical, but it's called compromise.
>
> Think about this. I'm vegetarian and enjoy being vegetarian. I also
> enjoy animals so I have a choice to make to not be at all
> hypocritical...either stop being vegetarian or stop having animals.
> Now, that's not much good is it?
>
> How about another option - I will not process meat for either myself or
> anything around. This goes so far that I will not prepare meat for
> anyone. The same goes for my animals.
>
> Is this a compromise? yes, it is because while I would prefer not to
> have antyhing to do with meat I'm willing to because it benefits my
> pets. Where I draw the line is processing it.
>
> I hope this clears up your more-than-likely misconception about me.
>
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| TheDarkTrumpet |
I've already decided not to get a ferret due to the fact of the meat
issue plus the cost of owning one isn't what i can handle at the
moment.
I don't really agree with you about it being animal abuse not feeding
one's cat meat. I've had cats my entire life, and they are healthy and
happy without the need to kill anything. I had a mouse in the house
once, and they couldn't even catch it. I, eventually did catch it and
released it back in the wild.
I do appreciate your opinion, even though I don't agree with it.
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| birdman20uk |
| i would like to add to this forum it's up to the owners what they prefer to feed ferrets . but from my experience that i have of keeping ferrets that i work, not for pets i feed my little critters bits of fresh rabbits chicken and live mice in a 3ft empty fish tank for the ferrets to catch and kill themselves and i just lost one of my oldest gill she died when she was 13 years old and i still have 3 which are all 6 years old and i have 8 youngster that are 7 months old . |
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| chasw |
Reading this, I can imagine a "free-ranging ferret", one who roams around
the house chasing little baby chickens and white mice. Our Bacchus would
undoubtably like to pounce on living prey, but I doubt if he would eat it.
He's firmed entrenched with his premium kibble varieties. I've tried
repeatedly to get him to eat meat, raw or cooked, but he won't touch it. He
does like little bits of banana though. Just goes to show, most herbivores
eat occasional meat and most carnivores like to spice it up with the fruits
and vegs. - CW
x"michael warren" <ferretbite@bit.net.au> wrote in message
news:43a69aa7$0$493$61c65585@uq-127creek-reader-03.brisbane.pipenetworks.com.au...
>i myself am vegetarian and spend the occasional half year as
>vegan....however for me when it comes to pet ownership ...(i own both cats
>and ferrets..2 of each) i kinow it is very important for their health to
>include fresh meat and prey...and the upside of preparing this food
>yourself is you can know what exactly they are eating as well as choosing
>from where to source the meat products (ie organic and free range)....it is
>a necessary evil when owning carnivorous pets ....also it is almost a form
>of animal abuse not to at least provide an animal with a diet within your
>means....some people advocate the feeding of live food ie mice and rats i
>couldnt quite do this....another upside of at least trying to move away
>from kibble is that your not supporting the petfood industry which to me
>seems quite full on ....particularly in america (marshalls farm which not
>only breed ferrets for pet stores and animal testing industry ...also
>needlessly descent ferrets...
snip
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