The 5 Best Foods For Ferrets
This page contains affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post through our independently chosen links, which earn us a commission. Learn More
Ferrets are adorable little animals known for their masked faces and goofy personalities.
Beyond that, most people know very little about these critters. Ferrets are actually carnivorous animals, which means that the majority of their diet should come from meat.
That doesn’t mean you can’t feed them commercial pet food, however, you just have to find the right kind.
Quick Navigation
Quick Look at Our Top Picks
We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below where we highlighted the features of each product. You’ll also find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Compare Best Foods For Ferrets
|
Type
Dry food |
Type
Pellets |
Type
Freeze-dried |
Type
Pellet |
Type
Pellet |
|
Amount
5 pounds |
Amount
8 pounds |
Amount
7.5 ounces |
Amount
22 oz |
Amount
4 pounds |
|
Key Ingredients
Chicken meal, chicken, chicken giblets |
Key Ingredients
Chicken meal, wheat flour, chicken fat |
Key Ingredients
Chicken, Chicken Organs, Ground Chicken Bone, Natural Flavor, Taurine |
Key Ingredients
Chicken by-products, herring meal |
Key Ingredients
Chicken meal, poultry by-product meal |
What To Look For In Food For Ferrets?
Your ferret has a very fast metabolism, so it is important that you have food available at all times. These pets eat very frequently, about every 3 to 4 hours, so you might need to feed your ferret several times a day. On top of feeding your ferret often enough, you need to make sure that the food you offer is formulated to meet your ferret’s unique nutritional requirements.
Here are some important things to look for in ferret food:
- High in protein. Your ferret’s diet should consist of 30% to 40% protein according to the nutrition analysis on the label and, ideally, it should come from animal sources.
- Rich in healthy fats. Your ferret needs at least 20% fat in its diet, up to 30% and, again, it should come from high-quality animal-based sources as much as possible.
- Low in carbs and fiber. As an obligate carnivore, your ferret has a very limited ability to digest and utilize plant foods, so choose a recipe low in both carbs and fiber.
- All-natural ingredients. In addition to meeting the right nutrient ratios in your ferret’s diet, you need to make sure that those nutrients come from natural sources to ensure digestibility and bioavailability. Check the ingredients list of any commercial food to be sure.
Our Top Picks For The Best Foods For Ferrets
Now that you have a better idea what to look for in a ferret food, it’s time to start shopping! Keep reading to see our top 5 picks for the best ferret foods.
Wysong Epigen 90 Digestive Support Dry Ferret Food
Product Info
- Type: Dry food
- Amount: 5 pounds
- Key Ingredients: Chicken meal, chicken, chicken giblets
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Genetically appropriate meat-based diet
- Contains 62% protein and 16% fat
- Added probiotics for healthy digestion
- Should be introduced slowly to prevent digestive upset
- A little high in fiber (5% compared to 3% recommended)
ZuPreem Premium Daily Diet Ferret Food
Product Info
- Type: Pellets
- Amount: 8 pounds
- Key Ingredients: Chicken meal, wheat flour, chicken fat
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Complete and balanced nutrition
- Chicken meal and chicken fat main ingredients
- Highly digestible formula for ferrets
- Some users report odorous urine/stools
- Contains wheat flour (carbohydrate)
Wysong Ferret Archetype
Product Info
- Type: Freeze-dried
- Amount: 7.5 ounces
- Key Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Organs, Ground Chicken Bone, Natural Flavor, Taurine
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Freeze-dried to preserve nutritional integrity
- Meat-based and starch-free for digestibility
- Contains 44% protein and 36% fat
- Contains several plant-based ingredients including barley
- Very expensive compared to other options
Marshall Premium Ferret Diet
Product Info
- Type: Pellet
- Amount: 22 oz
- Key Ingredients: Chicken by-products, herring meal
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Contains over 35% crude protein
- Adequate levels of fiber (3.5%)
- Recommended by ferret breeders
- Chicken by-products as main ingredient
- Contains some corn ingredients
Kaytee Fortified Diet with Real Chicken Ferret Food
Product Info
- Type: Pellet
- Amount: 4 pounds
- Key Ingredients: Chicken meal, poultry by-product meal
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Contains 42% protein, largely from chicken
- Formulate to provide balanced nutrition
- Low in fiber (3% crude fiber)
- Contains some by-products
- Could be higher in fat content
If you’re working with a low budget or you prefer to shop in stores rather than online, you’ll be able to find this Kaytee ferret food fairly easily. It is formulated to provide balanced nutrition for ferrets, containing 42% protein from real chicken. It also contains a rich blend of healthy fats for skin and coat support, plus it is gluten- and grain-free.
Tips For Feeding A Ferret
You may think that choosing a ferret food is as simple as walking into the pet store and picking up the first bag with a picture of a ferret on it. While most of the ferret foods you find in a pet store might technically meet your ferret’s needs, they are not all created equal. You need to understand your ferret’s nutritional needs so you can make a smart choice.
Here are some simple tips for feeding a ferret properly:
- Choose a ferret food that contains at least 30% protein and 20% fat according to the nutrition analysis on the label.
- Double-check the ingredients list to make sure most of the ingredients are animal-based and not plant-based.
- Check for whole sources of protein like chicken or chicken meal rather than by-products – by-products are going to be lower in nutritional value and harder to digest.
- Be prepared to spend more for a high-quality ferret food – don’t skimp when it comes to your ferret’s diet because you’ll be sacrificing its health for the sake of saving money.
- Don’t feed your ferret cat or kitten food – this used to be the recommendation but now there are quality ferret foods available that are much better.
If you aren’t confident that you can get a ferret diet right, you may want to consider another pet. If you don’t feed your ferret properly, it won’t be healthy – there is no substitute for high-quality nutrition, no matter what kind of pet you decide to get.
Final Remarks
You are your ferret’s caretaker and it is your responsibility to provide for its needs. This means choosing a healthy, high-quality commercial diet that is formulated to meet your ferret’s needs. You also need to know when and how much to feed your ferret, so take the time to do your research!
If you’re still not sure where to start in looking for a ferret food, try out one of the top 5 best ferret foods we’ve reviewed above. Good luck!
Lilith Catherine
Ferrets should NEVER be fed kibble as it is the lowest quality of food and incredibly dehydrating to the ferret. KAYTEE is especially one of the worst brands. Kibble meets the bare minimum of needs your ferret(s) have. Marshalls is from Marshall Farms, one of the absolute worst places and organizations on the planet. They are an animal mill. So whatever you do, DO NOT buy any Marshalls products. If you do need to feed kibble, always put water in the bowl and let it soak for a few minutes before giving to your ferret(s).
Kate
Thanks for the info! The goal here was to provide tips for ferret owners who already intend to feed kibble to show what options are available. The information at the top of the page provides detailed information on how to structure a balanced ferret diet. We'll look into an update!