Ferret food: nutrition for a small carnivore

A ferret is not a rodent, but a carnivore from the mustelid family. Its body is designed to digest animal proteins and fats, not to process hay, grains or vegetables. That is why a ferret needs food with a high protein and fat content based on animal ingredients. Rabbit food or rodent food is therefore not an option for a ferret, not even temporarily.

In this category you will find the ferret food from our range: Versele-Laga Complete Ferret food in a 2.5 kg pack. It is a complete kibble, intended as the daily basis for your ferret.

At a glance

• ✓ Ferrets are carnivores: give special ferret food, not rabbit or rodent food.
• ✓ Ferrets eat lots of small meals; make sure food is available throughout the day.
• ✓ Always fresh, clean drinking water, refreshed daily.
• ✓ Switch to a different food gradually, spread over 1 to 2 weeks.
• ✓ Follow the packaging for the amount and weigh your ferret regularly.

What will you find in the Food category?

Versele-Laga Complete Ferret food 2.5 kg

Versele-Laga Complete Ferret food is a complete diet for ferrets. Complete food means that the kibble is intended to serve as the daily basis, without you having to mix in other components yourself. For the exact composition, nutritional values and feeding advice, check the packaging. With 2.5 kg you have a good stock at home for one or two ferrets.

How does a ferret eat?

Ferrets have a short gut and digest their food quickly. They therefore prefer to eat a little at a time, often, spread over the day and night. Most ferret owners make sure there is always a portion of kibble in the food bowl. Refresh the food daily, so no old or damp kibble is left lying around.

Use a heavy food bowl or a bowl you can fix to the cage. Ferrets are playful and like to push or drag their bowl around. Always place the food bowl and drinking water away from the toilet corner.

Water

Make sure your ferret always has access to fresh, clean water. Many ferrets like to drink from a heavy water bowl; a drinking bottle is also fine. Check the bottle daily for a properly working spout and clean the bowl or bottle thoroughly at least once a week. On warm days a ferret drinks more, and ferrets cope poorly with heat, so pay extra attention then.

What is best avoided?

Ferrets cannot process fibre, sugars and carbohydrates well. So do not give them fruit, sweet biscuits, grains, vegetables or rodent snacks. Dairy is not suitable either. If you want to give a reward, use a snack specially intended for ferrets, in a small amount alongside the normal food.

Switching to a different ferret food

In their young years, ferrets get used to the smell and shape of their food and can be fussy afterwards. If you switch, first mix a small amount of new food into the old and increase that share gradually, spread over 1 to 2 weeks. During that period, keep an eye on droppings and appetite. If your ferret stops eating, is lethargic or has diarrhoea, contact a vet with knowledge of ferrets straight away. A ferret that does not eat can weaken quickly.

How much food does a ferret need?

That depends on age, activity, season and the food itself. Use the feeding advice on the packaging as a starting point. Then weigh your ferret regularly on a kitchen scale. Ferrets can fluctuate a little in weight from season to season, but have a ferret checked if it loses a lot of weight or becomes heavy.

Handy combinations

• Snacks for ferrets, such as the Zooply Ferret Snack Mix, for rewarding and training.
• Ferret cages with room for a fixed feeding spot away from the toilet.
• Litter pellets and corner litter trays for a clean cage.

Frequently asked questions about ferret food

Can my ferret eat cat food?

Ferrets and cats are both carnivores, but their needs are not the same. Not every cat food has a composition that suits a ferret. If you want to be sure the food is tailored to a ferret, choose food that is explicitly intended for ferrets, such as Versele-Laga Complete Ferret food.

How often a day should a ferret eat?

Ferrets eat lots of small meals, spread over the day and night. That is why most owners always leave a portion of kibble in the bowl. Refresh the food daily and clean the bowl regularly.

My ferret will not eat the new food. What now?

Ferrets are often used to one kind of food. Mix the new food very gradually into the old and take your time. Give few snacks during that period, so your ferret does not just wait for the tasty extras. If your ferret stops eating altogether, do not wait, but contact a vet.

Can I give my ferret vegetables or fruit?

No. Ferrets cannot digest fibre and sugars well. Vegetables and fruit do not belong in their menu, not even as a reward. For a reward, use a ferret snack in a small amount.

How do I store ferret food?

Store the food in a dry, cool and dark place in a well-sealing container. That way scent and quality are preserved and no moisture or pests can get in. Kibble with a lot of fat can start to smell sooner in warmth and light; so use an opened bag within a reasonable time.

Ferret food at Knaagplaza

At Knaagplaza you will find ferret food as a complete daily basis. Give it with fresh water at all times, reward sparingly with a ferret snack and weigh your ferret now and then. That way you keep your ferret's nutrition simple and clear.