Choosing Ferret Food
March 23rd 2009 14:37
Ferrets have a unique diet that hasn't been 100% perfected with commercial diets, but you can still provide high nutrition for your carnivorous friend. Because ferrets cannot absorb nutrition from plant matter, they need a diet that is high in animal protein, high in fats, and low in fibers. You want to make sure that you purchase a FERRET FOOD, not a cat food.
Many people who have ferrets just feed their ferrets cat food, as with older research cat food was thought to be sufficient. Well, if you absolutely cannot find a high quality ferret food, a a dry kitten diet with high proteins can be sufficient short term, but you want to make sure that it's a premium brand such as Innova or even Eukanuba.
When looking for a high quality ferret food, you want to make sure that you read the ingredients label. It is very important that you have a protein as the first ingredient.
Consider these tips when choosing a ferret food:
* High proteins- 30-40% listed on the label nutrition analysis
* High quality protein that are highly digestible and be animal-based (not plant-based)
* High fats- at least 20% and up to 30% as listed on the label analysis
* Very low in carbohydrates and fiber- less than 3% fiber
* Low ash level- 7% or less
* Includes the 21 amino acids, to include taurine, which are good for vision and heart functions
* Avoid foods with dyes
When looking at the ingredients label, remember to check out the protein sources. You want to look for meat and meat meals, NOT meat by-products. You want to make sure that a meat, meat meal, or eggs are included in the first three ingredients. Make sure that the food is low in corn gluten, soy meal, rice gluten, and other vegetable or grain-based proteins, as well.
And, since you want a food that is high in fats, make sure that there is a good source of omega 3 and omega 6 in the food. Poultry fat is usually considered a good source.
You also want to make sure that the food has essential vitamins, such as fat soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D3, and E, as well as vitamin C and the vitamin B's.
Some of the best foods for ferrets include EVO Ferret Food and Marshall's Ferret Food.
Many people who have ferrets just feed their ferrets cat food, as with older research cat food was thought to be sufficient. Well, if you absolutely cannot find a high quality ferret food, a a dry kitten diet with high proteins can be sufficient short term, but you want to make sure that it's a premium brand such as Innova or even Eukanuba.
When looking for a high quality ferret food, you want to make sure that you read the ingredients label. It is very important that you have a protein as the first ingredient.
Consider these tips when choosing a ferret food:
* High proteins- 30-40% listed on the label nutrition analysis
* High quality protein that are highly digestible and be animal-based (not plant-based)
* High fats- at least 20% and up to 30% as listed on the label analysis
* Very low in carbohydrates and fiber- less than 3% fiber
* Low ash level- 7% or less
* Includes the 21 amino acids, to include taurine, which are good for vision and heart functions
* Avoid foods with dyes
When looking at the ingredients label, remember to check out the protein sources. You want to look for meat and meat meals, NOT meat by-products. You want to make sure that a meat, meat meal, or eggs are included in the first three ingredients. Make sure that the food is low in corn gluten, soy meal, rice gluten, and other vegetable or grain-based proteins, as well.
And, since you want a food that is high in fats, make sure that there is a good source of omega 3 and omega 6 in the food. Poultry fat is usually considered a good source.
You also want to make sure that the food has essential vitamins, such as fat soluble vitamins such as vitamins A, D3, and E, as well as vitamin C and the vitamin B's.
Some of the best foods for ferrets include EVO Ferret Food and Marshall's Ferret Food.
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