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Best Ferret Food: 6 Picks and What Vets Say to Look For
Ferrets are strict carnivores, so the best ferret food is a dry food made for ferrets and built on meat. The RSPCA says ferrets "need a well-balanced, meat-based diet to stay fit and healthy." VCA Animal Hospitals gives numbers: "A good quality ferret diet should contain 32% to 40% protein and 10% to 15% fat." It also says ferrets "cannot digest a diet that contains more than 4% fiber."
The six picks below are all labeled for ferrets on their Amazon listings. After the picks you will find how to read a label, how to feed a ferret, and when to call a vet. Some places restrict or ban ferrets, so confirm yours allows one before you buy; our guide to least pet weasels lists rules for several places. Check price and stock on each listing before you order.
Top Ferret Foods
Wysong Ferret Epigen 90
Wysong sells Ferret Epigen 90 as a starch-free dry food. Its Amazon listing calls it the first extruded dry kibble ferret food that is starch free, says it is rich in omega-3 and other essential fatty acids, and lists probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes, vitamins, and minerals. It also tells you to follow the instructions on the product label when you introduce it for the first time.
A second Wysong listing, Wysong Ferret Food, comes in a 5 pound bag and is titled "Digestive Support." It says the food has no starch ingredients and supports digestive health and desirable stool consistency.
Food shows up in the litter box. The Friendly Ferret poop guide covers stool quality and what is normal for a ferret.
ZuPreem Ferret Diet
SHOP ON AMAZONZuPreem Premium Daily Ferret Food comes in a 4 pound bag. The listing says it has 40% protein and 20% fat, is made with real chicken and egg protein, is highly digestible, and is formulated to be your ferret's primary food. The fat figure is above VCA's range of 10% to 15%, so show your vet the label if you are choosing between this and a lower-fat food.
The ATSHQ site has a longer carnivorous diet and care guide for ferrets that also covers housing, grooming, and vet checks.
Wild Harvest Advanced
SHOP ON AMAZONWild Harvest Advanced Nutrition Ferret Food comes in a 3 pound bag. The listing describes high-quality protein and fat, and a high protein and taurine diet for carnivorous ferrets. Check the bag for the guaranteed analysis before you compare it with the others here.
Here is a review of taurine on PubMed Central.
Oxbow Ferret Diet
SHOP ON AMAZONOxbow Essentials Ferret Food comes in a 4 pound bag. Its listing says animal-based proteins and fats are the top 5 ingredients, that it is made without corn, peas, or potatoes, and that it is for ferrets of all life stages. It also lists omega fatty acids and says there are no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors.
Mount Sinai explains omega-6 fatty acids, and the JAFC has a review of artificial preservatives. Neither is about ferret food.
Marshall Premium Ferret Diet
Marshall Pet Products says its Premium Ferret Diet was developed by "a respected team of ferret experts, veterinarians and nutritionists" and is for ferrets in all stages of life. The guaranteed analysis on Marshall's page is crude protein 38.0% minimum, crude fat 18.0% minimum, crude fiber 3.5% maximum, and moisture 10.0% maximum. The ingredient list starts with chicken by-products (organs only), chicken, chicken by-product meal, and corn meal.
The fat minimum is above VCA's range of 10% to 15%, and the RSPCA says ferrets cannot digest large amounts of starches "such as bread and cereals," so compare the label with your vet's advice.
Mazuri Ferret Food
Mazuri Ferret Food comes in a 5 pound bag. The listing calls it a high-protein extruded round dry food with a variety of animal proteins, added taurine, live probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, and natural vitamin E, with no added soy, pea, wheat, or corn. Check the bag for the guaranteed analysis.
How to Read a Ferret Food Label
Protein, fat, and fiber
VCA's numbers are 32% to 40% protein, 10% to 15% fat, and no more than 4% fiber. Merck Veterinary Manual says ferrets "require diets low in carbohydrate, moderate in fat, and high in protein." Look for the guaranteed analysis on the bag and compare it with these figures. Foods differ: the Marshall page lists 38.0% protein minimum and 18.0% fat minimum, and the ZuPreem listing says 40% protein and 20% fat. Your vet can tell you which levels suit your ferret.
Ingredients
Merck says "Because ferrets are carnivores, their diet should be meat based." It adds that "A diet high in plant proteins and ash (found in low-quality foods) can cause bladder stones" and tells readers to "Check the ingredient label before purchasing commercial food." The RSPCA says "It's thought that ferrets can't digest large amounts of fibre or complex carbohydrates (starches), such as bread and cereals."
Dry or soft food
Merck recommends "A diet of dry food (that is, kibble)" and says "Prolonged feeding of soft, wet food leads to disease of the gums and teeth."
Feeding Your Ferret
How often to feed
VCA says ferrets have a rapid gut transit time of three to four hours, and that "It is best to leave food out 24 hours a day, allowing your ferret to graze as desired. However, ferrets that spend excessive time eating may become obese and should be offered limited portions." The RSPCA agrees that ferrets have high metabolic rates and need to eat little and often, with food available at all times. That differs from our feeding schedule for cats guide, which recommends set meal times for cats. The RSPCA also says to read and follow the feeding instructions on any ferret food you buy.
Changing foods
The RSPCA says "Make any changes to their diet gradually. Sudden changes may upset their digestive system." Merck describes how: "mix a new food in with the usual food for several days, slowly increasing the amount of the new food given." VCA's page on ferret gastrointestinal disease, which covers digestive upset, lists changes in environment or diet among the stressors in the development of gastritis.
Treats and foods to avoid
VCA says to "Avoid feeding your ferret sweets, dairy products, raisins, fruits, and vegetables," because these foods may cause diarrhea and erratic swings in blood sugar. It says "A piece of cooked meat or some meat baby food is acceptable as an occasional treat" and "Do not feed chocolate, as it can be fatal to ferrets." Merck adds that ferrets are very prone to developing insulinomas, tumors in the pancreas that produce high levels of insulin, and that sugary foods "encourage the pancreas to release insulin." The RSPCA says to give treats only in small amounts.
Water
VCA says "Fresh, clean water should be available 24 hours a day." It suggests a sipper bottle or a heavy crockery bowl that will not easily tip over, and says to change the water at least daily.
When to call the vet
The RSPCA says to talk to your vet if your ferret's eating and drinking habits change, "as it could be a sign that they're ill." VCA says "All cases of diarrhea, vomiting, or gastrointestinal disorders must be brought to the attention of your veterinarian as soon as possible." A ferret with ongoing stomach trouble needs a vet.
If someone in your home reacts to ferrets, Verywell Health explains the common allergens, which it says are found in a ferret's hair, urine, feces, and bedding material.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ferrets eat cat food?
VCA says "While cat food has been suggested for use in ferrets in the past, diets specifically made for ferrets are more appropriate and highly recommended." Merck says many commercial diets "meet their nutritional needs better than cat or kitten foods do."
Can ferrets eat a raw or whole-meat diet?
VCA says "Whole-meat diets are an option, but they can be messy and, if not balanced properly, can lead to nutritional imbalances." Raw Feeding Advice and Support, a feeding group, has a starter guide to a ferret raw diet. Ask your vet before you change what your ferret eats.
Can I feed my ferret food made for another small pet?
Merck says ferrets "should be fed commercial ferret food." A food made for another animal, such as the foods in our guide to the best hamster foods, is not made for ferrets.
Does my ferret need vitamins?
VCA says "Ferrets do not require additional vitamins if they are fed a high-quality, premium diet designed for ferrets." Merck says vitamins and supplements "are not necessary, except under special conditions or for older ferrets," and that your vet can advise.
Sources
- VCA Animal Hospitals, Feeding Ferrets
- VCA Animal Hospitals, Gastrointestinal Diseases in Ferrets
- Merck Veterinary Manual, Providing a Home for a Ferret
- RSPCA, What to Feed Your Ferret
- Marshall Pet Products, Premium Ferret Diet
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