Ferrets and Meat: The Why and How

Why Feed Meat? 

        Did you know that ferrets are obligate carnivores? An obligate carnivore is an animal that relies on animal tissues  - meaning muscles, organs, fats and bones - to survive, relying entirely on nutrients found in meat such as taurine, arginine and vitamin A. As obligate carnivores, ferrets are completely unable to synthesize these required nutrients from plant matter, and they lack the ability to digest plant matter as they have short intestinal tracts and a limited amount of amylase enzymes (the enzymes required to break down plant matter). Some people opt to feed their ferrets completely raw diets instead of kibble, but these can be hard to balance and should only be done with extensive research into the dietary requirements of a ferret so you don't make your beloved pet ill. If you have any questions about raw feeding, our store associates would be happy to help you!

      Meat and meat based kibbles are the absolute best thing you can feed your ferret, and their general health and well being will thank you for it in the future!

What Ingredients Should Be In My Kibble?

      There are a few common misconceptions about kibble feeding ferrets. Some people say it shouldn't ever be done, some people say you should only feed cat and kitten food, and some people think it should be the only diet a ferret should ever be on. While there is backing and reasoning for people believing any of these statements, none of them are entirely true on their own, and can be harmfully spread as misinformation.

    Feeding your ferret a diet of kibble is completely okay, and it is the safest way to ensure your ferret is getting all of the nutrients they need in their diet. Most ferret kibbles on the market are well balanced, but you should still be inspecting the ingredients list to ensure that your pet is getting the healthiest food that you can provide for them. If you are shopping for grain-free cat kibbles to feed your ferret, make sure you read the ingredients list! Many of them contain peas, which can result in fatal urinary blockages in ferrets. The first few ingredients in your ferret's kibble should be meats. 

Ferrets should have 30-40% protein, 18-30% animal fat, and 3% or less fiber in their kibbles.

Filler ingredients to avoid in ferret foods:

• Peas (Peas cause fatal urinary blockages in ferrets. NEVER feed peas.)
• Lentils and Beans/Legumes (Lentils and Legumes cause fatal urinary blockages.)
• Grains (Wheat, Wheat Gluten, Barley, Oats, Soy, Excess Corn)
• Fruits and Vegetables
• Seeds
• Sugars and Sweeteners
• Artificial Colors, Preservatives and Flavors
• Excessive Fiber (Some is okay, but again, 3% or less is preferred.)
• Carbohydrates (High carb diets in ferrets are a direct cause of insulinoma.)
• Starches (Starches in kibbles are also a direct cause of insulinoma.)

Corn and rice are often used as binder ingredients in kibbles, and are hard to avoid. Excessive amounts of corn in ferret kibbles can cause health issues. It's better to pick a kibble without corn in it if at all possible.

What Meat Based Treats Can I Give My Ferret?

       There are a lot of enriching, healthy treats that you can feed your ferrets that you may not think of when shopping for ferret treats. It's very easy to gravitate toward one side of the store, and purchase items with a ferret specifically on it, but did you know that most meat based dehydrated treats that you feed to your dog or cat are also safe for ferrets? They may be small, but ferrets have a very strong bite force! They are capable of crunching raw bone.

Please monitor your ferret if you are giving them any of these chews, just like a cat or dog, chews can be a choking hazard for your pet. Do not allow your ferret to have these chews unsupervised.

Safe treats and chews for ferrets:

• Dried Rabbits Paws and Feet
• Freeze Dried Meats and Fish
• Dried Chicken Feet
• Rabbit Hide Rolls
• Bully Sticks
• Collagen Chews
• Salmon Oil
• Cat Wet Food (Meat Ingredients Only!)

Written by Hay Walker, 4/7/2026