The first thing you should know about feeding your ferret raw meat is that they may have an upset stomach. So, you should start by introducing small amounts of raw meat to their diet. Just like humans, they should be cautious when introducing new foods. In the beginning, you can try giving them small amounts of raw meat every day to prevent any stomach upset. As you introduce different kinds of meat to your ferret, you should monitor the results to see which one is most beneficial.
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Liver
Ferrets should be fed liver every day, but other organ meats such as heart and green tripe can be used as well. Liver should comprise at least ten percent of your ferret’s diet. Heart is also an acceptable source of raw meat, but be sure to avoid overfeeding it. Liver can cause diarrhoea if fed too much, so it is best to reduce its portions.
You can feed raw chicken meat to your ferret, but do not limit its diet to this. Variety is the key to a healthy diet. If your ferret is only eating chicken, his diet will be lacking in essential nutrients. Including organ meats will ensure variety in his diet, as well as prevent heart disease and cardiomyopathy. The liver is also a good source of taurine, which is essential for ferret’s eyes and brains.
Whole prey
While the concept of whole prey for ferrets may seem a little odd at first, this type of diet will be more than satisfactory for your pet. Unlike traditional pet food, whole prey for ferrets is made up of a variety of small prey, like chicks, quail, rabbit, and mice. As a matter of fact, your ferret will become food-imprinted by nine months, though some are more susceptible than others.
When choosing a protein source for your pet ferret, make sure to avoid any offal or bones. You can begin with minced meat or chunks of prey, as long as they are warm to the touch. Green tripe is the most commonly accepted, but you can also buy green tripe from pet shops. A large portion of whole prey is the safest option. Ferrets will readily accept this protein source as long as it’s cooked and has a familiar smell.
Large bones
Feeding raw meat to your ferrets is not the same as feeding them processed food. The bones should be large enough to accommodate your pet’s girth and weight. A good example is beef bones. Cut them into pieces about 4 inches long and one or two inches wide. Bones are a good source of calcium and phosphorus, which are necessary for strong bones and teeth. But don’t feed your pet cooked bones. The splinters in cooked bones can puncture internal organs.
While it may sound disgusting to give a ferret bones, they are essential for its health. Ferrets are used to eating whole, raw animals, so the bones satisfy their need for chewing and are also dental floss. Ferrets chew on bones, pulling on cartilage and nibbling at the gristles. Bones are also a good source of calcium and protein, and they help keep your ferret busy and stimulate its digestive system.
Fish
Although it is not a necessity to provide your ferret with a variety of meats, it is important to offer your animal a variety. A diet high in fish is good for your pet’s health. Fish bones, organs, and bones from small poultry are good for your ferret. If you can’t afford to buy them a whole fish, make sure to buy some chunks of raw meat.
Ferrets can eat fish if you’re willing to supplement its diet with an omega-3 supplement. While most human-grade meats are lean, a healthy raw diet rich in fish can “fatten” up an underweight ferret. To make sure that your ferret isn’t gaining weight, weigh them regularly to assess their nutritional needs. Ferrets can gain weight, but losing it is not a sign of ill health.
Beef
There are some benefits to feeding your ferret a diet based on raw meat. Ferrets are obligate carnivores, and consuming raw meat is perfectly safe for them. However, raw meat contains bacteria and parasites that are potentially harmful to your pet. Many pet food brands have been recalled due to the risk of bacterial contamination. Ferrets should not consume cooked or frozen meat, as they can develop food poisoning from these sources.
The best raw meat for ferrets is the skinless, chunky piece of meat. Ferrets usually prefer organs and other bits of meat. However, you must make sure that raw meat does not cause your ferret to get sick. If you can’t cook it yourself, you can freeze the leftover meat and feed it to your ferret in pieces. For convenience, you can freeze the meat and thaw it in the microwave before feeding it to your pet.
