If you are considering getting a ferret as a pet, you should first understand the type of food that these lovable creatures love. Listed below are the four most popular types of food that ferrets love to eat. Meat, Birds, Insects, and Worms are the main types of food that ferrets enjoy. You should also avoid any foods that contain sugar, which can cause insulinomas in the pet.
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Meat
Most ferret owners are surprised to learn that your pet can eat meat! You may be able to feed your ferret chicken wings or bones from your chicken. However, you should avoid using stale bones, as they can damage your ferret’s teeth and gums. You can also dry chicken bones by using a plastic bag or a towel. Once dry, you can place them in a pot filled with water. Boil the bones for 20 to 30 minutes, and then remove the small bone pieces and use the rest as soup or a dry food mix.
Birds
Ferrets are prey for a variety of different birds. Ferrets are especially fond of birds that are small and flightless, such as sparrows and wrens. Large carnivores such as owls and pigeons also prefer ferrets to birds because of their smaller size. However, ferrets also love to eat birds of prey.
Insects
There are several different types of insects that your ferret can eat as a pet. Many people discourage feeding insects to their pets because insects are known to carry parasites and are not always free of unknown toxic elements. However, you can feed your pet crickets and other insects that are raised in insect farms, and this can help your ferret get the vitamins and minerals it needs. The insects should be a small percentage of your pet’s diet, but they are a healthy part of their diet.
Worms
If your ferret goes outside regularly, you should be aware that worms are a common source of disease. They are known as intermediate hosts for a variety of diseases. Some of these illnesses are treatable, but other more serious problems can be dangerous. Heartworms in ferrets are spread through mosquito bites. These infections can be difficult to detect and treat. You should also regularly check your pet for heartworms when you get him or her.
Carrion
You should know that ferrets are not naturally vegetarians. They like fish and insects, and some species will even eat chicks and hedgehogs. In fact, they’re so fond of chickens that they’ll steal them from a village! They also enjoy muskrat meat, and they’re known to eat carrion from time to time. Here are some tips for feeding your pet to keep it healthy:
Fresh water
You must provide your ferrets with clean, fresh water on a consistent basis. Fresh water is necessary for ferrets on a dry diet, and they typically need three times the amount of water they ingest through dry pellets every day. Ferrets also love drinking from dishes, and will drink much more from a dish than a bottle. Make sure to remove any food leftovers that might have become mouldy before you give your ferret a drink.
Treats
Some treats for ferrets are a good source of calcium and protein. Other treats are made of whole prey, such as hoppers, pup rats, and rabbit kits. The problem with feeding juvenile whole prey to ferrets is that it lacks calcium and other nutrients. Because of this, many ferrets have experienced malnutrition after consuming such treats. However, on occasion, feeding a ferret a treat from this category is perfectly healthy.