Ferret News

Switching Your Ferret to a Raw Diet: Pros, Cons, and Tips for Preparing the Menu

By Jazmin "Sunny" Murphy

Like many other pet parents, ferret owners are increasingly worried about feeding their fur-babies dry kibble diets. Even the cat food that most folks feed their weasels can be concerning, seeing as how some brands are full of artificial preservatives and other harmful chemicals.

Because of this, some feel that a raw diet is the better alternative. Yet, this feeding regimen isn’t as simple as giving your weasel a couple of chicken wings.

You’ll need to iron out a few details in advance, ensuring your ferret gets just enough food for its weight, age, and sex. Plus, other factors like the types of animal proteins you’re providing and even the time of year can influence the quality of a raw diet.

This guide will help you navigate those challenging elements of feeding your ferret fresh, raw food. 

A ferret sits at a dining table where a bowl of kibble rests alongside a plate full of delicious fresh meat.
A ferret sits at a dining table where a bowl of kibble rests alongside a plate full of delicious fresh meat.

What do ferrets eat? 

Ferrets are carnivorous little creatures, meaning they need to eat lots of meat to be healthy. Now, this doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy a veggie snack now and then. But their health is best served by generous helpings of animal protein each day. 

Indeed, Rick Axelson, D.V.M., writes for VCA Hospitals, “Ferrets are true carnivores and cannot handle a diet containing more than 4% fiber.” 

The animal-derived food items necessary for your ferret come in several forms, mainly: 

  • Bones 
  • Muscle meat 
  • Organ meat 

Each of these raw diet elements fulfills a different aspect of the ferret’s needs, helping to keep its teeth clean and providing various nutrients. For instance, liver offers vitamin A and C, more so than muscle meat, which should make up most of your weasel’s diet. 

Though there’ll be more in it in your ferret’s dish every day, muscle meat is just as crucial as organs, offering taurine, a nutrient that’s critical to vision, digestion, heart health, and immunity. 

The general ferret diet

The general nutritional breakdown you should follow when putting together your ferret’s diet is as follows: 

  • 30 to 40 percent protein* 
  • 18 to 20 percent fat 
  • 2 percent fiber 

*Breeding ferrets and kits need slightly higher levels of protein! Consult with your veterinarian for further guidance. 

One of the most important things to think about when developing your ferret’s diet is its ability to digest certain foods. Experts say that these animals have a “very short, simple gastrointestinal (GI) tract.” 

Because of this, they require “highly digestible” foods, which should be rich in protein and fat. On the other hand, “minimal digestible” foods are those with high amounts of carbohydrates and fiber. Too much of the latter can increase how much your ferret poops and lead to deficiencies in the protein-to-calorie ratio. 

Caveats of the average ferret diet 

Remember, just because experts warn against excess fiber in a ferret’s diet doesn’t mean you should avoid it entirely. On the contrary, they need these nutrients and usually get them from animal-based meals. 

The authors of Feeding Small Pet Mammals write

“In nature, the only significant sources of carbohydrates are those obtained from ingesting the gut contents of prey items. Although the most appropriate diet for a ferret is whole prey or a balanced fresh or freeze-dried diet, this is impractical.” 

There is no single raw diet that has been deemed ideal for all pet ferrets. Many people follow unique regimens and may even mix in dry kibble from time to time. 

Generally, experts recommend that ferret owners adopt some of the common feeding routines used for minks. Pelleted diets for these animals typically consist of 30 to 35 percent meat-based protein and 20 percent animal fat, often relying on fish as the primary animal protein. 

For those who want to incorporate commercially packaged food into their ferrets’ maintenance diets (an excellent idea for a gradual transition into raw feeding), make sure the crude protein is 30 to 35 percent with a fat content of about 15 to 20 percent. You must also ensure that it’s based on high-quality meat, not grains. 

Whatever you do, just make sure to avoid canned ferret food. Experts say that using this as the main food wouldn’t offer enough fat or protein. Plus, canned food doesn’t present enough friction to keep your ferret’s teeth clean, increasing the risk of periodontal disease. 

Your best bet for a raw ferret diet that meets your weasel’s fundamental needs, nutritional and hygienic, is fresh animal meat and organs, either from a local butcher (at delis or grocery stores!), farmer, or prepared meals from specialized brands like Frankenprey. 

Note: Ferret owners commonly turn to cat food when supplementing their ferret’s raw food during a transition to fully raw eating or for saving money on a half-and-half diet. Although specialized ferret foods are better, both are more suitable than canine diets, which lack the protein, fat, and carb content needed for healthy weasels. 

A man sits at an office desk with his ferret, thinking about whether a ferret raw diet plan is better than a dry kibble regimen.
A man sits at an office desk with his ferret, thinking about whether a ferret raw diet plan is better than a dry kibble regimen.

What to know about the pros and cons of a raw diet for ferrets 

Raw diets are increasingly popular for carnivorous and omnivorous fur-babies. They offer the utmost nourishment for your pet, fulfilling its most fundamental biological needs. 

Now, there are all sorts of ways to go about designing a raw diet for ferrets. For example, you could go with commercial brands, such as Frankenprey – a widely used brand among ferret owners – or The Raw Food Company, or whip up your own gourmet meals at home with a few extra ingredients from the grocery store. 

Whichever you choose, you must understand: A raw feeding routine takes a lot of work to develop and maintain. You won’t have the luxury of having someone measure nutrient proportions for you. 

Instead, you’ll be wholly responsible for providing reasonable serving sizes and not overdoing it with specific vitamins and minerals. For example, too much liver will lead to vitamin A toxicity, a condition known to induce vomiting, drowsiness, irritability, and peeling skin in dogs. 

With that said, raw feeding is full of pros and cons that you need to be fully aware of. Ferret owners say the most significant concerns are as follows: 

Pros 

  • You can maintain your ferret’s health as naturally as possible, thanks to the fresh food and abundance of animal protein, fat, and other nutrients 
  • You don’t have to worry about any artificial flavorings or additives when using freshly cut meats instead of commercially manufactured dry foods 
  • Feeding edible bones helps prevent tartar buildup on ferrets’ teeth and adds calcium to the diet 
  • Many ferret owners report that their weasels display improved coat condition (especially in terms of shine and softness) and reduced stool volume
  • Raw feeding diets that include whole prey are an excellent source of enrichment for ferrets, helping fulfill their natural desire to hunt  

Cons 

  • It’s challenging to keep up with the proper proportion sizes and meal frequency 
  • Ferrets’ diets fluctuate, depending on the time of year, sex, age, and weight, making it hard to develop a consistent feeding regimen 
  • Most grinds offer incomplete or imbalanced nutrient profiles, making them more expensive to maintain since you might need to buy some taurine supplements or additional meat and organs 

Despite these few drawbacks associated with feeding a raw diet, transitioning to this feeding style could be the best thing you’ve ever done for your fuzzy baby. This feeding regimen is rich in nutrients and even helps squash a few additional hygienic concerns, such as keeping your ferret’s teeth clean. 

It’s a lot of work to keep up, but it’s well worth the effort, especially when you get your routine down pat. 

A woman holds a serving dish while standing next to the dinner table full of raw meat dishes, ready to serve dinner to her ferret, which is sitting on a dining stool.
A woman holds a serving dish while standing next to the dinner table full of raw meat dishes, ready to serve dinner to her ferret, which is sitting on a dining stool.

How much does your ferret need to eat? 

Ferrets need varying amounts of food depending on their stage of development. For instance, an itty bitty kit isn’t going to need the same sustenance that an adult would. 

It’s best to calculate the proper frequencies and serving sizes required for your new feeding routine by basing it on your ferret’s weight, age, sex, and even the time of year. 

In the past, experienced ferret owners have suggested that the best way to shape your ferret’s diet is to mimic what they’d eat in the wild as closely as possible. This is why so many ferret owners and breeders design their menus based on their diets of wild minks and polecats. 

Plus, taking cues from your ferret’s wild cousins’ natural eating patterns is the best option for transitioning to a raw diet since scientists haven’t yet learned much about what’s best for these companion weasels. Such a feeding plan would generally adhere to these guidelines: 

  • 80 percent meat 
  • 10 percent organ meat 
  • 10 percent bone 

You’ll also see this noted as the “80:10:10” diet, or the general “prey model” that many ferret owners have found success with. This was originally geared toward dogs, but people have found that it works well with weasels, too. 

You’ll find that commercial “grinds,” which are various organ and muscle meats and bones ground together, follow this proportioning scheme, including Frankenprey. 

Within that 80:10:10 framework, experienced raw-feeding ferret owners suggest that you offer adults 10 percent of their body weight and 20 percent for kits, in general. 

Normally, the threshold separating these two portion standards is about four months of age, when the average ferret reaches its adult size. Scientists say that ferrets usually reach “puberty” between four to eight months of age. 

Of course, you’ll need to adjust this from time to time since ferrets’ appetites change with the seasons, and they all grow at different rates, just like people. 

Best types of meat for ferrets 

No matter which specific meats you choose to feed your ferret, it’s essential to incorporate at least three different types of protein, regardless if they’re ground or not. Different meats provide varying levels of vitamins and minerals, so it’s best to mix it up for healthy, balanced meals. 

Another crucial part of feeding ferrets is ensuring that you don’t cook your ferret’s meat-based meals. If you’re switching to a raw diet, you need to go all the way and serve up the animal protein fresh. 

Don’t worry about your ferret getting any potential stomach aches. Their short guts are specially built for breaking down food quickly, which helps to prevent any harmful bacteria from accumulating in the digestive system due to too much idle time. 

Ferrets typically digest food in three to four hours, so they can handle fresh meat much better than your gut ever could. (Your digestive system needs about six to eight hours to pass food through your stomach and small intestine. Then, it takes another 36 hours for it to move through your colon.) 

The most common types of meat that ferret owners feed their fur-babies include: 

  • Poultry or game birds (chicken, turkey, quail, etc.) 
  • Red meat (beef, bison, venison, goat, lamb, etc.) 
  • Pork 
  • Fish 

Ferrets’ favorite whole prey items 

Whole prey is a crucial part of your ferret’s feeding regimen. These meals are naturally well-balanced when offered in at least three rotating prey items each week. 

Plus, whole prey helps fulfill your ferret’s deepest instinctual drives, offering a much more enriching feeding experience. 

Researchers investigating the carcass feeding behaviors of wild North American black-footed ferrets state, “Supplementing carnivores’ diet with whole prey or carcasses can also stimulate natural behaviors… and be more enriching.” 

They suggest that even the mere incorporation of frozen fish, bones, or other natural prey items could “reduce the effect of stressors by lowering aggression, encouraging positive social interactions, and promoting natural food acquisition.” 

Apart from these perks, providing a whole prey diet allows your ferret greater control over dinner time, which is just what your fur-baby wants, as these weasels are known for their desire to forage and hunt. 

For instance, according to Erinn Whitmore, ferrets will instinctively avoid the animal’s digestive tract to avoid potential pathogens, though this doesn’t mean that all ferrets will leave the guts alone. 

Some of the most commonly fed whole prey items your ferret might like include: 

  • Rodents (i.e., mice, rats, guinea pigs, etc.) 
  • Rabbits 
  • Birds (e.g., chicken, quail, etc.) 
  • Reptiles and amphibians (e.g., frogs, lizards, etc.) 
A sign shows that human foods are not allowed when feeding your ferret raw foods.
A sign shows that human foods are not allowed when feeding your ferret raw foods.

Foods to avoid when feeding your ferret raw 

The most important thing for you to remember as you’re developing your ferret’s raw diet is that it’s an “obligate carnivore,” meaning it can pretty much only eat meat, with just a few plant-based foods thrown into the mix on occasion. 

Concerning commercial dry foods containing too much plant-derived material, experts state, “In the future, we may find that the current commercially prepared diets containing cereal and plant-based materials are ultimately not appropriate for the ferret…. An occasional raisin or vegetable will not harm ferrets; however, owners should be encouraged to offer a more acceptable snack such as a teaspoon of meat baby food.” 

Apart from too much plant material in your diet, some of the most important food items to avoid in your ferret’s raw diet include: 

  • Dangerous fruits: grapes, currants, raisins 
  • Risky vegetables: Garlic, onions, scallions, chives, avocadoes 
  • Processed foods, especially those containing xylitol, an ingredient present in many sugary snacks 
  • Dairy products, specifically milk, yogurt, and cheese (eggs are okay) 
  • Grains, as too much fiber can increase stool volume and trigger nutrient deficiencies 

Surprisingly, some experts even advise that ferret owners avoid fish. The Animal Care Hospital states, “Fish isn’t as dangerous as some of the other foods I’ve listed, but it really isn’t good for ferrets. Stick with meat and poultry instead.” 

This is only a partial list of items that you should keep out of your ferret’s food bowl or feeding den (an enclosed area, such as a tube, to feed your ferret in to minimize mess). There will always be a few additions, depending on your ferret’s individual health and your veterinarian’s specific recommendations.

 

How often should you feed your ferret? 

Another critical aspect of a well-balanced raw feeding regimen is the schedule for those daily meals. People have developed all sorts of menus for their weasels, making sure to incorporate those three pillar dietary elements (e.g., organ meat, muscle meat, and bone) throughout the whole week. 

People use two main methods when designing their ferret’s menu: the Frankenprey model and the whole prey model. Take a look at each to determine which one’s right for your little weasel. 

The Frankenprey model for raw fed ferrets 

There are many different ways to incorporate this feeding model into your ferret’s daily diet. The basic, most widely used schedule goes like this: 

  • Monday: 2 bone-in meat meals; you can substitute one of the bone-in meat meals with muscle meat 
  • Tuesday: 1 bone-in meat meal, 1 muscle meat meal 
  • Wednesday: 1 bone-in meat meal, 1 heart* meal 
  • Note: Technically, the heart is muscle meat. The biggest difference between it and a leg, for example, is that the former is smooth muscle, and the other is called “striated.” It just isn’t usually included in the category “muscle meat” since it’s so rich in taurine, making it a much more critical element in a balanced raw diet. 
  • Thursday: 2 bone-in meat meal; option to substitute one meal with muscle meat 
  • Friday: 1 bone-in meat meal; special mixture with ½ a heart, ¼ a liver, and ¼ of an organ of your choosing 
  • Saturday: 1 bone-in meat meal, 1 muscle meat meal 
  • Sunday: 1 bone-in meat meal; special mixture with ½ a liver and ¼ of another organ of your choosing 

Whenever you feed your ferret “bone-in” meals, you must avoid cooking the meat. Cooked bones are hazardous for your ferret, as they get pretty brittle after the heat removes all the moisture. 

These can splinter in the digestive system and potentially puncture the esophagus or other internal organs. For this reason, it’s best to offer your ferret “raw meaty bones” (RMBs) instead, as they’re less prone to splintering and snapping. 

This diet could provide optimal nutrition as long as you measure each serving correctly, with your ferret’s age, sex, body weight, and the season in mind. Plus, you can easily adjust it to incorporate dry food as well, so it’s great for transitioning from a mass-produced, processed pelleted diet feeding regimen to a fully natural one.  

Raw feeding ferrets with whole prey 

The whole prey model is also known as the “whole prey model raw” (WPMR) in other pet owner circles, especially dogs, or “prey-model raw” among others. Following this diet usually entails adherence to the 80:10:10 model, since you don’t necessarily have to feed your ferret an actual animal. 

For instance, you could technically still offer your ferret “whole prey” if you’ve got all the right ingredients, which are: 

  • Bones 
  • Muscle meat 
  • Organs 
  • Skin 
  • Fat 
  • Hair, fur, or feathers 
  • Connective tissues 

You might be able to find all this in a grind, but truthfully, you might get more peace of mind by providing actual whole prey in the forms of the animals listed above. 

The best thing about feeding whole prey items is that they’re naturally balanced already. You won’t have to worry about measuring organs, to muscle, to bone. However, you do need to think about how you serve these meals, as the prey should always be pre-killed to reduce the risk of injury to your ferret. 

Safely transition your ferret to a raw diet 

Whether you plan on feeding your ferret a completely raw diet or intend to mix fresh meat with dry kibble, it’s best to do some in-depth research before offering fresh animal protein. 

Many people jump into raw feeding routines much too quickly without adequate research, which can put a ferret’s health at risk due to nutrient imbalances and related issues. 

Take as much time as you need to learn about your ferret’s dietary needs and carefully develop a customized feeding routine with high-quality animal protein with this in-depth guide. 

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