Ferrets are carnivores and their diet should consist mostly of meat. They can eat cat food, but it is not the best option for them.
What do ferrets eat?
Ferrets are obligate carnivores which means they require animal protein to survive. A diet consisting only of plant proteins will not be enough to keep your ferret healthy. In the wild, ferrets eat small prey such as rodents or birds. Domestic ferrets typically eat a diet of commercially available ferret food or a raw meat diet.
Can ferrets eat cat food?
The short answer is yes. But that does not mean that cat food is the best choice for your ferret.
That being said, cat food can provide some of the nutrients your ferret needs. In fact, some cat foods are highly digestible which makes them more easily absorbed by your ferret’s body. They can also provide a lot of protein which your ferret needs. But there are better options out there for your ferret than cat food.
The main ingredients used in cat foods are those that make the food taste good or easier to digest. These primarily include proteins such as chicken, meat, soy, fish, or lamb. The problem with these primary ingredients is that they are too Animal-derived for your ferret’s body. In fact, ferrets do not do well eating primarily animal-derived protein. The amount of protein they require comes from animals but it is provided mostly by the prey’s meat. Also, these proteins are preserved with additives such as preservatives and additives. These can cause health issues in ferrets over time.
Some of the other ingredients used in cat food include carbohydrates such as rice, corn, or wheat. These are commonly used to make the food more appealing for taste and texture. They will also increase the sugar content of the food. Ferrets do not do well eating high-carbohydrate foods because they are an aerobatic creature. Cat foods also contain artificial flavors to make the food taste better. And added colors are sometimes used to enhance the visual appeal of the food. Ferret owners should avoid these ingredients in cat foods because they are not healthy for ferrets.
What type of food is best for ferrets?
A good quality ferret food will contain at least 30% protein and 20% fat.
The best thing you can do is feed your ferret properly formulated ferret food. You can find a good quality food that is made with meat as the primary ingredient (usually poultry) at most pet stores or online. We recommend Eagle Pack Original, which has a kibble that is easy for ferrets to bite and eat and it contains chicken liver for enhanced nutrition.
Commercial ferret food
Commercial ferret food is very expensive and many ferret owners find themselves having to mix their own ferret food at home using cat food as a base ingredient.
Here is some of the most popular commercial ferret food:
- N-Bone Ferret Chew Treat
- Wysong Epigen 90
- Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health
- Totally Ferret Complete Diet
- Zupreem Natural Premium Ferret Food
- Marshall Premium Ferret Diet
- FerretVite Vitamin Supplement
- Critter Love Supreme Diet
Conclusion
Yes, ferrets can eat cat food, but only as an occasional treat. Cat food is not as nutritionally balanced as ferret food, so it should not be the mainstay of your ferret's diet. If you do feed your ferret cat food, make sure it is high quality and does not contain any artificial ingredients.