Nowadays, more and more people choose to adopt ferrets as pets not only because of their charming appearance, but also because of their intelligence and their active and curious behavior. Although not as time consuming as other pets, your guardians should also commit to providing some basic ferret care.
In this sense, feeding a ferret is a key aspect for the development of its physical, emotional, cognitive and social capacities. All ferrets need complete and balanced nutrition to maintain optimal he alth and enjoy a he althy and happy life.
In this new article on our site, we tell you what are the prohibited foods for ferrets that should not be part of their diet for prevent poisoning, digestive problems side effects, such as seizures, dizziness, lethargy and shortness of breath.
Foods toxic to ferrets
Here are some forbidden foods for ferrets:
- Chocolate
- Coffee
- Dairy products
- Sugars
- Onion
- Garlic
- Leeks
- Food for dogs
- Food for cats
- Human food
- Cereals
- Cooked Bones
- Alcohol
- Grapes
- Raisins
- Avocado
These foods can be harmful and even toxic to your body. Likewise, we recommend you consult a veterinarian specialized in small mammals to learn more about feeding ferrets. Below we detail why these foods should not be included in your diet.
1. Chocolate
Chocolate and cocoa contain two potentially toxic substances for ferrets, caffeine and theobromine Their body does not have the necessary enzymes to metabolize chocolate, so its consumption can cause digestive problems such as vomiting and diarrhea. In higher doses, ingesting chocolate could lead to seizures, tremors, fainting, and even respiratory failure.
two. Coffee and caffeinated beverages
Just like chocolate, coffee and its derivatives contain high doses of caffeine In addition to digestive disorders, caffeine consumption it can cause fast heartbeat, hyperactivity, anxiety and other behavior problems. The risk of heart problems is also raised.
3. Milk and Dairy
As is the case with most mammals, adult ferrets are lactose intolerant. During lactation, ferrets produce a high amount of the enzyme lactase, which is essential for digesting breast milk.
However, at the end of weaning, your body radically reduces the production of this enzyme, since your diet begins to be based on the consumption of animal protein (ferrets are carnivores). The vast majority of ferrets are incapable of metabolizing lactose from milk and its derivatives, and may suffer allergic reactions and digestive problems when consuming them.
4. Sugars and artificial sweeteners
Sugars and artificial sweeteners, such as the xylitol used in the manufacture of many "sugar-free" candies and snacks, can be harmful for ferrets. Your body is not prepared to assimilate these compounds, which can poison you, lead to gastrointestinal problems and increase your predisposition to obesity and associated diseases.
5. Onions, garlic and leeks
Onions, garlic and leeks are high in disulfide, a substance that can cause severedamage to red blood cells , impairing their ability to carry oxygen and iron to the body tissues of ferrets and consequently increasing the risk of developing anemia and of insufficiencies due to poor oxygenation.
6. Commercial feed for dogs and cats
Commercial feed for dogs usually contains a high percentage of fibres, carbohydrates and fats, which are not appropriate for a dog's body. strictly carnivorous animal like the ferret. Excess fiber and carbohydrates can cause serious digestive disorders in ferrets, in addition to increasing the risk of nutritional deficiencies and anemias due to animal protein deficiency.
Cat foods are usually less harmful, since felines are strictly carnivorous animals and these products contain a high taurine content However, its consumption should not be the basis for a complete nutrition that fully supplies the nutritional requirements of ferrets, since it is formulated specifically for another species. Ideally, buy exclusive feed for ferrets
7. Food for human consumption and junk or junk food
Although some foods for human consumption can be beneficial for ferrets, such as beef, turkey or chicken, industrialized, fried, high-fat foods and "junk food" (also known as junk food) are very dangerous for ferrets as it can cause rapid weight gain and gastrointestinal problems
8. Corn, cereals and carbohydrates
Corn is one of the cereals richest in fiber and carbohydrates, which are very difficult for ferrets to digest. In addition to causing digestive problems, excess corn can end up fermenting in the ferret's stomach, causing a lot of discomfortand possible damage to your gastrointestinal tract.
Other cereals and foods rich in carbohydrates should also be avoided, such as rice, beans, chick peas, oats, bread and flour in general.
9. Cooked Bones
Cooked bones are very dangerous for all pets, as during the cooking process the bones become less digestible and less elastic, which can lead to splinter easily, seriously injuring your digestive tract.
An example would be chicken wings, which should be completely avoided.
10. Alcohol
Alcohol and alcoholic beverages are highly toxic to pets, including ferrets. Because it acts directly on the nervous system, alcohol consumption can cause behavioral problems and alterations in your usual behavior.
In addition, alcohol affects the proper functioning of the vital organs of ferrets, and can cause cardiorespiratory problems, damage to the liver and kidneys.
eleven. Grapes and Raisins
Consumption of grapes and raisins can lead to serious kidney problems in ferrets, as well as in dogs and cats, as well as acute kidney failure. When faced with a picture of intoxication we can observe vomiting, diarrhoea, sensitivity and polydipsia (excessive thirst).
12. Avocado
In addition to its very high percentage of fats, the avocado has a highly toxic substance for ferrets and other pets, called persin. Although it is estimated that this substance is present only in the skin and bone, it is advisable to completely avoid its consumption.
Tips for the correct feeding of ferrets
Before finishing we want to do a little review about good practices when feeding a domestic ferret:
- Fruits and vegetables in moderation: Even when we talk about beneficial fruits and vegetables for the he alth of ferrets, we must offer them in a moderate, since they are foods rich in sugars and fibers. In addition, we must always remove the stone or the seeds of the fruits, as they contain cyanide, which is highly toxic.
- Be careful with raw meat: As we have mentioned, ferrets are carnivorous animals, and should consume a minimum of 40% protein from animal origin in their diet. Many guardians choose to offer a natural, raw diet to their ferrets, but it is essential to be very careful when offering raw meat to your little companion. If you are not completely sure about the origin of the meat you purchased, it is best to cook it before offering it to your ferret or base its diet on some commercial feed specially prepared to meet the nutritional needs of ferrets.
- Be careful with the plants you grow: As they are quite curious and active, ferrets may be tempted to explore the plants you grow in your home. Although they can be very beautiful, some species are very dangerous for ferrets, such as oleanders, poppies and daffodils, among many others. Ideally, you should consult a trusted veterinarian to acquire a complete list of potentially toxic plants for ferrets that you can find in your house and in your neighborhood.
- Pay close attention to the organization of your house: Probably, it would never occur to you to provide any of these foods to your ferret, but it is possible that he may accidentally come across some of the forbidden ferret foods in your home. For this reason, it is essential to pay close attention to the organization of our home, avoiding leaving any potentially toxic or allergenic product, food or substance within the reach of our pets.
Last (and not least), we remind you of the importance of quickly going to a specialized veterinarian when you notice that your ferret has consumed a potentially toxic food or drink, or when you identify common symptoms of poisoning, such as vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, lethargy, drooling, seizures, or difficulty breathing.
At the clinic, the professional will be able to analyze your ferret's he alth status and assess the best treatment to combat negative symptoms and restore good he alth.
