When we talk about pets we always link this concept to dogs and cats, which we consider our animal friends par excellence, however, the panorama of companion animals has changed enormously today, so much so, that the ferret has ceased to be a hunting mammal to become an endearing pet.
Obviously its body, its behavior and its needs are very different from those of a dog or a cat, so it requires specific care and when it comes to veterinary check-ups it is also important to go to a clinic specialized in exotics.
The feeding of this animal is directly involved in its state of he alth and well-being, so in this article we show you the solutions and recommendations to use when a ferret does not want to eat I think, in order to avoid any complications.
Feeding the ferret
This animal has specific nutritional requirements, therefore, let's first see how the ferret should be fed:
- It should contain more animal than vegetable protein, constituting between 30 and 38% of your diet
- The content of your food must have a percentage of fat that ranges between 18 and 20%
- Fiber is very important to prevent gastrointestinal complications, a daily intake of 4% is recommended
- The ferret's food should also contain vitamins A, C, E and taurine
The food we must use to ensure that we offer our ferret all the nutrients it needs is specific feed for ferrets and it is recommended Using a dry feed reduces the amount of tartar that accumulates on the teeth.
Rule out underlying pathologies
Anorexia or lack of appetite can itself be the indicative symptom of some disease and if our ferret does not want to eat feed, this may be due to any of the following pathologies:
- Infectious diseases that affect the digestive system
- Bacterial or viral infections
- Heart failure
- Allergies
- Metabolic problems
- Neurological disorders
- Ingestion of toxic substances
Because the lack of appetite may indicate serious disorders, it is important to go to the vet first, because if he suspects of the existence of an underlying disease, he will perform a complete physical examination, a dental examination and will rely on tests such as ultrasound or urinalysis to verify the presence of any anomaly.
Is my ferret not eating because he is sick?
As we will see later, the most common reasons why a ferret does not want to eat feed are not serious, but it is not always Thus, if your ferret does not eat feed and you also observe the presence of any of the following symptoms, it may be sick:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of hair
- Difficulty breathing
- Disorientation
- Uncoordinated movements
- Stiff limbs
Some of these symptoms together with lack of appetite may be an indication that something serious is happening, the cause of anorexia being an underlying disease, go to the veterinarian of urgently.
Most common reasons why a ferret does not want to eat feed
In the absence of any serious underlying pathology, ferrets tend to refuse feed for the following reasons:
- Have difficulty adjusting to its taste
- They have difficulty adapting to their texture (in the case of dry feed)
- They are used to a diet based on meat and eggs
- They have developed gingivitis due to tartar buildup and cannot eat comfortably
- The feed provided is not of good quality or it is feed intended for other types of animals
Resolving these causes and getting our ferret to eat properly is not complex, but it does require a great deal of patience on the part of the owners.
Solutions and recommendations for our ferret to eat feed
If your ferret does not eat, it is necessary to use one (and sometimes several) of the following measures, until its food intake progressively normalizes:
Provide him toys that he can chew on, this will reduce the accumulation of tartar on the teeth, preventing and treating gingivitis
Don't give him cat food, he needs a specific feed for ferrets
As a basic average it is recommended to change the type of feed, ferrets have an exquisite palate and do not get used to any flavor
To adapt to the texture of the dry feed, it can be administered in the form of a porridge, leaving it to soak in water for about 10-15 minutes
If our ferret's problem is that it is accustomed to a meat-based diet, at first we must add a handful of meat to the feed and make a wet mixture, progressively, we will reduce the amount of meat used
If the porridge with meat and feed does not work, at first you should only use a porridge with meat to which the feed will be gradually added
As we mentioned before, these stockings are usually very effective as long as the owner has sufficient perseverance and patience.
