The main thing you need to know about your ferret's diets is simple: meat, no plants. The diet should consist of at least 30-40% protein, with 20-30% fat, less than three percent fiber, and low in carbohydrates. Ferrets simply cannot process protein from plants.
Your pet ferret's diet should ensure that food is available at all times, too. Ferrets have a very fast metabolism and a short digestive system, so they need to eat often. Often means at least every three to four hours. It is much easier, and better for your pet, to just leave food out constantly, along with fresh water. As a rule ferrets will eat only enough to meet their immediate needs, so you don't have to worry about them getting fat. If they do appear to be getting fat, take your pet to the vet to see if there is some medical problem. Lacking that, exercise is the best way to keep your ferret in tip-top shape.
The most important part is going to be your vigilance. You have to read the labels and understand what they are saying. The closer to the beginning an ingredient, the more there is of it. So if meat meal comes first, there is more of that than any other item. Beware, though, of split products, like soy flour and soy meal. You have to add the two together to get the true proportions in the food.
There are several quality ferret foods available now, but you have to read the ingredients. The better the diet, the more expensive it is. But it is worth it to see that your ferret has the best diet available to keep him happy and healthy.
Any time you want to change your ferret's diet, you must do so gradually. It's best to mix in the new food with the old and gradually increasing the new foods as a percentage of the whole meal. It is often best to begin your pups on a mixture of foods to avoid the 'new food negatives' later on. It is just good common sense to have two foods on hand that your ferret will eat, in case one of them is suddenly unavailable.
Treats should only be given in moderation, and those should be vitamin supplements and hairball remedies which ferrets love and which does them some good at the same time. Don't use them too often, but they can come in handy for training aids. Other treats that ferrets like in their diet are hard-boiled or scrambled eggs and little pieces of cooked meat. The only time you should use commercial treats is if they are meat based. You want to stay away from treats that are based on grains, vegetables, and sugars any time. Ferrets love sweets, but you have to be careful and not give sweets to them, even raisins and other fruits. Sugar is not good for ferrets, period.
If you cannot find a quality ferret diet locally, you may want to go online. Barring that, premium cat foods will suffice. But you have to make sure and use a kitten food that is high in protein. Once your ferret is four years or more, you can switch to regular adult cat food. Again, it is up to you to be vigilant and use only premium brands with the right mixtures of protein, fats, fibers, and carbohydrates. As a general rule you should avoid generic (or 'house') brands, since these are generally not up to the quality you need for your loving pet.
Scot Reinheart is a ferret enthusiast and author. He resides in Centerville, MD. He spends his time teaching others how to raise and properly care for ferrets. For more tips on ferret diet, visit his site by clicking here.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Reinheart