Ferret Food & Litter

Question
Hi:-)

I am a future first ferret owner and I've done tons and tons of research but I can't seem to find a proper food for my ferret I've looked at EVO Ferret Food and with its high fat content it seems like a good candidate, I've also looked at Totally Ferret, but it's a little bit on the expensive side and is sold in small quantities compared to the EVO, I've heard that cat food would do fine as well, but on the other hand i've heard that they can't give them the proper nutrition and even though i've considered it because of price,i'm a little worried I've also seen that Tidy Cat's Litter for multiple cat households is good but I'm a little concerned I don't believe it's in pellet form and even though it's pretty much dust free, i'm kind of afraid about my ferret breathing it in, or trying to eat the clumps, even though i've heard they won't eat where they use the potty its still a little concern you know?, but i was just wondering what would you suggest for Ferret Food & Liter, by the way I plan on using Ferretone with what ever food I decide to put them on, but if the Ferretone isn't a good idea let me know please lol.

Thanks Again,
JaChristia

Answer
Hi JaChristia,

Thank you for doing your research!  Nutrition is of the utmost importance for these guys.    

As long as you are feeding high quality food, there should be no need to supplement with ferritone.  Some vitamins (A,D,E and K) are fat soluble and it is possible to overdose on them.  Any well balanced diet should contain the necessary amounts of these.

Evo is a very good brand, and has my thumbs up.  I am not really a fan of totally ferret due to the presence of byproducts.  With whatever kibble you choose, the first three ingredients should be meat-based, and not contain by-products.  These are mostly devoid of valuable nutrition and you should stay away from any brands that have these.  Also, the food should be low in carbohydrates (corn, rice, potatoes, etc) since ferrets are obligate carnivores and cannot digest it.  Look for about 45% protein and 20% fat (this can vary, and if you notice their stool is too soft (usually near 50%), you may be feeding a bit too much protein so mix with a lower protein brand such as Serengeti Cat.  

Here are some brands I recommend:

Wysong Archetypal-1 (beef) or Archetypal-2 (chicken)
http://www.wysong.net/products/archetypal-1-natural-healthy-ferret-food.php
http://www.wysong.net/products/archetypal-2-natural-healthy-ferret-food.php

Wellness Core Feline
http://www.wellnesspetfood.com/cat_wellness_dry_core.html
This brand is easy to find in pet stores.  

Innova Ferret EVO (Or cat version if not available)
http://www.evopet.com/products/default.asp?id=15

Wilderness by Blue Buffalo
http://www.bluebuff.com/products/cats/wilderness-cat.shtml

Serengeti Cat (Timberwolf brand)
http://www.timberwolforganics.com/Pet-Foods/Serengetii
****36% protein so mix with a high protein brand, such as Wellness****

Brands I Do not recommend:  Marshall Farms, Totally Ferret, 8-in-one, IAMS, Kaycee ferret, etc.   

This list is by no means all inclusive.  There are many other good types available, just check the labels. Not all premium kitten/cat kibble is good for these guys, and not even all brands of ferret-specific food!  Every brand is different, and that is why I tend to choose 3 of the best, and create a mixture. I currently feed a mix of Core Wellness, Wilderness and Serengeti Cat, although it varies from month to month with what is available.       

It is difficult to change a ferret's diet once they have imprinted on a certain brand.  Imprinting on certain foods happens at a very young age, and most will turn up their noses to anything else!   If you decide to switch brands, always introduce the new type by mixing it in with the old kibble.  I generally start with a 25/75 mixture, then increase the amount of new food over the next few days.  This allows the sensitive ferret tummies and taste buds to get used to the new diet.  Changing food too quickly can result in nasty vomiting and diarrhea.

Remember to store all extra food in airtight containers (Such as for cereal storage).  If you buy three kinds of kibble, it will last you awhile!  Also, change the kibble in your ferret's bowl DAILY.  These brands contain vitamins that can go rancid quickly and cause stomach problems.  

Stay away from vegetables, fruits and milk products as treats.  Raisins can cause kidney failure, and too much sugar (anything that ends with -ose) can lead to insulinoma and other complications. I feed my guys dehydrated 100% chicken treats with no additives as snacks.  These can be found in the canine section of your local pet store.  Another obscure (but healthy) treat is live meal worms.  These can be found at any pet store, and I haven't met a ferret who didn't love them yet.

There is a short FAQ that contains some info on nutrition from the AFA's Official Website:

http://www.ferret.org/read/faq.html

I hope this answers your question!  Sorry that my response is so lengthy, but I wanted to cover all of the important points =3

Remember... Always check the ingredients for whatever you buy, since most store bought brands are not good for the little guys!

Litter:

Do not use any clay or wood chip based litter for your future ferrets.  Clay can cause many upper respiratory problems and wood chips can be toxic.  The safest type is Yesterday's News brand, which is produced from recycled newspaper. It is pelleted and dust free.

yesterdaysnews.com

The other option is to leave a litter box with only regular newspaper lining the bottom.  Over the years I've converted to this method since ferrets do not cover their stool like cats and honestly it works just as well.  Also, be aware that until it is soiled, any litter is the perfect place to play so it can get everywhere.    

It is true ferrets are very clean and do not like to eat near their excrement. Just keep their boxes clean  and the food bowl well away from the area and everything should be fine.  Let me know if you have any other questions!

-Cindy P.