food for ferrets

Question
Igive my ferrets good food totally ferret, marsHall.
But Igive tHem a can of cat food every night.
they like it for a treat.  There are HealtHty big.
Will it hurt tHem if so what can I give them for a treat

Answer
Hello again Todd!  Thank you for being concerned about your future ferret's nutrition. There are so many well meaning owners who fail to do significant research and feed poor quality or even harmful products, so good for you!

Marshall I consider to be mediocre, and Totally Ferret is good, but it contains by-products.  Be very careful with canned cat food.  Unless the ingredients match up to the requirements below I would discontinue feeding it.  Remember, wet food also can cause dental problems, which is true in cats and dogs as well.  

There are several important things to look for when selecting a brand or brands of kibble.  It must contain high fat and protein content. Generally look for 35-40 percent protein (I have found any higher creates soft stool) and around 22 percent fat.  Every brand is different, and that is why I tend to choose 3 of the best, and create a mixture. For older ferrets, look for less protein, since it can cause stress on the kidneys.  Whichever brands you choose, make sure the first 3 ingredients are meat based and try to stay away from animal by-products since these are "filler" and contain less nutritional value.  Also, stay away from fish products if possible.  Make sure there are no vegetable additives and minimal carbohydrates, since ferrets are obligate carnivores and cannot digest plant material.   If you decide to switch brands, always introduce the new type by mixing it in with the old kibble.  I generally start with a 20/80 mixture, then increase the amount of new food over the next few days.  This allows the sensitive ferret tummies to get used to the new diet.

Here are some brands I recommend:

Core Feline Wellness
Innova Kitten Chow (or the ferret version if available)
Totally Ferret (contains by-products, but should be ok if mixed)
Serengeti Cat (Timberwolf brand)

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!  I do not recommend feeding a raw diet.  Bacteria and other harmful pathogens and can be transferred by feeding raw meat.  These can include tapeworms, salmonella, and e-coli.

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.  Some types (such as those that contain vitamin E) can go rancid quickly and cause stomach problems.  

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

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

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

Good luck, and if you have any other questions, do not hesitate to ask