Underweight ferret

Question
Cynthia,

I will be brief, I want to be respectful of your time.  I just bought a owner surrender ferret.  Ive had them before and love them!!  My little guy is under weight.  I am going to get him to a vet next week.  His bowel movements are normal, urinating as well, hes eating and drinking, getting lots of exercise and very playful.  I was considering tiny amounts of bananas or raisins?  I have read the dangers surrounding large amounts of sugar.  What do you rec.?

Thank you very much!!

Chris

Answer
Hello Chris!

That was very kind of you to adopt a ferret.  There are so many unwanted pets out there, and so few find loving homes.  

It is a wise decision to bring your new little guy to a vet.  Some ferrets are naturally skinny, so there may be nothing wrong with him.  Of course without a veterinary exam, it is impossible to know if his weight is due to an underlying condition.  It is ALWAYS best to have a checkup just in case.

I would not give ANY fruits or veggies.  Ferrets are obligate carnivores and cannot tolerate sugar, plant material or carbohydrates.  It is thought that treats rich in sugar causes insulinoma!  Also, raisins have been proven toxic in dogs, and it is thought as few as five can cause kidney failure.  vegetable matter cannot pass easily through the intestines and can cause obstructions.  Even most commercially available treats and foods are detrimental to a ferret's health.  There should be no sugar and few (if any) carbohydrates.  All treats and food should be protein based and contain no byproducts.

I give my guys 100 percent dehydrated chicken breast as treats.  My favorite brand can be found at Agway or specialty pet food stores.  It is the Dogswell flaxseed and vitamin.  There are several varieties, but this is the one that seems most palatable.  

http://www.amazon.com/Dogswell-Vitality-Chicken-6-Ounce-Pouches/dp/B000F2UWI8/re...

Features:

For Eyes, Skin and Coat with Vitamins A and E
Made with All Natural Chicken
No Hormones, No Antibiotics, No Fillers, No Flour, No Corn, No Soy, No Wheat
Digestible, Rich in Protein, Low in Fat

Ingredients: Chicken Breast, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin A Acetate.

They seem to really like this, although it can be a bit difficult to find.

The easier brand to purcase is the 100 percent all natural chicken treats at petco or almost any other pet store.  The particular type I give is "Chicken Buddies" which can be found in the dog treat section.      

http://www.petco.com/product/100394/Chicken-Buddies-Natural-Chicken-Strips.aspx

It has: Crude Protein 60.0% min., Crude Fat 2.0% max., Crude Fiber 0.2% max., Moisture 16.0% max.  The ingredients are chicken breast and 1 percent salt, which is minimal.   

Another treat that may sound a bit odd is meal worms.  I have a hedgehog whose food I supplement with various small insect-worm creatures and my ferrets cannot get enough of the live meal worms!   You can get them at Petco/most pet stores or order them online, and they are a perfectly healthy snack full of protein!

If you need some advice on approperiate kibbled food, please let me know!

-Cindy P.