about a ferrets diet

Question
QUESTION: I have a ferret i have had for a year now she was a year old when i got her from an auction. She likes to eat for a snack, bannana baby food, and apple. Evey once in awhile she will nibble on a cooked carrot, is these snacks bad for her? She also has a little bit of a biting problem, Ive gotten the spray didnt work. She doesnt bite my husband just me, I have even tried the method of flipping her in the nose,works for about a day.Any suggestions???

ANSWER: Hello Julie!  Thank you for inquiring about the appropriate snacks! The wrong food can be a HUGE health risk for these guys.

Foods such as bananas, apples, raisins and anything else sugary is not wise to give as treats.  The sugar content is thought to be linked to such diseases as insulinoma and can cause serious health complications.  Also, carbohydrates are hard for ferrets to digest.  As obligate carnivores, their main natural source of food is proteins, which digest quickly and easily.  

Be very careful when choosing snacks (and even brands of food!)  Many ferret-specific snacks, such as those yogurt drops are not healthy.  It is always wise to check the labels of whatever you buy.  All treats should be high in protein and have no sugar (anything that ends with -ose) or carbohydrates (ie corn, wheat, rice etc).  I have found the best snacks are the dehydrated all natural chicken strips you can find in the dog treat section of any store.  Not only do my ferrets love them, but they can have as much as they want.  That are perfectly healthy treats to give.  

Be particularly careful with raisins.  It has been thought that as little as one raisin can cause kidney failure (depending on how the raisins were processed).  This is a documented case in dogs, but so far no tests have been run with ferrets.  Regardless, it is better to be safe and not give them at all.  I have an excellent article on the tests run in canines if you are interested.   

Also, be careful that you are feeding only a high quality food.  Poor choices in foods can also cause health problems!  Make sure there is about 45 percent protein, 20 percent fat and that the first three ingredients are meat-based (not fish).  This is the ideal formula.  No one brand is perfect.  I find it best to pick the three best and mix them.  As in treats make sure the food is not carbohydrate-based, and there is no sugar added.  If you need any advice about specific brands, I'd be more than happy to help.

Onto your second question!

I know ferrets and their nipping problems all too well!  I worked in a ferret shelter for the past few years and took on a particularly nippy girl of about a year old.  She was horrendous demon who would bite your fingers bloody.  I knew she had never been beaten, she just did not know how to deal with people or trust them.  It took many months of continual handling, but eventually she began to trust me.  She no longer bites me, but it is a different story with anyone else.  That bond of trust does not exist, and therefore they are free game to nip.  She is now free to run around my room night and day.  A perfect angel.

It seems like your girl is much the same.  She likely trusts your husband, not you.  It is best to spend a lot of time with her. Yes you will get bitten, but eventually she will form a bond of trust with you as well.  You must be patient and never give in to her.  

One technique that worked very well was perfecting the ferret "hiss" as her mother would do.  You are using ferret language to portray your dissatisfaction, and it is easy for her to understand.  Also, I hold my girl down on her back after a nose flick.  This is my way of showing her I'm the boss.  I do not let her go until she is submissive and gives in.  This way, things are on your terms and not her's.  Watch out though!  I will warn you that the little girls are particularly stubborn!  especially since she is probably used to having her way in the past, she might not be too happy about you taking control.  Be persistent and stick with it.  I have no doubt that any nippy ferret can be trained with the proper methods and a bit of patience.    

I hope this helps!  If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

-Cindy P.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thankyou alot, but with the ferret biting, she comes to me before she will my husband, he said he smacked her good then she quit biting him, i cant do it,he says thats the problem,i swear she dosnt bite him. and with the snacks, ive spent so much money on food for her,she loves babyfood,she hates rasins she wont even touch one.can baby food be that bad??you feed it to your babes,shes my babe,and she luvs it. i cant have babes,and shes my life,i found her at an auction,what i seen was nasty,i could turn that place in,but i think i raised HELL.It wasnt right if anyone,needs to get-rid of a ferret im here, ive always been here,Ha-Ha watch my husband!!! ive taken in skunks,baby coons, hes not that nature ready. but still he heres cause i care. and always will if u ever need a care for a ferret im here,i used to be a dog lover, i love dogs, but ferrets are my life. thank you juls, @ sissie

Answer
Thank you for the follow up!  Unfortunately baby food is very high in sugar content.  Human babies, unlike ferrets, are not obligate carnivores and can handle the sugar levels without risk.  Although safe (and good for) humans, it is not so for our little furry friends.  I would try to find an alternative treat for her.

As taken from ferret-universe.com

"Many veterinarian's feel that as a strict carnivore the pancreas are very sensitive to sugar, that giving sugar may even cause insulinoma's (perhaps for genetic reasons, some are more sensitive than others). It is important to NEVER provide any sugary treats or snacks which includes: raisins, Pedialyte, Ensure, fruit, honey, etc."

Here are some websites about Insulinoma:

http://www.ferret-universe.com/health/insulinoma.asp
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/insulinoma.htm
http://www.2ndchance.info/insulinoma.htm

I know she is your baby!  I just wouldn't want to see any harm come to her.  

-Cindy P.