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Finding the best ferret food can be challenging. Ferret food research and development is a relatively new field, but high-quality options are still available. High-quality food prioritizes what matters most: energy-rich animal proteins and fats to fuel your ferret's active lifestyle.
I consulted two exotic animal veterinarians to identify the best foods. They say to look for ferret food with at least 30% protein and 15% fat with little fiber, fruits, or veggies. The diet should be specifically formulated for ferrets, like the highly recommended Wysong Ferret Epigen 90 Digestive Support. If budget is a priority, Oxbow Essentials Ferret Food is a well-researched alternative.
While you may have heard kitten chow is suitable for ferrets, leave it for the cats. Kitten food doesn't contain enough protein, fat, or taurine for a healthy ferret diet, says Dr. Joerg Mayer, a veterinarian and professor at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine.
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Wysong Ferret Epigen 90 Digestive Support - See at Chewy
Oxbow Essentials Ferret Food - See at Chewy
Pretty Pets Natural Gold - See at Walmart
Evanger's Turkey Dinner for Ferrets and Exotic Pets - See at Chewy
Ferret Epigen 90 Digestive Support ranks among the best ferret foods for its combination of expert formulation, high-quality protein, and digestive support. While cats and ferrets are both obligate carnivores, ferrets require significantly more protein and fat. "Ferrets can make a cat look like a vegan," Mayer says. This food addresses a ferret's needs with a whopping 63% protein from the first four ingredients: chicken proteins and meat protein isolate, which is a highly concentrated animal protein powder.
Ferrets require protein solely from animal sources, say Mayer and Dr. Amy Nicewonger, a small animal and exotic veterinarian. Starchy foods like peas and potatoes or the plant proteins derived from those ingredients may contribute to health problems like urinary stones, digestive issues, insulinomas (tumors on the pancreas), and respiratory illnesses.
Beyond its protein content, Ferret Epigen 90 Digestive Support is a popular choice for ferrets because it can reduce the likelihood of loose stool, a common woe among ferret owners. Ferrets have short digestive tracts, Mayer says. Without the proper balance of nutrients, it's all too common for food to move quickly and nutrients not to be absorbed. This food tackles the issue by including prebiotics like beet pulp and apple fiber, which can support the healthy bacteria already in your ferret's gut and aid digestion.
Oxbow is a well-regarded pet food brand among veterinarians because it's highly involved in research to create nutritious pet food. Plus, its recipes are formulated under the guidance of a veterinary advisory board and resident nutrition experts. So, it's no surprise that Oxbow Essentials Ferret Food provides the ideal 2:1 ratio of animal-based proteins to fat, which Nicewonger recommends.
Mayer says a high-quality ferret food should list animal-based proteins as at least the first three ingredients. Oxbow Essentials Ferret Food contains animal-based ingredients in its first five ingredients. Plus, the recipe excludes unnecessary fruits and veggies that ferrets can't process and is limited in carbohydrates. "The only carbs and sugars ferrets would naturally eat is in the gut of their prey," Mayer says. This ferret food is available on Amazon and Chewy for about $5 per pound.
The best ferret food can provide your pet with the nutrition they need from adulthood into their senior years. Pretty Pets Natural Gold is a top pick thanks to its balance of protein and fats. Nicewonger says ferrets need lots of animal-based fats because they supply most of their energy and aid nutrient absorption. While the food includes both pork and poultry, Mayer assures variety is good. Ferrets can safely eat all types of animal protein, and allergies are uncommon. Just stick to animal-based proteins, not plant-based, he says.
Pretty Pets is a company with a long history. It dates back to 1990 when the brand began collaborating with veterinarians and nutritionists to formulate exotic pet food. The brand not only owns its own facilities for better production oversight but also uses both in-house and third-party testing to ensure the food meets the brand's safety and nutritional standards. While Pretty Pets tends to be higher priced at online retailers and available in limited bag sizes, the brand offers larger 20 pound bag at a discount on its website.
Whether in wet or dry (kibble) form, quality commercial ferret food can be a complete and balanced diet. Some ferret owners choose wet food because it can be more appealing in taste and smell to picky eaters. It also increases ferrets' water intake (wet foods contain 75% to 78% moisture, whereas dry foods contain 10% to 12% moisture), although fresh, clean water should always be available regardless of food type. Finding high-quality wet ferret food can be challenging, but Evanger's Turkey Dinner is a good high-protein option.
Like all other picks in this guide, Evanger's Turkey Dinner is packed with protein. The top ingredients are turkey, whole dried egg, and liver, ensuring your ferret gets the protein they require. Nicewonger says taurine is an essential amino acid for ferrets, but they can't produce it themselves. Although not well-researched in ferrets, taurine deficiency is linked to heart disease in cats. The wet food also comes in beef and chicken flavors, but most reviewers say their ferrets prefer the turkey formula.
According to the experts I interviewed and in-depth research, when choosing the best ferret food, keep the following factors in mind.
Guaranteed analysis and nutrient profiles: The guaranteed analysis on a pet food label shows the percentages of important nutrients. When it comes to ferret food, my experts say to pay close attention to the percentages of protein, fat, and fiber. Ferret diets should have at least 30% protein and 15% fat. The protein-to-fat ratio should be around 2:1. Mayer says ferrets can't digest fiber well, so their food should have a low amount.
Mayer and Nicewonger don't recommend specialized ferret diets based on age, beyond a young kit requiring their mom's milk until they wean. While some senior ferret diets advertise lower protein content, Mayer says senior ferrets should remain active, and their nutritional needs are similar to younger ferrets. He says a significant decrease in activity usually indicates underlying health issues, not a call for a senior diet.
Ingredients: The first three ingredients of ferret food should be animal-based proteins or fats, Mayer says. Ferrets can't process complex carbohydrates and sugars, so avoid diets with lots of whole grains, fruits, or veggies. Pet food labels list ingredients by weight. This means the ingredients that make up most of the food by weight appear first, and those in lesser amounts come later.
Product and feeding recommendations from veterinarians: Your veterinarian can help you select the best ferret food for your pet. They can also suggest a feeding plan based on the food's calorie content, your ferret's current weight, and their ideal weight.
With fewer foods available for ferrets than other pets, finding quality ferret food can be frustrating. To find the best ones, I focused on the following criteria in addition to the guidelines provided in the "what to look for" section above.
Expert interviews: I consulted two exotic animal veterinarians familiar with the nutritional needs of ferrets: Dr. Joerg Mayer, a professor of small animal medicine and surgery at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, and Dr. Amy Nicewonger, lead small animal and exotic veterinarian for Community Veterinary Partners and Alpha Veterinary Services.
Ferret owner community boards: To get a well-rounded picture of ferret needs and food options, I pored over online ferret communities like Reddit's ferret subgroup, Discord servers, and Facebook groups.
Ingredients: Based on expert insight and research, I only selected foods that meet the following ingredient criteria:
Quality control and brand reputation: I prioritized brands that employ veterinary nutritionists or consult with outside veterinary nutrition experts. These brands may also actively engage in animal feed research, often collaborating with universities. While package size options may be limited, my recommendations are highly rated by shoppers and available at major retailers. Reputable pet food companies that own their manufacturing plants have tighter control over quality.
Ferrets are obligate carnivores, meaning they require a diet high in animal protein and fat for essential nutrients, particularly taurine. The best ferret food is always high in protein (at least 30%) and animal-based fats (at least 15%). Mayer says ferrets can't process sugars and carbohydrates, so the best ferret diets have minimal to no complex carbohydrates (whole wheat and corn) or fruits and vegetables.
There's no evidence that ferrets fed raw diets are healthier than those who eat high-quality commercial ferret kibble, Nicewonger says. She recommends offering small amounts of raw meat only as a treat and maintaining a diet of complete and balanced ferret kibble or wet food as your pet's main source of nutrition.
High-quality options in either wet or dry form can provide a complete and balanced ferret diet. Mayer and Nicewonger say kibbles may help clean ferret teeth through chewing and scraping of plaque and tartar from the teeth. On the other hand, wet food may appeal to ferrets who need extra hydration, although Mayer points out that ferrets generally don't have the same risk of kidney disease as cats and dogs. Ultimately, the choice to feed your ferret wet or dry food, or a combination, depends on your and your ferret's preferences.
Ferrets shouldn't eat lots of fruits or vegetables because they can't process sugars and carbohydrates. However, Mayer says they are inquisitive animals and would likely eat fruits and vegetables if offered. "Just because they want to eat it doesn't mean they should," he adds.
Kits (baby ferrets) can begin weaning around 3 weeks and fully transition to moist or dry food by 6 weeks, according to Nicewonger. At this stage, ferrets can eat as much as they want to "really grow, grow, grow," Mayer says. Once they reach adulthood, consult your veterinarian about your ferret's ideal caloric intake. High-protein, calorically dense diets should be fed on a schedule, while lower-calorie diets may be suitable for free-feeding. Ferrets can become overweight, so discussing their ideal weight and portion sizes with your vet is important. As ferrets reach their senior years (as young as 3 or 4 years old), they may need to eat more often, up to 9 to 10 small feedings per day, Nicewonger says.
As obligate carnivores, ferrets can and should eat chicken, as well as other animal proteins such as beef, lamb, and different types of poultry.
