I have two ferrets and they we raised eating ferret food (usually Marshall brand) I have recently started buying them cat food because the ingredients are very similar. I am wondering if it is bad for ferrets to eat cat food? They have down fine since eating...still VERY active and they love the food. If there any health risks?
2007-06-23 09:40:58 · 12 answers · asked by Kimberly 2 in Pets ➔ Rodents
It depends on what cat food you're feeding. Some are actually better then some ferret foods, some are not. Here's a chart that should help.... http://everythingfert.proboards36.com/index.cgi?board=kristen&action=display&thread=1109195167
2007-06-23 10:36:48 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some cat foods are better than a lot of ferret foods. Ferrets are 'obligate carnivores' meaning they are 'meat eaters'. The first ingredients should be 'meat'. Foods are listed in the order from most to least, meaning if 'chicken' is the first ingredient then it has more chicken than anything else, if 'chicken by products' is second then that would be the second most ingredient. When I had my cats with my ferrets I fed my cats 'Eukanuba Chicken and Rice'. Eukanuba is an excellent food and fits both the cats and ferrets nutritional needs. Also, ferrets do imprint on foods so it is wise to offer several quality varieties.
2016-04-01 01:07:19 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I first got my ferret the vet said that there is no definite answer on whether you should feed them cat food or ferret food. I agree with some of the other people that you should definetly feed them kitten food. I have fed my ferret cat food for 3 years and he is still fine and healthy, and I save a little bit of money too. Ferret food is not cheap.
2007-06-23 14:01:33 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it wont hurt them, in a pinch I've always used high quality cat food, never stuff that has high dye content.
Ferret food is formulated for ferrets so I would stick to it and there are other brands other than marshalls you can look up on the internet... key words Ferret Food or Diet.
this sight will give you names of other companies that sell ferret diet.... also some of these companies will ship it to you or you can order them online.
http://www.ferret-universe.com/care/food.asp
2007-06-23 09:48:23 · answer #4 · answered by I luv Pets 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have 2 ferrets and feeding them cat food makes them constibated
2007-06-23 09:57:25 · answer #5 · answered by ferretgirl226 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They need a higher protein level than cats do, and a really high quality fat source. Ferret food provides this better.
2007-06-23 09:57:38 · answer #6 · answered by KimbeeJ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ferrets need more protein than adult cats, so it's better to go with a high-quality kitten food.
2007-06-23 11:02:08 · answer #7 · answered by Catkin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We had ferrets and they always ate cat food. I don't know about any health risks. I'd check with your vet.
2007-06-23 09:49:21 · answer #8 · answered by Jo 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you're going to feed cat food feed kitten food because it's higher in protein.
2007-06-23 10:31:41 · answer #9 · answered by altaira 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ok i am not sure if there is any health risks but if they are active eating and drinking i guess it is ok and since they like it then i wouldn't stop giving them it!!
2007-06-23 10:45:07 · answer #10 · answered by ............ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋