The discussion was led by Patricia Curtis. Over 30 food labels were analyzed, and the group was amazed at how few foods met the minimum requirements. Introduction Ferrets have special nutritional needs, so it is important that your ferrets eat a dry food that best matches their requirements. Reading labels and selecting the right ferret food can make the difference in health, lifespan, looks, and behavior. Proteins should come from animal, not vegetable, sources.
Ferrets have difficulty using or digesting vegetable proteins.
Secondary sources of protein, such as meat meal, whole eggs, liver meal, or herring meal, should be listed 3rd through 5th on the ingredient label. Again, sources of fat should be animal, not vegetable. Chicken or poultry fat should be the second or third ingredient in the list. Vegetable fats such as corn oil, lecithin, or vegetable oils do not allow ferrets to digest Proteins properly, and should not be listed in the first five ingredients. A high-quality, simple carbohydrate should be listed second or third in the ingredient list.