They eat about 10 small meals over 24 hours. Ingested food is eliminated in 4 hours. Studies have shown that animal s offered a palatable diet will generally eat to fulfill energy needs. When these requirements are satisfied, regulatory mechanisms are activated which cause cessation of eating. Highly palatable food can interfere with the normal function of these mechanisms.
Obesity is an uncommon problem in ferrets owing to their high metabolic rates.
Occasionally, however, a ferret can become pudgy, usually after 3 years of age. This leads directly into our discussion of fat and other nutritional requirements. It is also important for ferrets to have a diet high in MEAT protein such as chicken, beef, or liver. Fish based foods are not well tolerated or accepted by ferrets, and frequently result in vomiting. Moreover, fish does not have the proper protein or amino acids needed.