Ferrets are low-maintenance and easy to please, especially when it comes to their choice of snacks. So if you’re looking for the best ferret treats, you’re in the right place!
The good news is that there are plenty of snack options for your furry friend to choose from. You can offer kitty foods, kibbles, and even bits of your cooked meat.
As a whole, the best ferret treats consist of meat protein, such as turkey, rabbit, and chicken, along with the occasional egg. Others include peanut butter for a flavorful, chewy snack.
The Best Ferret Treat Of 2022:
We recommend Marshall Bandis Premium Peanut Butter Flavor as our top pick. Ferrets love the yummy flavor, and it’s jam-packed with nutrients to keep your furry friend healthy and strong.
Check out our top five favorite ferret treats. We also added a feeding guide to help you be the best ferret owner you can be!
The Top 5 Ferret Treats
The ideal snack for your pet ferret should be tasty, nutritious, and easy to digest. The one food group that checks all those boxes is protein. Luckily, ferrets have no problem eating lots of various types of protein-rich foods.
- Marshall Bandit Premium Peanut Butter Flavor: Best Overall
These treats have several excellent features that make them a clear winner in our book. First off, we like that they’re low in sugar. Plus, they’re made from real chicken meat and liver to provide your pet with enhanced nutrition.
We like them because they’re semi-moist. They hold well together and won’t get mushy. Another benefit is that they’re easy for ferrets to eat. Add peanut butter flavor, and your ferret will love it!
Pros
- Soft texture
- Low in sugar
- Made from natural chicken liver and meat
Cons
- Peanut butter flavoring may come from natural sources
- N-Bone Ferret Bacon Flavor Chew Treats: Best Budget
These tasty treats are made from real herring and pork. In addition, one of the ingredients also includes taurine, which supports neural development.
The best part is that they don’t include any artificial ingredients. Yet, we should mention that proteins aren’t the first ingredients that went into making this snack. The first ingredient is actually wheat.
Pros
- Made with real herring and pork
- Provide long-lasting entertainment
- No artificial ingredients
Cons
- Long sticks aren’t suitable for use during training
- Wysong Dream Treats for Dogs/Cats/Ferrets: Best Premium Choice
If you’re a multi-pet household, then these treats are perfect for you! Made with raw meat, the Wysong Dream Treats contain both prebiotics and probiotics. Thus, they help boost digestion and promote a healthy gut.
We like that they’re disc-shaped and hassle-free. They’re perfect for taking along on trips or when you’re taking your pet to the vet. Yet, bear in mind that they’re a bit on the crunchy side. So, they may be solid for young or senior ferrets to chew on easily.
Pros
- Multi-pet formula
- Made with real raw chicken meat and organs
- Ideal for travel
Cons
- Texture may be too tough for young and old ferrets
These Marshall semi-moist treats are specially made with yucca schidigera; an ingredient used to deodorize urine and stool. Other components include real chicken meat and potato starch. These treats also contain amino acids, such as threonine, that enhance your pet’s nutrition.
Another feature that caught our eye is that there are no artificial flavorings. Keep in mind that while it’s healthier for your ferret, some may not appreciate their natural taste.
Pros
- Reduce urine and stool odors
- Contain health-boosting amino acids
- No artificial flavoring
Cons
- Some ferrets may find the natural flavor unappealing
Kaytee Fiesta treats are formulated like granola. This helps encourage foraging, so your pet gets the nourishment they need while having fun.
We also like that these treats are covered in fruit-flavored yogurt. Plus, you can give them to other small animals as well. So, if you have a pet rat, guinea pig, or hamster, they’ll enjoy nibbling on these granolas as well.
Pros
- Ideal for all kinds of small animals
- Includes a wide selection of vitamins, minerals, and omega fatty acids
- Coated in fruit-flavored yogurt
Cons
- Can be a bit messy
Why Do Ferrets Need Treats?
Your ferret needs treats like you need mid-day snacks. They’re tasty, enjoyable, and a fun way to break the monotony of everyday meals.
Another essential benefit of treats is that they can be a terrific supplement to a well-balanced ferret diet. Just make sure you’re giving your ferret a wide assortment of snacks. The more varied the texture and taste, the better it’ll be for your pet’s mental stimulation.
What to Look for in Ferret Treats?
Ferrets are hypercarnivores, or obligate carnivores. This means their diet is made of no less than 70% meat, and they have the digestive system to process high-protein foods easily.
Nevertheless, they still need a bit of veggies in their diet. Yet, it has to be in small amounts because they don’t have the enzymes needed to digest the fibers found in vegetation.
In other words, a ferret’s diet should contain a high percentage of proteins compared with fruits and vegetables. In fact, their ideal meal should consist of raw meat products. You can also offer some high-quality grain-free kibble as a cheaper alternative or to switch things up every once in a while.
Keep in mind that ferrets aren’t picky eaters and will take a piece of fruit, vegetable, or sugary sweets if you offer them. However, these foods pose a potential health risk because they tend to spike blood sugar levels, which may cause severe pancreatic problems later on.
What Treats Can You Give a Ferret?
We’ve mentioned that ferrets are carnivores. So, the best ferret treats are those made up of mostly proteins, with a lower percentage of fibers. In fact, they can’t handle a diet that contains more than 4% fiber.
It’s worth noting that you should never offer your furball chicken bones. They can block the airway or digestive tract. Then, there’s a risk they can splinter and cause internal bleeding.
Remember to pick the best high-quality, premium foods. For example, while many recommend giving your ferret raw meat, it’s better to cook up a batch and cut it up into small portions.
You can also freeze them to make them last longer. Then, anytime you need a quick snack, thaw a couple of pieces in the microwave, and you’re set!
Take a look at some examples of great food treats.
- Store-Bought Pet Treats
- Salmon Paste
- Salmon Oil
- Muscle Meat, Raw or Cooked
- Organ Meat, raw or cooked
- Chicken, lamb, and turkey meat, raw or cooked
- Raw Egg yolks or whole eggs
How to Use Ferret Treats?
Ferret treats are a good distraction from everyday foods. They’re crunchy, chewy bite-sized morsels of fun.
That’s why you should offer your furry friend a treat for only a couple of reasons.
One is during training. Let’s say you’re teaching your ferret to stop biting or to poop in the litter box and they do what they’re told. That’s the perfect time for a treat.
Another reason for giving treats is to encourage good behavior. The training exercise we just mentioned is a great example.
There will also be times they do something good on their own, like an acrobatic trick. You should take that opportunity to reward them with a tasty little treat.
Remember, ferrets are known for being wriggly and quick on their feet. So, make sure you take along a handful of treats the next time you visit the vet. Offering them a treat while on the examination table will keep them focused on the food and prevent them from squirming around.
In addition, treats are a terrific way to bond with your furball. They come in handy if you’ve just brought your pet ferret home and they’re still a bit shy. You can also offer treats during nail clippings, ear cleanings, or when they’re dealing with a medical issue.
How Often Should You Feed Your Ferret Treats?
Ferret treats should be given once or twice a day at most. If you give them too often or too much at one time, your ferret will start to replace their main meals with treats.
A ferret’s digestive process is pretty quick. Therefore, to avoid low blood sugar and other potential health risks, you should feed your ferret about eight to 10 small meals throughout the day.
Another option is to leave food out so your pet can freely graze whenever they get hungry. However, if you notice that your ferret overeats and is starting to gain weight, it’s time to change tactics. This means only offering limited quantities of food during mealtime and putting away the rest until their next meal.
Conclusion
It’s natural to want the best for your pets. That’s why it’s so important to find the best ferret treats so you can make sure your little furballs are happy and healthy.
This is why our top pick is the Marshall Bandis Premium Peanut Butter Flavor. It’s yummy, easy to chew, and full of healthy nutrients.
Looking for something more budget-friendly? Then, go with the N-Bone Ferret Bacon Flavor Chew Treats. It’s cost-effective and, more importantly, doesn’t contain any artificial additives or flavoring.