Ferrets are becoming increasingly popular pets. They have a playful and inquisitive nature, making them ideal for families with children or those who enjoy active lifestyles. However, as with all pets, ferrets require a healthy diet.
The American Ferret Association (AFA) describes the ferret’s temperament as “playful, energetic, intelligent, affectionate, curious, alert, friendly, sociable, adaptable to change in routine, and easygoing.”
But have you ever wondered if ferrets can eat Avocados? Here is your answer: NO. Ferrets should not eat Avocados.
Are Avocados Poisonous for Ferrets?
Avocados contain a fungicidal toxin called “persin.” Humans have no problem with it but our furry friends are not able to process persin! It is toxic and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, coma, death, or even blindness if ingested by a ferret. If you suspect your ferret has eaten some avocado then the amount it ate matters too.
If your ferret stole a small piece of avocado (and ate it) – you’re probably “only” looking at diarrhea or a general upset stomach. The best thing to do in this case would be to keep the animal hydrated and watch him/her closely until he/she feels better.
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You may want to give them an anti-diarrheal medication such as Imodium or Pepto Bismol just to make sure they don’t get dehydrated. But before you do so, talk to your vet!
If your ferret eats a whole avocado – contact your vet immediately
Can Ferrets Play with Avocado Pits?
Ferrets love to play. We all know that and sometimes they play so hard with their toys, we have a problem keeping them from destroying them! So why not let your ferret play with something natural, that you have around anyways?
Bad idea! Why? Because the Persin that happens to be in avocados is concentrated close to the pit. So if your ferret plays too much with it, chances are it will chew of some of the most poisonous parts!
So what can you do about this? Well, don’t let your ferret play with avocado pits!
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What Should I Do if my Ferret Accidentally Ate Avocado?
Ferrets are obligate carnivores, meaning they should eat meat only. They can not be fed any type of food, and as I explained before, Avocado is not only bad for your furry friend but actually poisonous!
If your ferret accidentally ate avocado, here’s how to handle the situation:
Try to find out how much avocado was eaten. If it was only a little, watch your ferrets behavior and if you notice any of the following symptoms, go and see your vet:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Refusing to eat
- Choking/coughing
If your ferrets’ behavior does not change and if you don’t notice any of the above-mentioned symptoms within 24 hours after eating the avocado, then there is probably no need to worry about this incident. However, if these symptoms do appear or worsen in less than 24 hours, call your vet immediately.
The best way to prevent such incidents from happening again is by making sure that all avocados are kept away from your ferrets.
What if your Ferret ate ALOT of Avocado?
What should you do if your pet ate a lot of avocados or perhaps the pit of an avocado? It is not a good idea to wait for symptoms to appear before seeking help. You should consult a veterinarian as soon as possible!
Try to get samples of whatever your animal ate with you. In case of an avocado, bring the leftovers, so the vet can estimate the amount your ferret ate.
The situation is urgent and needs to be handled immediately! The sooner you get your pet to a veterinarian, the better!
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In any event, when you even suspect that your ferret may have eaten something it shouldn’t have, contact a veterinarian right away! American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) accredited clinics must provide 24-hour care, either on-site or by referring patients to a nearby emergency animal hospital.
Fruits and Vegetables
Generally speaking, your ferret should not eat any vegetables or fruits at all. Vegetables contain fibers that the intestinal system of your pet’s body isn’t able to process and instead of passing through the digestive system, they will end up getting stuck in the walls of the intestines.
This is something that will have negative effects on your ferrets’ health and may even lead to death if those fibers build up and cause damage.
Ferrets are carnivores, they need meat. That being said, owners who want to give their pets a treat from time to time usually feed them special ferret treats or pieces of raw meat.
Fruits are dangerous for our furry friends because they contain a lot of sugars that our pets’ bodies cannot process. Too much sugar can lead to diabetes and insulinoma. Both conditions are very serious for your ferrets’ health.
Diabetes is a condition that often causes your ferret to have constant thirst, weight loss, or excessive urination and is very serious for their health.
Insulinoma is a cancer of the pancreatic cell. And even if treated, it is not curable. It can cause many problems, such as diarrhea, weakness, and eventually leads to death.
Ferret Diet
As mentioned above. Ferrets are strict meat-eaters. This means that the best diet for them is a meat-based diet. Raw meat should be fed to your ferret every day. Good examples are:
- beef
- chicken wings
- chicken breast
- turkey and turkey necks
- lamb
- offal
- game birds
- deer
- bones (raw)
- eggs (sometimes)
- salmon (sometimes)
- special ferret kibble
Summary
Ferrets are curious and intelligent creatures. They are always keen to try new things. Ferrets have a very sensitive digestive system so if they may get sick due to eating something they shouldn’t.
Avocados are especially bad as they contain a fungicidal toxin called “persin” which is poisonous to ferrets. If eaten in small amounts, your ferret may “only” suffer from Diarrhea.
If it consumed larger amounts – go and see your vet immediately. You should always keep these little critters away from avocado pits!
Last update on 2022-04-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API