If you have a ferret, then you are probably wondering what they can and can’t eat. One question you might have is whether or not your fuzzy friend can eat bacon.
The answer to this question is NO! Ferrets should not eat bacon because it is very unhealthy for them and poses many risks.
This article will discuss why bacon isn’t good for ferrets and give some safe alternatives to feed your fuzzy friend instead!
Bacon and Seasoned Foods are Bad for your Ferret
Bacon contains salt and another seasoning. Fried or otherwise cooked food should not be the first choice when it comes to ferret food.
Don´t give your ferret meat that’s been seasoned, processed, preserved, salted, cured, pickled, smoked, or injected with saline. Not even as treats.
Ferrets can eat meat. And in the wild, it would be things like squirrels, rabbits, or other rodents. These are natural prey items for the ferret, so they should not eat bacon, fried foods, processed meats such as ham because it isn’t part of their natural diet!
Ferrets have a very low tolerance to salt in their body, so anything that has high amounts of sodium in it can be potentially dangerous for the ferret.
That is why ferrets should not eat bacon, ham, hot dogs, or any other food with high salt levels!
Bacon is a very unhealthy choice for your fuzzy friend, and because they have such a low tolerance to sodium, we recommend you don’t give them bacon.
But is Cooked Meat ok?
Unseasoned cooked meats won’t hurt your ferret. Unlike raw meat, cooked meat does not provide them with the nutrients they need and should only be given occasionally as a treat.
What about Eggs?
If you want to give your ferret something cooked – a boiled egg is a good alternative. Eggs are easy to digest and don’t contain the same amount of salt as bacon.
So can ferrets eat eggs? Yes, but only one egg per week!
Eggs should not be an everyday part of their diet because they also have high cholesterol levels, which is bad for them.
What Is The Best Ferret Diet?
By their size and metabolism, Ferrets will consume approximately 5-7% of their body weight in food per day on average. Obviously, this may differ from ferret to ferret.
Ferrets are obligate carnivores. That means ferrets should be fed a raw diet consisting of meat.
It can be given as “mince” or small chunks to make the food more appetizing for ferrets in captivity. Ferrets tend to eat only what they were fed as young kits.
Once they turn four months, their dietary preferences are somewhat “set .” Yes, you can teach an older ferret to eat food it hasn´t tried – but it’s a process that takes time and patience.
So I would advise you mix up their diet every other day!
Usually, raw, unseasoned, non-processed, non-preserved meat is fine because it contains the proper ratio of hearts, organs, muscle, and bone, as well as a variety of proteins.
How Much Protein and Fat
A ferret’s diet should consist of 30 – 35% protein and 15 – 20% fat.
Too many carbohydrates can lead to health problems in ferrets. That is the reason why you should not feed fruits or vegetables to your ferret.
Their digestive system differs from humans and can’t process the sugar in fruits or carbohydrates in vegetables.
What do Ferrets want in Food?
Ferrets want the same things as any other pet: healthy, fresh food that is easy and fun to eat! Offer a variety of foods. Would you not love to eat a mix of foods yourself?
This is a list of the benefits your ferret can get from eating meat:
– healthy teeth and gums
– strong bones, muscles, and blood cells
– protection against heart disease and cancer
Meat also provides ferrets with the amino acids they need to stay healthy and fit. The meat can be:
- Chicken wings
- Stripped chicken carcasses
- Turkey necks
- Raw Rabbit
- Mice (the once you would feed to a snake)
- Game birds
- Minced beef (any kind)
- Lamb
- Raw animal bones
- Inner Organs
Don’t forget to provide your ferret with freshwater, too. Protein is essential for everything from growth to repairing tissue damage or building muscle.
Kibble for Ferrets
Ferrets can also be fed dried food. There is a special kibble for ferrets available. Make sure to buy kibble that is certified for ferrets- other kibbles may contain high levels of grain, starch,
The benefits are at hand:
- easy to store
- contains all the good stuff your ferret needs
- ads variety to your friends’ diet
A 100% raw meat diet is the best diet for a ferret, but it is expensive and sometimes inconvenient. Feeding kibble is a good alternative for ferrets.
Commercial ferret food is best rotated or combined with other products, such as raw meat – reducing the impact of one formula.
When buying dried ferret food, ensure it contains more meat protein than any other product, and avoid any with grains, fillers, or additives.
It’s also worth noting that ferrets have a speedy metabolism, so it is important to provide them with a quality food source.
Many ferret owners mix kibble with fresh meat, which is a good way to provide the ferret with fresh protein in an easy-to-eat form.
Summary
Bacon is a big NO for ferrets. The same applies to any other food that is seasoned, processed, preserved, salted, cured, pickled, or smoked.
In general, avoid any food with artificial colors or preservatives.
Ferrets should have a diverse diet and can eat meat that has not been cooked. It’s important to pay attention as some ferret foods contain corn products, which are difficult to digest, among other things such as grains and soybean meal.
Please read the ingredient lists carefully before buying commercial ferret food.
Don´t forget to have water available- this is especially true for ferrets on a dry diet.
Ferrett owners mix kibble with fresh meat, which is a good way to provide the ferret with fresh protein in an easy-to-eat form.
In general, avoid any food that has artificial colors or preservatives. Ensure your pet gets enough of their required nutrients by giving them different types of foods every day!
