Cottage cheese is not a ferret’s favorite treat, and it’s not their fault. Ferrets are a member of the weasel family, which includes skunks and minks. Ferrets are strict meat-eaters and are lactose intolerant. Giving ferrets cottage cheese can result in diarrhea and vomiting, so it’s essential to give your pet only the safe foods for them.
The answer to the question “can ferrets eat cottage cheese” is No! Ferrets should not eat cottage cheese!
Ferrets are lactose intolerant
Ferrets should not eat cheese or cottage cheese. Ferrets are lactose intolerant (LI), meaning their bodies do not have the enzyme needed for processing the sugar found in milk and dairy products. The effects from eating dairy products if your pet is lactose intolerant are
- bloating
- gas
- diarrhea
Dairy products can cause indigestion and digestion problems. Ferrets should not eat cheese or cottage cheese; this will cause digestive issues and make your ferret feel ill. Ferrets that do eat dairy products will likely have diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration.
read.. why my ferret can not have milk
Do not feed your ferret dairy products. It will give them digestive problems. Ferrets do not need to eat dairy products.
Ferrets are obligate carnivores
As mentioned above, ferrets rely on meat for their nutrition. There’s a myth that ferrets are omnivorous and can eat both meat and vegetables, but this is not true. Ferrets cannot digest plants at all and can only process proteins in the form of meat.
Ferrets are obligate carnivores, which means they must eat meat to live. They get their energy from fat since carbohydrates aren’t an essential part of their diet. They have short digestive tracts and don’t have the necessary enzymes to digest plant-based food.
Meats that are good for your furry friend are:
- beef
- chicken
- chicken wings
- turkey
- turkey necks
- game birds in general
- veal
- rabbit
- offal
- organs
- raw bones
- tuna (only once in a while)
- …
The Ferret Diet
Ferrets can eat all kinds of meat. It has to be fresh, of good quality, and ideally contain fat as well. If you’re not sure if a specific type of meat is suitable for ferrets, please ask your vet. The ideal diet consists of approximately 32 – 38% protein and 15 – 20% fat.
Ferrets need to eat 5-8 times per day. The exact number of meals depends on their age and general health. They should eat small portions, not large ones. Ideally, you feed them raw meat in combination with high-quality kibble.
Ferrets do not produce the enzymes necessary for breaking down carbohydrates, such as those found in vegetables, soybeans, beans, rice, potatoes, corn, etc. Do not let them have any pet food with sugar contents.
Dry Foods (Kibble)
Kibble can be a good alternative or addition to raw meat. Make sure to buy only high-quality dry foods made by reputable companies, specializes in ferret food. Ferrets also need taurine, an amino acid that is vital to their health.
It helps the heart function and maintains cardiovascular health. Unfortunately, not all kibbles contain taurine, so it’s always good to read labels on the product you buy before putting them in their food bowl.
Additionally, avoid any foods that contain sugar, starch, fillers, grains, or anything else that might be harmful to your pet. Ferrets need a no-processed diet, which excludes any foods other than raw meat and bones, which are components of their natural diet.
Remember: The best food to feed a ferret is fresh meat and bones. Fresh meat and bones are the only places for ferrets to get all the nutrients they need. While kibble offers a wider variety of vitamins and minerals, the source is still meat, which is essential for your ferret’s health.
Ferrets need a lot of energy
Ferrets are small mammals with short digestive tracts. They need their food to contain a lot of energy to live their active lives. Raw meat carries a lot of energy and will supply them with the energy they need. You should also make sure that he has access to fresh water at all times.
The amount of food needed by each individual varies depending on many factors, including age, activity level, size, weight, health status, etc. Generally speaking, ferrets consume around 5-7% of their body weight in food per day.
Summary
Ferrets are lactose intolerant. That’s why cottage cheese is not suitable for them. Our furry friends are obligate carnivores and must eat meat to live. Ferrets need a lot of energy to be active, so they should eat frequently and not live on kibble alone. Make sure to feed your ferret fresh meat and bones to get the nutrients it needs for good health!