Here is your answer: No! Ferrets are strict meat-eaters, and, in particular, their diet should consist exclusively of meat products like chicken or ground beef. Hamster food is made of plant materials like seeds, cornmeal, and grains. That’s why feeding hamster food to pet ferrets is not recommended.
Ferrets should not eat hamster food!
Why is Hamster food bad for your ferret?
As mentioned above, hamster food is made of plants. Being a strict carnivore, the body of a ferret cannot process plant foods properly. Consequently, your pet will suffer digestive problems like diarrhea. The fibers in hamster food could even lead to a blockage of your furry friend’s intestines.
Typically, the hamster food mixes sold in the store contain dried maize, peas, dried fruits, beans, barley, and alfalfa sprouts.
Hamster food doesn’t contain any meat, so it is entirely inappropriate and dangerous for ferrets. Some of its ingredients can also cause allergic reactions in pets (e.g., corn and wheat). Plant matter cannot be digested by ferrets because their digestive tracts lack a cecum.
Ferrets are susceptible to their diet, so you should be extremely careful with what they eat.
What Should Your Ferret Eat?
A ferret’s diet should consist of fresh raw meat and ferret-specific kibble (dry food). The most natural way to feed your furry friend would be to provide its whole prey. But not all of us want to deal with dead feeder mice or chicks in their fridge?
Alternatively, you could combine different meats to form an all-meat diet for your ferret. If you stick to the meat and kibble diet, there is no need to add any supplements.
Here are some examples:
- chicken breast
- chicken wings
- bones (not cooked)
- liver
- beef
- game birds
- pigeon
- deer
- turkey
- turkey necks
…
Ferrets also like eggs. So now and then, mix some raw eggs with their regular food. Ferrets can also eat boiled eggs. Tuna is also beneficial to your pet. Just don’t overdo it – your ferrets’ glands will secrete the fishy smell otherwise.
You can get ferret food at any pet store. Opt for scientifically proven products. If you want to order online, try this list of recommended ferret food brands:
read.. Best Ferret Foods reviewed
Ferret Kibble
There is nothing wrong with feeding kibble to your ferret. Larger pet stores provide nothing else. But I personally prefer to give my pet raw meat or whole prey. When you feed whole prey or meat, you have more control over what your ferret is eating.
With kibble, you should stick to kibble that is specifically made for ferrets. Ferrets can not eat dog food, for example. If you are not sure, check the ingredients list before buying a kibble.
How Much Food Should My Ferret Eat?
Ferrets are known for eating around 5-7% of their body weight each day. So, if your pet weighs 8 pounds, it’ll need about 100 grams of kibble (1.8 ounces) per meal.
This is what Vet4Pets has to say about it:
“On average, a ferret will eat 5-7% of their bodyweight in food every day. This is just a guide, however, as during growth, pregnancy, lactation or periods of high exercise they will need to eat more. Conversely, older ferrets may well need less than this, so monitoring your ferret’s weight and changing the diet accordingly is important throughout their life.”
Source: https://www.vets4pets.com/pet-health-advice/ferret-advice/feeding-your-ferret/
How Often Should I Feed My Ferret?
Well, this may differ from ferret to ferret. But generally speaking, you should offer 5-7 meals per day. Ferrets have short digestive tracts and high energy demand.
Can Hamsters and Ferrets live together?
Maybe you are wondering if ferrets and hamsters get along? Well, let’s take a look at the history of ferrets and why they were bred in the first place.
First of all, ferrets are not wild animals. They were first bred a couple of thousand years ago. They had one purpose: To decimate rodents and mice, to keep the harvest safe. Additionally, they were (and still are) used to hunt rabbits.
Do you see where this is going? Ferrets are hunters. Hamsters are potential prey. I do not think it a good idea to let bove live together. Instincts may take over, and your furry friend might think of your beloved hamsters as a yummy snack!
If you happen to have both species in your house – keep them separated. Do not put your ferret in the same room as your hamster.
Can Ferrets eat Hamster Food -The Bottom Line
Ferrets are strict carnivores that need to eat meat. Hamster food is made of plant materials like dried seeds, cornmeal, and grains. So it’s very bad for them. Can ferrets eat hamster food? No! Just don’t do it!
A ferret’s diet should consist of fresh raw meat and ferret-specific kibble (dry food). The most natural way to feed your furry friend would be to provide its whole prey. But not all of us want to deal with dead feeder mice or chicks in their fridge?
Alternatively, you could combine different meats to form an all-meat diet for your ferret.
