Can Ferrets Eat Mango?4 min read

Ferrets are wonderful little creatures, but can they eat mango? A ferret’s diet should consist of high-quality, grain-free kibble and fresh raw meat. Ferrets are strict carnivores who should not get their diet from fruits or vegetables because they cannot digest sugars, fibers, and carbohydrates.

The answer to the question: “can ferrets eat mango” is NO – Ferrets can not eat Mango!

Ferrets are obligate carnivores. And this implies that their diet must consist of meat. The essentials are high quality, grain-free kibble, and fresh raw meat.

Why are Fruits bad for Ferrets?

Fruits, in general, are bad for ferrets because sugars, fibers, and carbohydrates, which make up most fruits, cannot be digested by ferrets. Because mangos contain high levels of sugar, ferrets cannot eat them, nor can they eat other fruits or vegetables, which also contain high levels of fiber.

Sugar is bad for your ferret!

Fruits contain high sugar levels for ferrets, and they are not recommended due to the risk of hyperglycemia (a condition in which blood sugar levels get too high). Furthermore, a diet high in carbohydrates can result in your ferret having too much glucose in its blood. The beta cells in the pancreas could become cancerous, causing insulinoma!

Insulinoma

Insulinoma is a condition that a lot of ferrets suffer from. Most cases are around the age of five years old. Surgery is the most common cure, which involves removing the pancreas and some of the surrounding tissue. Some ferrets survive with their insulinoma for a few months before dying, while others die within a week or two.

Surgery is necessary for animals with this condition because if they are left untreated, they can suffer from hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels) and seizures, plus cancer could spread – and would be fatal in most cases.

A diet high in carbohydrates and sugar is the main cause of insulinoma.

read.. can ferrets eat dried fruits?

Fibers

Ferrets have short digestive tracts. What goes in – comes out fast. Their whole system is aimed at processing meat-based animal protein.

FIbers are not something your ferret should eat. Easily said, they can not process fibers well. All kinds of troubles can befall your ferret when it eats fiber. Spare them the hassle!

read.. are avocados are poisonous for your ferret?

Things your ferret should eat

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Meat. As simple as that. Ferrets are perfectly carnivorous. They are obligate carnivores—that means they only eat meat. Meat is a star ingredient for ferret treats.

• chicken
• chicken wings
• turkey
• game birds
• beef
• porc
• lamb
• organs
• bones
• whole prey (feeder mice)
• eggs (sometimes)
• tuna (only sometimes)
• special kibble
• …

Basically, any quality and fresh meat will do. When you feed your ferrets, a good ratio of protein and fat is essential.

• Protein – 32 – 38%
• Fat – 15 – 20%

This could be achieved by feeding raw meat and special ferret kibble. Ferrets can not be fed dog food! So please stay clear of any dog treats!

Raw Diet

Ferrets are imprinted on their food by a young age. It is believed that by six months old – they have their preferences. So if you want to ensure that your furry friend will eat a variety of foods, you will have to introduce him/her at a very young age.

If your ferret has never had any raw meat, the chances are that he/she will refuse to eat it. So we recommend that you start with small pieces of raw meat as the first foods you introduce into your new pet’s diet.

Ferrets are typically weaned at 6 weeks. They will have their baby teeth by week 4/5 – so it’s a perfect age to start feeding them raw meat. Mix some kibble with water, making it a more smushy consistency, and add some raw chicken breast on top of it.

What is Frankenprey

It is better to feed your ferret a raw diet than processed kibble. A raw diet consists of raw meats or whole prey, such as feeder mice. A balanced raw diet consists of meat, bones, and organs.

The ratio is of animal products given is often referred to as 80/10/10

80% meat, 10% organs, 10% bones. Why this ratio? Any given prey consists of 80% muscle, 10% bone, 10% organs (usually the stomach), and 100% perfectly balanced nutrition. So, in essence, you’re simply feeding your ferret whole prey that’s been pre-killed.

Maybe you are not comfortable with storing whole prey food such as feeder mice in your fridge. In that case, you could put together various meats, organs, and bones to resemble prey. This type of food is often called “frankenprey

Summary

Ferrets should not be given mango. Ferrets are obligate carnivores and should only eat meat. They cannot eat fruit because of sugar, fiber, and carbohydrates that cannot be digested. Ferrets should be introduced to a raw diet at a young age, that is because they are imprinted on their foods by the age of six months. “Teaching” them later in life that raw meat is good is a timely process.

The ideal diet for your ferret is a supplement of grain-free kibble and raw quality meat. Or even better whole prey such as feeder mice. Their diet should consist of 32 – 38% animal protein and 15 – 20% animal-based fat.