Can ferrets eat raisins? You may be asking. A lot of people are curious about the idea of their pets eating this fruit. Ferrets are strict meat-eaters and should not eat fruits or vegetables. Ferrets can’t really digest any plant-based foods, and raisins, in particular, are also problematic due to their high sugar content.
So here is the answer to “Can Ferrets Eat Raisins” – No! Ferrets should not eat raisins.
Why Are Raisin Not Good for Ferrets
It’s interesting for all of us to see what our pets can and cannot eat. Unfortunately, raisins are not a good snack for ferrets, especially since ferrets love to chew on anything they find. Raisins are incredibly high in sugar and are not a suitable type of snack for your ferret to consume.
The problems raisins can cause are gastrointestinal complications, including diarrhea. Raisins are also extremely high in sugar, so they should not be a regular part of your ferret’s diet.
What Happens when your ferret has Raisins?
Raisin ingestion can result in mild stomach upset in ferrets, such as mild diarrhea. This is not fatal and is easily treatable with over-the-counter medication. Giving your ferret a raisin only once won’t cause long-term damage, but eat too many of them, and you will start to see some problems.
If you have the feeling that your furry friend acts strangely after eating raisins, then it’s best to take him to the veterinarian.
Why Sugar is Bad for your Ferret
Sugar is terrible for ferrets because it causes a risk of diabetes. Especially ferrets with a history of diabetes should avoid sugar altogether. Raisins are very high in sugar! Therefore they are a big no-no! Eating raisins will lead to a sharp increase in your ferret’s blood sugar levels.
Insulinoma
An insulinoma is a type of tumor that causes the pancreas to produce too much insulin. Symptoms of an insulinoma include excessive drinking, weight gain, and lethargy. The prognosis for this type of tumor is not good, as treatment usually does not yield great results.
“Insulinoma is by far the most common neoplasm in ferrets, with a reported incidence of approximately 25% of neoplasms diagnosed. It is commonly seen in middle-aged to older ferrets. Although most affected ferrets begin exhibiting clinical signs around 4 years of age, it has been reported in ferrets as young as 2 weeks of age. It is likely that islet cell tumors exist subclinically for months or years before symptoms occur. Both sexes may be affected, but there are conflicting reports as to whether males are slightly overrepresented.”
Source: https://www.dvm360.com/view/current-approach-insulinoma-ferrets-proceedings
Diabetes
Diabetes can be defined as the inability of the body to regulate the level of sugar in the bloodstream. This disease is categorized and differentiated into type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes. The cells that produce insulin get worn out or die off from excessive use.
Diabetes occurs when the pancreas produces little or no insulin, which may be due to the destruction of pancreatic cells by an autoimmune disorder or an insulinoma.
Avoid sugar in your ferrets’ diet as much as possible. A diabetic ferret can also be prone to several other health problems, including hormonal imbalances to decreased bone density.
Is it Possible for a Ferret to Get Hypoglycemia
Yes, your ferret can get Hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is a condition that occurs when the amount of sugar in the blood drops below normal levels. Ferrets will eat less food and lose weight over time. Hypoglycemia can be fatal if not treated immediately.
How to Stop Your Ferret from Eating Raisins
Lock the stuff away that you don’t want your furry friend to eat! Ferrets are curious animals, and they are very motivated by food. It’s very easy for them to eat raisins, even if you don’t want them to. They can open doors and drawers with their clever paws and noses.
The Digestive System of the Ferret
Ferrets can’t correctly digest any kind of plant-based food and grains. Additionally, they are prone to diabetes. That’s why sugar or fruits that contain sugar are not a good choice for ferrets. Ferrets are intolerant to plant-based foods and should not have fruits like raisins in their diet.
They are obligate carnivores and should always be fed the proper diet with a balance of animal protein and fat.
Your ferrets’ diet should consist of approximately 35 % protein and 20% fat.
“Feeding your ferret a proper diet is extremely important. Ferrets are strict carnivores and should be fed a high protein diet (at least 34%), high fat (at least 20%) high quality chicken or lamb based dry ferret diet.”
Source: https://www.petassure.com/new-newsletters/ferret-nutrition/
Proper Ferret Food
Their diet should consist of protein and fat, and they should not eat too many carbohydrates or plant-based foods like berries or raisins. Here is a list of different meats that ferrets should eat:
- Chicken
- Chicken wings
- Lamb
- Turkey
- Pork
- Rabbit
- Fish (sometimes)
- Veal
- Deer
- Game birds
- Beef
- Bones (not cooked)
- whole prey (feeder mice)
- …
The list goes on. You need to know what is good food for your ferrets. The list above will vary depending on where you live and what type of animal protein is available in your region.
Kibble
Also, besides raw meat, kibble is an excellent way to feed a ferret. Kibble is a specially designed food for ferrets, and its composition varies depending on the manufacturer.
Kibble is easily digestible and offers a good meal for your ferret. For example, if you’re about to travel and don’t have access to fresh meat, you can give your ferret kibble as her main meal (or as a supplement). Make sure to buy a ferret-specific brand that is made up of animal protein and fat.
Summary
Do not let your ferret have raisins! The last thing you want in your ferrets’ diet is sugar, leading to several health problems. Raisins are sweet and contain a lot of sugar. A ferret’s digestive system cannot handle this food, and raisins can cause other issues like diabetes.
