Can Ferrets Eat Twizzlers?5 min read

Ferrets are furry little creatures that are naturally curious and playful. They are becoming more and more common as pets because they are great companions for children and adults alike. A lesser-known fact about ferrets is that their diet has a heavy emphasis on meat. In this article, we’ll explore whether Twizzlers are safe for ferrets to eat.

So here is the answer to your question, “can ferrets eat Twizzlers” – NO – Ferrets should not eat Twizzlers.

Why Should Ferrets not eat Twizzlers?

Ferrets are obligate carnivores. That means they require meat in their diet. Ferrets should be fed a balanced diet of high-quality meat and animal products.

They should not be fed highly processed foods, such as cereal and candy. They can not digest them and can become sick or even die.

What Are Twizzlers?

Twizzlers are candy. They’re made from water, sugar, corn syrup, gelatin, and food coloring. They have no nutritional value to ferrets whatsoever and provide your ferret with no health benefits.

Here is what Hershey’s says about their product:

“The main ingredients in TWIZZLERS Twists are corn syrup, wheat flour, sugar, and cornstarch. There are also smaller amounts of palm oil, salt, artificial flavor, glycerin, citric acid, potassium sorbate, Red 40, and soy lecithin in TWIZZLERS Twists.”

Source: https://www.hersheyland.com/twizzlers/about

Will Twizzlers hurt Ferrets?

Twizzlers are made with a lot of corn syrup, and ferrets can be prone to diabetic problems. Ferrets should avoid foods that are high in sugar content and made into treats, including Twizzlers, gummy candy, and licorice.

These are generally not safe for ferrets to eat because they can cause intestinal blockages or other health problems. Especially products containing sugar are not appropriate for ferrets.

read.. why ferrets should not eat licorice

I wouldn’t worry too much if my ferret would steal one Twizzler and ate it. But regularly, sugar will cause significant health problems for ferrets.

Insulinoma

Too much sugar will trigger diabetes in your ferret and eventually Insulinoma. Insulinoma is a tumor on the pancreas which releases too much insulin. Symptoms are lethargy, weight loss, and lots of urination.

The only way to treat an insulinoma is the surgical removal of the tumor, or in some cases, a prescription diet. It is a severe problem for your ferrets that needs immediate attention.

If you are giving your ferret treats to watch them or just because it’s fun to share with them, DO NOT give them sugary treats!

That includes candy, cookies, doughnuts, and any things that contain sugars (fructose). If these are given to ferrets regularly, they can develop diabetes and/or Insulinoma.

Unfortunately, the primary ingredient in Twizzlers is sugar. Make sure that you do not give sugar or starch or too many carbohydrates to your ferret.

A Ferret Diet

As mentioned above, ferrets are strict meat-eaters. For your ferret to live a healthy and long life, it is paramount that he has an excellent diet.

The Raw Diet Approach

A raw diet is one of the best diets for ferrets. The theory behind the raw diet is that by eating what a ferret’s ancestors ate, he’ll live longer and healthier. The diet is based on raw meat products such as red meat, poultry, eggs, and fish.

For ferrets to be healthy on a raw diet, they need to be fed high-quality food. Avoid cheap meat sources such as meat by-products.

Here is a selection of the meats your ferret can eat on a raw diet:

• beef
• lamb
• rabbit
• duck
• game birds
• chicken
• turkey
• chicken wings
• bones (raw)
• organs (liver)
• eggs (sometimes)
• fish (sometimes)
• …

Basically, all quality meat is suitable for ferrets. For a better choice of meat, check out my list of the best meats for ferrets.

Kibble – Dry Food

People often ask me what they can feed their ferret after they switched to a raw diet. While it is excellent that your ferret has learned what real food is, eventually, he’ll want to eat something other than raw meat.

There are special ferret kibbles available. Make so that you do not feed dog or cat kibble to your furry friend. They most likely will contain more fiber or starch than ferrets can digest, leading to digestive disturbances.

I made a list of the best commercial ferret foods used as an alternative to raw food. They will provide your ferret with a balanced diet and are high-quality products.

No products found.

(Note: If you click a link on this page, then go on to make a purchase, we may receive a commission but at no extra cost to you)

Frankenprey Diet

Another “raw food approach” is the Frankenprey diet. This diet tries to resemble what a prey animal would consist of: Bones, meat, organs.

80/10/10 – This is the anticipated ratio of meat (80%), bones (10%), and organs (10%). To achieve this ratio, you have to feed your ferret high-quality raw food and combine different meat sources.

It would not be uncommon to feed a combination of rabbit, chicken, and beef to achieve the above ratio.

Read more about it here: https://holisticferretforum.com/natural-diet/raw-diet-the-meat-of-the-site/basic-frankenprey-menu/

Conclusion: Is it safe for ferrets to eat Twizzlers?

Twizzlers are not a healthy snack for your ferret. Your ferret should never have them in his diet because they are filled with many ingredients that aren’t good for him. Especially sugar is terrible for your furry friend and could lead to severe illnesses such as diabetes and Insulinoma. Stick to a healthy ferret-friendly diet – Meat and unique kibble are all you ferrets need to eat.