Veal is an excellent choice of food for ferrets because ferrets are strict carnivores. One of the most essential rules of ferret nutrition is that everything you feed them should be meat or animal-based protein/products. Veal is the meat of calves, in contrast to the beef from older cattle.
To answer your question: Can ferrets eat veal? Yes! Actually, veal is suitable for your furry friend!
What is Veal?
So. What is veal? Veal is the meat of a calf. The word veal is generally used to describe meat from newborn calves, but sometimes older calves are included in this category. Veal is the meat from calves and not beef from older cattle which consists of beef.
Is Veal Good for Ferrets?
The meat of a calf is an excellent choice of food for ferrets because the ferrets are strict carnivores. One of the most essential rules in ferret nutrition is that everything you feed them should be either meat-based or animal-based products.
See what the Catelli Brothers have to say about the benefits of veal:
“Put simply, veal is a nutritional power source. Recent USDA data reveals that a 3 oz. serving of cooked, trimmed veal provides less than 10% of the calories recommended for a 2,000 calorie diet. At the same time, veal delivers more than 10% of the daily values for protein, zinc, niacin, as well as vitamin B-12 and B-6. Protein and B-vitamins help us increase our energy levels. Zinc maintains immune function and plays a key role in growth and cognitive development. See nutritional information below.”
https://catellibrothers.com/veal/veal-nutrition
Obviously, they are referring to humans when they are talking about calorie intake. But no matter if you are looking at it from a human or ferret point of view, veal is an excellent choice of meat for your little friend.
Can Ferrets Eat Beef?
Another common question is can ferrets eat beef? Well, sure they can. Beef is nothing else but meat from older cattle. The meat of a calf is an excellent food for ferrets. And as the Catelli Brothers mentioned above, it is also a great source of minerals and vitamins, which your ferret needs just like humans do.
read.. can ferrets eat earthworms?
What other Meats are Good for Ferrets?
And what about other meat? Since ferrets are strict carnivores, you don’t have to be afraid of different meats. Here are some examples:
- chicken
- chicken wings
- turkey
- turkey necks
- beef
- tuna (sometimes)
- pigeons
- game birds
- deer
- ground beef
- pork (yes)
- rabbit
- whole prey (such as feeder mice/chicks)
- organs (liver)
- bones (raw)
- …
You name it – if it’s fresh and of good quality, it could be a good choice for your ferret’s diet. Just make sure that the meat (or anything else you feed them) hasn’t been cooked excessively or cooked in any way that would remove all the nutritional value it has.
Where can You Buy Veal?
Veal is sold in butcher shops and online. If you are buying veal from an online store, always check the shipping time and the way it has been shipped.
What if my ferret does not like raw meat?
Some larger pet stores feed their ferrets from the youngest age on only dry food. And while there is nothing wrong with ferret-specific kibble, they can still benefit from eating meat. The problem is that ferrets are imprinted to the foods they prefer by the age of approximately months.
If your furry friend never had raw meat (or anything else edible), it may be hard to get them to eat it. But if you persist, they will eventually get used to the taste and try it out.
One way would be to place a small amount of meat under their nose. Try different kinds of meat and place them around the room in small amounts (don’t forget to remove them afterward). Just because they don’t eat it at first doesn’t mean they will never.
You could also make a cold “soup” out of the meat, stick your finger in and let them lick it off. You need to get them interested in the new food. Every time you feed your furry friend from the bowl, mix the dry food with a piece of meat (Add some water).
Can Ferrets Eat Meat with Bone in it?
The same applies to bone or whole prey. Yes, your ferret can enjoy the benefits of meat and bone in it. Just make sure that these “inclusions” are not cooked. Cooked bones could splinter and cause damage to your ferret’s intestines.
Summary
Certainly, ferrets can eat veal. That is not the main problem with them eating veal or any other meat. The main issue is that your ferret probably never was fed with raw meat, and it might be challenging to get your ferret to eat it at first. Luckily there are different ways to help your ferret re-introduce meat into their diet. However, it is essential to be patient and persistent.
