Can ferrets have chicken hearts? The answer is yes! Ferrets can eat just about any animal meat you offer them, and chicken hearts are no exception.
Ferret owners should feed their animals a high-quality meat-based diet that includes a variety of fresh meat and organs as well as raw bones. This will help them stay healthy and active!
What do ferrets eat?
Ferrets are obligate carnivores, which means they must eat meat to survive. This means that you must provide your ferret with a high-quality meat-based diet. Your ferret should be eating a balance of fresh meat and organs, as well as raw bones.
Raw Meat & Organs
Ferrets are not limited to the meat they can eat. Here are some examples:
- beef
- veal
- rabbit
- deer
- chicken breast
- chicken wings
- organs
- game birds
- offal
- pigeons
- turkey
- turkey necks
- raw bones
- …
If you are feeding a raw diet to your ferret. A ratio of 80/10/10 is what you should be gaming for (80% meat, 10% organs, 10% bones). This is not a daily but a weekly diet plan.
Organs
Liver, heart, offal, and kidney are excellent choices for your ferret. If you have access to organ meat, which most stores may sell for a very reasonable price, then consider serving this to your ferret regularly.
Chicken hearts are full of fantastic protein and nutrients that your ferret will definitely enjoy. Chicken hearts are also high in Taurine, an amino acid that helps prevent heart disease.
Additionally, ferrets can not produce Taurine by themselves – This is something they have in common with cats.
Note: If you are feeding your ferret a raw diet, you should use meat of high quality (the best cuts of meat that are available), and you must source food from a reputable source. You should source organs and bones from a reputable source as well.
Bones
A healthy diet includes raw bones, which will help keep your pet’s teeth clean. Bones are rich in calcium, phosphorous, and other nutrients.
Dry food aka Kibble
Kibble is great for ferrets since it basically has all the nutrition your furry friend needs. Dry foods have a long shelf life and are an excellent alternative if you are at work and need to supply your ferret while you’re not around.
After all, who would like to dispose of pieces of raw meat that have been hidden somewhere in the apartment?
Kibble is a perfect alternative. But please do not rely 100% on feeding kibble. Raw meat is by far the better alternative. But if you can’t or don’t want to provide your ferret with an all-meat diet, Kibble is a good investment.
Should I feed my ferret a commercial kibble?
There is no “one size fits all” when it comes to ferrets and their diet. Ferrets are not like dogs that eat one brand of food. They are very picky about where they get their food from! Not only is it a question of taste, but also a question of the ingredients.
Ferrets should not eat Kibble that has high amounts of fiber in it. Fiber is something that our furry friends can not digest properly!
How Much Should my Ferret Eat?
Ferrets have a fast metabolism. They need a high-calorie diet to keep them healthy. The amount of food that your ferret eats depends on its age and weight.
The average ferret will consume about 5-7% of its body weight in food every day. But again, this is an estimate! Your pet should have access to food throughout the day, so it’s up to you to decide how much kibble/raw meat you give to your furry friend per meal.
How often should I feed my ferret?
Ferrets need food frequently throughout the day. As mentioned above – their metabolisms are very fast, so that they will need food often. 6-8 meals per day are what you should aim for.
How often should a ferret eat chicken hearts?
Chicken hearts could be fed as often as you need too, to meet the 80/10/10 ratio. I mentioned this ratio above. Basically, it means that your furry friend’s diet should be made up of 80% meat, 10% organs, and 10% bones (every week).
So I assume that one or two servings per week should be enough. If you add another one or two servings of chicken liver – you’ll have the recommended 10% organs covered.
What are the nutrients in chicken hearts?
Chicken hearts contain:
- Vitamin B12
- Zinc
- Riboflavin
- Copper
- Pantothenic acid
- Iron
- Folate
- Vitamin B6
- Niacin
- Phosphorus
- Selenium
Source: https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/171458/nutrients
Things Ferrets should not Eat
Ferrets have a propensity to eat things they shouldn’t. These items can include inedible material or just items that are unhealthy for them to consume. Ferrets can get health issues from eating the wrong things.
Vegetables
Ferrets don’t need vegetables in their diet. They cannot digest fiber. Possible side effects are constipation or intestinal blockages. Vegetables hold no value to our furry friends.
Fruits
It is best to avoid fruit. Fruits contain sugar. Ferrets are prone to developing insulinomas – a cancer of the pancreatic cells. Sugar could increase the risk of developing insulin-related illnesses and may trigger insulinomas! Don’t put an extra risk on your ferret. Don’t feed fruits or sugary stuff to it!
If you think your ferret may have eaten something they shouldn’t – seek veterinary advice.
Summary
Ferrets are strict meat-eaters. That’s why they can eat chicken hearts. A healthy diet for your furry friend should include a good amount of raw meat, bones, and organs as well. Chicken hearts are a good source of protein and vitamins.