What Treats to Feed Your Ferret (& Some You Shouldn’t!)

What Is a Ferret's Favorite Food?

Ferrets are obligate carnivores, which means their primary source of nutrition should come from animal-based proteins. For that reason, some of the best ferret treats include: 

• Commercial Ferret Treats: These store-bought treats are specifically formulated for ferret safety. Many contain high concentrations of meat, which your ferret is guaranteed to love.
  
  
• Freeze-Dried Meat Treats: A convenient and palatable option for even the finickiest of ferrets.
  
  
• Cooked Eggs: Whether they come from a chicken, duck or quail eggs, scrambled and hard-boiled eggs are a favorite of many ferrets thanks to their protein-rich content. Just ensure you don't add any salt or seasonings when preparing them as that can cause an upset tummy.

• Eggs are packed with essential nutrients like amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that help support a ferret’s health. They will be a crowd favorite but should only be given in moderation as a treat versus a staple in their daily diet. 

Spoiling any pet with treats should always done be in moderation. After all, they’re called “treats,” not “dinner.” As for ferret treats, they should be small and not have sharp corners. Besides having narrow and short digestive tracks, ferrets have very sensitive gums, so easily chewable snacks make for the best treats.    

You may have heard or read that some cat treats are suitable for ferrets as well. While this is true, you should still talk with your veterinarian first about this or if you have any other questions about ferret treats and nutrition.

What Ferret Treats to Avoid

While there are plenty of delectable options for ferret treats, there are some things you should never feed your furry foodie. Giving them any of the following food items can cause digestive upset or worse for your beloved pet ferret. To ensure their well-being, you’ll want to avoid:

• Dairy Products: Ferrets lack the enzymes needed to digest dairy products properly, so avoid milk, nibbles of cheese and dollops of yogurt. While small amounts of dairy aren’t typically life-threatening, they will have results on ferrets similar to those of lactose intolerant humans, which can be unfun and messy. 

• Fresh Fruit: Biologically speaking, ferrets aren’t made to digest fruits. The only time you should give them a fruit treat (like chopped apples, melon or bananas) is when your veterinarian recommends it. 

• Grains: Corn, wheat, and rice are tough for ferrets to digest as their bodies lack the enzymes needed to break them down and digest. If possible, avoid pieces of bread, corn and rice as treats. 

• Sugary & Starchy Foods: Keep candies, cookies, bread (again!) and other sugary or starchy snacks out of your ferret's reach. The surge in insulin from sugary foods can cause ferrets to experience symptoms of hypoglycemia or worse. Plus, don’t give them anything made with the sweetener Xylitol.  

• Vegetables: While some veggies are safe in small amounts, many are challenging for ferrets to digest. Before offering your ferret a vegetable treat, talk with your veterinarian first. 

• Bones: If you’re going to spoil them with some cooked meat like chicken or fish, make sure you remove any small bones because they can be choking hazards. 

• Chocolate: Just like with dogs and many other pets, ferrets cannot tolerate chocolate. In fact, even the smallest amounts can be fatal because of a ferret’s diminutive body size. Keep the chocolates as a little treat for yourself instead! 

Conclusion

When it comes to ferret treats, go with snacks that have a healthy amount of animal-based proteins. Stay away from fruits and vegetables, grains and anything too sugary or starchy. Plus, avoid hard treats or those with sharp corners. Ferrets have sensitive teeth and gums as well as small digestive tracks. While you can’t control your pet’s adorability, you can take charge of how you give in their cuteness.