Can Ferrets Eat a High Quality Dog Food?

[eschimpf]

I don't really understand why you would go dog food.

I personally feed a cat food, here are the specs:
Crude Protein (min) 50%
Crude Fat (min) 21%
Crude Fiber (max) 2%
Moisture (max) 10%
Ash (max) 7.8%
*Omega 6 Fatty Acids (min) 3%
*Omega 3 Fatty Acids (min) 0.5%
Magnesium (max) 0.1%

www.petcurean.com/index.php?page_id=153

The reason I went with this was when I compared it with Evo Ferret (which they had) The only difference was .5% Fiber. Both my kids have been on it for over 5 months with no issues. They love it and both have good weights, coats and so on. I had beanie on Raw, but when I got Isis she would not eat anything but kibble. I've tried everything to get her to eat raw and nothing. She wont touch Evo ferret or ferret treats. Cat treats and that kibble she chows down on.

[Deleted]

eschimpf, I don't know if you want to try switching to raw again, but the mentoring program is a great tool to help even the most stubborn fuzz switch Or even freeze dried raw - my kids took it to instantly. So have a couple that I've switched. It's pricey but just as convenient as kibble but lots healthier.

[Sherry]

And the reason for a high quality dog food in the mix for those who feed kibble is with IBD ferrets. Virtually all ferrets with IBD have at least some intolerance for chicken, and some for other fowl. Something like Evo Red Meat Bites definitely can have a place then.

[miamiferret2]

The Stella & chewys canine freeze dried has taurine in it now. That's what I feed to my ferret.

[miamiferret2]

The wysong canine/ feline freeze dried is also good for ferrets but for some odd reason my ferret will only eat the ferret arch 1. I guess he just wants me to spend more $.
If you are going to feed kibble then I suggest Orijen or Go! from Petcurean. But I'm not to keen on dog kibble for ferrets.

[Deleted]

I think if you used it in conjunction with a variety of foods like you would with raw, having dog food really isn't an issue (if you're feeding kibble) and can add some good variety. However feeding solely dog food is not healthy and will lead to deficiencies and medical issues.

[eschimpf]

Jackie,
I was interested but she wont touch ANYTHING. I tried no food at all bu soupie for 24 hours, placing it in her mouth which she preceded to paw out like I gave her poison. She just wont take it. Maybe once she passes on in hopefully many years I'll try with new fuzz butts I adopt but for right now shes happy and so is beanie, though he still steals all my food when he's out Even cherries, which did not agree with his tummy.

[Sherry]

Jun 3, 2011 14:27:23 GMT -5 @eschimpf said:

I tried no food at all bu soupie for 24 hours, placing it in her mouth which she preceded to paw out like I gave her poison.

Sounds like my Boris ;D Took almost 6 weeks of dabbing his nose/lips with the soup mix til he finally started accepting it willingly ;D