This article will break down the basics of many different popular types of ferret food, as well as the pros and cons of each.
A quality ferret food should contain at least 30% crude protein and 18% crude fat, and no more than 4% crude fiber. Wild ferrets exclusively eat small rodents such as prairie dogs, so it is important a domestic ferret has a diet that is full of protein to keep their muscles healthy and fat to keep them energized.
The only vegetables, and therefore fiber, that is consumed by wild ferrets is in the intestinal tract of their prey, so it is important to limit the amount fiber found in pellet food. Avoid foods that are high in crude fiber, as they are probably attempting to fill your ferret’s food with cheap, and unhealthy, fillers.
Ferret Food Brand
Ferret Food Images
Crude Protein % (Min)
Crude Fat % (Min)
Crude Fiber % (Max)
Wysong Ferret Epigen 90
62%
18%
3%
EVO Grain Free Turkey and Chicken Formula Kitten
50%
25%
2.2%
Wysong Ferret Archetype Chicken
44%
36%
0.5%
Kaytee Fortified Diet Chicken Ferret Food
42%
20%
3%
ZuPreem Premium Ferret Diet
40%
20%
2%
Marshall Carnivore Plus High Protein
38%
18%
3.5%
Marshall Premium Ferret Food
38%
18%
3.5%
Totally Ferret Food
36%
22%
1.5%
Hills Science Diet Kitten Healthy Development
36%
22%
2.2%
Marshall Select Chicken Formula
36%
18%
4%
Kaytee Fiesta Ferret Food
35%
16%
5%
When bringing home a new pet ferret or trying to ensure you have the best ferret food for your current ferret, it can be hard to ensure you are getting the best bang for your buck. There are multiple different types of ferret food out there, and these brands are definitely not created equal.
This article will break down the basics of many different popular types of ferret food, as well as the pros and cons of each.
A quality ferret food should contain at least 30% crude protein and 18% crude fat, and no more than 4% crude fiber. Wild ferrets exclusively eat small rodents such as prairie dogs, so it is important a domestic ferret has a diet that is full of protein to keep their muscles healthy and fat to keep them energized.
The only vegetables, and therefore fiber, that is consumed by wild ferrets is in the intestinal tract of their prey, so it is important to limit the amount fiber found in pellet food. Avoid foods that are high in crude fiber, as they are probably attempting to fill your ferret’s food with cheap, and unhealthy, fillers.
| Ferret Food Brand | Crude Protein % (Min). | Crude Fat % (Min). | Crude Fiber % (Max) |
| Wysong Ferret Epigen 90 | 62% | 18% | 3% |
| EVO Grain Free Turkey and Chicken Formula Kitten | 50% | 25% | 2.2% |
| Wysong Ferret Archetype Chicken | 44% | 36% | 0.5% |
| Kaytee Fortified Diet Chicken Ferret Food | 42% | 20% | 3% |
| ZuPreem Premium Ferret Diet | 40% | 20% | 2% |
| Marshall Carnivore Plus High Protein | 38% | 18% | 3.5% |
| Marshall Premium Ferret Food | 38% | 18% | 3.5% |
| Totally Ferret Food | 36% | 22% | 1.5% |
| Hills Science Diet Kitten Healthy Development | 36% | 22% | 2.2% |
| Marshall Select Chicken Formula | 36% | 18% | 4% |
| Kaytee Fiesta Ferret Food | 35% | 16% | 5% |
Totally Ferret Food
Pros: Totally Ferret Food, while not as well known as other food options, has almost nothing but positive reviews from ferret owners. Some veterinarians recommend this brand of food, and the ingredients are quality. Happy owners alsos notice that the quality ingredients lead to less odor in their litter box.
Cons: The biggest downfall about this food is that it can be fairly hard to find. Ferret owners complain about lack of availability, which can present a problem for ferrets who have imprinted on a particular brand.
Pros
This ferret food is reasonably priced, at about $12 for a 4 pound bag. Additionally, owners mention how much their ferrets enjoy the taste and that it is an easy switch from other brands to this brand. It has an adequate amount of crude fat and protein, but it is not too high in fiber. Another benefit of Kaytee Fortified Diet is that is easy to find in the United States.
Cons
Pros
This ferret food is reasonably priced, at about $12 for a 4 pound bag. Additionally, owners mention how much their ferrets enjoy the taste and that it is an easy switch from other brands to this brand. It has an adequate amount of crude fat and protein, but it is not too high in fiber. Another benefit of Kaytee Fortified Diet is that is easy to find in the United States.
Cons
Kaytee Fiesta Ferret Food
Pros
Similar to Kaytee Fortified Diet, Kaytee Fiesta Ferret food is easy to find in major stores and online, meaning that it is likely that you won’t have to worry about running out of this food and not being able to stock up on more. Ferret owners also comment on how much their ferrets enjoy the taste, and Kaytee advertises the different shapes as helping promote dental health. This food has a good amount of crude protein.
Cons
While there are a variety of different health benefits associated with this type of food, there are definitely some concerns as well that make it a less than ideal choice for your ferret. It is low in crude fat, which is important to give your ferret energy and keep them at a healthy weight. It is also slightly too high in crude fiber. Furthermore, concerned ferret parents notice how many added colors there are, which can actually stain their feces different colors as well, and may cause unknown damage to the digestive tract.
Pros
Wysong Ferret Archetype Chicken food is a particular favorite among those who favor a raw food diet. Even though this is a commercial brand food, it is not heated above 118 degrees, which means that it still qualifies as a raw food. Ferret owners commonly state how much their ferrets enjoy this food, and how healthy their animals are. The first three ingredients are chicken, chicken organs, and ground chicken bones, which means this company does not fill this food with unhealthy fillers. Out of all of the ferret foods reviewed in this article, it has the least crude fiber.
Cons
The biggest con most feret owners have with this type of food is that even though most ferrets grow to love this food, the switch from their regular kibble to this may be somewhat difficult. Many suggest using this food on a supplementary basis or as a treat. Additionally, while very quality, it is also costly.
Pros
Wysong Ferret Epigen 90 is another quality food from the Wysong brand, and is favored by many ferret owners as a high quality food that does not contain unnecessary fillers that ferrets are unable to digest and utilize. Ferret owners often recommend this brand for the fact that it promotes a healthy coat and give ferrets more energy due to getting more protein and fat they can utilize. This ferret food has the highest percent of protein out of all of the different ferret foods.
Cons
Unfortunately, like the Wysong Ferret Archetype Chicken, this type of ferret food can cause diarrhea and other gastrointestinal issues for ferrets during the transitional period. However, this can be alleviated by switching your ferrets over slowly and using this food to supplement other forms of kibble.
Pros
Even though this is technically a kitten food, it is actually a fantastic option for ferret to consume. It is high in protein and fat, and very low in fillers that your ferrets cannot digest. This brand is well known for their quality pet food for many different pets, and many ferret owners comment on how much their animals love the taste of this food.
Cons
The biggest con about this food is the cost. A similarly sized bag of food of a different brand would be significantly less. However, as a ferret owner, it is important to weigh the benefits and the drawbacks of any type of ferret food. A quality diet is truly a preventative measure. A ferret who is fed quality food throughout its life will require less veterinary care in their senior years.
Pros
Cons
In terms of ferret owners, this kitten food ranks high up on the lists of quality foods. The biggest complaint was the small size of the food may present a potential choking hazard for ferrets.
Of all the brands of ferret foods on this list, Marshall brand ferret foods are among the most common to find in pet stores throughout the United States. Most pet stores throughout the country sell ferrets who came from Marshall certified breeders, and recommend continuing on with a Marshall diet after you bring your furry friend home. Marshall ferrets are guaranteed against genetic defects as long as they are registered and exclusively fed this food throughout their life.
Pros
Cons
However, there are some concerns about the ingredients of Marshall ferret food. Beet products are not essential for a ferret’s diet, and the high sugar content in can cause spleen issues for your ferrets. Detractors of this brand complain about the monopoly that Marshall brand has over the ferret industry and indicate this is the reason this is one of the most common types of ferret food.
Conclusion
After all of the different types of ferret food reviewed on this list, it is difficult to proclaim just one as the absolute best for your ferret. Our recommendation for the best ferret foods are Totally Ferret Food, for the almost universal positive reviews, Wysong Ferret Archetype Chicken, for the high protein and fat content, and low fiber content with almost no fillers, and Evo Grain Free Turkey and Chicken Formula for its high protein and fat content.
As any ferret owner knows, ferrets can be notoriously picky. We also recommend, whether you are using all three of our suggested foods or using other healthy options for your ferret, to find three different types to mix together and feed your ferret. This helps prevent your ferrets from imprinting on just one type of food, which can present a problem if your ferret food is ever discontinued, becomes particularly scarce due to manufacturing issues, or the formula is changed for the worse.
Whatever you end up feeding your ferret, make sure to do your research and talk with your vet to ensure that the food you are providing your ferret is the best ferret food for their specific needs. Investing in quality ferret food can definitely help to prolong the life of your furry friend.