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.
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.
Kaytee Fortified Diet Chicken Ferret Food
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
One of the biggest concerns about Kaytee Fortified Diet Chicken Food is the use of pea flour as a binding agent in the pellets. It has recently become more popular as a carbohydrate in ferret food, there is no consensus with vets as to whether or not pea flour is harmful to ferret’s digestive tracts. Additionally, some ferret food purists believe that meat should be the first ingredient in any type of ferret food. Chicken by-product, by-product meal, and pea flower are the first three ingredients.
ZuPreem Premium Ferret Diet
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.
Wysong Ferret Epigen 90
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.
Hills Science Diet Kitten Healthy Development
Pros
Science Diet is another kitten food brand that is a fantastic option to keep your ferret healthy. It contains sufficient levels of protein and fat, and an acceptable level of fiber. This food is also a relatively cost effective option.
Cons
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.