Ferrets

General Information Order Carnivora, Family Mustelidae Three species European polecat, Siberian

polecat and black footed ferret Related to martens, fishers, otters,

wolverines, weasels, mink, badger and skunks Obligate carnivores designed to kill and eat

whole prey Tend to eat small meals throughout the day

and will hide “cache” excess food in their dens or other hiding places

Digestive Anatomy and Physiology

Designed for hunting, killing and eating prey

Primary carnivore Digestive physiology matches their

required diet

Salivary Secretions Unlike herbivores and omnivores they

do not have enzymes in their saliva Ferret saliva is used primarily as a

lubricant

Carbohydrates, Proteins and Fats

Ferrets have no dietary carbohydrate requirement

They have a very high need for dietary protein and fat

Taste buds on the ferrets tongue can detect ( taste) amino acids in proteins

They can also taste sweet, sour, salt and bitter

Teeth and Jaws Teeth and jaws are not designed to chew

food They are designed to cut chunks and saliva

is used to lubricate for swallowing Jaw is a hinge that prevents side to side

chewing Bottom teeth fit inside upper teeth ( like a

scissor) so they cannot move side to side Commonly fed extruded diets predispose

ferrets to dental disease

Ingestion of Food Binocular vision Broad auditory range, extremely

olfactory specialization Excellent predators Very large bite force Dental formula I3/3 C1/1 PM3/3 M1/2

Stomach Very simple stomach Special muscles can close the entrance

and exit of the stomach Powerful acids are secreted by the

stomach to digest the proteins and fats of their prey

Pancreas Large for their body size, makes

enzymes for digestion of animal tissue and buffers to neutralize the stomach acids

Insulinomas ( tumors) that secrete too much insulin are thought to be a result of the high carbohydrate kibble diet fed to many pet ferrets

Liver Very large ( proportionally much larger

than our liver per our body size) Large surface area of the liver is used to

convert proteins to sugars Also produces a large amount of bile

salts to help digest fats

Intestine Short and simple No ceacum Animal tissue liquifies as it is digested so the

intestine is not highly developed in this strict carnivore

Surrounded by a highly developed lymphatic system that protects from bacterial infection from the diet and helps transport digested fats

Meals go through the GI tract in about 4 hours

Digestive System Notes Very short intestinal tract, lacks a cecum and

ileocolic valve Under vagal and sacral innervation Gut flora is simple, GI upset or diarrhea after

antibiotic use is rare Do have ability to vomit but don’t usually vomit Prolonged fasting greater than 3-6 hours is not

required or recommended Ferrets with insulinomas become hypoglycemic

much faster, even less than 3 hours, and require special pre-operative care

Nutrition In the wild mostly small and medium sized

mammals, small amount of birds, reptile, amphibians, insects worms and fish

Due to their inefficient GI system, ferrets require a very concentrated diet high in protein and fat, low in fiber and carbohydrates

fat, when metabolized, releases twice as much energy as proteins and therefore should be the main source of calories in the ferrets diet

Dry Kibble for Ferrets Not the correct diet for ferrets but easier

for owners Majority contain a higher level of grains

which are required for kibble shape and stability

Heating and processing can potentially make them less digestible

The Perils of Dry Kibble Urolithiasis- due to diets high in plant

protein Insulinomas- related to carbohydrates in

dry kibble Excessive dental wear- dry kibble leads

to excessive dental wear and tartar

Feeding whole prey or raw diet

Potential risks of raw diets, such as bacterial ( Salmonella)

Parasitic contamination which can be zoonotic

Risk of breakdown of diet due to mishandling of diet, ( not refrigerated etc)

Keys to a Proper Ferret Diet

Kibble ( Dry or Semi Moist)- Crude protein of >35% on a dry matter basis- Crude fat> 20% on a dry matter basis- Limited amounts of fiber and carbohydrates- First 2-3 macro ingredient animal origin, ex

chicken, egg, fish meal- Limited grains, (small amounts which may

represent carbohydrates found in gut contents of prey species

Treats/Supplemental foods Good- Treats with animal proteins as primary

ingredients- Cooked or fresh raw organ and muscle

meat- Raw or cooked chicken- Crickets or mealworms from reliable

source- Prey items such as mice and small frogs

Treats/Supplements BADMost commercial treats- They contain plant based ingredients as

well as sweeteners- Raisins or excessive fruit

Water Unlimited, clean, fresh Require about three times as much

water as dry matter intake Use a bowl and sipper bottle May play in bowl so use heavy crockery Do not put supplements or additives in

water as it can reduce consumption

Fiber Small amounts are essential to the

health of the ferrets GI tract Helps flush hair out of the system and

prevent hairballs Firms up stool and helps with

elimination

Health Issues Relatively free of health problems in

early years of life Live 6-10 years on average

Aleutian Disease Virus Parvovirus Chronic, incurable Nervous system disorders, organ failure,

chronic wasting Infected ferrets must be quarantined May be misinterpreted as a dietary

problem

Dental Disease About 90% of pet ferrets, ranging from mild

gingivitis to extreme periodontal disease Can lead to organ disease and life

threatening infections Teeth are not penetrating tissue so they are

not being cleaned leading to tartar buildup Require tooth brushing and dental cleanings

Insulinoma Pancreatic tumor releasing too much

insulin Linked to consumption of carbohydrates

in extruded kibble diets Need to be surgically removed Symptoms result of hypoglycemia ( low

blood sugar)

THE END