Ferrets are small animals with a fast-working metabolism. Their digestive system is tiny so they don’t eat a lot at once, rather they eat food after every few hours. This eating often confuses normal people, but this is how their metabolism works.
Ferrets need to be fed proper quality food which is made especially for them, otherwise, their diet won’t be in check. If it is tough to get high-quality food for them, you can feed them a kitten’s diet food too. It is safe and compliments their metabolism needs also. Though make sure you aren’t feeding the kitten’s food for the long term.
They receive different vitamins and proteins from the diet that is created especially for them. If they are receiving a premium diet that gives them all the required vitamins, then additional vitamins are not a need. You can trust the ferret food diet, but when you give them some other diet (kitten food), the vitamins in their bodies can be misbalanced.
There are a majority of ferrets owners out there who don’t have a healthy ferret, or it is tough for them to get a special diet that is packed with required vitamins. Therefore, they love to take additional vitamins for them. If you are also one of them and are wondering if you need extra vitamins to ensure a long, healthy life for your pet ferret, then you’ve come to the right place.
Why Are Vitamins And Supplements Required For Ferrets?
Ferrets are the kind of animals that require an excessive amount of proteins and fats compared to other stuff. Sometimes, it is not possible to provide a high amount of proteins and fats. For that reason, you have to count on vitamins and supplements.
35-40% of proteins are an absolute need for the ferret. These vitamins should be received from animals instead of plants as ferrets are carnivores.
Carbohydrates should be around 25% of a ferret’s diet. Taking too many carbohydrates is also unhealthy for them. Just like that, the number of fats in a ferret’s diet should be more or less 20%… Keep in mind, if the ferret gets proteins from a plant-based diet then it won’t work as the plant proteins will not be enough for them.
This is a great problem when you customize the diet for your pet ferret or feed them the diet of cats and dogs. Since some of their diets are based on plant-based proteins, which can be harmful to the health of your fur baby in the long run.
What If Ferrets Don’t Get Enough Proteins?
When they don’t get enough proteins, they get sick. Not enough proteins will lead to poor growth of ferrets and a weak body. Besides, a weak body is a victim of many diseases. Ferrets that get ill a lot often don’t receive proper vitamins from their diet. That’s why professional vets temporarily recommend proteins and vitamins to your ferret.
Lack of vitamins and proteins in their bodies also slow down their growth up to a good extent and their body’s respiratory system and immune system don’t work well either.
Especially, a bad immune system in their body means they can’t deal with external infections and parasites that are very common in ferrets. A weak body will automatically invite parasites such as fleas and ear mites and create problems for them over and over again.
What Are The Best Products That Improve A Ferret’s Diet?
Here are a few supplements that work best for ferrets.
- Ferritone:
Ferritone is a vitamin supplement that is made specifically for ferrets. If a few drops are taken every day then it improves the health of your ferret. It provides your pet with all the necessary vitamins and fatty acids. It keeps their body in a good shape and gives them a healthy fur coat.
Linatone is another liquid supplement that works amazingly well for ferrets. It helps in increasing the fur coat of the pet. It consists of fatty acids, vitamins A, D, and E, zinc, and protein. Some of these vitamins can’t be acquired by normal food. That is why you take this supplement especially when you feel your pet’s coat needs improvement.
Nutri-Cal is an effective supplement that is mostly given to ferrets of adult or old age. It is very ideal for active pets that live outside or play a lot. It keeps them active and healthy. Many owners often feed it to malnourished or weak ferrets to help them regain their energy. It is approved worldwide by many pets owners because of its extraordinary qualities.
Furo-Vite is an advanced concentrate of vitamins, enriched with taurine. Taurine, which is naturally found in meat, fish, and dairy, is vital for overall health. It is one of the most abundant amino acids in the muscle tissue, brain, and many other organs in the body. This formula is specially made for ferrets.
How Can You Feed Them To Your Ferret?
It is quite easy to give them the supplement; all you have to do is add a few drops into their food bowl or water bowl and they will lick on it.
Ferrets actually love to take supplements.
Take Ferritone for example, a lot of owners said their ferrets love its taste and happily feed on it.
What Are The Side Effects?
All the above supplements can show possible side effects, however, the side effects do not always occur. They mostly appear when the supplement is taken too often or in too much quantity. Therefore, don’t take the supplements without consulting a professional vet. He assesses the need of your pet and then recommends the right dosage.
Here is the list of some side effects that can occur.
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Weak abdominal
- Intestinal problems
- Itching
- Swelling
- Anorexia
- Irritability
- Overactive
- Depression
- Dizziness
- Seizure
- Cramping
- Weakness
- Vomiting
Apart from these, you can see some other types of side effects too that can be directly associated with some diseases. If you ever see any of these side effects then take your pet to a vet immediately. He either changes the prescriptions and recommends some other type of diet that suits your ferret’s body.
Don’t try to change the prescription without any proper consultation, as it can be lethal and worsen the side effects or disease more in your pet.