What NOT To Eat
Reminder: Obligate Carnivore
By Holly
Ferrets are obligate carnivores! :) That means their body is designed to eat meat only - no grains, no veggies, no wheat, no sugar, no dairy! Their bodies are not designed to digest these foods. With such tiny bodies, anything they eat that they are not designed to eat can be very detrimental to their health. Make sure you know what you’re feeding them, and read every label. Raw is the BEST way to go, but obviously not everyone can do that. Freeze-dried-raw is next best, followed by a *select few* high quality kibbles.
This means there are A LOT of things your ferret SHOULD NOT eat. But here we'll go over the things they REALLY REALLY REALLY SHOULD NOT EAT.
Peas, Lentils, Chickpeas, Sweet Potatoes, etc legumes
See our link under Health - Bladder Stones.
Quick explanation - can cause bladder stones
https://truthaboutpetfood.com/grain-free-equals-peas-peas-and-more-peas/
Fruits, Veggies, Plants
Under construction. Quick explanation - plants have no nutritional value to ferrets and the plant fiber can cause plenty of health issues
"Grain-Free" Kibbles
By Tara Lea Preston
Grain-free diets typically have even worse ingredients in them to replace the grains - this is the problem with the whole " grain free" marketing scam (and it IS a scam that so many vets and veterinary nutritionists have been calling it out for years).
The real problem is that cats and ferrets don't process and utilize starch carbs efficiently. So, if the food contains starch carbs (whether it is from grains or other plant-based fillers/ binders) it is STILL starch. The best we can do is feed choices that use less carbs, and preferably low glycemic carbs.
Then there is also the other caveat that grain-free replacement ingredients such as peas, other legumes, and potatoes are now linked to DCM in BOTH dogs and cats (and pea ingredients are already linked to stones in ferrets). It appears that grains used as binders are probably safer than the grain-free alternatives out there.
Sugars & Xylitol
Under construction. Quick explanation - this will lead to insulinoma and other diseases, plus xylitol is toxic
Dog Food
Under construction. Quick explanation - Not enough taurine for ferrets needs, also there's usually a lot more veggies
Grains
Under construction. Quick explanation - grains can irritate the digestive system, among other things
Salt (Or Any Other Seasonings)
Under construction. Quick explanation - a lot can be toxic, and salt will dehydrate your fuzzies. They are already not very thirst-driven so this can be serious
Dairy - Milk, Cheese, Etc
Under construction. Quick explanation - ferrets are lactose intolerant
Cooked Bones
Under construction. Quick explanation - cooked bones will splinter and cause internal cuts or blockages
Toxins, Poisons, Carcinogens
By Mary Wesker & Tara Lea Preston
Why it is best to AVOID the preservatives BHA and BHT in ferret foods (Marshall Diets use BHA as their preservatives)
Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA):
The FDA considers the preservative butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) to be a GRAS additive – even though the National Toxicology Program classifies it as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen,” the international cancer agency categorizes it as a possible human carcinogen, and it’s listed as a known carcinogen under California’s Proposition 65 (NTP 2011; IARC 1986; OEHHA 2014). These designations are based on consistent evidence that BHA causes tumors in animals, although there is debate about whether these findings are relevant to humans. The European Union classifies BHA as an endocrine disruptor - ferrets are already particularly susceptible and prone to "endocrine disorders" - insulinomas, and hyperadrenocorticism (adrenal disease). With that being said, seeing BHA being used in any ferret food is quite alarming.
Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT):
Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) is a chemical cousin to BHA that is also listed as “generally recognized as safe.” It, too, is added to food as a preservative. The two compounds act synergistically and are often used together.
BHT is not a listed carcinogen, but some data have shown that it does cause cancer in animals. Rats fed BHT have developed lung and liver tumors (EFSA 2012). BHT has also been shown to cause developmental effects and thyroid changes in animals, suggesting that it may be able to disrupt endocrine signaling (EFSA 2012). A neurobehavioral study of rats exposed to BHT throughout development described effects on motor skills and coordination before the animals were weaned (Vorhees 1981b).
What you should do: Read labels and avoid products with BHT, particularly those that also contain BHA. Use EWG’s Food Scores to find foods without butylated hydroxytoluene.