What makes a good ferret treat good?
Giving your ferret a treat can be a great way to bond or to reward good behavior. However, it's important to choose good, healthy treats. Feeding bad treats can lead to obesity, malnourishment, and the development of health conditions related to improper diet. But what makes a good ferret treat good?
Healthy treats should meet your ferret's nutritional requirements, so when you choose treats, keep the following guidelines in mind:
- Ferrets are obligate carnivores that derive their nutrition from animal protein sources, and they cannot even digest plant material.
- Ferrets need a diet that is low in carbohydrates, so avoid treats that are high in sugar.
- Every treat your ferret eats takes the place of kibble he might otherwise eat, so treats that do not meet his nutritional requirements are essentially filling your ferret up with foods of a poor nutritional value.
Good, healthy ferret treats are:
- Meat based
- High in animal fats and proteins
- Low in sugar or sugar free
- Low in fiber
Other good treats are those that meet the above criteria and are also all natural or made from human grade materials.
Some good ferret treats available include:
- Single Ingredient Treats for Ferrets
- Healthy Chicken Fillets for Ferrets
- Fuzzys' Foamy Fries
- Ferret N-Bone Chew Treats
- Totally Ferret Dooker Delights
- Totally Ferret Original Treats
- Marshall Bandits
- Meat and meat broth or gravy baby food (Beechnut, Heinz, or Gerber)
- Cooked meat with no sauces or spices
To compare ingredients and nutritional information for the treats listed above as well as other ferret treats, check out our ferret treat comparison chart.
