Your New Ferret - Finding The Best Ferret Diet
- Date: 2010-05-30 - Word Count: 540
Share This!
In the last fifty years or more... as the ferret has gained popularity as a pet... owners have grown increasingly dissatisfied with the food choices for them. Nothing is available, it seems, that meets all of their nutritional requirements. So it is not surprising to find a rapidly growing segment of ferret owners who have decided to take the nutritional health and status of their beloved pets into their own hands. Just as you find natural health enthusiasts in the human realm, you will meet the same type of people in the pet sector. And I only have one word to say to them, "More power to you." (Okay that is more than one word.)
But, these individuals try as much as they can, to provide their ferrets with the meats, the organs and the bones needed for their pets' health. They do not feed their ferret kibble using the very simple logic that kibble was not a part of any ferret diet some 2,500 years ago. I will try to explain, as concisely as possible, what they believe the benefits of a natural alternative diet for their ferrets are.
Some people refer to this alternative diet as an "evolutionary" diet. It ensures, according to its proponents, that the ferret is receiving the nutrient essential to his continued good health. They like to explain that the ferret needs nine essential amino acids. Essential amino acids are those the ferret's system cannot produce itself, so it must get from its diet. There is just no other way. These substances are normally found in foods that the ferret's wild relatives eat quite frequently. They include rabbits, mice, rats, birds, frogs, lizards, and even squirrels.
Calcium is another aspect of the diet that your ferret may be lacking. You may be surprised to learn that many manufactured canned cat foods -- and even ferret foods -- do not have any type of quality bone meal included. This means ferrets may be lacking in calcium. A healthy ferret diet does not necessarily mean that a ferret needs to have food available to him 24/7. A ferret who eats the proper diet may not want to eat again for another 10 hours. The untamed variety of ferret, or polecat, only ate once, sometimes twice a day.
Additionally, health conscious individuals say that the natural variety of foods that are a part of this evolutionary diet -- from bones to meat to skin -- helps to "flush out" the intestinal tract of the animal. This means that your ferret will have less hairballs and other unnecessary obstructions. It also may take care of some nutritional needs that the ferret has, that science has yet to detect. Not only that, these people say, just look at design of both your ferret's jaw and his teeth. This leaves him with a limited chewing capacity. His teeth, they say, definitely evolved to cut meat and bone. Not to smash kibbles for up to ten hours a day. The other pretty amazing aspect of this diet is that it does not lead to dental cavities or other tooth problems. It is thought that the different textures of the prey foods help to massage the ferret's gums and therefore clean the teeth in the process (Isn't Mother Nature wonderful?)
But, these individuals try as much as they can, to provide their ferrets with the meats, the organs and the bones needed for their pets' health. They do not feed their ferret kibble using the very simple logic that kibble was not a part of any ferret diet some 2,500 years ago. I will try to explain, as concisely as possible, what they believe the benefits of a natural alternative diet for their ferrets are.
Some people refer to this alternative diet as an "evolutionary" diet. It ensures, according to its proponents, that the ferret is receiving the nutrient essential to his continued good health. They like to explain that the ferret needs nine essential amino acids. Essential amino acids are those the ferret's system cannot produce itself, so it must get from its diet. There is just no other way. These substances are normally found in foods that the ferret's wild relatives eat quite frequently. They include rabbits, mice, rats, birds, frogs, lizards, and even squirrels.
Calcium is another aspect of the diet that your ferret may be lacking. You may be surprised to learn that many manufactured canned cat foods -- and even ferret foods -- do not have any type of quality bone meal included. This means ferrets may be lacking in calcium. A healthy ferret diet does not necessarily mean that a ferret needs to have food available to him 24/7. A ferret who eats the proper diet may not want to eat again for another 10 hours. The untamed variety of ferret, or polecat, only ate once, sometimes twice a day.
Additionally, health conscious individuals say that the natural variety of foods that are a part of this evolutionary diet -- from bones to meat to skin -- helps to "flush out" the intestinal tract of the animal. This means that your ferret will have less hairballs and other unnecessary obstructions. It also may take care of some nutritional needs that the ferret has, that science has yet to detect. Not only that, these people say, just look at design of both your ferret's jaw and his teeth. This leaves him with a limited chewing capacity. His teeth, they say, definitely evolved to cut meat and bone. Not to smash kibbles for up to ten hours a day. The other pretty amazing aspect of this diet is that it does not lead to dental cavities or other tooth problems. It is thought that the different textures of the prey foods help to massage the ferret's gums and therefore clean the teeth in the process (Isn't Mother Nature wonderful?)
Related Tags: ferret diet, new ferret
Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- The Time I Had a Pet Blue Wasp
A lot of people have pets such as dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, turtles and some even have snakes and - Why Should You Buy Barking Collars For Dogs?
You love your dog but he always barks and misbehaves. It is very upsetting for owners to have dogs t - What to Consider Before Adopting a Dog
There may be plenty of occasions in your life when a puppy crosses your path and desperately needs a - What Do Pet Insurance Policies Cover?
The most basic pet insurance policies simply cover vet bills. More advanced policies can cover every - Dog Walkers Are They For You
If you own a dog then you will know how important it is to ensure that it is walked often to keep th - Creating the Right First Aid Kit For Your Dog
Most of us have some type of first aid kit in our homes. They are necessary for those small bumps an - Deciding to Crate Your Dog For Training
There are several different ways that you may decide to use to train your new dog and they are all v - What to Know About Diets For Dogs
Weight seems to be a struggle for just about anyone, and that is true in the world of dogs. In fact, - Dog Training Basics - Important Tips to Remember
Training your dog is important. It's important for his safety, your safety, the safety of your prope - Don't Go Raising Sheep For Wool Without Reading This!
There are many possible reasons why people choose to raise sheep. Some do it as a means of livelihoo
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Chesapeake Bay Retriever Puppy And Dog Information
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is not an apartment dog. She needs plenty of room to exercise and havin - How To Choose The Right Dog Trainer
Choosing a trainer is a very important decision and one that requires a fair amount of research and - Can Greenies Dog Treats Recover From Death?
A Makeover For Greenies(r) Treats Months after a series of lawsuits and media attention alleged the - Dog Treats - How to Choose Healthy Treats for Your Dog
Your dog is indeed your best friend and how you feed him or her is very important. Even small items - How to Choose A Good Dog Trainer
If you find that you are not being successful in training your own dog, or maybe you don't have the - Dog Breeds and Asthma Sufferers: Are Hypoallergenic Breeds Always Best?
The first important consideration is to understand exactly what hypoallergenic dog breeds are. In sh - Audubon Bird Feeders
Bird watching is an enjoyable hobby for many of us. We love the antics of the different birds as - Must Have Accessories For Your Fish Tank
When many individuals think of fish tank accessories, decorations are often the first thing that com - The Beautifull Hummingbirds
The hummingbirds diet requires nectar as a source of energy and for their protein source small insec - Clumber Spaniel Puppy And Dog Information
The Clumber Spaniel is an intelligent, calm dog great for apartments as they do not need a great dea