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Food / Treats

The most important thing to remember when deciding what food and or treats to provide to your ferret is that ferrets are obligate carnivores. This means that they require animal protein and cannot process vegetable protein or gain nutrients from vegetables. This is because ferrets lack a cecum, the section of intestine that helps omnivores like us process vegetables.

Also, from the time food enters the ferret's body until the time it exits is a matter of only a few hours. Because of this, ferrets need high quality food with high levels of fats and protein because as the body has less time to absorb these important nutrients. In Ferrets for Dummies (2000), Kim Schilling recommends that the food you feed your ferret contain at least 34% protein and 20% fat. We also recommend that when you read the ingredients on the label that the first ingredient should be an animal-based product and that at least 3-4 of the first 6 ingredients be sources of animal-based protein. Many high quality cat and kitten foods meet the important nutrient requirements of ferrets and are acceptable to feed your ferret as well as many of the foods marketed directly to ferrets. It is important to read the labels closely to determine what is the best food for your pet.

For a look at some of the recommended foods for ferrets and comparison to other foods, take a look at our food chart below.

Legends explaining the point values, cell shading and source codes directly follow the food chart. Food names have been included at both the beginning and end of each row for easier reading and comparison. For a printable version click here. (You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the printable version.)

Note: MD Ferret PAWS does not recommend or endorse the use of all of the following foods. Many are included only for comparison purposes to help you make your own judgements.

Food
Points
1st Ingredient
2nd Ingredient
3rd Ingredient
4th Ingredient
5th Ingredient
6th Ingredient
Crude Protien (not less than)
Crude Fat (not less than)
Crude Fiber (not more than)
Moisture (not more than)
Contains "by-products"
BHT or BHA
Ethoxyquin
Corn?
Source
Food
8-in-1 Ultimate (Ferret)
10
Chicken
Chicken Meal
Ground Rice
Chicken Fat
Chicken Digest
Raisin Juice
38
19
3
10
No
No
No
No
TFS
8-in-1 Ultimate (Ferret)
Arden Grange Kitten
10
Fresh Chicken
Chicken Meal
Rice Flour
Chicken Fat
Herring Meal
Whole Dried Egg
35
24
3
8
No
No
No
Yes
AG
Arden Grange Kitten
Chicken Soup for the Kitten Lover's Soul
10
Chicken
Salmon
ChickenMeal
Whole Grain Brown Rice
Chicken Fat
Oatmeal
34
22
3
10
No
No
No
No
SOUP
Chicken Soup for the Kitten Lover's Soul
Felidae Cat & Kitten Formula
10
Chicken Meal
Turkey Meal
Brown Rice
Lamb Meal
Chicken Fat
Menhaden Fish Meal
32
20
2.5
9
No
No
No
No
PFD
Felidae Cat & Kitten Formula
Innova Feline
10
Turkey
Chicken Meal
Chicken
Whole Steamed Potatoes
Whole Egg
Ground Barley
36
20
2.5
10
No
No
No
No
FFO
Innova Feline
James Wellbeloved Ferret Food
10
Turkey Meat Meal
Ground Whole Wheat
Turkey Fat
Fish Meal
Turkey Gravy
Natural Potato Protein
36
19
3
No
No
No
No
WB
James Wellbeloved Ferret Food
Natural Balance Ultra Premium Cat
10
Chicken
Chicken Meal
Brown Rice
Duck
Lamb Meal
Potatoes
34
18
3
10
No
No
No
No
PFD
Natural Balance Ultra Premium Cat
The Ferret Store Superior Choice Natural
10
Chicken
Chicken Meal
Brown Rice
Lamb Meal
Chicken Fat
Potatoes
38
19
2.5
12
No
No
No
No
TFS
The Ferret Store Superior Choice Natural
The Ferret Store Superior Choice Original
10
Chicken Meal
Brown Rice
Chicken Fat
Dried Egg Product
Lamb Meal
Chicken Digest
38
20
2.5
12
No
No
No
No
TFS
The Ferret Store Superior Choice Original
Wysong Ferret Archetypal I
10
Beef
Beef Liver
Chicken
Chicken Liver
Lamb
Lamb Liver
50
28
2.8
3
No
No
No
No
FFO
Wysong Ferret Archetypal I
Zupreem (Ferret)
10
Chicken Meal
Chicken Fat
Ground Wheat
Wheat Flour
Chicken
Egg Product
40
20
2
10
No
No
No
No
FD
Zupreem (Ferret)
C&P's UltraMix Adult Feline Formula
9
Chicken
Chicken Meal
Herring Meal
Turkey Meal
Chicken Fat
Potato
31
18
3
10
No
No
No
No
PFD
C&P's UltraMix Adult Feline Formula
Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul
9
Chicken
Salmon
Chicken Meal
Whole Grain Brown Rice
Chicken Fat
Oatmeal
30
20
3
10
No
No
No
No
SOUP
Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul
Eukanuba Adult Chicken & Rice (Cat)
9
Chicken
Chicken Liver
Chicken By-Product Meal
Brewer's Rice
Chicken By Products
Fish Meal
34
21
2.5
10
Yes
No
No
Yes
PFD
Eukanuba Adult Chicken & Rice (Cat)
Eukanuba Adult Lamb & Rice (Cat)
9
Lamb
Beef Liver
Catfish
Chicken By-Product Meal
Brewer's Rice
Fish Meal
34
21
2.5
10
Yes
No
No
Yes
PFD
Eukanuba Adult Lamb & Rice (Cat)
Frankie Ferret Food
9
Poultry Meal
Wheat
Soya Oil
Fish Meal
Turkey Meal
Turkey Derivatives
36
19
2
10
Yes
No
No
No
bag label
Frankie Ferret Food
Healthwise Cat & Kitten
9
Chicken Meal
Ground Brown Rice
Chicken
Chicken Fat
Herring Meal
Flaxseed Meal
32
22
4
10
No
No
No
Yes
NP
Healthwise Cat & Kitten
Healthwise Kitten Formula
9
Chicken
Chicken Meal
Brown Rice
Rice
Whole Eggs
Casein
34
22
3
10
No
No
No
No
FFO
Healthwise Kitten Formula
Holistic Blend All Life Stages Cat Formula
9
Low Ash Chicken Meal
Ground Brown Rice
Chicken Fat
Hullless Barley
Chicken Meat
Soy Protein
32
18
3
10
No
No
No
No
PFD
Holistic Blend All Life Stages Cat Formula
Prairie Brand Chicken and Rice Medley Feline (by Nature's Recipe)
9
Chicken
Brown Rice
Oatmeal
Chicken Fat
Flaxseed
Chicken Liver
32
20
3
10
No
No
No
No
NV
Prairie Brand Chicken and Rice Medley Feline (by Nature's Recipe)
Sensible Choice Kitten Chicken Meal & Rice
9
Chicken Meal
Brewer's Rice
Rice Flour
Chicken
Chicken Fat
Powdered Cellulose
33
20
3
10
No
No
No
No
PFD
Sensible Choice Kitten Chicken Meal & Rice
Totally Ferret Active
9
Chicken By-Product Meal
Rice Flour
Egg Product
Chicken Fat
Poultry Fat
Wheat Flour
36
22
1.5
10
Yes
No
No
Yes
PFD
Totally Ferret Active
Totally Ferret Baby
9
Chicken By-Products
Wheat Flour
Dried Egg Product
Chicken Fat
Chicken Liver Meal
Dried Beet Pulp
42
24
2
10
Yes
No
No
No
bag label
Totally Ferret Older
9
Chicken By-Product Meal
Rice Flour
Egg Product
Chicken Fat
Wheat Flour
Poultry Fat
33
18.5
1.5
10
Yes
No
No
Yes
PFD
Totally Ferret Older
Wellness Super5Mix Kitten
9
Deboned Chicken
Chicken Meal
Chicken Liver
Ground Brown Rice
Ground Whole Oats
Canola Oil
34
20
3
10
No
No
No
No
PFD
Wellness Super5Mix Kitten
Wellness Super5Mix Salmon
9
Salmon
Deboned Turkey
Herring Meal
Salmon Meal
Menhaden Fishmeal
Ground Whole Oats
33
19
5
10
No
No
No
No
OMH
Wellness Super5Mix Salmon
Blackwood Cat
8
Chicken Meal
Chicken
Rice Flour
Whole Ground Corn
Chicken Fat
Dried Plain Beet Pulp
33
21
2.75
10
No
No
No
Yes
BW
Blackwood Cat
By Nature - BrightLife Feline Food
8
Chicken Meal
Lamb Meal
Whole Ground Barley
Chicken Fat
Whole Ground Oats
Ground Rice
34
20
4
11
No
No
No
No
PFD
By Nature - BrightLife Feline Food
Eagle Pack Holistic Select Cat Food
8
Chicken Meal
Ground Brown Rice
Corn Gluten Meal
Chicken Fat
Chicken
Lamb
32
20
3.7
10
No
No
No
Yes
PFD
Eagle Pack Holistic Select Cat Food
Eukanuba Kitten Chicken & Rice
8
Chicken
Chicken Liver
Chicken By-Product Meal
Brewer's Rice
Fish Meal
Corn Grits
36
22
2.5
10
Yes
No
No
Yes
PFD
Eukanuba Kitten Chicken & Rice
Evolve Kitten
8
Chicken
Chicken Meal
Brown Rice
Brewer's Rice
Chicken Fat
Tomato
37
18
4
10
No
No
No
No
PFD
Evolve Kitten
Excel Cat Food
8
Chicken Meal
Chicken
Rice Flour
Ground Corn
Chicken Fat
Beet Pulp
32
21
3
10
No
No
No
Yes
PFD
Excel Cat Food
Excel Kitten
8
Chicken Meal
Rice Flour
Chicken
Ground Corn
Chicken Fat
Beet Pulp
34
22
3
10
No
No
No
Yes
PFD
Excel Kitten
F.M. Brown's Ferret Diet
8
Poultry Meal
Ground Wheat
Chicken Fat
Corn Gluten Meal
Fish Meal
Taurine
34
18.5
2.5
10
No
No
No
Yes
TFS
F.M. Brown's Ferret Diet
Iams Ocean Fish & Rice (Cat)
8
Ocean Fish
Chicken By-Product Meal
Brewer's Rice
Corn Meal
Chicken Fat
Fish Meal
32
21
3
10
Yes
No
No
Yes
PFD
Iams Ocean Fish & Rice (Cat)
Natural Gold Ferret
8
Protein Concentrate (Pork)
Tapioca Starch
Soybean Oil
Fish Oil
Oat Fiber
Poultry Fat
50
21
5
10
No
No
No
No
NG
Natural Gold Ferret
Path Valley Farm (Ferret)
8
Chicken
Chicken Meal
Whole Grain Brown Rice
Corn Gluten Meal
Chicken Fat
Oatmeal
34
22
3
10
No
No
No
Yes
TFS
Path Valley Farm (Ferret)
Prairie Brand Beef and Barley Medley Feline (by Nature's Recipe)
8
Beef
Barley
Brown Rice
Oatmeal
Chicken Fat
Flaxseed
32
20
3
10
No
No
No
No
NV
Prairie Brand Beef and Barley Medley Feline (by Nature's Recipe)
Prairie Brand Lamb and Rice Medley Feline (by Nature's Recipe)
8
Lamb
Brown Rice
Oatmeal
Canola Oil
Flaxseed
Menhaden Fish
32
20
3
10
No
No
No
No
NV
Prairie Brand Lamb and Rice Medley Feline (by Nature's Recipe)
Premium Edge Kitten
8
Chicken
Chicken Meal
Whole Grain Brown Rice
Corn Gluten Meal
Chicken Fat
Oatmeal
34
22
3
10
No
No
No
Yes
PE
Premium Edge Kitten
Royal Canin Babycat
8
Chicken Meal
Chicken Fat
Chicken
Corn Gluten Meal
Rice Flour
Beet Pulp
34
25
2.5
10
No
No
No
Yes
PFD
Royal Canin Babycat
Royal Canin Kitten
8
Chicken Meal
Chicken
Brewer's Rice
Corn Gluten Meal
Chicken Fat
Corn Flour
34
20
2.5
10
No
No
No
Yes
PFD
Royal Canin Kitten
Wellness Super5Mix Adult
8
Deboned Chicken
Chicken Meal
Chicken Liver
Ground Brown Rice
Ground Whole Oats
Canola Oil
33
19
5
10
No
No
No
No
OMH
Wellness Super5Mix Adult
Wysong Ferret Archetypal II
8
Chicken
Chicken Giblets
Poultry Fat
Ground Brown Rice
Ground Wheat
Ground Corn
35
20
3
12
No
No
No
Yes
FFO
Wysong Ferret Archetypal II
Avoderm Breeder's Choice Chicken Meal Formula for Adults & Kittens
7
Chicken Meal
Ground Yellow Corn
Corn Gluten Meal
Ground Whole Wheat
Chicken Fat
Herring Meal
32
20
3
10
No
No
No
Yes
PFD
Avoderm Breeder's Choice Chicken Meal Formula for Adults & Kittens
California Natural (Cat)
7
Chicken
Chicken Meal
Ground Brown Rice
Chicken Fat
Sunflower Oil
Flaxseed
36.5
16.6
3.2
10
No
No
No
No
NP
California Natural (Cat)
Eagle Pack Kitten
7
Chicken Meal
Ground Brown Rice
Chicken Fat
Ground Corn
Corn Gluten Meal
Chicken (organic)
34
21
3.8
10
No
No
No
Yes
PFD
Eagle Pack Kitten
Eagle Pack Super Premium Ferret
7
Chicken Meal
Ground Brown Rice
Chicken Fat
Ground Yellow Corn
Corn Gluten Meal
Chicken
34.5
21
3.8
10
No
No
No
Yes
FFO
Eagle Pack Super Premium Ferret
Iams Original (Cat)
7
Chicken
Chicken By-Product Meal
Corn Grits
Ground Whole Gain Sorghum
Fish Meal
Chicken Fat
32
21
3
10
Yes
No
No
Yes
PFD
Iams Original (Cat)
Lick Your Chops Kitten & Cat
7
Chicken Meal
Brown Rice
Rice
Chicken Fat
Sunflower Oil
Dried Whole Egg Product
34
17
4
10
No
No
No
No
PFD
Lick Your Chops Kitten & Cat
Maxximum Kitten Chicken & Rice
7
Chicken
Chicken Meal
Brewer's Rice
Fish Meal
Corn Gluten Meal
Beef Tallow
36
22
2.5
12
?
?
?
Yes
SCO
Maxximum Kitten Chicken & Rice
Pro Pac Premium Kitten
7
Chicken Meal
Rice Flour
Ground Yellow Corn
Poultry Fat
Dried Egg Product
Dried Beet Pulp
34
22
3
10
No
No
No
Yes
PFD
Pro Pac Premium Kitten
Professional Cat Chicken & Rice
7
Chicken
Chicken By-Product Meal
Rice Flour
Whole Grain Ground Corn
Chicken Fat
Corn Gluten Meal
32
21
3
10
Yes
No
No
Yes
PPF
Professional Cat Chicken & Rice
Professional Kitten Chicken & Rice
7
Chicken
Chicken By-Product Meal
Rice Flour
Corn Gluten Meal
Chicken Fat
Oatmeal
34
22
3
10
Yes
No
No
Yes
PPF
Professional Kitten Chicken & Rice
Purina One Growth & Development Formula (Kitten)
7
Chicken
Chicken By-Product Meal
Soy Flour
Corn Gluten Meal
Brewer's Rice
Beef Tallow
40
18
2.5
12
Yes
No
No

Yes
PURINA
Purina One Growth & Development Formula (Kitten)
Sheppard & Greene Super Premium Adult (Ferret)
7
Chicken
Chicken Meal
Corn Gluten Meal
Rice
Chicken Fat
Corn
36
20
3
10
No
No
No
Yes
TFS
Sheppard & Greene Super Premium Adult (Ferret)
Sheppard & Greene Super Premium Senior (Ferret)
7
Chicken
Chicken Meal
Rice
Corn
Corn Gluten Meal
Chicken Fat
32
16
2.5
10
No
No
No
Yes
TFS
Sheppard & Greene Super Premium Senior (Ferret)
Annamaet Cat & Kitten
6
Chicken Meal
Rice Flour
Ground Corn
Corn Gluten Meal
Egg Product
Chicken Fat
33
15
3
10
No
No
No
Yes
PFD
Annamaet Cat & Kitten
Artemis Holistic Cat Food
6
Chicken Meal
Ground Brown Rice
Corn Gluten Meal
White Rice
Chicken Fat
Turkey Meal
32
20
4
10
No
No
No
Yes
PFD
Artemis Holistic Cat Food
Iams Kitten
6
Chicken
Chicken By-Product Meal
Corn Grits
Ground Whole Gain Sorghum
Chicken Fat
Corn Meal
34
22
3
10
Yes
No
No
Yes
PFD
Iams Kitten
Kaytee Exact Rainbow (Ferret)
6
Poultry By-Product Meal
Poultry Meal
Ground Corn
Brewer's Rice
Poultry Fat
Egg Product
32
10
3
12
Yes
No
No
Yes
TFS
Kaytee Exact Rainbow (Ferret)
Kaytee Forti-Diet (Ferret)
6
Poultry Meal
Fish Meal
Animal Fat
Soy Flour
Kibbled Corn
Dried Beet Pulp
35
18
4
12
No
Yes
No
Yes
TFS
Kaytee Forti-Diet (Ferret)
Living World Premium Ferret Food (Hagen)
6
Poultry Meal
Poultry Fat
Ground Corn
Dried Beet Pulp
Poultry Digest
Yeast Culture
38
22
3.5
10
No
No
No
Yes
Living World Premium Ferret Food (Hagen)
Nutro Max Kitten
6
Chicken Meal
Corn Gluten Meal
Wheat Flour
Poultry Fat
Ground Rice
Natural Flavors
34
20
3
10
No
No
No
Yes
PFD
Nutro Max Kitten
Pro Plan Kitten Chicken & Rice
6
Chicken
Chicken By-Product Meal
Corn Gluten Meal
Brewer's Rice
Beef Tallow
Soybean Meal
40
18
3
12
Yes
No
No
Yes
PFD
Pro Plan Kitten Chicken & Rice
8-in-1 Ultra (Ferret)
5
Chicken Meal
Ground Yellow Corn
Brewer's Rice
Corn Gluten Meal
Animal Fat
Corn Oil
35
15
3
10
No
No
No
Yes
TFS
8-in-1 Ultra (Ferret)
Bil-Jac Kitten
5
Fresh Chicken By-Products (Organ Meat Only)
Fresh Chicken
Corn
Dried Beet Pulp (sugar removed)
Chicken By-Product Meal
Fresh Chicken Liver
33
19
3.5
10
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
PFD
Bil-Jac Kitten
Hills Science Diet Feline Growth (Kitten)
5
Chicken By-Product Meal
Corn Meal
Animal Fat
Corn Gluten Meal
Brewer's Rice
Chicken Liver Digest
33
23
3
10
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
PFD
Hills Science Diet Feline Growth (Kitten)
Hill's Science Diet Feline Maintenance Adult
5
Chicken By-Product Meal
Corn Meal
Brewer's Rice
Animal Fat
Corn Gluten Meal
Chicken Liver Digest
34
23
1
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
PFD
Hill's Science Diet Feline Maintenance Adult
Marshall Premium (Ferret)
5
Chicken By-Product
Herring Meal
Corn
Cod Fish
Chicken Liver
Dried Beet Pulp
38
18
3.5
10
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
TFS
Marshall Premium (Ferret)
Mazuri by PMI (Ferret)
5
Poultry Meal
Poultry By-Product Meal
Animal Fat
Ground Corn
Dehulled Soybean Meal
Corn Gluten Meal
38
20.5
4
12
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
MAZ
Mazuri by PMI (Ferret)
Nutro Natural Choice Complete Care Kitten
5
Chicken Meal
Ground Rice
Corn Gluten Meal
Poultry Fat
Dried Beet Pulp
Natural Flavors
35
21
3
10
No
No
No
Yes
PFD
Nutro Natural Choice Complete Care Kitten
Science Diet Nature's Best with Real Ocean Fish Kitten
5
Corn Gluten Meal
Animal Fat
Turkey Meal
Ground Wheat
Brewer's Rice
Soybean Meal
35
22
2
10
No
No
No
Yes
PFD
Science Diet Nature's Best with Real Ocean Fish Kitten
Wysong Feline Nurture Kitten Diet
5
Chicken
Poultry Fat
Corn Gluten Meal
Ground Brown Rice
Ground Wheat
Ground Extruded Whole Soybeans
35
15.5
3
12
No
No
No
Yes
FFO
Wysong Feline Nurture Kitten Diet
Wysong Vitality Feline Diet
5
Chicken
Poultry Fat
Ground Wheat
Ground Corn
Ground Brown Rice
Corn Gluten Meal
34
15.5
7
12
No
No
No
Yes
PFD
Wysong Vitality Feline Diet
Petguard Premium Cat & Kitten
4
Chicken Meal
Corn Gluten Meal
Fresh Chicken
Whole Ground Corn
Brown Rice
Sunflower Oil
30
15
3
12
No
No
No
Yes
PFD
Petguard Premium Cat & Kitten
Purina Kitten Chow
4
Poultry By-Product Meal
Brewer's Rice
Corn Gluten Meal
Soy Flour
Beef Tallow
Fish Meal
40
12.5
4
12
Yes
No
No
Yes
PURINA
Purina Kitten Chow
Sun Seed Vita Diet (Ferret)
4
Meat & Bone Meal
Brewer's Rice
Ground Corn
Poultry By-Product Meal
Fish Meal
Wheat Middlings
36
16
5
14
Yes
No
No
Yes
PFD
Sun Seed Vita Diet (Ferret)
Kaytee Fiesta (Ferret)
3
Poultry Meal
Ground Corn
Fish Meal
Animal Fat
Dried Beet Pulp
Soy Flour
30
16
5
12
No
Yes
No
Yes
TFS
Kaytee Fiesta (Ferret)
L&M Vita Vittles (Ferret)
3
Fish Meal
Poultry Meal
Ground Corn
Soybean Meal
Animal Fat
Vegetable Oil
32
10
4
10
?
Yes
?
Yes
TFS
L&M Vita Vittles (Ferret)
Merrick Pro Super Premium (Ferret)
3
Beef Liver
Brewer's Rice
Rice
Poultry By-Product Meal
Wheat
Corn Gluten Meal
30
13
1.5
10
?
?
?
Yes
TFS
Merrick Pro Super Premium (Ferret)
8-in-1 Premium Ferret Diet
2
Poultry By-Product Meal
Brewer's Rice
Ground Yellow Corn
Corn Gluten Meal
Chicken Fat
Brewer's Dried Yeast
30
8
4
10
Yes
No
No
Yes
TFS
8-in-1 Premium Ferret Diet
9 Lives Super Supper Tuna & Egg (Cat)
2
Ground Yellow Corn
Poultry By-Product Meal
Corn Gluten Meal
Ground Wheat
Poultry Fat
Chicken Broth
31
12
3
9
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
PFD
9 Lives Super Supper Tuna & Egg (Cat)
Hartz Ferret Diet
2
Meat & Bone Meal
Brewer's Rice
Ground Corn
Poultry By-Product Meal
Fish
Wheat Muddlings
30
12
4
12
?
?
?
Yes
TFS
Hartz Ferret Diet
Meow Mix Original (Cat)
2
Ground Yellow Corn
Corn Gluten Meal
Chicken By-Product Meal
Soybean Meal
Beef Tallow
Turkey By-Product Meal
21
8
4
12
Yes
No
No
Yes
PFD
Meow Mix Original (Cat)

Purina Deli-Cat
2
Brewer's Rice
Soybean Meal
Corn Gluten Meal
Meat & Bone Meal
Ground Yellow Corn
Beef Tallow
32
9
4
12
Yes
No
No
Yes
PURINA
Purina Deli-Cat
9 Lives Super Supper Beef, Turkey & Liver (Cat)
1
Ground Yellow Corn
Chicken By-Product Meal
Corn Gluten Meal
Soy Hulls
Brewer's Rice
Poultry Fat
31
12
3
9
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
PFD
9 Lives Super Supper Beef, Turkey & Liver (Cat)
Friskies Poultry Platter Chicken & Turkey (Cat)
1
Ground Yellow Corn
Poultry By-Product Meal
Corn Gluten Meal
Digest of Chicken By-Products
Meat & Bone Meal
Soybean Meal
31
8
4.5
10
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
PFD
Friskies Poultry Platter Chicken & Turkey (Cat)
Purina Kit & Kaboodle (Cat)
1
Ground Yellow Corn
Corn Gluten Meal
Soybean Meal
Chicken By-Product Meal
Beef Tallow
Fish Meal
30
8
4.5
12
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
PFD
Purina Kit & Kaboodle (Cat)
Star Pro Premium Feline
1
Ground Yellow Corn
Poultry By-Product Meal
Corn Gluten Meal

Poultry Fat
Soybean Meal
Whole Wheat Flour
30
15
3.5
10
Yes
No
No
Yes
PFD
Star Pro Premium Feline

 

Color Code Legend

  Score of 10   At least 1 of first 3 ingredients is corn
  Score of 9 or 8   At least 1 of first six ingredients is corn
  First ingredient is animal protein   At least 32% protein, at least 18% fat, or at most 3% fiber, respectively
  At least 4 of first 6 ingredients are animal protein   Does NOT contain BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin or by-products, respectively
  3 of first 6 ingredients are animal protein   Marketed specifically to ferrets (i.e. ferret food, not cat or kitten food)
  Contains corn (anywhere in ingredients)    

Point Legend
2
 at least 4 of first six ingredients are animal protein
1
3 of first six ingredients are animal protein
1
FIRST ingredient animal protein
1
No by-products
1
Protein 32% or greater
1
Fat 18% or greater
1
Fiber 3% or less
2
No corn in first six ingredients
1
No corn in first three ingredients
1
No BHA, BHT or Ethoxyquin

Source Legend

TFS
The Ferret Store www.ferretstore.com
PFD
Pet Food Direct www.PetFoodDirect.com
FFO
For Ferrets Only www.craftycreatures.com
PURINA
Purina One www.purinaone.com
PE
Premium Edge www.premiumedgepetfood.com/
SCO
Show Cats Online www.showcatsonline.com/x/cat_food_comparisons.htm
AG
Arden Grange www.ardengrange.com/ag_cat/Kitten.htm
NV
 Nature's Variety naturesvariety.com/
NG
 Connie's Natural Gold Page fuzies.com/natural_gold_ferret_food1.htm
NP
 Natura Pet www.naturapet.com
BW
 Blackwood Pet Food www.blackwoodpetfood.com
SOUP
 Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul www.chickensoupforthepetloverssoul.com
PPF
 Professional Pet Foods www.professionalpetfoods.com
MAZ
 Mazuri www.mazuri.com
FD
 Ferret Depot www.ferretdepot.com
WB
 James Wellbeloved www.wellbeloved.com
OMH
 Old Mother Hubbard http://www.oldmotherhubbard.com

If there are specific foods that you would like to see on the food chart, please email your suggestions to Ingrid.

For a printable version click here. (You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the printable version.) Last updated 7/18/2005.

Treats/Supplements/Meat

While we don't address the issue here, there is a growing school of thought surrounding the issue of feeding raw and cooked meat diets to your ferret. There are pros and cons to this that are debated even within our board of directors. If you are considering this route, we suggest you discuss it with your vet to ensure that your ferret is getting the correct nutrition.