Ferrets are carnivores. Their staple diet should be meat in the form of fresh meat (whole carcase wherever possible) or day old chicks. Pet mince can be a useful standby. Clean fresh water must always be available. Many ferrets enjoy splashing in a water bowl so also provide water in a large sized water bottle to compensate for the spillages.

Complete ferret foods have been introduced on to the pet market, and these make an excellent diet. However, as they are dried food rather like cat biscuits so make sure that extra water is always available. Good quality cat biscuit (over 30% protein) is also a handy alternative to fresh meat and is cleaner to feed in the summer when flies may be attracted to fresh meat

The amount of food a ferret needs depends on its age, the amount of exercise it gets, and how large it is. Males need rather more than females. The dry foods can be fed freely so that a ferret can take whatever it wants. If you feed fresh meat it is better to feed just samll amounts twice a day so that it does not become smelly and unappetising, or attract flies. You will soon learn how much your ferret needs; as he will eat his fill and then start to store any extra. Do not allow food stores to accumulate, as this will become unhygienic.

Ferrets often enjoy other foods as treats. Ice cream is especially popular! An occasional egg is appreciated but be careful as too many eggs can cause loss of hair as well as causing diarrhoea. Although it is fine to give your pets occasional treats, please do not overdo it. You want a sleek fit ferret, not a fat sluggish ferret.