Do Ferrets Eat Dead Animals?

Being a ferret owner have you ever wondered- do ferrets eat dead animals?

Maybe you will be surprised to know but, yes ferrets eat dead animals. It mostly happens when ferrets are out of food.

In this article, you will learn – what dead animals ferrets eat in the wild. what dead animals ferret can’t eat? effect of eating dead animals on ferret health? and much more

So, make sure you read till the end.

Do ferrets eat dead animals?

Yes, ferrets eat dead animals. Being obligate carnivores animal, meat is the primary food of ferrets. And animals or prey meat is a rich source of food for your pet.

On several occasions, ferrets have been documented eating dead animals. However, ferrets eating dead animals maximumly take place in the wild.

Precisely in the wild, it’s a black-footed ferret who dead animals when can’t hunt any prey. Ferrets can eat dead mice, rodents, rabbits, goats, and so on.

Risk also involves eating dead animals. when the animal is dead for a longer time then it can be infected with parasites, fungus, or other toxic things.

Do ferrets eat dead animals in the wild?

Being an opportunistic hunter ferrets easily eat dead animals in the wild. The meat of the dead animal is rich in protein which is the primary food of ferret.

Are you still wondering- do ferrets eat dead animals? No worry, you will get to know it clearly by the end of the article.

However, ferrets indeed love to eat prey by catching, this mental stimulation to these carnivore animals. But, the lack of the prey makes them to eat dead animals.

Wild ferrets have a great sense of hearing and scent. The great flexible body and strong bite of ferrets help a lot in hunting. They can also eat species like fish, birds, reptiles, ducks, and even insects.

However, eating dead animals for pet ferrets isn’t possible mostly. Home ferrets majorly eat animals served by their owners.

It can be raw or cooked meat sometimes it can also be a soup of animal meat.

Effect of eating dead animals on ferret health

To complete the hunger ferrets do eat dead animals but it also comes with the danger. Ferret isn’t capable enough to check the quality of the meat of dead animals.

In some cases, if they find out that animals are dead for quite a long time, it’s their hunger that makes them eat. So they ignored the risk of eating such old dead animals.

In both cases, desirable and desirably they ignored the dangers that come with eating dead wild animals.

When the bodies of dead animals are in open space for a longer time then various kinds of parasites and microorganisms start eating the dead body.

Such unwanted bodies enter within ferret body when they eat the meat of the dead animals. It can result in loss of lethargy, digestion problems, and even life-threatening.

What animals do ferrets eat in the wild?

In the wild prairie dogs are the major food for ferrets but, it’s applicable for live animals. When it comes to dead animals ferrets have lots of options.

In the wild more than 90% of ferret food is dependent on prairie dogs.

In the wild, there are many animals of different sizes and colors. There are no certain rules or filters for the ferret side. Usually, a ferret eats dead cats, dogs, rats, mice, squirrels, hedgehogs, and more.

So, they can eat any dead animals found in the wild. Along with eating meat ferrets also love chewing and it happens with the bones of the dead animals.

Chewing is also one of the core parts of the ferret nature so they love chewing bones in the wild. It gives mental happiness and satisfaction to the ferret.

So, as a ferret owner you can also often offer bones to your furry friend.

What animals do ferrets eat?

Ferret-eating animals depend on the type of the ferret whether it’s wild or pet.

A pet ferret can easily hunt and eat animals like rabbits, rats, mice, and more. In several places, ferrets are also being used by ferreters to control the excess population of undesired animals.

An owned ferret usually eats what the owner serves them, the only time they can eat animals is when are out of the cage.

As a ferret owner for more than five years, I will suggest feeding raw meat to the animals. On that note, below is the list of raw meat that ferrets can eat:

• Chicken
• Turkey necks
• Rabbit
• Ducks
• Game birds
• Pigeons
• Minced beef
• Lamb
• Offal

On the other hand, a wild ferret has a lot of options. They have no restrictions on hunting and eating. There is one fact about ferrets, “ferrets can eat an animal which they can catch.“

So, in the wild, there are lots of options for ferrets and they can hunt & eat numerous animals.

The major food a pet ferret eat are chicken, beef, egg, and more. You can also duck into ferret food.

What can ferrets not eat?

You should not feed food to your ferret that contains a high amount of carbohydrates. Because it becomes hard for your pet to digest it.

So, any food with higher carbohydrates is low-nutritional food for ferrets. Higher carbohydrate is responsible for the production of excess glucose in the ferret’s blood.

If not avoided then carbohydrates may also cause insulinoma- cancer of the beta cells in the Pancreas of your furry friend.

Instead feed food that is high in protein. It can be in various forms.

Ferrets shouldn’t eat fruit or vegetables as a main part of their diet. It’s Vegetables contain protein which required to ferret body but, a vegetable protein that can’t smoothly be digested by mustelid animals.

The excess of vegetables can cause diseases such as bladder stones, ulcerations of the skin, gastroenteritis, and reduced reproduction ability.

The same is also applicable to the fruit as well. However, once in a while a small quantity of fruit and vegetables you can feed to your ferret.

Try and avoid the foods and vegetables listed below, as they’re high in complex carbohydrates:

Fruit you should not feed your ferret

• Apple
• Blackberries
• Lentils
• Lima Beans
• Pigeon beans
• Pink beans
• Raspberries
• Spinach
• Bananas
• Blueberries
• Brussel sprouts
• Dates
• Guavas
• Kiwi

Vegetables you should not feed your ferret

• Onions
• Oranges
• Split peas
• Dried plums
• Sweet potato
• Peanut butter
• Raisins
• Bananas
• Salt
• Pears
• Broccoli
• Green Beans

Other things that ferrets can’t eat

• Cat food
• Dog food
• Human foods (except small pieces of cooked meat)
• Bones
• Fish heads or skin
• dairy products
• Sugar
• Grains

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can ferrets eat deer meat?

Yes, ferrets can deer meat.

Can ferrets eat pigs?

Yes, it has fat and it is needed for a ferret body.

What raw meat is safe for ferrets?

Meat from rabbit, chicken, beef, duck, and poultry mice are safe for ferrets.

Do ferrets eat prairie dogs?

Yes, around 90% of wild ferret food depends on prairie dogs.

Conclusion

Now you have the answer- do ferrets eat dead animals?

Ferrets do eat dead animals but not a regular diet. It’s the wild ferret who the dead animals when they lack prey. Otherwise, the true nature of ferrets is to eat the hunted animals.

Still, if you have questions, feel free to comment I will help you out.