Being a ferret owner are you confused- can ferrets eat deer? Then you have come to the right place.
Ferrets can eat deer but not alive or by hunting, instead in meat form.
In this article, I will provide you full guidance on when ferrets can eat deer, and how you should feed deer meats to ferrets.
Precaution you need to take care before giving deer meat to ferrets, the risks and benefits of ferrets having deer, and more. So, make sure to read till the end.
Content List
- 1 Can ferrets eat deer?
- 2 Can ferrets eat deer meat?
- 3 Deer meat nutrition facts for ferrets
- 4 How to feed deer meat to ferrets?
- 5 Precautions to take before feeding deer meat to your ferret
- 6 Benefits of ferret eating deer meat
- 7 Risk of eating deer meat for ferret
- 8 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- 9 Conclusion
Can ferrets eat deer?
Being an obligate carnivore animal, meat is the major food of ferrets. So, yes ferrets can deer.
Although, dear is a herbivore animal ferrets can’t catch, kill, and eat them alive. The reason is obvious dear is much bigger as compared to ferrets.
So, the ferret is only able to eat dead deer. It can either be in the wild or served by the owner. When comes to eating deer, some ferrets like a lot while others are just okay.
So, it depends on the individual nature of the ferrets.
Can ferrets eat deer meat?
Yes, ferrets love to enjoy eating dear meat. The deer meat contains everything that a ferret needs ie it’s high in protein and low in carbohydrates.
You can serve deat as a snack or surprise treat to your furry friend. Ferrets love variation in food like human beings. Change in food gives them mental pleasure which results in inner happiness.
After knowing ferrets can eat deer meat, you may wonder- can ferrets eat raw deer meat?
The answer is yes, ferrets can eat the raw meat of deer. But, you have to make sure that the raw meat isn’t affected by any kind of parasite or bacteria.
Deer meat nutrition facts for ferrets
| Amount | Per 100g |
| Protein | 30g |
| Fat | 3.2g |
| Carbohydrates | 0g |
| Potassium | 122mg |
| Sodium | 54mg |
| Pottasium | 335mg |
| Energy | 120Kcal |
| Cholesterol | 112 mg |
How to feed deer meat to ferrets?
Your ferret likes deer meat which is half a good part, the other half depends on how you feed it.
You can serve it in a ferret bowl and with the right amount. Because if the amount is higher it causes health issues for your pet.
Also, ferrets are highly active and curious animals so they will eat at full speed. They can’t decide the stoppage point.
However, wild ferrets mostly get major access to deer meat.
Precautions to take before feeding deer meat to your ferret
There is a saying “Precaution is better than cure”. The same applies to ferrets eating deer meat.
The following are some major precautions you must take care of before feeding dear meet to your lovely pet.
1. Cut deer meat into small pieces
This is the first and most important thing to do. As ferrets are smaller animal creatures they cut meat into small pieces.
It makes it easy for your furry friend to pick and eat those meat pieces.
The right size piece also gives freedom for the ferret to eat it smoothly without any kind of restriction.
2. Boiled the cut pieces
After cutting the pieces boil them for 15-20 minutes. As we know deer is a wild animal so there is always a possibility of carrying some kind of parasites.
Proper boiling will remove such unwanted bodies from deer meat. So, boiling will ensure the health and safety of your ferret.
3. The right amount
After cutting and boiling, it’s the amount of deer meat that must be in right.
It’s indeed true that ferrets love eating the meat of deer, but access to anything is harmful. Ferrets are not capable enough to monitor the amount to be eaten.
If your pet has eaten more deer meat than required then it can create health issues like obesity, poor digestion, and weight gain.
So, being a ferret owner, it’s your responsibility to check it.
4. Throw away the waste
After cutting and taking the final meat product make sure to throw waste. It must be out of the reach of ferrets.
Waste may contain teeth, fats, and bones of deer, they are risky for ferrets. Unfortunately, if your pet eats this waste then it can cause many health issues.
5. Consider the meat of deer as a snack
Deer meat is indeed rich in protein and low in carbohydrates but, it doesn’t mean you can feed it as regular food.
Along with high protein, it also contains high cholesterol (112mg in 100gm) which is not good for ferrets. So, consider deer meat as a treat or snack.
Benefits of ferret eating deer meat
1. Help in gaining weight
Deer is a wild animal which means their meat is rich in nutrients. It helps ferrets gain weight.
The presence of an adequate amount of cholesterol, protein, and potassium helps in gaining weight.
So, if your furry friend is suffering from malnutrition or just recovered from illness then, deer meat could be the best option.
2. Provide strength
As mentioned above, 100g of meat of deer contains 120Kcal energy and zero carbohydrate. This clearly shows the power of deer meat.
So, you can feed it in your ferret snacks or treat it once in a while. Your pet will become fitter and gain more strength from the consumption of deer meat.
3. Make ferrets happy and healthy
Deer meat is exactly matching with ferret nature so they will love to eat it.
Having meat from wild animals often will change the taste buds of ferrets. This gives great mental stimulation to ferrets which results in ferret happiness.
A happy and healthy state of any animal increases the life span of animals and the same applies to ferrets as well.
Risk of eating deer meat for ferret
Every great thing comes with a price and this also applies to ferrets eating deer meat.
If the amount of deer meat isn’t monitored properly, then it can result in overweight, and digestion issues of ferrets.
Due to this, your pet will become less active. Soon, he/she will start losing their nature of being highly curious and playful.
This drawback will result in creating a health issue for your furry friend. So, always monitor the amount of deer meat your pet is eating.
With ferret age the amount of meat differs so ask your vet for better clarity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are some inappropriate ferret foods?
Cakes, carrots, biscuits, and dairy products are some major inappropriate foods.
Can ferrets eat cooked meat?
Yes, ferrets can eat cooked meat.
What live prey can ferrets eat?
Ferrets can eat live prey like rabbits, mice, rats, and other rodents, they can also eat fish, birds, and insects.
Can ferrets eat any meat?
No, they can’t eat all the meat.
Conclusion
Now, you get the answer- can ferrets eat deer?
Being a carnivore animals ferrets do eat deer meat. It’s also beneficial to your pet as the meat of deer is rich in protein.
But, measure the amount of deer meat you’re serving. Because access can cause health issues so take it as a ferret treat or snack.