Have you ever thought or asked- can ferrets eat maggots?
Well, the answer is yes ferrets can eat maggots but, not as treat or regular food.
In this article, you will learn the risks of ferrets eating maggots, the effects of ferrets eating maggots, how maggots make ferrets sick, and more
So, make sure you read till the end.
Content List
Can ferrets eat maggots?
Ferrets are omnivore animals which means they can eat all kinds of insects including maggots. But, ideally, they shouldn’t be eating any kind of insects.
If your pet eats maggots once in a while then it’s completely then it’s fine. The real problem begins when the ferrets start eating it more often or more regularly.
Maggots indeed contain protein which is good for ferrets. So, your ferret will enjoy eating them.
As a ferret owner, just remember that your ferret doesn’t consider maggots as regular food. This can cause some real problems which we will talk about later in this article.
Can maggots affect ferrets?
Yes, Maggots can affect ferrets depending upon the number and quantity of maggots that ferrets eat.
Maggots are larvae of flies and they are found in garbage, rotten food, and dead animals. They can transfer some major diseases and cause some major health problems to ferrets if ingested.
Maggots are a regular source of some of the critical diseases such as typhoid fever, trichinosis, and dysentery. It’s possible that disease through maggots can also result in death.
So, always make sure you give fresh food to your ferret or you can give stored food as well. But, the quality of food always be checked before serving.
On that note, the following are the potential risks that ferret goes through after eating maggots.
Potential risks of ferret-eating maggots
Along with the comfort of ferret maggots, there are also risks involved. So, being a ferret owner you must be aware of these risks.
Like me, as a ferret owner, you too wouldn’t like your pet to get into any kind of health risks. So, mentioning crucial potential risks of ferret-eating maggots.
Nutritional Imbalance
Although maggots are protein-rich, they don’t provide the complete nutrition that ferrets require. Relying too heavily on maggots could lead to nutritional deficiencies in the long run.
It could also affect the digestion system of ferrets. So, yeah be aware of this.
Maggots Source Concern
Depending on where the maggots come from, there might be risks related to contamination or pesticides.
Maggots on dead animals could carry potential pathogens or have come into contact with chemicals that might not be safe for ferret consumption.
Chitin Content
Maggots have an exoskeleton made of chitin, which can be hard to digest for some animals.
While the occasional maggots might not pose a problem, regular consumption could lead to digestive issues in ferrets.
Can maggots make ferrets sick?
Yes, maggots have enough capability to make your ferret sick.
Maggots easily found another spot to enter into the ferret body other than the mouth. There are two soft targets that maggots attack on.
The first one is the ferret nose which is an easy way for maggots to sleep long hours dead sleep. The other is typically found on the neck, near the shoulder blades of ferrets.
Maggots breathe and excrete through the end tail of ferrets which causes lots of stress in ferrets that make your pet sick.
Your ferret may suffer from lethargy, fever, and loss of appetite due to infection and stress given by maggots. Unfortunately, if maggots propagate into the brains of ferrets then they may result in some serious diseases:
- Incoordination or unusual circling
- Intense depression
- Seizures
- Partial or full blindness
Diagnosis
Identifying maggots stress or infection in your ferret is half work done. The on-time diagnosis and treatment is the real solution to making ferrets free from maggots.
Once you notice the maggots symptom in your ferret then immediately contact your vet and give him/her full details.
Then your ferret vet will perform a full physical examination. Important tests like a biochemistry profile, urinalysis, complete blood count, and an electrolyte panel will also be conducted on your furry friend.
During the physical examination, if your veterinarian spots the hole in which maggots live your ferret has cuterebriasis.
Being a ferret owner I know you are attached to your pet. But, I will suggest you not panic during ferret diagnosis.
Treatment
The first step for ferrets infected with maggots will be to enlarge the holes and fully extract the maggots with forceps.
Sometimes anesthetizing the ferret is also recommended when maggots are heavily in the ferret’s body. But, it will be fully decided by the vet.
However, if the bot fly maggots have entered the brain of the ferret then it becomes quite sensitive and serious.
In this case, the treatment goes in two stages, the first one is pretreated with anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, and allergy medication.
The second step is to give Ivermectin to kill the parasite. It’s important to note that everything will be done under the supervision of a ferret vet.
What to do if ferrets eat maggots?
It would be best if your ferret don’t eat maggots. If he/she eats once in a while then it’s fine. But, if the number and quantity increase then it’s time to take action.
If you suspect or notice the symptoms of maggots in your ferret, then without a delay contact to veterinarian for better treatment.
Your ferret can catch maggots through regular food, surprise treats, and more. Always make a strong check before feeding your ferret.
Maggots can catch packed ferret food that is partially served. If it opens up and is kept without serving then there are higher chances that maggots will attack on the food.
The other critical thing to note is that your pet lost a lot of weight after infecting with maggots. So, feed your pet the food that helps increase weight.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can ferrets eat Nightcrawlers?
Yes, they are good treats for ferrets.
What is a ferrets main diet?
Ferrets need a high protein and low carbohydrate diet.
Will A Ferret Eat Food If It Has Maggots
Ferret may eat food with maggots but it shouldn’t be given.
Conclusion
So, now you get the answer- can ferrets eat maggots?
Maggots are larvae of flies and they are mainly found on dead animal bodies, rotten food, and garbage. Sometimes they also attack on old ferret food.
So, always inspect food before serving it to ferrets. You can’t ignore the fact that the disease by maggots can be life-threatening to your furry friend.