Are you confused- can ferrets eat yogurt? Then you have landed in the right place.
Ideally, ferrets should not eat yogurt but, can be given as a cheat treat.
In this article, you will get to know- when ferrets can eat yogurt, can ferrets eat Greek yogurt? the benefits of feeding yogurt to ferrets, the risks of yogurt for ferrets, and much more.
Also, I will share my personal experience of feeding yogurt to my pet ferret. So, make sure to read till the end.
Content List
Can ferrets eat yogurt?
No, ferrets shouldn’t eat yogurt.
Ferrets are a carnivores animal which means they need high-protein meals. Yogurt doesn’t have much protein so you should avoid feeding it to your furry friend.
Yogurt is rich in sodium and phosphorous that ferrets can’t digest so it’s not a good option. Also, if your ferret is older then completely avoid feeding yogurt.
Because it has a comparatively weaker digestive system than adult and micro ferrets that have strong digestion.
So, if you wonder- can my ferret have yogurt? then it would be direct but rarely can be a cheat treat.
Can ferrets have Greek yogurt?
No, ferrets should not be given Greek yogurt. It is also an extended and updated form of normal yogurt.
This too contains high carbohydrates, phosphorous, and sodium, so it does not align with the food types of ferrets.
However, many ferret owners use Greek yogurt as a probiotic. But, it’s important to note that you can’t use probiotics without a reason and knowledge.
In this case, either acquire knowledge or contact your vet for expert clarity about it. Pinned in your mind to give probiotics in the form of Greek probiotics when needed.
When I can give yogurt to my ferret?
Keep noted that yogurt is the right food for ferrets. Food with high protein & fiber and low carbohydrates is the prime diet of ferrets.
As a human being, we easily get bored of the same food even if it’s our favorite. The reputation of the food decreases our desire and taste of our favorite and the same applies to ferrets as well.
When you are following the same food pattern for your pet then there are higher that your ferret will lose interest in it. So, once in a while, you can give yogurt to your furry friend.
I feed yogurt once or twice a month to my two and half year male ferret and once a month to my four-year-old female ferret.
This will give them a chance to taste which enriches their mental stimulation. So, you can use yogurt as a cheat treat for your ferret.
Be aware of the quantity of yogurt, always feed as part of the snack.
Yogurt Nutrition Facts feat ferret
Understanding will help in feeding it to ferrets.
The following nutrition information is provided by the
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the nutritional information for 1 cup (245g) of yogurt is as follows:
| Name | Amount |
| Calorries | 149g |
| Fat | 8g |
| Sodium | 113mg |
| Carbohydrates | 11.4g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugars | 11.4g |
| Protein | 8.5g |
| Phosphorous | 233g |
| Calcium | 296g |
| Riboflavin | 0.34mg |
Yogurt quantity for different ferret age groups
Micro ferret or baby ferret- 1 tablespoon
Adult male ferret- 2-3 tablespoon
Adult female ferret- 1- 2 tablespoon ferret
Old ferret- 1 tablespoon
The benefit of feeding yogurt to ferrets
Despite strong no to ferret eating yogurt, there are also some benefits as well. The following are some major advantages:
1. Change the taste buds of ferret
Eating the same food does bore your ferret which results in loss of interest in eating. So, it does affect their health.
A couple of months ago I was out of the home for two weeks and my brother was feeding him the same food every day. My lovely ferret decreases the amount of food he eats.
And I noticed that his weight started to decrease. Then I changed the food and added some surprise and cheat meals and treats for him, yougurat was among them as well.
So, in such as you must look for food that will increase ferret weight.
2. Provide mental stimulation
Ferrets love variation in food like humans. So, yogurt could be a great portion of ferret snacks. They eat the same chicken, beef, or mice every day.
Ferret loves snacks which is high in protein but as an owner, you must be aware of the quantity. Because higher quantity will badly affect your pet’s health.
Remember that, don’t add yogurt to ferret meals. You can only feed once in a while. They will become happy to see the unexpected change in snacks.
This will also awaken their love and interest in other foods as well.
3. Built a strong bond between the ferret and the owner
If you feed yogurt once in a while it shows your love and care of your pet that he/she also does understand.
If you keep maintain this you will notice that your pet will be more attached to you. They will show their love by hugging you, laying near food, or even jumping over you.
4. Change in ferret food pattern
If the ferret gets bored of the same food then as an owner you may also get fed up arranging the same food for your pet.
So, it gets out of the gonr you can add yogurt to your ferret snack list. This will also help you save some bucks.
Risk of yogurt for ferret
If you are feeding yogurt to your ferret then you must also be aware of the potential risk of it. Being aware of health issues your ferret may have from yogurt will keep you free and your pet fit.
On that note, the following are the potential risks of yogurt for ferrets:
Obesity
Yogurt is high in carbohydrates which creates complex chains and they become hard for ferrets to digest.
Also, the American Ferret Association warns that ferrets can digest carbohydrates so avoid feeding it to ferrets.
The regular feeding feeding of yogurt will make your ferret inactive or less playful. This will create issues like he/she will take more rest than play, jump, or dig.
So, your furry friend will lose their true nature and end up having many health issues.
Diarrhea
Eating yogurt can also result in diarrhea in your ferret.
Yogurt also contains high sugar, and fat along with carbohydrates. It’s hard for ferre to break and digest those sugar and fat complexes.
Consumption of dairy products like butter, yogurt, & milk can cause diarrhea to ferrets. The major reason is the intestinal upset of your pet.
So, protect your furry friend from eating such complex foods.
Weight Gain
The inability to deal with dairy products including yogurt will lead to obesity which results in weight gain. Gastrointestinal upset and bloating are major withdrawal symptoms your ferret will start showing.
When ferrets are not able to digest the food then it will start collecting as fat in his/her body. The ultimate reason is lost physical activity.
Ferret is known for their curious and playful nature but having such complex food affects the true nature of the ferret.
In some cases, your pet may also have issues with insulin-secreting pancreatic tumors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FSQs)
Can ferrets eat tuna?
Yes, ferrets can eat tuna as a treat.
Is yogurt toxic to ferrets?
Yogurt is not toxic to ferrets but it’s not recommended.
What food is toxic to ferrets?
Alcoholic beverages, Apple seeds, Apricot pits, and Avocados are some toxic foods to ferrets.
Conclusion
Now, you get the answer- can ferrets eat yogurt?
Ideally, ferrets shouldn’t eat yogurt. It contains carbohydrates, sodium, and more such compounds which are hard to digest for ferrets.
However, you can give yogurt to ferrets once in a while as a ferret cheat treat.