10 Best Ferret Foods – 2023 Reviews & Top Picks
By Jordyn Alger
Updated on
Ferrets are obligate carnivores and must eat meat to survive. As a result, their diets need to be high in protein and fat while staying low in carbohydrates and fiber. To ensure that your ferret is getting a nutritious meal each day, it is recommended that you feed them high-quality commercial ferret food.
Finding the right food for your pet can be a challenge. That is why we have listed our 10 favorite ferret foods and provided thorough reviews of each. In this article, you will find the pros and cons of each option, allowing you to make the most informed decision for your ferret’s needs.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2023
| Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Best Overall
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Wysong Epigen 90 Digestive Support Dry Ferret Food |
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Best Value
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Sunseed Vita Vitamin-fortified with Essential Nutrients Ferret Food |
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Premium Choice
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Marshall Premium Ferret Food |
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Oxbow Animal Healthy Essentials Natural Pellets Ferret Food |
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Mazuri Ferret Food |
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The 10 Best Ferret Foods
1. Wysong Epigen 90 Digestive Support Dry Ferret Food – Best Overall
| Crude protein: | 62% minimum |
| Crude fat: | 16% minimum |
| Crude fiber: | 5% minimum |
Our choice for the best overall ferret food is the Wysong Epigen 90 Digestive Support Dry Ferret Food. Wysong Epigen’s first three ingredients are derived from chicken, so meat is a prominent feature of this food. As a result, it is high in protein, with a 62% crude protein minimum.
This recipe contains other essential nutrients such as antioxidants, probiotics, omega fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. It includes prebiotics to support digestive health, but some ferret owners complain that it achieves the opposite effect and upsets their pets. Every ferret’s stomach and tolerance are different, so this may not be an issue if your ferret isn’t particularly sensitive.
Another quality of Wysong Epigen we like is that it is crafted in the United States. Not only that but its ingredients are domestically sourced.
- High protein content
- The first three ingredients are animal-based proteins
- Made in the United States with domestically sourced ingredients
- Packed with antioxidants, probiotics, omega fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals
- Contains prebiotics to support digestive health
- May cause digestive upset in some ferrets
2. Sunseed Vita Vitamin-fortified with Essential Nutrients Prima Dry Ferret Food – Best Value
| Crude protein: | 38% minimum |
| Crude fat: | 15% minimum |
| Crude fiber: | 5% minimum |
If you want the best ferret food for the money, you’ll want to check out the Sunseed Vita Vitamin-fortified with Essential Nutrients Prima Dry Ferret Food. Sunseed Vita has a decent crude protein content at 38% minimum and is packed with essential vitamins. It is also a good source of niacin, riboflavin, and taurine, which are important to your ferret’s health.
Another excellent feature of this food is the unique kibble shape. The kibble pieces are specially designed to clean your ferret’s teeth while they eat, helping you to secure your pet’s dental health. On the downside, some of the ingredients in Sunseed Vita aren’t as high quality.
- Kibble pieces are designed to promote your pet’s dental health
- Fortified with essential vitamins, niacin, riboflavin, and taurine
- Affordable
- Some ingredients aren’t as high-quality
3. Marshall Premium Ferret Food – Premium Choice
| Crude protein: | 38% minimum |
| Crude fat: | 14% minimum |
| Crude fiber: | 3.5% minimum |
For a premium option, we chose Marshall Premium Ferret Food. While Marshall Premium may be expensive, it provides great benefits for your ferret. It has a crude protein content of 38%, and the first three ingredients are chicken-based. Marshall Premium is fortified with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which help boost the health of your ferret’s skin and coat to keep their fur shiny.
This formula is designed to be highly digestible, increasing your ferret’s nutrient absorption. You also can mix this food with water to make it easier for teething ferrets to swallow. Marshall’s formula also comes in several size options, so you can buy in bulk if you find it convenient.
- Rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
- The first three ingredients are animal-based proteins
- Highly digestible formula
- Expensive
4. Oxbow Animal Healthy Essentials Natural Pellets Ferret Food
| Crude protein: | 42% minimum |
| Crude fat: | 20% minimum |
| Crude fiber: | 3% minimum |
Next on our list is the Oxbow Animal Healthy Essentials Natural Pellets Ferret Food. Oxbow provides 42% minimum crude protein, and the first three ingredients are sourced from chicken. This meal is also a great source of omega fatty acids, which promote the health of the heart, skin, and coat.
Oxbow is a veterinarian-recommended formula that contains all the daily recommended vitamins and minerals for your ferret. It is also free of ingredients like peas, corn, and potatoes, which don’t provide many nutrients for your ferret.
Although Oxbow provides plenty of benefits for ferrets, not all of them will like this meal. Ferret owners with picky eaters reported that their pets were uninterested in Oxbow, so convincing them to eat Oxbow may be challenging.
- Veterinarian-recommended formula
- The first three ingredients are animal-based proteins
- High protein content
- Picky eaters may not enjoy this meal
5. Mazuri Ferret Food
| Crude protein: | 38% minimum |
| Crude fat: | 20.5% minimum |
| Crude fiber: | 4% minimum |
Mazuri Ferret Food is a great option for ferrets in all stages of life. It has a moderate amount of crude protein, providing at least 38%. With Mazuri, your ferret will benefit from the inclusion of antioxidants and probiotics, which promote healthy digestion. Fish oil is included in this recipe, which provides your ferret with a healthy amount of omega-3 acids to support their skin and coat.
Two things that you won’t find in this recipe are artificial colors and flavors. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about unnecessary, unhealthy additives in your pet’s food. Like the Oxbow formula, Mazuri’s food may not entice picky eaters. If you want your fussy ferret to eat this food, you may have to get creative to convince them to eat it.
- Includes antioxidants and probiotics
- Contains a healthy amount of omega-3 fatty acids
- Does not include artificial flavors or colors
- Picky ferrets may not enjoy this formula
6. Higgins inTune Complete & Balanced Diet Grain-Free Ferret Food
| Crude protein: | 40% minimum |
| Crude fat: | 20% minimum |
| Crude fiber: | 4% minimum |
The Higgins inTune Complete & Balanced Diet Grain-Free Ferret Food is an excellent source of protein, and the crude protein content is calculated to be at a 40% minimum. It is also packed with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, bolstering the health of your ferret’s heart, skin, and coat.
Higgins provides your ferret with essential vitamins and minerals, such as calcium, phosphorus, vitamin C, and vitamin E. Calcium and phosphorus encourage the development of strong teeth and bones, while vitamin C and vitamin E boost their immune system.
The biggest complaint with Higgins is that it has a powerful odor that many people find unpleasant. Your ferret may not mind the smell, but it may be bothersome to you.
- High protein content
- Packed with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
- Contains essential vitamins and minerals
- The food has a powerful and unpleasant scent
7. ZuPreem Premium Corn-Free Daily Diet Ferret Food
| Crude protein: | 40% minimum |
| Crude fat: | 20% minimum |
| Crude fiber: | 3% minimum |
ZuPreem Premium Corn-Free Daily Diet Ferret Food is designed for adult ferrets and is made in the United States. This ferret food is an affordable option with a 40% crude protein content. It includes high-protein ingredients such as chicken and eggs, which many ferrets find tasty. Even a picky eater can be convinced to dig into ZuPreem Premium!
On the downside, some pet owners have complained that ZuPreem Premium upsets their ferrets’ tummies. Ferrets can be prone to digestive upset, so if your pet has a particularly sensitive stomach, ZuPreem Premium may not be the right fit.
- High protein content
- Includes chicken, eggs, and other ingredients that ferrets find tasty
- Affordable
- May upset your ferret’s stomach
8. Marshall Select Chicken Formula Ferret Food
| Crude protein: | 36% minimum |
| Crude fat: | 18% minimum |
| Crude fiber: | 6% minimum |
The Marshall Select Chicken Formula Ferret Food is a highly digestible ferret food that can be fed dry or mixed with water to create a softer meal. The first three ingredients are all chicken-based, giving this meal a decent crude protein minimum of 36%. Marshall Select Chicken is made with a slow-cooking method that retains the nutritional integrity of the chicken, and it doesn’t lose as much as others might during the cooking process.
While the first three ingredients in this meal are from an animal-based protein, lower-quality ingredients are included. For example, cornmeal makes up a good portion of this food, which is not very nutritious for your pet.
- Highly digestible formula
- The first three ingredients are animal-based proteins
- Less quality ingredients
9. Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Ferret Food
| Crude protein: | 25% minimum |
| Crude fat: | 20% minimum |
| Crude fiber: | 3% minimum |
Our next pick is the Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Ferret Food. Kaytee Forti-Diet is an affordable option for those who need to feed their pet on a budget. It is somewhat low in protein content compared to other options on this list, but the fat content is decent and includes healthy omega-3 fatty acids. This recipe also contains probiotics to support proper digestion.
Unfortunately, some pellets in Kaytee Forti-Diet are less healthy than others, and your ferret may choose to pick out the unhealthier pieces and avoid the more nutritious ones. This can be especially challenging for those whose ferrets are fussy eaters.
- Affordable
- Includes probiotics and omega-3 fatty acids
- Picky ferrets may pick and choose what pieces they eat
10. Wild Harvest Advanced Nutrition Ferret Food
| Crude protein: | 38% minimum |
| Crude fat: | 14% minimum |
| Crude fiber: | 6% minimum |
Finally, we have Wild Harvest Advanced Nutrition Ferret Food. Wild Harvest is a high-taurine diet with a decent crude protein content of 38%. It contains beneficial vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids to boost your ferret’s health.
However, this recipe’s fiber content is a little high, especially compared to others on this list. Perhaps the higher fiber content is why some ferrets dislike this formula. If you have a fussy eater on your hands, Wild Harvest may not satisfy them.
- High-taurine diet
- Ferrets may not like this formula
Buyer’s Guide: How to Select the Best Ferret Food
Now that you have read the reviews on our favorite ferret food options, you can decide which food is best for your pet. This can be a daunting decision to make, especially if you aren’t sure which factors to include in your decision-making. In this buyer’s guide, we’ll go over some considerations to keep in mind when making your purchase.
Understanding What Makes a Quality Ferret Food
As mentioned before, ferrets are obligate carnivores, so meat is an absolute necessity in their meals. In addition, ferrets have a high metabolism and won’t be satisfied with one or two meals per day. Instead, they should be fed around 8–10 small meals daily.
Therefore, high-quality ferret food often has a meat source as the first ingredient. It will also be high in fat to fuel your ferret’s high metabolic rate. If one of the first ingredients is a carbohydrate, avoid the recipe. It won’t provide many nutritional benefits for your pet.
Variety Is Your Ferret’s Friend
As many ferret owners can attest, ferrets can be picky eaters. Often, a ferret will find one food they like and only want to eat it. However, that is not a healthy diet for your pet, especially if that food brand changes its recipe or goes out of business. Mixing other healthy ferret foods into your ferret’s favorite meal can be an excellent way to provide them with extra nutrients.
Consider Your Ferret’s Specific Needs
When considering ferret food for your pet, think about their specific needs. For example, if your ferret struggles with dental issues, search for a food like Sunseed Vita that is designed to support those issues. By consulting your vet, you can determine if your ferret needs a special diet. From there, you can search for brands that meet those requirements.
Conclusion
Finding the right food for your ferret can be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be. To start off, you can consider Wysong Epigen, which is our favorite ferret food due to its remarkable protein content. If you are looking for a more affordable option, Sunseed Vita can provide a meal with essential vitamins at an affordable price. Our premium choice is Marshall Premium, which is a highly digestible formula that is rich in omega fatty acids. We hope these reviews have helped you start your journey to find the perfect food for your ferret.
