Dear X:
 
There is nothing toxic or harmful in dog food; and I note that you say
tendency.  As a snack/treat - it is far better than much of the stuff we
normally see ferrets get - raisins, cheerios, etc.
 
However, the problem is when it becomes more than a treat and becomes the
staple of the ferret's diet.  Ferrets have markedly different nutritional
requirements than dogs, and a requirement for compounds that are not
present in dog food, like taurine.
 
I daresay that if you started eating the dog's food as well, after while,
you would have some nutritional deficits!  But if you would like to eat
it as an occasional treat - it certainly won't hurt you.
 
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM
[Posted in FML issue 3623]