8. Raisins, crasins, and cereals are good treats for ferrets.
 
FALSE.  Ferrets have NO nutritional requirement for carbohydrates; they
simply do not need them in their diet.  Outside the obvious energy boost
provided from consuming such foods, they fill no other nutritional needs.
Sticky, sugar rich cereals and dried fruits can cause plaque, result in
dental calculi, and contribute to poor oral health.  They may be a factor
in insulinoma or other diseases.  There is no doubt that polecats will
eat the occasional fruit, or even raid a hive for honey, but such
occasions are statistically rare.  Fruit consumption is relegated to a
very narrow window of opportunity, so even if a polecat wanted to eat
fruit, the only time they could would be for a couple of weeks in the
fall when fruits where locally available.  In every study of polecat
stomach contents, there is very little evidence of ANY intentional
consumption of any plant material, much less fruits.
 
Most cereals, such as Cherrios (or my personal favorite, Lucky Charms),
are made in extruders very similar to those that make kibble.  In the
case of cereals, the carbohydrate content is much higher.  These are
highly processed, sugar rich foods, and in truth, they are not good for
ferrets (considering the problem of obesity in humans, they aren't good
for us, either!).
 
While cereals and dried fruit have no real nutritional value for ferrets,
they clearly provide some degree of satisfaction to the ferret.  If fed
sparingly, or used as a training aid, neither cereals nor dried fruit can
cause much harm, especially if the remainder of the diet is complete and
sound.  For those that worry, or who have ferrets with health problems,
meaty treats (fish, poultry, pork, beef) should be substituted.  In
short, while dried fruits and cereals are not good for the ferret, if
offered sparingly, the harm caused is offset by the benefits garnered in
training and enjoyment.
 
Bob C
[Posted in FML issue 3941]