FOOD FOR FERRETS
 
>When it is recommended that ferrets have a MINIMUM intake of 35% protein,
>it is just that - a minimum percentage.  It is ideal to actually feed 35+,
>and the listing on Eukanuba CAT is that it contains no less than 34%.
 
ACTUALLY, ferrets require different meat protein levels at different stages
of their lives.  Kits should have very high meat protein and high fat for
the first year (35%+ and 20%+ respectively).  Adults can keep the higher
protein, but can lower the fat, especially if it is showing up in the waste
line, to 18%.  Seniors should have lower protein, 32%, with a fat content of
18%.  Ferret foods with 15% fat content are good for "dieting" ferrets,
since no "lite" formula of cat food has enough protein.
 
One other argument on the protein percentages:  those percentages just state
minimum protein, not MEAT protein.  The first three ingredients are what I
consider the determining factor as to how much vegetable protein there is to
meat protein.  For example, Eukanuba's first three ingredients are all meat
sources, so I'd say their 34% protein is very high in digestible meat
protein.  I would give preference to any food with the first three
ingredients being meat, then two out of three, then meat as the first
ingredient.  I also recommend avoiding corn and fish in the first three
ingredients.
 
Pam Grant / STAR* Ferrets
[Posted in FML issue 2131]