Natural diet (raw or freeze dried) and an evolutionary diet (small game) are the two types of diets gaining popularity with many ferret owners.

Before we burrow into each of these diets, though, let's talk just a little more about the ferret's ancestors as well as what they ate in the wild. This gives you a much better idea of where these individuals who feed their ferrets these meals are coming from. It also gives you a better understanding of your pet's ultimate nutritional needs -- and more importantly why he requires all of this.

Ferrets, as I have mentioned before are the ancestors of wild polecats. Both the ferret and the polecat are obligate carnivores, that is, these animals must eat a meat-based diet to stay health. Polecats, in their natural habitat, ate mice, rats, rabbits, frogs as well as small snakes. In addition to this, wild polecats also munched on birds, eggs and even some fish. During their meal, polecats would seldom discriminate one part of the body from the other. This means they would eat not only the flesh of the animal they caught, but also its organs and many times the bones of the critter as well.

This is what many refer ferret diets to as their "natural diet." As you can see immediately, it is definitely a low-carbohydrate diet. It is also low in fiber, but obviously rich in protein. The other great benefit of this diet is that it does not lead to dental cavities or other tooth problems. The prey foods seem to help massage the ferret's gums and therefore clean the teeth in the process.

If a ferret had been allowed from a very small age to choose his own diet, it would have been something remarkably close to what I have just described above. And he probably would have not only been happy, but relatively healthy as well. Do not underestimate the importance bones play in this diet. We all know bones store calcium. So your ferret's chomping on bones provides him with at least that mineral. Bones also contain an incredible amount of other vitamins and minerals your ferret needs. Why, the marrow itself is composed of tissues that are just about totally fat and protein -- two of the basic requirements of a ferret's diet.

Okay, so I am really not advocating that you run out to find small game, capture it and feed it to your ferret. Somehow that sounds neither appetizer to you, nor would your ferret find it extremely satisfying. Many individuals prefer to feed their ferrets, chicken, beef, as well as lamb. These qualify as "meat-based" proteins, even though they do not really qualify as part of the ferret's natural diet.

The next thing to address is the ferret's water consumption. How much water should my ferret have? The question you really should be asking more than "how much" is "what kind?" Believe it or not, not all water is created equal when it concerns the drinking supply of your ferret. Some ferret parents swear by bottled water or even distilled water. Others claim that you are doing your ferret's health a disservice by allowing him to drink distilled water. This type of water, they claim, does not have some of the most important nutrients that your pet ferret needs.

But I have found that tap water works well. The only time you may not want to give your ferret tap water is if it contains high levels of harmful chemicals. And in that case, you probably should not be drinking it yourself! Just make sure that he has plenty of fresh water. Allow him access to a clean water dish or a water bottle at all times. Let him drink as much as he wants.

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