Yes, Ferrets Can Eat Tuna (But Follow These 3 Steps)

Ferrets are adorable pets. They are lively, social, sweet, and playful animals. Although they have wonderful personalities, ferrets aren’t for the faint of heart. These precious animals can be high-maintenance as they are extremely intelligent. Escape artist ferrets aren’t uncommon. Some can even have sensitive stomachs, making feeding them challenging. So, what are some good foods ferrets can eat? Can ferrets eat tuna? Follow along to find out.

Can Ferrets Eat Tuna?

So, can ferrets eat tuna? The short answer is yes, ferrets can eat tuna, although there are restrictions. You should also do this cautiously. Ferrets are obligate carnivores, meaning they mostly consume true meat. At least 70% of their diet consists of meat. These lovable animals eat birds, insects, mammals, fish, eggs, and rodents. Tuna is technically fish, but canned tuna is a bit different. Some use oil, water, or seasonings depending on the canned tuna. If you are going to give your pet tuna from a can, make sure it doesn’t have seasonings or oil, as this can be tough and even dangerous to digest.

Before feeding your pet ferret tuna, though, speak with your local vet. They can give you better guidelines on how often to give them this treat. Tuna is delicious, but not all ferrets like it either. It also doesn’t provide all of the nutrients needed, so it acts more like a treat or supplement.

How to Feed a Ferret Tuna

While you can give your ferret tuna straight out of a can with little worries, we also have a step-by-step guide on how to prepare/feed them. As always, speak to your vet before introducing a new food to your ferret’s diet.

Step 1: Check the Tuna’s Ingredients

Check the can’s ingredients before you give your furry friend this treat. You don’t want to give your ferret tuna that is smothered in sauce, oil, or seasoning.

Step 2: Rinse the Tuna

Rinse the tuna outside of the can. This way, you can get rid of any oil or salt. Salt can harm and dehydrate your pet, leading to death in extreme cases.

Step 3: Cut/Rip and Serve

Finally, shred or rip the tuna with your hands and give it to your ferret as a treat. This should not act as a meal replacement.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Couperfield/Shutterstock.com