Wondering what are good treats for Ferrets? Unsure whether your ferret can eat certain ‘human’ foods? Want to know about the best ferret treats on the market?
Then this guide is for you!
Here, we are enlisting 10 of the best ferret treats on the market. We will also answer some FAQs like ‘can ferrets eat peanut butter?’ in case you wish to feed your little buddy some homemade treats.
Best Ferret Treats – 2022 Top 7 Picks
#1. Winner: N-Bone Grain-Free Soft Treats
There are several reasons that make the N-Bone grain-free soft ferret treats a winner in our books.
First of all, they’re not just treats. They also have health benefits. Their Omega-essential fatty acid content promotes a healthier and shinier coat in your ferret.
Secondly, it is made with real chicken and is completely grain-free so you won’t have to worry about diarrhea or stomach upset in your pet.
Thirdly, these healthy treats are completely natural and fortified with vitamin E which maintains healthy skin and has anti-oxidative benefits as well.
Features
- Grain-free
- Fortified with omega essential fatty acids and vitamin E
- Made in the USA
Expert tips
Try mixing the treats with your ferret’s food to get them to eat it.
How it compares
Most ferrets love these N-Bone Grain-Free Soft Treats. Being grain-free, they won’t cause gastric issues in your pet. They are also fortified with vitamins and omega fatty acids. The quality and price of these best ferret treats are unbeatable.
#2. Best Overall: Marshall Bandits Flavored Ferret Treats
Marshall Bandits Ferret treats are one of the best-sellers on the market due to the wide range of flavors. You can get treats in peanut butter, banana, meaty bacon, cheesy, and raisin. This means that there is something for every picky ferret.
The soft and chewy texture is also great for keeping your pet’s teeth clean.
Features
- 3-ounce packs – resealable Ziploc bags
- Made in the USA
- Soft and chewy texture
Expert tips
- Try soaking the treats in warm water to soften them up and see if your picky ferret may like that better.
How it compares
Whether you need the best ferret treats for training purposes or for positive reinforcement; Marshall Bandits Flavored Ferret Treats are a great choice. There is plenty of variety in them so you can always switch to another flavour if your pet doesn’t like one. Its price is slightly on the higher side.
#3. Best Budget: N-Bone Bacon Flavored Ferret Treats
These bacon-flavored treats from N-Bone treats are not only enjoyable for your little buddy, but they will also do him/her a world of good!
The texture of N-Bone bacon-flavored treats removes plaque and tartar and also keeps your ferret’s gums healthy.
Furthermore, they contain taurine which is good for your ferret’s heart, immunity, vision, and digestion. What’s more – these treats are free from sugar and artificial sweeteners which many ferrets treats on the market tend to contain.
Check out N-Bone Ferret treats’ cool features that make it a best-seller:
Features
- Contains taurine
- Made in the USA
- Free from corn syrup and other sweeteners
Expert tips
- Some ferrets tend to cough while swallowing these treats. So, do watch your pet when you administer them for the first time.
How it compares
N-Bone bacon-flavored ferret treats are tasty and healthy. They contain taurine which is beneficial for ferrets in numerous ways. They are also long-lasting, good for removing plaque/tartar, and also free from sweeteners. Their price is super affordable too.
#4. Best Freeze Dried Ferret Treats: Marshall Ferret Extreme Freeze Dried Salmon Flavored Treats
Freeze-dried treats for ferrets have a lot of protein and they are also easy to store as they do not need refrigeration. The process of freeze-drying also retains nutrients.
Marshall’s freeze-dried treats are free from grains and gluten so you won’t have to worry about digestive issues. They also provide your pet with many vitamins and minerals while also satisfying its carnivorous instincts.
Since there is no cooking or processing involved, your pet will reap all the benefits of meat, in this case, salmon, found in these healthy ferret treats.
Features
- Contains fresh, whole, unprocessed salmon skin
- Grain and gluten-free
Expert tips
- Try adding some ferret vitamin drops on it – most picky ferrets love it like that.
- If your ferret does not eat it, your cat surely will!
How it compares
Most ferrets love Marshall’s freeze-dried salmon treats. They are healthy and rich in proteins and omega essential fatty acids. They are also grain and gluten-free. The price may be slightly on the higher side as they come in a small bag.
#5. Best Ferret Treats with Peanut Butter Flavor: Marshall fd-386 Peanut Butter Ferret Treats
There is not a ferret that does not love peanut butter. Marshall’s peanut butter treats are tasty, soft, chewy, and protein-rich.
Check out their cool features:
Features
- Contains chicken, chicken liver, and chicken meal as the main ingredients
- The bag is resealable, zip-lock so treats can stay fresh longer
- Made in the USA
Expert tips
Contains wheat flour (in small quantities) but some ferrets could be allergic to it. Do not give more than 1-2 treats per day to each ferret.
How it compares
Marshall Peanut butter flavoured treats for ferrets are tasty and rich in protein. They contain real chicken and chicken liver which can satisfy your pet’s carnivorous instincts. The price is reasonable.
#6. Best Healthy Ferret Treats: Wysong Dream Treats
Wysong is a leading name in pet nutrition since the late 1970s. These ferret treats are processed minimally without the use of heat. Wysong does not heat them above 118 deg F and that retains their nutrition.
Moreover, the delicious ferret treats are packed with real meat, plant ingredients, pre and probiotics, vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients so your pets can snack the healthy way.
Features
- Chicken-based meaty discs – contains chicken, chicken organs, ground chicken bones, etc.
- Rich in protein, pre and probiotics, and antioxidants
- Made with Wysong True Non-Thermal manufacturing technology
Expert tips
If breaking them into smaller pieces is hard, try soaking them in water to soften them a bit.
How it compares
Wysong is a reliable name in the pet industry. Their food and treats are well-received by pet owners and pets. Wysong Dream Treats are safe for dogs, cats, and ferrets. They are healthy and made using Wysong True Non-Thermal manufacturing technology which retains their health benefits. The price is slightly on the higher side.
#7. Best Odor-Reducing Semi-Moist Ferret Treats – Marshall 41683 Good-Bye Odor
Marshall Goodbye Odor treats are “made for ferrets by ferret people”. They can help reduce odor and their irresistible flavor is sure to entice even the pickiest of ferrets.
Their semi-moist texture is also alluring and the best part is they are made in the USA.
Features
- Semi-moist
- Protein-rich
- Contain chicken and chicken meal as the first two ingredients
- Made in a USA facility
Expert tips
Try mixing with their food to get them used to it.
How it compares
Marshall Goodbye Odor ferret treats are semi-moist and have an irresistible texture that most ferrets like. It really does help with the odor. The price is slightly on the higher side.
What Can Ferrets Have for Treats?
Ferrets are obligate carnivores. This means that they do not really need any other foods other than meat. So, the treats you select for your ferrets should have the following characteristics:
Protein-rich
Meat-based treats are the best treats for ferrets. Look for treats that have their first two ingredients such as chicken or chicken meal, fish or fish skin, or other animal meat.
Free from Grains, Sugar, and Gluten
Ferrets do not need grains, sugar, or gluten in their diet. In fact; grains and gluten can cause diarrhea, stomach upset, stinky poop, and other gastric disturbances in your pet. The digestive system of ferrets is just not equipped to handle grains and gluten, most are. Therefore, it is best to avoid ferret treats that contain wheat, grains, gluten, and other allergens.
Flavor, Texture, Taste
Many ferrets are incredibly picky and they won’t eat all kinds of treats. For such ferrets, it is best to try different tastes and textures. Many ferrets treat manufacturers offer a variety in their treat packs and contain different flavors like peanut butter, raisin, banana, bacon, etc. You can always try these variety packs for a picky eater.
Best Homemade Ferret Treat Recipes
Easy Ferret Egg Treats
Ingredients
- 2 eggs, hard-boiled
Steps
- Chop up the egg into small pieces.
- Feed your ferret!
Meat Jerky
Ingredients
- The meat of any kind – cut it into slivers or pieces. You can use chicken, lamb, salmon skin, etc.). Aim to cut them into ¼ inch thick pieces.
Steps
- Pre-heat oven to 200 F.
- Place the cut meat pieces on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
- Place in the middle rack of the oven. If you have a dehydrator, then use that instead.
- Bake for at least 60 minutes. Sometimes, it can take several hours for the meat to be nicely done.
FAQs on the Best Ferret Treats
Peanut butter won’t harm your pet but it contains a lot of fat and sugar which isn’t necessary for your ferret. So, avoid feeding too much peanut butter to your fuzzy. Moreover, peanut butter’s sticky texture can cause young ferrets to choke.
Milk and dairy products are not safe for ferrets. Ferrets are lactose intolerant and milk and dairy can cause digestive upsets in your small pets.
Veggie straws contain potato and potato starch. They also contain a lot of salt, oil, and sugar. These things are not necessary for your ferret and their digestive system is not equipped to handle these foods. So, it is best not to feed veggie straws to ferrets.
Ferrets can have hot dogs in small quantities as long as you do not give them any bread with it. Make sure the hot dog does not have any preservative, flavor, or other added ingredients in it.
Practice moderation when introducing new food to your ferret.
Yes. Ferrets can eat eggs and eggs are good protein-rich treats and snacks for your fuzzy. Many homemade ferret treat recipes have eggs in them. You can boil eggs and chop them into bite-sized pieces for your fuzzy to enjoy.
Yes, deer meat or venison is a good choice of meat for ferrets. Most ferrets are able to digest venison without any issues or digestive trouble.
According to PetMD, cat treats are a good choice in treats for ferrets. Both cats and ferrets are obligate carnivores. They need meat to fulfil their protein needs. Therefore, most cat treats are safe for ferrets to have as well.
Conclusion – Best Ferret Treats
The best ferret treats and snacks are ones with real meat and are free from grains, sugar, and gluten. They should have a texture and flavour that is appealing to your ferret, more so if you have a picky eater.
We recommend the N-Bone Grain-Free Soft Treats as most ferrets love their taste and texture. Being grain-free, they won’t cause gastric issues in your pet. They are also fortified with vitamins and omega fatty acids. The quality and price of these ferret treats are unbeatable.
Do check out our other recommendations as well. If you are curious what the 5 fun ways to play with Ferrets are, take a look at our article.