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No, ferrets should not eat dog food. It is too high in carbohydrate for a ferret to digest, lower in protein than they need, and the pieces are too big for their mouths. A few bites stolen from the dog bowl will not poison your ferret, but dog food should never be a meal. Feed a proper ferret food instead.
| Safe? | No |
|---|---|
| How much | None |
| How often | Never |
| Best served | Not at all. Use ferret food, or kitten food as a stopgap |
| Watch out for | Loose droppings, and ferrets raiding the dog bowl |
Why can't ferrets eat dog food?
Dog food is built for an animal that eats a mixed diet, and ferrets are strict meat-eaters. PetMD says dog food is too high in carbohydrates for ferrets to digest properly, lacks the right balance of nutrients, and has pieces too big for a ferret's mouth. Supreme Petfoods says its carbohydrate is not easy for ferrets to digest. PDSA says dog and cat food is not suitable for ferrets, and Aloha Vegas Vets lists dog food among foods to avoid.
The RSPCA explains why the starch matters: ferrets cannot digest large amounts of fibre or starchy foods such as bread and cereals, and cereals are a common base for dog food.
How does dog food compare with ferret food?
| What a ferret needs | Ferret food | Typical dog food |
|---|---|---|
| Animal protein, 32 to 40% or more | Yes | Usually lower |
| Fat, 10 to 15% or more | Yes | Often lower |
| Fibre under 4% | Yes | Often higher |
| Little starch or cereal | Yes | Cereals or potato are common |
| Small pieces | Yes | Often too big |
The protein, fat and fibre figures are from VCA. Labels vary, so check any specific food.
My ferret ate dog food: what should I do?
- Stay calm. A few pieces of plain dog food are not toxic to a ferret.
- Check what it was. Make sure it was ordinary dog food, not a chew or a treat with chocolate, raisins or xylitol.
- Watch for a day. Loose droppings are the most likely result. Keep clean water available.
- Ring your vet if needed. Call if diarrhoea lasts more than a day, or if your ferret stops eating or seems flat or in pain.
Large, hard kibble can lodge in a ferret's throat or gut. If your ferret gags, retches, strains or stops passing droppings after eating dog food, see a vet the same day.
How do I stop my ferret eating the dog's food?
Feed the dog in a room the ferret cannot reach, lift the bowl once the dog has eaten, and only let the ferret out when the dog's food is put away. Our guide to ferret-proofing your home has more ways to keep them out of trouble.
What should ferrets eat instead?
A complete ferret food is the main diet, as our ferret diet guide explains. If you run out, a high-protein kitten food is a better stopgap: see can ferrets eat cat food?. For treats, see can ferrets eat chicken? and can ferrets eat raw meat?, or the full list in what can ferrets eat?. Wider care is in our ferret care guide.
More questions about ferrets and dog food
Can ferrets eat puppy food?
Puppy food is still dog food, with more starch and less of the right protein than a ferret needs, and pieces that are often too big. A high-protein kitten food is a better emergency backup than puppy food, and ferret food is better than both.
Can ferrets eat wet dog food?
Not as a meal. Wet dog food often contains cereals, rice or vegetables and is lower in meat protein than ferrets need. A lick will not hurt, but PDSA says dog food, wet or dry, is not suitable for ferrets.
Can ferrets eat dog treats?
Most are a poor choice. Many dog treats are made with cereals, sugar or vegetable fillers, and some chews are hard enough to damage teeth or block the gut. A piece of plain cooked meat or a ferret treat is better.
