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Ferrets can eat a little fish now and then, but it should not be a regular food. A small piece of plain cooked, boneless fish such as salmon or cod is not toxic. Fish is not part of a ferret's natural diet, though, and some vets advise against it. Remove skin, bones and heads, and keep it to the odd treat.
| Safe? | In small amounts, now and then |
|---|---|
| How much | A piece about the size of your fingernail |
| How often | Occasionally, a couple of times a month at most |
| Best served | Plain, cooked through, boneless and skinless |
| Watch out for | Bones, heads and skin, salt, batter and an upset stomach |
Is fish safe for ferrets?
Plain cooked fish is safe in small amounts, but vets do not agree on whether ferrets should have it at all. PetMD lists small pieces of cooked fish as an acceptable treat, as long as bones and skin are removed and the fish is cooked through. Aloha Vegas Vets puts fish on its list of foods to avoid. Ferrets are strict meat-eaters whose natural food is small mammals and birds, so we take the careful line: fish is an odd treat, never a regular part of the diet.
How much fish can a ferret eat?
A piece about the size of your fingernail, a couple of times a month at most. The RSPCA says treats should be small. VCA warns that unusual people foods can cause diarrhoea, and oily fish is rich enough to do that in a small ferret. The main diet should stay a complete ferret food, as set out in our ferret diet guide.
Which fish can ferrets eat?
| Fish | OK for ferrets? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Salmon, cooked plain | Yes, a little | Rich and oily, so keep the piece small |
| Cod, haddock or other white fish, cooked plain | Yes, a little | Leaner, and gentler on the gut |
| Tuna in spring water | Yes, a flake | See can ferrets eat tuna? |
| Smoked or salted fish, fish fingers, battered fish | No | Salt, batter and breadcrumbs. PDSA warns against salty processed food |
| Fish heads, skin and bones | No | PetMD lists fish heads and skin as foods to avoid |
| Raw fish | No | PetMD says to cook fish thoroughly |
How to prepare fish for a ferret
- Cook it plain. Steam, poach or bake it with no salt, butter, oil or lemon, until it flakes all the way through.
- Remove skin and bones. Peel off the skin and check every flake for pin bones with your fingers.
- Cool and offer a little. Let it cool, then give one fingernail-sized piece and watch their droppings over the next day.
Fish bones are thin and sharp. If your ferret swallows one and then retches, paws at its mouth, drools or stops eating, ring your vet straight away.
Which ferrets should not eat fish?
Leave fish out for ferrets with a sensitive stomach, recent diarrhoea or a vet-prescribed diet. Young kits should stick to their main food while they grow. If you are unsure, check with your vet, and see our ferret health guide for signs that something is wrong.
What should ferrets eat instead of fish?
Meat suits ferrets far better than fish. Plain cooked chicken, turkey, beef or lamb is covered in can ferrets eat chicken?, and fresh meat in can ferrets eat raw meat?. The whole safe list is in what can ferrets eat?, and everything else is in our ferret care guide.
More questions about ferrets and fish
Can ferrets eat salmon?
Yes, a small piece of plain cooked salmon with the skin and bones removed is safe now and then. It is rich and oily, so keep it to a fingernail-sized piece a couple of times a month at most, or it may give your ferret loose droppings.
Can ferrets eat raw fish?
We would not. PetMD says any fish given to a ferret should be cooked thoroughly with the bones and skin removed. Cooking also makes it easier to spot and remove bones. Stick to plain cooked fish, and only now and then.
Is fish oil good for ferrets?
Do not add fish oil without talking to your vet first. VCA says a ferret eating a good-quality complete ferret food does not need vitamin supplements. Extra oil adds fat and can upset the stomach. Your vet can tell you if your ferret has a reason to need it.
