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Ferrets can have a little tuna now and then, but it should be rare. Plain tinned tuna in spring water, drained, is not toxic to ferrets. Fish is not part of their natural diet, though, and some vets advise against it. A flake the size of your fingernail as an occasional treat is plenty. Avoid tuna in brine, oil or sauce.
| Safe? | In small amounts, now and then |
|---|---|
| How much | One fingernail-sized flake |
| How often | Occasionally, a couple of times a month at most |
| Best served | Tinned in spring water, drained, or plain cooked fresh tuna |
| Watch out for | Salt in brine, oil, sauces, bones and an upset stomach |
Is tuna safe for ferrets?
Plain tuna is not poisonous to ferrets, but it is a food to use sparingly. Ferrets are strict meat-eaters, and their natural prey is small mammals and birds rather than fish. Vets differ on fish: PetMD lists small pieces of cooked fish among acceptable treats, while Aloha Vegas Vets puts fish on its avoid list. When good sources disagree, we take the careful line: a little tuna now and then is fine, but it should never be a regular food.
How much tuna can a ferret have?
One flake about the size of your fingernail, a couple of times a month at most. The RSPCA says treats should be given in small amounts, and VCA warns that people foods can cause diarrhoea. Tuna is rich and oily, so a big helping is the quickest way to an upset stomach and very smelly droppings.
Which tinned tuna is OK for ferrets?
| Type of tuna | OK for ferrets? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Tinned in spring water, drained | Yes, a flake | Plain fish, nothing added |
| Tinned in brine | No | Too salty. PDSA warns against salty processed foods for ferrets |
| Tinned in sunflower or olive oil | Better not | Extra fat and a likely upset stomach |
| Tuna in sauce, mayonnaise or tuna pasta | No | Sugar, dairy, onion or starch |
| Fresh tuna, plain and cooked | Yes, a flake | Cook it through, with no seasoning |
| Raw tuna or sushi | No | PetMD says to cook fish thoroughly |
How to give your ferret tuna
- Pick the right tin. Choose tuna in spring water, with no added salt.
- Drain and check. Drain off all the water and check the flake for any bone.
- Offer one flake. Give a single fingernail-sized flake by hand, then watch their droppings over the next day.
The tuna water from a spring-water tin is not a good drink for ferrets. They need constant clean water, which the RSPCA says should be checked twice a day.
Which ferrets should not have tuna?
Skip tuna for any ferret with a sensitive stomach, recent diarrhoea or a vet diet. Kits are still learning their main food, and PetMD notes ferrets can get set on one taste, so a strong-smelling fish treat can make some fussy about their normal food. If your ferret has an ongoing health problem, check with your vet first. Our ferret health guide covers the signs to watch.
What is better than tuna for ferrets?
Meat treats suit ferrets better. Try plain cooked meat from can ferrets eat chicken?, or see can ferrets eat fish? for other kinds of fish. The full safe list is in what can ferrets eat?, and the main diet is explained in our ferret diet guide and ferret care guide.
More questions about ferrets and tuna
Can ferrets eat tuna cat food?
Now and then, but not as a meal. Many tuna cat foods are wet foods with fish as a flavour and not enough of the meat protein ferrets need. PetMD says most cat food lacks the protein ferrets need. A spoonful will not hurt, but it is no substitute for ferret food.
Can ferrets eat tuna in brine?
No. Brine is salt water, and tuna packed in it is much too salty for a small animal. PDSA warns against salty processed foods for ferrets. If brine tuna is all you have, skip the treat and give a piece of plain cooked meat instead.
Can ferrets eat tuna every day?
No. Fish is not part of a ferret's natural diet, and some vets advise against it altogether. A flake of plain tuna a couple of times a month at most is a safe limit. Daily treats should be small bits of plain cooked meat or egg instead.
