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Choosing a good ferret food is one of the most important things you can do for your ferret. Ferrets are obligate carnivores, which means their digestive systems are designed primarily for animal-based protein and fat.
A good ferret food should therefore emphasize high-quality animal ingredients, adequate fat and protein, and relatively low amounts of carbohydrates and plant ingredients.
Ferret foods and their formulas change over time, so this guide has been updated with foods that are currently available.
1. Wysong Ferret Epigen 90
Wysong Ferret Epigen 90 remains one of the most unusual dry foods made specifically for ferrets because of its extremely high protein content and starch-free formulation.
The current guaranteed analysis includes:
- Crude protein: 62% minimum
- Crude fat: 18% minimum
- Crude fiber: 3% maximum
- Taurine: 0.2% minimum
Wysong uses ingredients including chicken meal, organic chicken, chicken fat and meat protein isolate.
Because Epigen 90 is a very concentrated food, Wysong recommends introducing it gradually rather than suddenly replacing your ferret’s existing diet.
Manufacturer: Wysong Ferret Epigen 90
2. Wysong Ferret Epigen 90 Digestive Support
Ferrets that have difficulty adjusting to regular Epigen 90 may do better with Wysong Ferret Epigen 90 Digestive Support.
The Digestive Support version contains ingredients providing soluble fiber and prebiotics intended to support digestion and stool consistency.
Its current guaranteed analysis includes:
- Crude protein: 62% minimum
- Crude fat: 16% minimum
- Crude fiber: 5% maximum
- Taurine: 0.2% minimum
Wysong specifically describes Digestive Support as a possible starting point for ferrets that are new to its Epigen 90 diets.
Manufacturer: Wysong Ferret Epigen 90 Digestive Support
3. Oxbow Essentials Ferret Food
Oxbow Essentials Ferret Food is a newer ferret-specific food worth considering.
Its first five ingredients are animal-based:
- Chicken meal
- Chicken
- Chicken fat
- Egg product
- Gelatin
The formula contains no corn, peas or potatoes and does not contain artificial preservatives, colors or flavors.
Oxbow designed the food specifically around the protein and fat requirements of ferrets, making this an attractive option for owners who prefer a readily available food formulated specifically for ferrets.
Manufacturer: Oxbow Animal Health
4. ZuPreem Ferret Diet
ZuPreem continues to produce food specifically formulated for ferrets.
The company currently offers both Premium Ferret Diet and Grain-Free Ferret Diet.
ZuPreem’s Premium Ferret Diet uses chicken and egg protein and is formulated to provide the nutrients ferrets require.
When choosing between formulas, look at the current ingredient list and guaranteed analysis on the package because pet-food formulations can change.
Manufacturer: ZuPreem
5. Marshall Premium Ferret Diet
Marshall Premium Ferret Diet has been fed to pet ferrets for many years and remains widely recognized among ferret owners.
It is formulated specifically for ferrets and can be useful for owners looking for a readily available commercial ferret food.
As with any food, check the current ingredient list and guaranteed analysis rather than relying on older nutritional charts because manufacturers occasionally change their formulas.
6. Young Again Ferret Food
Young Again Ferret Food is another high-protein dry food formulated specifically for ferrets.
It emphasizes animal protein and fat and is designed around the nutritional requirements of carnivorous ferrets.
Because high-protein foods can be significantly different from the food a ferret is accustomed to eating, transition gradually when changing diets.
What About Freeze-Dried Raw Food?
Freeze-dried raw foods have become much more popular since this article was originally published.
Products such as Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Dinner Morsels for Cats contain very high percentages of meat, organs and bone. Several current recipes contain approximately 98% meat, organs and bone and are free of peas, lentils, potatoes and grains.
However, these products are formulated as complete diets for cats, not specifically for ferrets.
Ferret owners interested in feeding freeze-dried raw or a completely raw diet should research the nutritional requirements of ferrets carefully and discuss the diet with a veterinarian experienced with ferrets.
Can Ferrets Eat Cat Food?
Some experienced ferret owners use selected high-protein cat or kitten foods, particularly when a suitable ferret food is difficult to obtain.
However, not every cat food is appropriate for a ferret.
The words “grain free” or “high protein” on a package do not automatically mean a food is appropriate. Some grain-free foods replace grains with relatively large amounts of peas, legumes, potatoes or other plant ingredients.
Whenever possible, choose a food formulated specifically for ferrets or carefully evaluate the ingredients and nutritional analysis of an alternative food.
What Should You Look for in Ferret Food?
Because ferrets are obligate carnivores, look for foods in which animal ingredients make up a substantial portion of the formula.
Generally, I look for:
- Animal protein among the first ingredients
- High overall protein
- Adequate animal-based fat
- Low fiber
- Minimal unnecessary plant ingredients
- Taurine
- A formula appropriate for a carnivorous animal
Don’t choose a food based on protein percentage alone. Where that protein comes from matters. A food containing substantial animal protein is different nutritionally from one in which a significant portion of the protein comes from plants.
Should You Mix More Than One Ferret Food?
Some ferret owners feed a mixture of two appropriate foods rather than relying on a single brand.
There can be a practical advantage to this. Ferrets can become strongly attached to a particular food, and manufacturers occasionally discontinue products or change formulas.
If your ferret already recognizes more than one appropriate food as something to eat, switching foods later may be easier.
However, dietary changes should still be made gradually because suddenly changing a ferret’s food can cause digestive upset.
Changing Your Ferret’s Food
Never assume your ferret will immediately recognize a new kibble as food.
Introduce a new diet gradually by mixing a small amount into the food your ferret already eats and slowly increasing the proportion.
Watch for changes in:
- Appetite
- Stool consistency
- Weight
- Energy level
- Coat condition
- Vomiting or diarrhea
Persistent digestive problems, weight loss, loss of appetite or other significant changes warrant a call to your veterinarian.
The Bottom Line
There isn’t necessarily one “best” food for every ferret.
Wysong Epigen 90, Wysong Epigen 90 Digestive Support, Oxbow Essentials Ferret Food, ZuPreem Ferret Diet, Marshall Premium Ferret Diet and Young Again Ferret Food are among the commercial foods ferret owners can currently investigate.
Ingredients and formulations can change, so periodically check the current label even if you have fed the same brand for years.
Most importantly, remember that ferrets are obligate carnivores. Their diet should reflect their biological need for animal-based protein and fat.
Updated August 2026. This article is intended for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for veterinary advice. Ferrets with medical conditions, digestive problems or special nutritional requirements should have their diets discussed with a veterinarian experienced in ferret care.
