From:
Bruce Williams, DVM
Date: 2001-12-03 10:07:00 UTC
Subject: Ferrets eating dog's food
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., veggie86777@a... wrote:
> my ferret has a tendancy to eat my dogs food. Should I be worried?
>
Dear Vanessa:
There is nothing toxic or harmful in dog food; and I note that you
say tendency. As a snack/treat - it is far better than much of the
stuff we normally see ferrets get - raisins, cheerios, etc.
However, the problem is when it becomes more than a treat and becomes
the staple of the ferret's diet. Ferrets have markedly different
nutritional requirements than dogs, and a requirement for compounds
that are not present in dog food, like taurine.
I daresay that if you started eating the dog's food as well, after
while, you would have some nutritional deficits! But if you would
like to eat it as an occasional treat - it certainly won't hurt you.
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM