Can Ferrets Eat Fish? (9 Interesting Facts)

It can be quite tempting to feed pet ferrets on fish. But before actually serving the fish to the ferrets, one wants to know whether eating fish is OK for them. Read on, to find out if ferrets can eat fish.

Can ferrets eat fish? Yes, ferrets can eat fish occasionally as a treat. Fish is a food that ferrets’ digestive systems are usually able to digest. And fish does have nutrients that a ferret can derive benefit from. Some individual ferrets dislike fish though.

It is best to serve ferrets with raw fish from which the bones have been removed.

Is Fish Safe For Ferrets To Eat?

Fish is quite safe for ferrets to eat.

Ferrets that are fed on fish don’t seem to suffer any harm. This therefore means that fish is safe for ferrets.

The only compound in (certain) fish and which may cause concern to ferret owners is thiaminase. But as long as the ferrets only have a little fish once in a while, there shouldn’t be too much concern in this regard.

Of course, while the fish itself may be safe for ferrets, if it contains salt or other seasonings, that would make it harmful to ferrets.

What is safe for ferrets is specifically plain (unseasoned) fish.

Is Fish Beneficial For Ferrets?

Fish does contain nutrients that ferrets can derive some benefit from. The protein in fish is helpful to ferrets, as are some of the minerals in it.

Therefore we may assert that fish can be a beneficial food to ferrets.

Do Ferrets Like Fish?

Some ferrets like fish, whereas others seem to dislike fish strongly.

It is best to offer your ferret a little fish, to see whether the ferret is one of those that like fish or one of those that dislike fish.

Really, the only way to know whether yours is one of those ferrets that like fish or one of those that dislike fish is by offering the ferret some ‘trial’ fish.

It is also worth noting that an individual ferret may seem to dislike fish now, only to start liking it later.

Generally though, we have some ferrets that really seem to like fish, even as others seem to strongly dislike it.

Do Ferrets Eat Fish In The Wild?

In the wild, ferrets mostly eat meats from small animals that they hunt down. But ferrets are also known to be scavengers, who may eat fish that they happen to find in shallow waters.

Generally though, fish is not a major part of wild ferret/polecat populations’ diets.

Can I Give My Ferret Fish To Eat?

As we have seen, fish is a food that is both safe and beneficial to ferrets. Considering those facts, we next need to ask ourselves, can ferrets eat fish? And the answer is ‘yes’.

It then follows that you can give your ferret fish to eat.

But as we said earlier, some ferrets dislike fish. Therefore you need to be ready for a situation in which you may discover that your ferret dislikes fish.

If you have to give your ferret fish, it is best to stick with raw fish from which bones have been removed.

In case you have to give your ferret cooked fish, then at least ensure that it doesn’t have salt or other seasonings.

Note that one consequence of offering your ferret fish to eat is in that it may start to stink more. Therefore that is something you need to be ready for, while offering your ferret fish to eat.

Can Adult Ferrets Eat Fish?

Yes, adult ferrets can eat fish. Fish is not harmful to adult ferrets. In fish, there are nutrients that an adult ferret can derive benefit from.

Therefore adult ferrets can eat fish – though there are also some individual adult ferrets that may dislike fish.

Can Baby Ferrets Eat Fish?

When baby ferrets are offered fish to eat, they tend to recognize it as food, and proceed to eat it. The fish is beneficial and not harmful to them.

Therefore baby ferrets can eat fish: although some individual baby ferrets may not like eating fish.

What Kind Of Fish Can Ferrets Eat?

There are many types of fish out there. We therefore need to next ask ourselves, what type of fish can ferrets eat?

In answering that question, we will consider tuna, salmon and feeder fish. We will also consider cooked, raw, live, fresh and dried fish.

Can Ferrets Eat Tuna Fish?

Tuna is without doubt one of the most popular types of fish. This being the case, it makes sense for one to ask, are ferrets allowed tuna as food? And more directly, can my ferrets eat tuna fish?

As to whether ferrets are allowed tuna, the answer is yes: though some dislike it.

And as for whether it is alright to offer your ferrets tuna, the answer is ‘yes’ – ideally raw tuna from which bones have been removed.

If you have to offer ferrets cooked tuna, then at least ensure that it has no salt or other seasonings.

Is Salmon Good For Ferrets?

Salmon can be good for ferrets. From it, the ferrets can draw protein, minerals and other nutrients.

Individual ferrets’ attitudes towards fish like salmon vary though. There are some that may dislike Salmon fish so much that they won’t eat it under any circumstances.

Generally though, salmon is good for ferrets.

Can Ferrets Eat Feeder Fish?

Ferrets can eat feeder fish.

It is best to serve the ferrets raw feeder fish. If the ferrets have to eat cooked feeder fish, then at least ensure that it is both unsalted and unspiced.

Can Ferrets Eat Raw Fish?

Yes, ferrets can eat raw fish.

In fact, if you have to offer your ferrets fish, it is best to serve it raw.

If you can go further and remove bones from the raw fish before serving it to the ferrets, that would be even better.

Can Ferrets Eat Cooked Fish?

Ferrets may eat cooked fish, as long as it is plain – with no salt or other spices.

While raw fish tends to be better for ferrets, cooked fish is also suitable.

Just beware of the fact that some individual ferrets may strongly dislike the cooked fish.

On another note, it is worth appreciating that cooking fish does make ferrets that eat it to stink less. Nonetheless, raw fish tends to be regarded as the best type of fish for ferrets.

Can Ferrets Eat Live Fish?

Live fish may not be suitable for ferrets to eat.

In nature, fish is not one of the foods that ferrets would usually hunt for routinely. Therefore a ferret may not have the instinctive knowledge on how to handle a live fish.

It is therefore best not to serve a ferret live fish.

Can Ferrets Eat Fresh Fish?

Yes, ferrets may eat fresh fish.

In fact, if you decide to feed your ferret on fish, it is best to only give it fresh fish.

Fresh fish is better nutritionally, and less likely to cause your ferret gastrointestinal problems. That is what makes fresh fish the best for ferrets.

Can Ferrets Eat Dried Fish?

The problem with dried fish is in that it tends to have a bit of salt in it.

Thus while dried fish is not bad for ferrets per se, it is the salt in it that may be problematic.

Ultimately, if you have dried fish that contains no salt, it should be alright for your ferret.

You also need to beware of the fact that some individual ferrets may dislike the dried fish to the extent of not eating it. Therefore don’t assume that your ferret will automatically like the dried fish.

Can Ferrets Eat Fish Cat Food?

The problem with fish cat food is in that it also tends to contain ingredients like rice bran, soybean meal and cassava. Those are plant-based food ingredients, which are not suitable for ferrets.

Therefore ferrets shouldn’t be given fish cat food.

How Often Can Ferrets Eat Fish?

Ideally, ferrets should only have fish once in a while, as a treat.

You need to avoid a situation in which fish becomes a main/major part of your ferret’s diet.

It is best to feed your ferret on a diet that resembles its natural diet as much as possible. Since fish is usually not a major part of ferrets’ natural diet, the pet ferrets shouldn’t have it too much also.

It is also worth remembering that fish does contain a compound known as thiaminase. Too much of thiaminase (which may occur due to eating fish too much/too frequently) can harm a ferret.

It is best to stick to a schedule in which you only allow the ferret to eat fish once per week or once in a fortnight.

A ferret’s diet should mainly be composed of meats. Treats like fish should only be given sparingly.

Final Verdict – Can Ferrets Eat Fish

Fish is beneficial and not harmful to ferrets. Therefore ferrets can eat fish. But the ferrets should only have fish once in a while, as some sort of treat.

Certain individual ferrets may dislike fish. Therefore not all ferrets to whom fish is offered develop a liking for it. In fact, so strong is the dislike for fish in some individual ferrets that they won’t eat it under any circumstances.

You can check whether your ferrets like or dislike fish by offering them a little fish initially.

When feeding ferrets on fish, it is best to stick to raw fish. This should ideally be raw fish from which bones have been removed.

If you have to offer ferrets cooked fish, then at least ensure it is plain: with no salt or spices.

As a pet lover, make sure to learn about pet more and give your pet ferret a good and comfortable life!

Rajkumar Ravichandran

Welcome to Learn About Pet. My name is Rajkumar Ravichandran and I love all pets, travel, and amazing food. I write about my passion and personal experience caring for multiple pets in this blog! ❤️