Characteristics of the digestive physiology in ferrets

Ferrets can be characterized by a relative short gastro-intestinal tract, a short time of chyme passage as well as a poor distinguished microflora ins ide the intestinal tract. Data on the nutrition physiology show a lot of th ings in common with cats. Protein and fat are digested to a great extent, b ut the digestibility of starch is much lower. That's why the starch content of the ration should be limited. For the whole ration an upper starch cont ent of 30-35 % is recommended (NAISMITH and CURSITER, 1972). The digestibil ity would be much better, if the starch is thermal treated. The feed intake aims at a constant energy intake. For example, a diet with a high energy c ontent leads to a lower feed intake. Therefore the nutrient contents of the diet should be higher, to meet the individual nutrient requirements of the ferret (BELL, 1996). Water should be offered always ad libitum, if the ferrets are fed by a dry food for cats exclusively an insufficient water supply can result in risks of urolithiasis, especially struvite stones (KAMPHUES, 1999).