Ferret nutrition in small animal practice

In this contribution recommendations on the nutrition of pet ferrets are su mmarized, based on current literature. Sometimes data from cats and mink ar e presented due to the lack of data for ferrets. The energy requirement of ferrets averages 0.5 MJ ME/kg BW0.75 and is similar to values for cats and mink. In practice commercially available complete diets for ferrets and cat s are frequently fed. Both types usually correspond with the requirements o f at least 30 % crude protein and 18 % crude fat in the dry matter content of the diet. Home made diets (ingredients: meat, bread, noodles, cottage ch eese a. s. o.) should not be recommended, due to a over- or under supplying or imbalances of the minerals or nutrient contents (a. e. calcium down arr ow, phosphorus up arrow). Moreover, details are given on feeding practice o f pregnant and lactating jills as well as of kits although exact informatio n about speciesspecific mineral, trace element and vitamin requirements are still incomplete.