Last Updated: 9/12/2024 —***3 New flavors of 'Dr. Elsey's Clean Protein' added.
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Ferret Kibble Chart [Pea/ legume-Free] This chart lists ONLY the BEST pea/ legume free kibble choices for your ferret's health ♥ GREEN section: Ferret formulated diets. PURPLE section: Kitten or "all Life Stages" Cat formulated diets. YELLOW section: Chicken-protein FREE diets formulated for ferrets and/ or cats with chicken-protein sensitivities/ allergy and/ or IBD/IBS.
~*~Foods are listed by highest animal-based protein amount first-to-last (this is the percentage of the total crude protein that is derived from animal sources vs. plant-based sources). If value is unknown it will be moved to the bottom of that sections list.~*~ | ||||||||
↓Ferret Formulated Kibbles (green)↓ | ||||||||
Species recipe is formulated for: Ferret | Product: | Minimum Protein: 35 % Ferret's nutritional requirements. | Minimum Fat: 15 - 22% (min 20% is recommended for ferrets under age 4 yrs.) | Maximum Fiber 3 % Ferret's nutritional requirements. | Maximum Carbs: 24 % Ferret's nutritional requirements. | First 5 Ingredients: | Notable Pros: | Notable Cons & Notes: |
Ferret Formula | Wysong Ferret Epigen 90 Digestive Support [white label] | Wysong-DS 62 % Protein (100 % of the crude protein is animal-based) | Wysong-DS 16 % Fat | Wysong-DS 5 % Fiber | Wysong-DS 3 % Carbs The Wysong Epigen 90 line is the only Starch-free kibble made. | Wysong-DS First 5 ingredients: •Chicken Meal •Organic Chicken •Chicken Fat •Dried Plain Beet Pulp | Wysong-DS Pros: •NO Pea ingredients. •100% animal-based protein. •Starch-free | Wysong-DS Cons: •Fat is a little too low for ferrets under age 4 years. •Known to cause loose stools. Notes: •Introduce VERY gradually—Start with 10% Wysong to 90% old food & increase gradually as tolerated. |
Ferret Formula | Young Again (Ferret formula) | YAF 49 % Protein (100% of the crude protein is animal-based). | YAF 21 % Fat | YAF 3.5 % Fiber | YAF 10 % Carbs Ultra low starch (Less than 6%) | YAF First 5 ingredients: •Chicken Meal •Poultry Fat •Citrus Fiber | YAF Pros: •NO Pea ingredients. •100% animal-based protein. •Ultra Low starch. | YAF Cons: •May cause loose stools if fed as the sole diet. Notes: •Comes in an 8 lb bag. Always free shipping. |
Ferret Formula | Pretty Pets Natural Gold | PP-NG 49 % Protein (100% of the crude protein is animal-based). | PP-NG 21 % Fat | PP-NG 3.5 % Fiber | PP-NG 10 % Carbs Ultra low starch (Less than 6%) | PP-NG First 5 ingredients: •Chicken Meal •Poultry Fat •Citrus Fiber | PP-NG Pros: •NO Pea ingredients. •100% animal-based protein. •Ultra Low starch. | PP-NG Cons: •May cause loose stools when fed as a sole diet. Notes: •Same food as 'Young Again Ferret', just rebranded. |
Ferret Formula | Oxbow Essentials Ferret Food | Oxbow 42 % Protein ( 97 % of the crude protein is animal-based) | Oxbow 20 % Fat | Oxbow 3 % Fiber | Oxbow 10 % Carbs Very low starch (Less than 10%) | Oxbow First 5 ingredients: •Chicken meal •Chicken •chicken fat •Egg product •Gelatin | Oxbow Pros: •NO Pea ingredients. •97% animal-based protein. •Very Low starch | Oxbow Cons: •NONE. Notes: •Newer product [2022 release]. It appears to be extremely well formulated for ferrets. |
Ferret Formula | Totally Ferret Active & Show | TF-Active 36 % Protein ( >90 % of the crude protein is animal-based) | TF-Active 22 % Fat | TF-Active 1.5 % Fiber | TF-Active 19 % Carbs | TF-Active First 5 ingredients: •Chicken meal •Rice flour •Dried egg product •Chicken Fat •Wheat flour | TF-Active Pros: •NO Pea ingredients. •90% of the crude protein is animal-based. | TF-Active Cons: •NONE. Notes: •Formulated by a Veterinary Nutritionist specializing in ferret diets. |
Ferret Formula *SPECIAL DIET* *Chicken- protein free.* | Totally Ferret Turkey, Venison, Lamb  | TF-TVL 35 % Protein ( >90 % of the crude protein is animal-based) | TF-TVL 20 % Fat | TF-TVL <2 % Fiber | TF-TVL 21 % Carbs | TF-TVL First 5 ingredients: •Turkey meal •Dried Egg Product •Brown Rice •Poultry Fat •Catfish meal | TF-TVL Pros: •NO Pea ingredients. •90% of crude protein is animal-based. •Chicken-protein FREE for ferrets with chicken allergy and/ or IBD/ IBS. • Can also be used as a mixer with other kibble for animal protein variety. | TF-TVL Cons: •NONE. Notes: •100% nutritionally complete and balanced non-chicken formula specifically formulated for ferrets. Hypoallergenic recipe, using turkey, venison, catfish and lamb. |
Ferret Formula | Higgins inTune Ferret Food | inTune 40 % Protein ( >70 % of the crude protein is animal-based) | inTune 20 % Fat | inTune 4 % Fiber | inTune 20 % Carbs | inTune First 5 ingredients: •Chicken meal •Dried Eggs •Tapioca •Chicken Fat •Potatoes | inTune Pros: •NO Pea ingredients. •70% of the crude protein is animal-based. | inTune Cons: •Lower in 'animal-based' protein, than some of the other choices. Notes: |
Ferret Formula *See more on Marshall Premium Ferret Diet BELOW ferret chart. | Marshall Premium Ferret Diet | Marsh-Prem 38 % Protein | Marsh-Prem 18 % Fat | Marsh-Prem 3.5 % Fiber | Marsh-Prem 24 % Carbs | Marsh-Prem First 5 ingredients: •Chicken By-Products (Organs Only) • Chicken •Chicken By-Product Meal •Corn Meal •Dried Beet Pulp ***Link to Marshall's rationale on their diet formulation. | Marsh-Prem Pros: •NO Pea ingredients. •Pelleted (not extruded) kibble is slow cooked at low temps. Pellets break down more readily than extruded kibble, and are highly digestible. | Marsh-Prem Cons: •Contains BHA preservative. Notes: •Formulated by Veterinary Nutritionists. •Easily made into a soupie by adding warm water & crushing. |
Ferret Formula *NOTE: This is the same formula as Marshall Premium, but only available at Walmart. | Marshall Ferret Crunch Ferret Diet | Marsh-Prem 38 % Protein | Marsh-Prem 18 % Fat | Marsh-Prem 3.5 % Fiber | Marsh-Prem 24 % Carbs | Marsh-Prem First 5 ingredients: •Chicken By-Products (Organs Only) • Chicken •Chicken By-Product Meal •Corn Meal •Dried Beet Pulp ***Link to Marshall's rationale on their diet formulation. | Marsh-Prem Pros: •NO Pea ingredients. •Pelleted (not extruded) kibble is slow cooked at low temps. Pellets break down more readily than extruded kibble, and are highly digestible. | Marsh-Prem Cons: •Contains BHA preservative. Notes: *This is the same formula as Marshall Premium, but only available at Walmart. |
Ferret Formula | Marshall Select Chicken Formula Ferret Diet | Marsh-Select 36 % Protein | Marsh-Select 18 % Fat | Marsh-Select 4 % Fiber | Marsh-Select 24 % Carbs | Marsh-Select First 5 ingredients: •Chicken • Chicken By-Products (Organs Only) •Chicken By-Product Meal •Corn Meal •Dried Beet Pulp | Marsh-Select Pros: •NO Pea ingredients. •Pelleted (not extruded) kibble is slow cooked at low temps. Pellets break down more readily than extruded kibble, and are highly digestible. | Marsh-Select Cons: •Contains BHA preservative Notes: •Easily made into a soupie by adding warm water & crushing. |
Ferret Formula *SENIOR Diet (4+ yrs old).* | Marshall Premium SENIOR Ferret Diet (4+ years old). | Marsh-Senior 34 % Protein | Marsh-Senior 17% Fat | Marsh-Senior 2% Fiber | Marsh-Senior 24 % Carbs | Marsh-Senior First 5 ingredients: •Chicken By-Products (Organs Only) •Chicken •Corn Meal •Ocean Fish meal •Dried Beet Pulp | Marsh-Senior Pros: •NO Pea ingredients. •Pelleted (not extruded) kibble is slow cooked at low temps. Pellets break down more readily than extruded kibble, and are highly digestible. | Marsh-Senior Cons: •Contains BHA preservative Notes: •May Also be good for OVERWEIGHT ferrets. •Easily made into a soupie by adding warm water & crushing. |
Ferret Formula | Wysong Ferret Archetypal-2 | Wysong-Arc 38 % Protein | Wysong-Arc 18 % Fat | Wysong-Arc 5 % Fiber | Wysong-Arc 22 % Carbs | Wysong-Arc First 5 ingredients: •Organic Chicken •Chicken Meal •Potato- Protein •Brown Rice •Oat groats ***Link to Wysong's rationale for ingredients in this recipe. | Wysong-Arc Pros: •NO Pea ingredients. | Wysong_Arc Cons: •May cause loose stools. •Inclusion of potato-protein. Notes: |
*Additional Note on Marshall Premium Ferret Diet: | ||||||||
↓ Kitten/ or All Life Stages Cat Formulated Kibbles (purple)↓ These recipes should be appropriate for ferrets as they meet or exceed a ferret's nutritional requirements. | ||||||||
Species: Kitten/ Cat | Recipe: | Min Protein: 35 % Ferret's nutritional requirements. | Min Fat: 15 - 22% Ferret's nutritional requirements. | Max Fiber 3 % Ferret's nutritional requirements. | Max Carbs: 24 % | First 5 Ingredients: | Notable Pros: | Notable Cons & Notes: |
Kitten Formula | Young Again Li'l Bites | YA-LilBites 50 % Protein (100% of the crude protein is animal-based) | YA-LilBites 22 % Fat | YA-LilBites 3 % Fiber | YA-LilBites <6 % Carbs Ultra low starch | YA-LilBites First 5 ingredients: •Hydrolyzed Pork •Chicken meal •Chicken Fat •Potato starch •Chicken Liver flavor | YA-LilBites Pros: •NO Pea ingredients. •100% animal-based protein/ 0% plant-protein. •Smaller sized kibble pieces made for tiny kitten mouths. | YA-LilBites Cons: •May cause loose stools if fed as the sole diet. Notes: •Kibble size is only ⅛" |
Kitten/ Cat Formula | Young Again Original 50/22 | YA-LilBites 50 % Protein (100% of the crude protein is animal-based) | YA-LilBites 22 % Fat | YA-LilBites 3 % Fiber | YA-LilBites <6 % Carbs Ultra low starch | YA-LilBites First 5 ingredients: •Hydrolyzed Pork •Chicken meal •Chicken Fat •Potato starch •Chicken Liver flavor | YA-LilBites Pros: •NO Pea ingredients. •100% animal-based protein/ 0% plant-protein. | YA-LilBites Cons: •May cause loose stools if fed as the sole diet. Notes: |
Cat Formula | Dr. Elsey's Cleanprotein (Chicken) | Dr-Elseys 59 % Protein (95% of the crude protein is animal-based) | Dr-Elseys 17 % Fat | Dr-Elseys 4 % Fiber | Dr-Elseys <3 % Carbs Ultra low starch | Dr-Elseys First 5 ingredients: •Chicken •Hydrolyzed Pork •Pork Plasma •Gelatin •Chicken Fat | Dr-Elseys Pros: •NO Pea ingredients. •95% animal-based protein/ 0% plant-protein. | Dr-Elseys Cons: •Known to cause loose stools unless mixed at a low ratio to other kibbles in a mix. Notes: |
Cat Formula | Dr. Elsey's Cleanprotein (Rabbit & Chicken) | Dr-Elseys 58 % Protein (95% of the crude protein is animal-based) | Dr-Elseys 17 % Fat | Dr-Elseys 4 % Fiber | Dr-Elseys <8 % Carbs Ultra low starch | Dr-Elseys First 5 ingredients: •Rabbit •Dried Chicken •Pork Plasma •Hydrolyzed Pork •Gelatin | Dr-Elseys Pros: •NO Pea ingredients. •95% animal-based protein/ 0% plant-protein. | Dr-Elseys Cons: •Known to cause loose stools unless mixed at a low ratio to other kibbles in a mix. Notes: |
Cat Formula | Dr. Elsey's Cleanprotein (Duck & Chicken) | Dr-Elseys 58 % Protein (95% of the crude protein is animal-based) | Dr-Elseys 18 % Fat | Dr-Elseys 4 % Fiber | Dr-Elseys <9 % Carbs Ultra low starch | Dr-Elseys First 5 ingredients: •Duck •Dried Chicken •Hydrolyzed Pork •Gelatin •Pork Plasma | Dr-Elseys Pros: •NO Pea ingredients. •95% animal-based protein/ 0% plant-protein. | Dr-Elseys Cons: •Known to cause loose stools unless mixed at a low ratio to other kibbles in a mix. Notes: |
Cat Formula | Dr. Elsey's Cleanprotein (Turkey) | Dr-Elseys 56 % Protein (95% of the crude protein is animal-based) | Dr-Elseys 18 % Fat | Dr-Elseys 4 % Fiber | Dr-Elseys <9 % Carbs Ultra low starch | Dr-Elseys First 5 ingredients: •Turkey •Dried Chicken •Hydrolyzed Pork •Pork Plasma •Chicken Fat | Dr-Elseys Pros: •NO Pea ingredients. •95% animal-based protein/ 0% plant-protein. | Dr-Elseys Cons: •Known to cause loose stools unless mixed at a low ratio to other kibbles in a mix. Notes: |
Cat Formula | Instinct Ultimate Protein (Chicken) | NVUP-Chix 47 % Protein (95 % of the crude protein is animal-based) | NVUP-Chix 17 % Fat | NVUP-Chix 3 % Fiber | NVUP-Chix 14 % Carbs | NVUP-Chix First 5 ingredients: •Chicken •Tapioca •Chicken fat •Natural flavor | NVUP-Chix Pros: •NO Pea ingredients. •95% of the crude protein is animal-based. | NVUP-Chix Cons: •Fat is a little too low for ferrets under age 4 years. Notes: |
Cat Formula | Dr. Tims Chase | Dr-Tims 37 % Protein (94 % of the crude protein is animal-based). | Dr-Tims 22 % Fat | Dr-Tims 3.3 % Fiber | Dr-Tims 20 % Carbs | Dr-Tims First 5 ingredients: •Chicken meal •Brown rice •Chicken fat •Dried egg product •Catfish meal | Dr-Tims Pros: •NO Pea ingredients. •94% of crude protein is animal-based. | Dr-Tims Cons: Notes: •Very similar recipe profile and guaranteed analysis as "Totally Ferret" recipes. |
Cat Formula | SquarePet VFS POWERCAT | SquarePet 48 % Protein (92 % of the crude protein is animal-based) | SquarePet 18 % Fat | SquarePet  3.5 % Fiber | SquarePet 13 % Carbs Low starch | SquarePet First 5 ingredients: •Turkey •Chicken •Chicken Meal •Salmon •Potatoes | SquarePet Pros: •NO Pea/ legume ingredients. •92% of the crude protein is animal-based. | SquarePet Cons: •This newer 'rebranded' recipe is inferior to their original recipe. Notes: This is a rebrand of SquarePet - Turkey & Chicken cat food |
Cat Formula | Instinct Ultimate Protein (Duck) | NVUP-Duck 47 % Protein (90 % of the crude protein is animal-based). | NNVUP-Duck 17 % Fat | NVUP-Duck 3 % Fiber | NVUP-Duck 18 % Carbs | NNVUP-Duck First 5 ingredients: •Duck •Chicken •Egg product •Tapioca | NVUP-Duck Pros: •NO Pea ingredients. •90% of the crude protein is animal-based. | NVUP-Duck Cons: •More Carbs than the "chicken" Instinct Ultimate Protein. Notes: |
↑ ~END of Kitten/ or All Life Stages Cat kibbles~ ↑  | ||||||||
↓*Chicken-protein FREE diets* BELOW (yellow)↓ | ||||||||
Species: | Recipe: | Min Protein: 35 % Ferret's nutritional requirements. | Min Fat: 15 - 22% Ferret's nutritional requirements. | Max Fiber 3 % Ferret's nutritional requirements. | Max  Carbs: 24 % Ferret's nutritional requirements. | First 5 Ingredients: | Notable Pros: | Notable Cons & Notes: |
Ferret Formula *Chicken- protein free.* | Totally Ferret (Turkey, Venison, Lamb)  | TF-TVL 35 % Protein ( >90 % of the crude protein is animal-based) | TF-TVL 20 % Fat | TF-TVL <2 % Fiber | TF-TVL 21 % Carbs | TF-TVL First 5 ingredients: •Turkey meal •Dried Egg Product •Brown Rice •Poultry Fat •Catfish meal | TF-TVL Pros: •NO Pea ingredients. •90% of crude protein is animal-based. •Chicken-protein FREE for ferrets with chicken allergy and/ or IBD/ IBS. •Can also be used as a mixer with other kibble to offer more animal protein variety. | TF-TVL Cons: • NONE. Notes: •100% nutritionally complete and balanced non-chicken formula specifically formulated for ferrets. Hypoallergenic recipe, using turkey, venison, catfish and lamb proteins. |
Cat Formula *Chicken- protein free.* | Farmina N&D (lamb) | Logic-rabbit 36 % Protein ( 94 % of the crude protein is animal-based) | Logic-rabbit 20 % Fat | Logic-rabbit <2 % Fiber | Logic-rabbit ~25 % Carbs (carbs are low glycemic) | Logic-rabbit First 5 ingredients: •Lamb •Dehydrated Lamb •Whole Spelt •CWhole Oats •Chicken Fat | Logic-rabbit Pros: •NO Pea ingredients. •Chicken-protein FREE •Carbs come from ancestral grains that are LOW glycemic. | Logic-rabbit Cons: •Carbs are a little elevated, however, they claim to use ONLY low glycemic carbohydrates. Notes: •Contains chicken FAT (added for flavor). Chicken fat is not known to cause any GI issues; just the animal-protein. |
Cat Formula *Chicken- protein free.* | Nature's Logic Feline Rabbit Meal Feast | Logic-rabbit 38 % Protein ( >60 % of the crude protein is animal-based) | Logic-rabbit 16 % Fat | Logic-rabbit 5 % Fiber | Logic-rabbit ~22 % Carbs | Logic-rabbit First 5 ingredients: •Rabbit meal •Turkey Meal •Millet •Chicken fat •Pumpkin seed | Logic-rabbit Pros: •NO Pea ingredients. •Chicken-protein FREE | Logic-rabbit Cons: •Fiber % is a little HIGH for ferrets. •Percent of the animal-based protein used to make up the 'total' crude protein is lower than preferred for ferrets. Notes: •Contains chicken FAT (added for flavor). Chicken fat is not known to cause any GI issues; just the animal-protein. |
Cat Formula *Chicken- protein free.* | Nature's Logic (Turkey) | Logic-turkey 38 % Protein ( >60 % of the crude protein is animal-based) | Logic-turkey 16 % Fat | Logic-turkey 5 % Fiber | Logic-turkey ~25 % Carbs | Logic-turkey First 5 ingredients: •Turkey meal •Millet •Chicken fat •Pumpkin seed flour •Yeast culture | Logic-turkey Pros: •NO Pea ingredients. •Chicken-protein FREE | Logic-turkey Cons: •Fiber % is a little HIGH for ferrets. •Elevated carbs at approximately 25%. •Percent of the animal-based protein used to make up the 'total' crude protein is lower than preferred for ferrets. Notes: •Contains chicken FAT (added for flavor). Chicken fat is not known to cause any GI issues; just the animal-protein. |
~Kibble transitioning~ It is VERY important to do a very gradual transition from one food to another. This is done by adding a tiny amount of new kibble to their old kibble, and GRADUALLY increasing the new kibbles over the course of about 2 weeks. The intestinal microflora in a Ferrets GI tract needs time to adjust to the addition of different ingredients. It is also advisable to only introduce one new food at a time to minimize bacterial overgrowth, and isolate any possible food sensitivity or allergy that may arise. | ||||||||
"Overseas" Food Chart links: | ||||||||
Additional Food Chart links: | ||||||||
Recommended Supplements: | ||||||||
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*NOTEÂ - this supplement is safe to give to ferrets with chicken-protein allergy/ sensitivity (it is the chicken-protein that causes GI upset, not the fat) | ||||||||
*NOTEÂ - this supplement can be given during seasonal shedding times to help prevent hairballs from forming in the GIT (hairballs can cause a deadly blockage/ obstruction). | ||||||||
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!!! IMPORTANT  PSA!!!—AVOID feeding your ferrets any foods that contain peas/chickpeas, lentils or beans (legumes)—These ingredients are linked to the development of bladder stones in ferrets. ***Bladder stones are extremely painful and are life-threatening in ferrets. In most cases bladder stones will require prompt (very expensive) surgery to remove them.*** —It is also strongly advised to choose recipes that use little-to-no plant-based proteins (also linked to crystals and bladder stones in ferrets); feed only LOW starch carbohydrate foods (carbs should be kept under 24%; ideally under 10% when possible). | ||||||||
