Yes, Ferrets can eat raw eggs. Ferrets are carnivores; therefore, they can eat animal products. However, the Veterinary Nurse explains that ferrets need a diet that is high in protein and fat but low in fiber and carbohydrates. Eggs meet half of this nutritional requirement; they are high in protein and fat but contain no carbohydrates or fiber. So, you can serve raw eggs as a supplement for your pet, but always remember to add raw meat to your furry friend’s diet.
Further Reading: “Can Ferrets Eat Mice?“
Table of Contents
Are Raw Eggs Good For Ferrets?
Generally, when feeding food to ferrets, raw feeding is recommended. Why? Ferrets are biologically carnivores. In the wild, they fend for themselves and survive on raw meat food. Therefore, raw eggs are good for ferrets— they are more nutritious because they are unprocessed, so they retain most of their nutrients. But do not give your ferret a stale egg; make sure the egg is fresh.
Most ferret owners are scared of feeding their ferret with raw eggs due to fear of the Salmonella bacteria. However, ferrets have a short digestive tract which allows food to put out quickly. The implication is that your pet would have passed out the egg before the bacteria can act up.
But note: Do not feed your ferret with more than two raw eggs in a week; too many raw eggs can cause constipation for your ferret.
Further Reading: “Can Ferrets Eat Bread?“
What Do Raw Eggs Do For Ferrets?
Raw eggs are excellent sources of protein. Their benefits make them a good supplement for your pet’s diet. For instance, raw eggs help ferrets keep their coat and skin healthy. Besides, raw eggs prevent gastrointestinal obstruction in ferrets during the shedding season. This gastrointestinal obstruction is called a ‘bezoar’. When ferrets have bezoar, they don’t eat. This could cause weight loss or death if not properly treated.
Egg yolk contains biotin, while egg white produces avidin, which binds biotin. So serving an excess of the egg white could lead to biotin deficiency in your ferret. Thus you should serve eggs in small portions or, better still, remove the egg white before serving.
Do not feed your ferret with more than two raw eggs in a week; too many raw eggs can cause constipation for your ferret.
Further Reading: “Can Ferrets Eat Apples?“
How Many Eggs Can You Give A Ferret?
As tempting as it may be, do not give your ferret too many eggs even though your pet might love them. Your pet might suffer from constipation if she ingests many eggs. Therefore, provide one or two eggs in a week for your pet. But, when it is the shedding season, you can give your ferret three to four eggs per week. Apart from serving the eggs raw, you can serve them boiled or scrambled. But no matter the form of egg you are feeding your ferret, make sure that you don’t provide them more than a whole egg per serving.
What Type Of Eggs Can I use?
Apart from chickens, ferrets can eat eggs from other types of birds. Thus, they can eat eggs produced by guinea fowl, duck, or quail, although chicken eggs are typically fed to pets. And more importantly, if you intend to introduce eggs to your pet, introduce them slowly into her diet. This is because the sudden introduction of a new food can disrupt their system. Besides, it is recommended to introduce eggs to them early because ferrets become picky as they grow older. And remember never to serve a stale egg to your pet.
Further Reading: “Can Ferrets Eat Cheese?“
How Can I serve Eggs To My Ferret?
Ferrets like a variety of eggs; they love raw, boiled, and scrambled eggs. For raw eggs, you can serve them using two methods: Using the first method, you can break the egg in a bowl, mix it properly and pour it into your pet’s feeding bowl. The second method requires you to crack the egg directly into the feeding bowl. But be mindful of eggshells because your pet can choke on pieces of eggshells.
Apart from raw eggs, ferrets also love eating boiled eggs. And if you are serving your pet boiled egg, cook the egg for 5 to 10 minutes, remove the shell, and slice the egg into the feeding bowl. Remember always to remove the shell when serving boiled eggs so your pet will not choke on it. Apart from raw and boiled eggs, you can also give your pet scrambled eggs. Just beat the egg in a bowl, pour it into a pan, and cook it with little oil for a few minutes. Remember to leave it to cool for a bit before serving them to your pet. You can feed your pets scrambled eggs from your hands- ferrets love eating off their owner’s hands.
For raw eggs, you can serve them using two methods: Using the first method, you can break the egg in a bowl, mix it properly and pour it into your pet’s feeding bowl. The second method requires you to crack the egg directly into the feeding bowl. But be mindful of eggshells because your pet can choke on pieces of eggshells.
Further Reading: “Can Ferrets Eat Canned Tuna?“
Can Ferrets Eat Egg Shells?
Yes, it’s okay for ferrets to eat eggshells. Eggshells are nutritious, and you can feed your pet some of them. However, always remember to remove the eggshells when serving your pet boiled eggs. It’s safer to grind the eggshells into powder form and mix with the raw eggs before you feed them to your ferrets. Also, do not give eggshells as a main meal to your pet. Just like eggs, the shells should be served as supplements or treats. Moreover, you can prepare some ferret soup using eggs and eggshells. Nevertheless, do not give your ferret too much eggshell to prevent indigestion.
Further Reading: “Do Ferrets Make Noise?“
Final Thoughts
Ferrets can eat raw eggs; they need the protein and fat they provide to live healthily. Raw eggs contain protein in high quantity, and so you can give eggs to ferrets. However, eggs should be supplements. Therefore you can’t serve them as the primary food to your ferret. Also, remember not to give your pet more than two eggs a week to prevent constipation. But you can increase the number of eggs per week to either three or four when it’s their shedding period.
Ferrets can eat scrambled, boiled, or raw eggs. Besides, eggshells are nutritious but it would be best if you served the shells in a powdery form not to hurt their gum, tongue, or throats. And if your pet ever chokes while eating, take her to see the vet immediately.
