When it comes to your small pet’s diet, you must ensure they get the proper one to maximize their health and keep them happy. Otherwise, your pet could wind up getting sick or, worse, even dying. Nevertheless, it is also essential to discover specific questions, such as what your little fur baby can and cannot eat.
In this case, you might have a ferret and guinea pig (cavy) living in the same house. However, both food supplies look very similar in the form of pellets, so they can easily be mistaken for the other, especially if you have had a long, hard day at work. Sometimes, you may not be paying attention entirely or might be extra tired that day. In any case, you might be asking yourself today: can a guinea pig eat ferret food? Let us find out down below.
Guinea pigs cannot eat ferret food as these tiny creatures are herbivores, meaning they are vegetarians. Ferret food, on the other hand, should have meat listed as their first ingredient. Therefore, giving any ferret food to your guinea pigs is unwise and could lead to signs of distress or sickness.
This article discusses what happens if your guinea pig eats ferret food and the difference between the guinea pig and ferret diet. We will also discuss what happens when your guinea pig eats meat and what other foods they should not eat. This information is essential, especially if you have a ferret and guinea pig in the same household. It is also imperative to have this knowledge off-hand if any other situation occurs.
Should Guinea Pigs Eat Ferret Food?
As mentioned above, guinea pigs should never eat ferret food due to their dietary restrictions. Guinea pigs should only eat specific foods that are not anything meat-based. On the other hand, a ferret is considered an obligate carnivore, meaning their diet consists mainly of meat.
What Happens if a Guinea Pig Eats Ferret Food?
Suppose your guinea pig accidentally gets out of their cage and wanders off. However, you also have a ferret, and somehow, the guinea pig winds up in the ferret cage, and you suspect they have eaten some ferret food.
Another example is accidentally giving your cavy some ferret food, especially if you are tired or not paying attention. This can easily happen since ferret and guinea pig food are made from pellets. In this case, it is essential to double-check before handing your guinea pig or even ferret their food in the mornings or evenings.
However, if it has already happened, a guinea pig might become distressed, sick, have diarrhea, or have gastrointestinal issues. Either way, it is essential to watch closely if this happens.
Here are some ways you can help and monitor your guinea pig:
- Make sure they are pooping and peeing regularly.
- Ensure your guinea pig continues to eat steadily.
- Provide your guinea pig with enough hay and water to eat. Another thing to give your cavy is extra romaine lettuce.
- Do not disturb them as much as this may stress your guinea pig out more.
- Their poops might be slightly weird, but this is to be expected until the guinea pig passes the food they ate.
- If your guinea pig starts acting off at any given moment, go to the vet immediately.
What Is the Guinea Pig Diet vs. The Ferret Diet?
Guinea pig diets are much different than a ferret’s diet. Let us break down exactly what we mean by that:
A Guinea Pigs Diet
Guinea pigs eat many fruits and vegetables, including but not limited to the following:
- Leafy greens
- Apples
- Strawberries
- Oranges
- Dandelion greens
- Bell peppers
- Blueberries
- Kiwi
- Parsley
- Carrots
One of the most important factors is ensuring a guinea pig has enough vitamin C. This nutrient comes in pellets, which a guinea pig needs roughly 1/8 cup of each day.
Guinea pigs also need a constant supply of Timothy or orchard hay. A handful or a cup of fresh fruits and veggies will also help your guinea pig remain healthy. Since there are so many options to give them, you can mix it up any way you want!
A Ferrets Diet
As mentioned above, a ferret’s diet is the opposite of a guinea pig’s. They need a lot of meat to survive, as they are natural predators in the wild. These animals need at least 35% protein with 20% fat and 5% fiber in their diets.
A ferret’s diet mimics any prey they would naturally have in the wild. Also, as mentioned above, ferrets typically eat pellets, but you can also give them fresh, raw meat. If the meat has bones, you do not have to worry about taking them out, as a ferret will gladly eat them. Some other food items you can give your pet ferret are as follows:
- Eggs
- Cooked meats
- Ferret treats
- Fish
- Turkey necks
- Rabbit
- Cat food
What Happens if My Guinea Pig Eats Meat?
If your guinea pig happens to eat meat, it can increase the risk of obesity and digestive issues like dysbiosis. A guinea pig’s digestive tract is different from that of carnivores and omnivores, so if they eat meat, it will not digest properly, thus causing your guinea pig to have belly issues.
Also, meat causes obesity in your cavy due to the high fat content. Obesity causes many other issues, such as joint pain, heart problems, and heart issues. Other issues that may result from your guinea pig eating meat are kidney strain, allergies, and urinary problems.
Some guinea pig owners claim their animal wants to eat chicken, but this is because chicken looks like plant-based matter, especially when cooked. Another thing to remember is that although guinea pigs require some protein level, they will get this from the pellets you invest in.
Can Ferrets Eat Guinea Pig Food?
No, it is unwise for ferrets to eat guinea pig food, as this will not do well with their digestive system. Although guinea pig food will not be toxic to a ferret, their diets are too different from each other to justify this. As mentioned before, if you have a ferret and guinea pig in the same household, then make sure to double-check before providing them food.
Can Ferrets and Guinea Pigs Live Together?
Although some pet owners own a guinea pig and ferret, it is incredibly unwise to have them both. This is because ferrets are natural predators, and guinea pigs are natural prey, meaning a ferret can quickly kill a cavy without hesitation. Not only that, but it will stress a guinea pig out more so than needed.
Many years ago, the main reason for domesticating ferrets was to help humans hunt for rodents such as rabbits, mice, and rats. Because ferrets have a large prey drive, they were the perfect companions for this job.
Still, some pet owners insist on having both animals at a time, so there are a few things to consider beforehand:
1. Separate Them
Keep a guinea pig and ferret away from each other and in separate rooms. This means a guinea pig should remain in one room with the door constantly closed or vice versa with a ferret. Putting a ferret in one closed room and a guinea pig in another might be the better option.
2. Make Sure the Guinea Pig Cage is Secure
Many guinea pig owners may have their piggies on the ground without securing the top portion. In this case, getting a secured cage that a cavy cannot escape from or a ferret cannot get into is extremely wise. However, ferrets are known to escape their enclosures, so it might be wise to put some lock or wiring on the cage to ensure nothing gets in or out of it.
3. Keep the Scent Away
Do not let your ferret or guinea pig smell each other. Although they may be in separate rooms, their scent will still be on your clothes and hands. Always wash your hands and change your clothes to ensure they are not aware of each other’s presence. This is to help them be comfortable in their environment without worrying about one another.
Conclusion
To summarize everything, giving a guinea pig any ferret food or meat product is not wise. We hope this article was educational for you. If you have any more questions about ferrets or guinea pigs, we highly encourage you to check out our other articles, as we want you to be a prosperous little pet owner!
