The unusually short intestinal tract of ferrets and closely related mustelids lacks a cecum and
ileocolic valve. As a result, the transit time of ingesta in these carnivores is very rapid
compared with other animals, and their food is inefficiently digested. Although the precise
nutritional requirements of ferrets have not been determined by feeding defined diets,
information has been compiled from experience feeding commercial and analyzed
homemade diets to breeding ferrets, fitch, and mink at all stages of their lives. The …