In a few months, my sweet little Loki is going to be turning 6 years old! Which I know is getting on in age. Recently, I have noticed him sleeping a little longer during the night than before, but he is just as spry and playful as ever! Unrelated, but there is no signs of the return of his insulinoma since the surgery last year either! Everything is going well!

My question is for his food. Recently I read a report from an animal hospital while reading up on elder ferret care that it might be good to bring him down to a lower grade/different protein formula that will keep less stress on his kidneys and pancreas. He obviously doesn't have troubles now and loves his food, which by charts, is the second best under Epigen that you can give a ferret in the ways of kibble. I don't exactly trust one source, so I figured I would pop by and ask some experts. Should I consider switching him to an old fart diet soon? He is due for tests, shots, and a vet visit in September, so I figured a good workup would be good for the little guy.

So if you recommend getting him on something lower as he reaches old age, which brand or food would you recommend, or should I keep it the same! Thanks and stay awesome, guys!

PS. I am going on vacation to Jamaica tomorrow, so I might not have time to check back here in time, but trust me, when I return, this information will help me out a lot! Have a great weekend, all!

If he was my ferret, been on that diet.  I would not change a thing.  I have 8 year old, that been on no grain, high protein diet.  Every since, she came to live with me.  She is doing just fine on the diet.

Change in diet may stress out the little one.  That is something to think about.


Have a nice vacation!

How high is the protein content?  Unless it's over 90%, I wouldn't change it much.  I've heard the theory of reducing protein in later years, but not only are ferrets vulnerable to a lot of diseases/conditions that often take them before 6, but the oldest ferrets I know of are in Europe where they eat nothing but meat.  Mind you, the Big 3 aren't as prevalent there.

THE DOOKS OF HAZARD