L'alimentation du furet (Mustela furo) : bases théoriques et état des connaissances

Ferrets are carnivorous animals very close to the polecats. They are used in many
<br />fields and are currently used widespread as pets. Their anatomy and physiology allow classifying them as carnivorous predators. Their diet consists of small prey. Studies on the nutritional requirements are very scarce and based mostly on comparisons with the cat or mink. The longevity factor is consistently absent from these studies although many diseases have a nutritional origin. Their digestive tract is not much differentiated and the transit is very quick, the digestion is inefficient. Their energy requirements are extremely high, much more than the cat. Ferrets require a high intake of animal protein —not from plant— of high nutritional quality and energyprotein ratio adjusted. Lipids are the main source of energy in the diet, and must be present in significant amounts. The minimum requirements are dependent on fatty acid composition, fat should be of animal origin and mostly of good quality. The ferret eating only animal products, there is no demonstrated requirements of carbohydrates. In addition carbohydrates are involved in different diseases. Micronutrient needs have been little studied and are often based on observation of deficiencies. Domestic ferrets are prone to diseases of nutritional origin; this leads many experts to rethink the diet of this animal.