Why are ingredients like corn and peas considered indigestible fillers for ferrets?
Answer
They displace necessary meat content and can cause blockages or stones.
Corn, peas, potatoes, and beans are examples of vegetables and high-fiber items that should be excluded from a ferret's diet because they serve as indigestible fillers. Ferrets lack the robust enzymatic pathways required to efficiently process complex carbohydrates and fiber found in plants. When these substances are present, they take up space in the short digestive tract that should be occupied by nutrient-dense meat, potentially leading to serious physical complications like intestinal blockages or contributing to the formation of urinary stones.
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