This will ensure that they look for it, as they had to look for the food in the wild. Pelleted diets are better than a mixture of loose items. With all things considered, the best 2 hay choices for your chinchilla are. A tablespoon or two each day is appropriate for most chinchillas. Alfalfa hay is usually recommended for young, growing chinchillas as it helps them to put on weight quickly but this is usually only offered until the age of around 9 months old. In the wild, chinchillas live in cold mountains, crevices of rocks, moving from rock to rock to escape from predators and to find food. These commissions help to keep the rest of my content free, so thank you! Chinchillas can eat a wide variety of natural food like hay, vegetables, dried fruits, nuts, berries, dried plants, and herbs. Chinchillas in the wild tend to consume most of their food early in the morning and late at night. The treats that these exotic animals eat are dried rose hips, dandelion, and hibiscus leaves, basically dried fruits, and root vegetables should be given to them. Gastrointestinal Disorders. Some owners are allergic to hay, so what should they do? Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. Chinchillas in captivity often require a balanced diet of low fat, low moisture, low carbohydrates, and high fiber. With this being said, as an owner, there is one nutrient that you will notice your chinchilla seems to need more than anything elseand thats fibre. [Top Speeds], Is My Chinchilla Fat? Plain Cheerios. Give your chinchilla space from the cat, which sees it as a prey. If you want to know what age baby chinchillas are weaned then head over to our post that shares all you need to know. If this is a problem you were undergoing, reading this insightful article has enlightened you to understand better if cats and chinchillas can get along. You can give these things in moderation but make sure to avoid nuts and seeds as they are way too high in fat content. Belmore, NSW. They eat Royal Canin special Persian cat food and the kittens are eating kitten food. The chinchilla should be given fresh hay every day. Fruit is a food that can be offered to your chinchilla as a treat. This includes plenty of fresh green leaves and hay. Fresh vegetables and fruits can occasionally be fed to your chinchillas, but only some of the fruit and vegetables your chinchillas digestive system can bear. Answer (1 of 2): It is not so much that they are 'fragile', but have different habitat requirements than we are used to. It's important to offer your chinchillas an unlimited amount of fresh hay in their cage daily so they can continually consume the large amounts of fibre they need. Chinchillas cannot eat hamster food. You should thus monitor it at all times to make sure it doesnt hunt down your chinchilla. While it depends on your cat's personality, many will seek out to hunt chinchillas. Because chinchillas teeth grow throughout their lives, when they are not offered enough hay (and consume mainly pellets), the surfaces of their top and bottom teeth collide inside their mouths with such force as they chew that the roots of their teeth become impacted, like a persons impacted wisdom teeth. Chinchillas are herbivorous and do not eat animal-based products. Its important to offer your chinchillas an unlimited amount of fresh hay in their cage daily so they can continually consume the large amounts of fibre they need. No, they cant as theyre herbivorous, meaning they eat plenty of grasses or plants. No, they can't as they're herbivorous, meaning they eat plenty of grasses or plants. There are a lot of food items that a chinchilla owner should never feed their pets. No, Apples should not be given on regular basis to Chinchillas but Chinchillas can eat Apples but only in moderation. So the treats that you choose to feed them should be given only occasionally. They need to have variety in the boring food they eat while also getting all the nutritional requirements met. Hard objects, such as branches from non-toxic fruit trees (like apple, pear, and peach trees), can be given to promote chewing and teeth wear, but toxic trees (like cherry, cedar, plum and redwood) should be avoided. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Pumpkin? There is, however, no harm in using this type of water providing they get enough minerals from elsewhere. Commercial pelleted food is also available for chinchillas but should be offered in limited quantities of no more than one-to-two tablespoons per day for an adult chinchilla. This is what your chinchillas diet should look like, Hay Unlimited amounts (80-90% of the diet), Pellets Limited amounts to complement hay diet, Fresh Greens Small amounts offered daily, Fruit Very small amounts offered on occasion, Lets now break down the different elements of a chinchillas diet and see exactly what they should be eating to keep them both happy and healthy. All Things Dog. Instead, offer your adult chinchilla timothy hay or other low-calcium grass hays, such as orchard or meadow grass. Average Chinchilla Lifespan: How Long Do They Live? You should do this by giving your cat ample time to become used to the new smell while making sure your chinchilla remains in the cage. Chinchillas need hay between 14% and 16% plant protein. Cat food comes in many different varieties: wet, semi-dry, and dry. The only downside to dried fruit is that as nutrients such as fibre increase so does the sugar content and this can elevate the amounts of sugar into alarming levels. You should also consider designing hiding spots where your chinchilla can sleep or hide whenever its feeling tensed due to the cats presence.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'smallpetshq_com-leader-3','ezslot_6',187,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-leader-3-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'smallpetshq_com-leader-3','ezslot_7',187,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-leader-3-0_1'); .leader-3-multi-187{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:7px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:7px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:50px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. Do you see that furry animal? There are some great hay-based pellets out there on the market that complement your chinchillas hay-based diet and fill in the gaps in your chins nutrition really well. Because of the sensitive nature of a chinchillas digestive tract, sugar can be extremely harmful even if its fed in moderate quantities. When they are let out of their cage, chinchillas Chinchillas come in a wide variety of colors. Feeding your chinchilla excessive amounts of pellets does not supply enough fiber for their gastrointestinal tracts (which require high fiber for fermentation of food) and doesnt provide the roughage to wear down their continuously growing teeth. However, in this list are food items that you should absolutely not feed your chinchilla and if you do, then going to a vet is the best course of action. To make sure that your pet eats food properly, you need to make the feeding time fun. This is because fatty foods are very harmful to their digestive system. Yes, they can, as harmful bacteria can be crossed from your cat to your chinchilla, causing it a severe illness. Instead, they prefer to nibble at their hay or grass. If you want to give them something extra special, then you can include some fruit snacks, peanut butter, cheese, or eggshells into their food bowl every once in a while. Image 1 is the male father & Image 2 is the female mother.. Image Credit: Natalis.ph, Shutterstock. Read More The Best Chinchilla Toys (Review) in 2023Continue, This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Like. There are several reasons why you shouldnt feed your chinchillas cat food and, below, well explore each of these in more detail. You'll need to make sure you'll be sharing your home with an animal that suits your lifestyle, available space, and even your personality type. As well as knowing what foods chinchillas can eat, its also important to understand what common foods your chinchilla should be staying away from too. Chinchillas are quite possibly at their happiest when using a dust bath and it is important we provide them with this little delight regularly to keep them content and in good health. While hay should be offered in unlimited quantities, feeding large amounts of high-calcium alfalfa hay to non-breeding, adult chinchillas has been associated with the development calcium-based bladder stones. Growing, breeding, and nursing chinchillas may be fed a larger amount of pellets to provide additional calories, protein, fat and calcium. You can find out exactly which variety of Cheerios is safe to feed to your chinchilla right here, then check our easy to follow guide here. If you are thinking of becoming a new pet parent, having a chinchilla will be the ultimate solution. If rabbits were to eat chinchilla . On top of this, wet cat food has a tendency to stick around in the digestive tract for long periods of time. Grapes and raisins have shown to be toxic to dogs, ferrets and cats. Eggshells are rich in calcium and, as such, theyre an excellent source of nutrition for your chinchilla! Shoot me an emailif you have a question! This means that feeding too many greens can cause an unbalanced amount of nutrients such as elevated levels of calcium and in turn, cause health issues. If you can imagine for a moment what that would be like, it is much easier to see why they need dust baths instead of w. ; The long-tailed chinchillas will feed on insects, such as moths and grasshoppers, and bird eggs if the opportunity presents itself. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you. The bottom line is, chinchillas dont need treats, but if you feel bad or want your chinchilla to be happy, then you can give them treats occasionally. Oxbow hay (low dust/hypoallergenic) We will be constantly adding new dedicated posts where we spotlight popular fruits so you can see in detail if the fruit is safe as well as how often and how much to offer your chinchilla. Chinchilla/Hedgehog; Ferrets; Guinea Pigs; Gerbils/Hamsters; Mice/Rats; Rabbits; Featured Shops. Thats why they need to have toys and accessories in their houses. 1 The deluxe chinchilla food is made from high-fiber alfalfa meal to promote gastrointestinal health, with added fiber, protein, and fat derived from soybeans. Cats are feline predators that are known for hunting rodent prey like chinchillas. Some use only meat products while others include vegetables and grains. It comes with a water bottle and food dish as well, all priced under $20. They are high in sugar, however, so give sparingly. Just because a green on the list below is labelled safe doesnt mean that you can feed your chinchilla unlimited amounts of that green or vegetable. Yes, the chinchilla that you have been eyeing for quite some time now. Chinchillas are among the most intelligent and fun pets to have. I would suggest to avoid fruits like Apples. If youre a pet owner, one issue you need to weary off is the compatibility of pets, even though this, to some extent, depends on the pets attributes. Providing your chinchilla with safe wood for them to chew on is the best and most convenient option. Make sure to read the product form to know what you are getting when buying treats. You can either purchase wood sticks from a store or collect your own, Wash The wood Thoroughly (remove all visible dirt), Ensure Sticks Are Totally Dry (should easily snap under pressure), Timothy or Orchard Grass Hay Always Available. Chinchillas in the wild tend to consume most of their food early in the morning and late at night. Chinchillas have an extremely sensitive digestive system and the large amounts of sugar that are usually present in fruit can be harmful to your chinchilla. We have two females & two males. You can give them raisins, carrots, sultanas, and basically all the things that were mentioned above in the list. . Chinchilla Diapers: What You Need To Know + Pics, 16+ Different Chinchilla Colors: Pictures + Pricing, How Fast Can Chinchillas Run? [What Owners Will Want To Know], Can Chinchillas Get Fleas? Tomato Leaves. So what can chinchillas eat? It is also built with a speaker for remote interaction with pets. Finally, since chinchillas cannot vomit, small or hard foods such as dried fruit, nuts, seeds, or raisins can get stuck in the back of the mouth or esophagus leading to salivation, gagging, lack of appetite and possible problems breathing. Fat is another nutrient that chinchillas need in very small amounts to be considered healthy. Poison Ivy. Always offer small amounts of sugar to your chinchillas and seek advice from your vet if you still arent sure. Well, you should try to distribute the appropriate amount of food around their cage instead of handing them their feed in a bowl. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Pecans? While long term overfeeding of sugary foods can cause problems such as tooth decay and obesity, even overfeeding sugary food just once and cause diarrhoea and gas. This means it should comprise 35% carbohydrates, 30% fiber, 15% protein, 4% protein, and less than 3.5% fat. As with all pets, a proper diet is key to health and long life in chinchillas. Apart from the fruits that we mentioned above, that can be offered in really small quantities, there are a handful of foods that are considered healthy enough to feed to your chinchilla as treats. This means it should comprise 35% carbohydrates, 30% fiber, 15% protein, 4% protein, and less than 3.5% fat. This is especially vital in the first days when youll be able to closely supervise your cats behavior around the chinchillas cage.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'smallpetshq_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_0',186,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); Here are some steps you need to take when introducing these two pets. . Instead, you should only feed them a healthy, balanced diet that includes lots of fresh green leaves and grass. Most customers said their chinchillas can't get enough of these treats. However, this isnt something they enjoy doing. and how to get rid of it, The Best Chinchilla Toys (Review) in 2023, Are chinchillas Smart? This can lead to blockages and other health issues. Can Chinchillas Eat Cat Food? Answer (1 of 2): Why would you want to do that? Hi, My name is Adam. chinchillabreeders.org is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Chinchillas require a diet that mainly consists of timothy hay with the addition of supplementary chinchilla pellets. All this time, as you do this, never make the mistake of leaving these two pets unattended because your cat might start startling or hunting the chinchilla.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smallpetshq_com-leader-2','ezslot_4',183,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-leader-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smallpetshq_com-leader-2','ezslot_5',183,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-leader-2-0_1'); .leader-2-multi-183{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:7px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:7px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. 2 Human Food Chinchillas Can Eat. In this post, we will share the foods your chinchilla should be eating on a daily basis, how much they should be eating as well as what foods they need to stay away from. By doing this, you can be confident that your chinchilla doesnt suffer any physical harm plus is safe from any stress. Chinchillas enjoy dandelions because they have an interesting . Dried Cranberries. nuts and sunflower seeds need to be avoided. 1. Their diet should be composed of about 35% carbohydrates, 3.5% fat, 30% fiber, 15% protein, and only 4% sugar. From their increased curiosity and affection to their unmatched affordability, chinchillas will always be amazing pets. As a pet, chinchillas can eat the same dried herbs and benefit from the nutrients. Good hays include alfalfa hay, timothy hay, orchard grass, and blue grass. I'm the main author of Pocket Pets Forever. It is a rich source of Malic acid that is not essential for your Chinchillas. It will keep them active and give them the appropriate amount of pellets per day, hay, and other food items per day as well. Purebred Chinchilla's. $1,200. Lets look at some more information that is essential for chinchilla pet owners about pet food. Wet foods are usually made up of milk and water. On the other hand, the natural hamster diet is mainly . This is a general rule for most small animals such as hedgehogs and even the majority of reptiles. This is important because these two pets have brains that are programmed to act differently. An overweight chinchilla is susceptible to many illnesses like diabetes, diarrhea, and liver damage. Indigestible bedding, such as wood shavings, also can cause obstructions. Nonetheless, this can be achieved by only slowly introducing these two pets to each other. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Hamster food is made largely of things that would be harmful for a chinchilla to eat. , they get most if not all of the nutrition they need from this basic diet. These are dried fruits, dried herbs, plantain, and root vegetables. We have created a list where we share our recommended timothy hay and orchard hay products to feed your chinchilla as well as the best place to purchase them from and you can access the list right here. Line the cage with a few inches of dye-free paper bedding. Its role in highlighting their adaptability to new or specif environments is matchless. Created using the Newspaper Theme. Chinchillas and cats can get along just fine, but this depends on your cats personality and demeanor. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Here is a breakdown of the nutrients your chinchilla needs in their diet and in what percentages. Remember that treats are only supposed to be offered sparingly and not in large amounts daily. These tend to be expensive but, over time, theyre worth the investment. Chinchillas cant eat cat food. Humans have food, and chinchillas have hay. The most obvious reason why you shouldn't feed cat food to a chinchilla is because chinchillas are not cats! If you do this, your chins diet should easily fall into this low calcium and even lower phosphorus model providing you stick to safe and recommended greens and veggies. Monitoring your chinchillas' diet. Instead, offer your cat leafy green vegetables like kale, bok choy, or arugula. If you feed them the correct diet, chinchillas generally keep themselves at the right weight. You can also feed them a mixture of all these hays. To be more specific, the diet should have 30% fiber, 16% protein, 35% carbohydrates, and the rest should be filled with fat, minerals, and sugar. and always check to see if the fruit is recommended for chinchillas and what quantities it should be offered in. Some of the more common culprits include inflammatory bowel disease, bacterial infections, viral infections, parasites, ulcers, etc. We ship to everywhere in Canada, and can deliver your package right to your door! It is important to remember the natural chinchilla diet is mainly made up of hay and grass, with some twigs and leaves in between. Long-tailed chinchillas are primarily herbivorous. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Nuts? Both critters should be eating a high quality hay as the majority of their diet. Hibiscus is known to be a healthy treat for chinchillas if offered in small quantities and is often used in commercial chinchilla treats. It is not a suitable food for them to have, even in small amounts. [What Owners Will Want To Know]Continue, This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. They have very different nutritional needs. 2.2 Dried Fruits And Herbs. 3. Dried fruit is often preferred to regular fruit, this is down to the fact that dried fruit offers much less water (which is considered bad for chinchillas) as well as increased levels of other nutrients such as fibre. Similarly, pet chinchillas should be offered food twice a day but may consume food throughout the day, as they tend to eat more slowly than other small animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs. Avoid pine and cedar shavings, as they can irritate a chinchilla's respiratory tract. Foods to Avoid In conclusion, make sure to feed your chinchilla with care and monitor their diets properly. 3 Human Foods For Chinchillas: Final Thoughts. The diet of chinchillas should ideally be high in protein and fiber while containing low moisture and fat content. Hay should account for anywhere between 80-90% of your chinchillas food intake so from these numbers alone its clear to see that good quality hay is undoubtedly the most vital part of your chinchillas diet. Calcium and phosphorus play an important role in your chinchillas diet, albeit a complicated one. Too much calcium can have a negative effect on a chinchillas health as excessive amounts can cause calcium stones. Following a healthy diet will maximize your chinchillas lifespan. Chinchillas require a diet high in fiber and low in fat. Later in the post, we will show you how much hay, pellets, greens and fruit your chinchillas should ideally eat per day. Filtered water is ideal for use in Chinchilla bottles. Even though this might sound really confusing, if you follow the feeding guide later in the post then you should have no issues with over or underfeeding greens to your chinchilla. Providing greens in small amounts and not too often is something you will have to get used to as a chinchillas owner due to the fact that chinchillas have unusual nutritional needs. You may also be able to give your chinchilla treats like rose petals, rolled oats, or even non-frosted shredded wheat. Thankfully, nowadays, there is a variety of hay available so that you can choose the hay type that your chinchilla loves the most. The main takeaway here is that you should never give cat food to your pet chinchilla. Dont make sudden changes in their diets as it can upset their stomach. [4] You can buy hay at most pet stores or online. Dont give food that is meant for guinea pigs as they have different digestive systems. Learn more about their diets, below. Bread and Dairy Products. If you want to give your chinchilla some treats, then these should be carefully selected. All you need to hope for is that your cat ignores the chinchilla. Read on for everything that you'll need to know. For example, you could offer them a few pieces of fruit, such as apples or pears. Distilled water isnt as easy to get hold of as water from the tap and it, unfortunately, does not contain any minerals which your Chinchilla needs. The short answer is yes, chinchillas can eat rabbit food. Best Hay For Chinchillas 2023 Reviews and Comparison. They should be given very small amounts of chinchilla vegetables like carrots and leafy greens as healthy treats. This will be possible if your cat has a mellow and calm personality and isnt so much interested in hunting, meaning itll most likely ignore the chinchilla. Using genetic screening, breeders are now working to try to eradicate the problem - always . as their pellets are of a high quality and are fortified with vitamins such as vitamin D3. Chinchilla Sleeping Habits: Are Chinchillas Nocturnal? If you're looking for a reasonably priced cage that comes with a variety of accessories, try the Habitrail Cristal Hamster Cage with Wheel. Hay should be put in the hay rack in the chinchilla's cage. You also need to make sure your cat has a mellow personality to lower the likelihood of it attacking your chinchilla. The auto cat feeder has a 1080HD camera with automatic night vision as well as wide-angle view and supports 10-second voice message recording. Following this diet routine is to make sure your chinchilla doesnt turn into a malnourished animal. Chinchillas also need their diets to be supplemented with pellets to round off and balance their nutritional needs. This is because chins can get ill if they are exposed to large amounts of water on their fur. The hay should be dry and fresh-smelling with no trace of mold. Food Options. So, what exactly do chinchillas eat? Never change your chinchillas' diet suddenly, as this could upset their digestive system and make them very ill. There are so many different hay varieties to choose from and sometimes it can be hard to know which ones will serve your chinchillas nutritional needs the best. List Of Safe Greens & Vegetables For Chinchillas: Fruits should only ever be offered as a treat to your chinchilla. Pellets should be hay-based and fortified with additional vitamins. Chinchillas can easily get their head trapped in these toys and suffocate. But if you want to own both of these pets, the question running in your mind right now is, do chinchillas get along with cats? As wet cat food is so soft, itll have absolutely no effect on keeping your chinchillas teeth to a safe length. So, what type of hay do chinchillas eat? Locust pods. If you decide to collect your own wood then you need to make sure you do a few things before handing it over to your chinchilla. Now, lets talk more about the healthy treats that you should feed these exotic animals. All greens and veggies should be offered in limited quantities and in moderation. Caring for a Chinchilla: What You Need to Know, Overgrown Teeth and Dental Issues in Chinchillas. 4. As you know, chinchillas are very sensitive animals, so you need to be very careful with what you feed them. Alfalfa hay (low dust/hypoallergenic) Blue Grass hay. The diet that you choose to feed your chinchilla should mostly contain hay.