As it turns out, chinchillas have an absolutely wide diet that varies considerably in the texture, hardness, nutritional value, etc. Chinchillas in the wild tend to consume most of their food early in the morning and late at night. One of the Pocket Pets Forever is a website for lovers of pocket pets. 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. Overfeeding of fresh greens also can lead to soft stool or diarrhea. There are a lot of food items that a chinchilla owner should never feed their pets. Average Chinchilla Lifespan: How Long Do They Live? As mentioned earlier, chinchillas' dietary requirements are different from other animals, and therefore, they should not eat guinea pig food or gerbil food. Long-tailed chinchillas are primarily herbivorous. 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. This is all too situational and it depends on the character of the pet. Thankfully, nowadays, there is a variety of hay available so that you can choose the hay type that your chinchilla loves the most. 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. As we mentioned earlier, hay is the most important part of a chinchillas diet. The quality of the ingredients used by manufacturers to make cat food varies enormously. Chinchillas require large amounts of fibre in their diet for their digestive system to function correctly. Answer (1 of 2): Why would you want to do that? They eat all sorts of different plants . These exotic animals need chinchilla food pellets every day, a well but in a much more controlled quantity. 2.2 Dried Fruits And Herbs. Its advisable to have a big enough cage for your chinchilla to jump around should they ever feel threatened by your cat. Are Chinchillas Good Pets: Everything You Need To Know What Do Chinchillas Eat: Diet & Food Guide - Your Chinchilla Pet Care What Can Chinchillas Eat? (The Complete Guide) - Pocket Pets Forever The pets need chinchilla vitamins and nutrients like Omega-3 fatty acids, folic acid, nicotinic acid, vitamin C, natural vitamin E, and many more through adequate nutritional content. They also need to have access to fresh water at all times. You can check out the water bottle we recommend you use in our new cage accessories guide here. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. Plain Cheerios. This means it should comprise 35% carbohydrates, 30% fiber, 15% protein, 4% protein, and less than 3.5% fat. One thing thats worth pointing out is that orchard grass hay is slightly more coarse than standard timothy hay and will do a better job of keeping your chinchillas teeth short if they are starting to look overgrown. The stomach, chest, and chin are pure white. Pics + 7 Signs Theyre Overweight, How Much Is A Chinchilla [Cost & Price Stats]. Yucca. 1. What Do Chinchillas Eat in the Wild? + Other Facts - Petsvills Finally, chinchillas need foods that help to keep their teeth grounded over time. 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. Take a look at this guide that shares the types of water your chinchilla can drink, If you want to know everything you need to know about chinchilla water bottles in less than 3 minutes then check our easy to follow guide here. Dont make sudden changes in their diets as it can upset their stomach. Anu wood sticks you offer your chin needs to be from non-toxic trees and free from pesticides. On the other hand, the natural hamster diet is mainly . Provide hay in your chinchilla's cage at all times so it has something to graze on. Like. The popular cereal Cheerios are also seen as a treat that chinchillas can eat due to their dried nature and high amounts of fibre. Can Chinchillas Eat Cat Food? - Pet Food Fuss You dont need to panic about the role that calcium and phosphorus play in the health of your chinchilla, instead, simply stick to a basic and recommended diet of fresh hay, supplemented with pellets and a small number of fresh greens or vegetables. Collect. So, excessive feeding can lead to diarrhea and urinary problems. This is because rabbits require higher amounts of protein than chinchillas, which is reflected in the content of their food. Chinchillas only need to consume around 3-5% fat in their diet which is easily attainable from their base diet so foods such as nuts and sunflower seeds need to be avoided. 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. There are some things that you should do to have a healthy chinchilla. Stay on top of the latest news about canine behavior, nutrition and health. Chinchillas are herbivores and their diet consists mostly of hay, vegetables, and a small amount of fruit. Along with the quality of good that you feed your pet chinchilla, the quantity is just as important. 2.5 Dried Cranberry And Apple. How Long Can Chinchillas Go Without Food and Water? (How to Care for link to How Often Should Chinchillas Have Dust Baths? First, rabbit food is not a complete diet for a chinchilla. As with all pets, a proper diet is key to health and long life in chinchillas. 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. Some owners are allergic to hay, so what should they do? Do you see that furry animal? The diet for chinchillas should be monitored to make sure they follow it daily. However, this makes them need a lot of physical and mental stimulation. All of our pet experts are here to help you and . Actually, a good portion of their diet is already rabbit food. What Can Chinchillas Eat? - Pet Food Guide Besides, Read More Are Chinchillas Cuddly? Chinchilla/Hedgehog; Ferrets; Guinea Pigs; Gerbils/Hamsters; Mice/Rats; Rabbits; Featured Shops. Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. Give your cat and chinchilla enough time to get used to each other. kathson 35oz Hanging Automatic Food Water Dispenser Gravity Pet Auto Feeder Waterer Set for Rabbit Cat Dog Chinchilla Guinea Pig Hedgehog Ferret Rating Required Select Rating 1 star (worst) 2 stars 3 stars (average) 4 stars 5 stars (best) Offering too much or too little of one food group can cause your chin to have digestive and even health issues. 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. 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. This list includes common household foods that hamster should avoid but is by no means exhaustive. Chinchillas can't eat blueberries for a variety of reasons. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Cats are carnivores (meat-eaters) whereas chinchillas are herbivores (plant-eaters). Dont discourage your pet from eating its own dropping, as it is natural for them to do so. Hibiscus is known to be a healthy treat for chinchillas if offered in small quantities and is often used in commercial chinchilla treats. The most obvious reason why you shouldn't feed cat food to a chinchilla is because chinchillas are not cats! Please remember that there are hundreds of greens and vegetables from around the world. Although fruits and nuts are something that can be fed to chinchillas, it is best to avoid them. Keeping in mind that chinchillas cant eat fatty food, there are some treats that they like that contain fat, but chinchillas love them. Chinchillas also dont like eating cat food. However, its still possible for these two pets to get along, but this doesnt mean that youll find the chinchilla cuddling on the lap of your cat.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'smallpetshq_com-narrow-sky-1','ezslot_14',179,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-narrow-sky-1-0'); Yes, cats and chinchillas can live in one house. You can do this by understanding how a chinchilla behaves and using that to your advantage. Persians (the Chinchilla is in the Persian or Longhair cat family) can carry a gene that leads to kidney failure (called autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease) through the development of cysts in the kidney. Line the cage with a few inches of dye-free paper bedding. There are several reasons why you shouldnt feed your chinchillas cat food and, below, well explore each of these in more detail. Nonetheless, this can be achieved by only slowly introducing these two pets to each other. 3 Ways to Feed a Chinchilla - wikiHow Pet What is the reason why Chinchillas are not allowed to consume blueberries? However, if you are allergic to hay, this is a great option as it greatly reduces the hay dust in your house, which reduces the allergic reaction that you might have to the hay. For this reason, we have chosen to list the most common greens and veggies that owners often choose to feed their chinchillas and that we can validate are safe using veterinary sources such as the. Special emphasis on nutritional support. Chinchillas love treats just like any other animal, but the treats can be deadly for them if you dont know the proper way or amount to feed them. Chinchillas can consume a wide variety of human foods, most notably vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts, and grains. Instead, chinchilla feeds should address the following: Fat: should be between 2% and 5%. , they get most if not all of the nutrition they need from this basic diet. They love to play and interact with humans which makes them excellent pets. We have created a list of common foods that chinchilla owners regularly contemplate feeding their chinchilla. Again, although this is the common amount of food that your pet needs, you need to contact the pet veterinarian to be sure of ample amounts of food that your chinchilla needs. Milk and other dairy products are animal products and not appropriate for herbivores. We have two females & two males. Made from dehydrated rose hips, Exotic Nutrition Critter Selects Rose Hips Chinchilla Treats are great little chunks that you can even add to a food puzzle. The small animals love their leafy snack so much that they can live off it alone. Chinchillas can eat leaves and twigs in captivity, yet these types of food are more difficult to find when not in the wild. Coprophagy helps to maintain the correct balance of intestinal flora within the gut, and also enables the chinchilla to absorb B Vitamins that are produced in the caecum (part of the gut). Chinchilla | International Cat Care Image Credit: Natalis.ph, Shutterstock. Feed them right, and youll have a happy, cuddly pet for many years. You can find out exactly which variety of Cheerios is safe to feed to your chinchilla right here(We researched all popular varieties and only recommend feeding your chinchilla these 2 varieties). They will consume stalks, stems, leaves, shoots, fruits, seeds and roots . No, Apples should not be given on regular basis to Chinchillas but Chinchillas can eat Apples but only in moderation. The treats that you choose to feed them should be done in very limited and controlled quantities. Thank you for supporting us on our journey as we continue to publish content with the aim of helping owners care for their pets in the best way possible! Make sure to cut these fruits and vegetables into small tiny pieces of cubes to feed them and know the proper quantity that they can handle through your pets vet. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Pecans? Providing your chinchilla with safe wood for them to chew on is the best and most convenient option. Chinchillas in the wild typically eat most of their food in . The average pet chinchilla lifespan is 15-20 years 1 What Foods Are Poisonous To Chinchillas? (Benefits/Risks), Norwegian Lundehund: What You Need To Know. They need to have variety in the boring food they eat while also getting all the nutritional requirements met. Dried fruit (apple, banana, and papaya). Find & Download the most popular Chinchilla Animal Vectors on Freepik Free for commercial use High Quality Images Made for Creative Projects. Chinchillas could be temperate and might be picky eaters, and you should be careful about, Read More Can Chinchillas Eat Cucumbers And Is It Safe?Continue, This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. As a pet, chinchillas can eat the same dried herbs and benefit from the nutrients. . You shouldn't have a chinchilla in the same house or at least keep your chinchilla in a separate room. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Romaine Lettuce? How can chinchilla food be replaced with rabbit food? - Quora 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. Learn more about their diets, below. For this reason, we have chosen to list the most common greens and veggies that owners often choose to feed their chinchillas and that we can validate are safe using veterinary sources such as the PDSA. Tomato Leaves. This might not sound that bad at first, however, the fact that a chinchillas digestional tract isnt adapted to processing large amounts of sugar means that it can be left to ferment and cause gas. Semi-dry foods consist of dried milk and grain. Yes, the chinchilla that you have been eyeing for quite some time now. Chinchilla Food and Treats - Chin Care Group Hay should be put in the hay rack in the chinchilla's cage. Pellets should be hay-based and fortified with additional vitamins. This is because wet cat food contains a lot of moisture and, as such, its difficult for chinchillas to digest. hay, fresh vegetables, and pellets should still make up the majority of their diet. Chinchillas should be given 1-2 tablespoons of pellets per day, and Bunk-Hatch recommends Oxbow Essentials. 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. C hoosing a pet is not a decision to be taken lightly. If a chinchilla is not active, it can in fact be bad for their health and cause an array of chinchilla health problems. The chinchilla will be stressed out by calm cats too. Chinchillas cannot eat hamster food. Dry foods are made entirely from grains and other similar products. You need to ensure your cat has a comfortable sitting area thats far from the chinchillas cage. 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. It is not a suitable food for them to have, even in small amounts. Again, you can head over to our dedicated page herewhere we share all of our recommended food products for your chinchilla and the best place to purchase them from. Thats why they need to have toys and accessories in their houses. This doesnt cost you anything additional. 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. As you know, chinchillas are plant-eating animals. An aggressive cat will attack the chinchilla but with patience, you can train the pets to coexist. For example, you could offer them a few pieces of fruit, such as apples or pears. Chinchillas are herbivorous and do not eat animal-based products. With all things considered, the best 2 hay choices for your chinchilla are. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Eggshells are rich in calcium and, as such, theyre an excellent source of nutrition for your chinchilla! By contrast, cats require a diet high in both fat and carbohydrates. As wet cat food is so soft, itll have absolutely no effect on keeping your chinchillas teeth to a safe length. So the treats that you choose to feed them should be given only occasionally. Fiber: should be at least 15%, preferably up to 35%. Greens especially leafy greens are a food group that you can and should offer to your chinchilla on a regular basis. This only happens opportunistically, though. 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. 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;}. what are some dehydrated fruits chinchillas can eat? So, if you decide to make a purchase through one of the links on this site, I receive a commission for it. You can repeat the process for a few days, gradually increasing the time frame. From their increased curiosity and affection to their unmatched affordability, chinchillas will always be amazing pets. Are Raisins Safe for Chinchillas? | Infolific On top of this, wet cat food has a tendency to stick around in the digestive tract for long periods of time. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smallpetshq_com-box-4','ezslot_2',194,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-box-4-0');You should thus not be surprised if a cat and chinchilla bond as companions or friends. (Later in this post, we will share the exact brand of timothy hay we recommend you purchase as well as the cheapest place to get it from). Fat is another nutrient that chinchillas need in very small amounts to be considered healthy. Avoid using wooden toy balls. Chinchillas dont need a whole lot of greens in their diet but they are still important in the right quantities. They are extremely high in fibre while offering low amounts of sugar. This ensures its overall wellbeing is guaranteed, meaning your chinchilla gets to enjoy a peaceful life. Cats are feline predators that are known for hunting rodent prey like chinchillas. Some dos and donts for having chinchillas as pets are listed below. Chinchillas are so cute and such intelligent animals that make great pets. They have very different nutritional needs. It is the purest type of water available and it does not contain any bacteria. Can Chinchillas Eat Guinea Pig Food? Is it Safe For Them? - Petsvills The problem is that the majority of fruits are high enough in sugar to cause your chinchilla digestive problems amongst other things so only a handful are really considered safe enough to eat even in small quantities.