They eat all sorts of different plants . Keeping in mind that chinchillas cant eat fatty food, there are some treats that they like that contain fat, but chinchillas love them. Acidic foods can upset the pH balance of your chinchillas stomach and, as such, can cause stomach ulcers. 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. If they are fed certain foods together frequently, they will become accustomed to them always being served together. amongst other things so only a handful are really considered safe enough to eat even in small quantities. Chinchillas have a rounded ears, plump furry bodies, short legs, and long tails. Hamsters eat more carbohydrates than chinchillas do, but both species need food with plenty of protein and calcium. Small pets like chinchillas have very specific dietary needs. This site 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. It will keep them active and give them the appropriate amount of pellets per day, hay, and other food items per day as well. Hamsters vs. Gerbils: Whats the Difference. 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. Please talk to your vet for a detailed diet plan that suits the individual needs of your pet. 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. If a chinchilla is not active, it can in fact be bad for their health and cause an array of chinchilla health problems. Later in the post, we will show you how much hay, pellets, greens and fruit your chinchillas should ideally eat per day. They can also be found in mixed dried dandelion mixtures, which can include dandelion leaves, flower petals, and even roots. Therefore, youll want to choose the hay wisely if you dont want, Read More Best Hay For Chinchillas 2023 Reviews and ComparisonContinue. Hay should be put in the hay rack in the chinchilla's cage. Theyve become the subject of fascination for many animal lovers who enjoy their antics. Hay and specially . In addition to this, a lot of fruit can actually be harmful to chinchillas and they certainly cant just eat any and all fruits. This is because rabbits require higher amounts of protein than chinchillas, which is reflected in the content of their food. 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. Limit fruits and sugary vegetables (e.g., carrots) to <1 teaspoon/day. Cats with a chinchilla coat pattern have white undercoats and tipping on the back, tail, head, and flanks. Feeding any type of cat food to your chinchilla is a bad idea, however, feeding them wet cat food is one of the worst things you can do. Chinchillas can eat a wide variety of natural food like hay, vegetables, dried fruits, nuts, berries, dried plants, and herbs. Copyright tagDiv. I would suggest to avoid fruits like Apples. Arrives by Fri, Mar 31 Buy Auto Feeder Water Dispenser Set Rabbit Cat Dog Chinchilla Food Hanging Gravity at Walmart.com Chinchillas, for the most part, eat a really basic and simple diet that consists of very few foods. link to How Often Should Chinchillas Have Dust Baths? Both chinchillas and hamsters are small rodents, so it's not surprising that they have similar dietary needs. The short answer is yes, chinchillas can eat rabbit food. These are dried fruits, dried herbs, plantain, and root vegetables. Provide a steady supply of hay. Note: Its important to understand that this is a guide only. But here is a pretty extensive list of what is safe for chins and most can be found in the bulk section of a health food store for cheap. 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. As you know, chinchillas are plant-eating animals. Please talk to your vet for a detailed diet plan that suits the individual needs of your pet. The chinchilla should be given fresh hay every day. Once this condition occurs, there is nothing that can be done other than to provide pain medication and soft foods. Indigestible bedding, such as wood shavings, also can cause obstructions. Occasionally, they will eat insects and bird eggs. If you want to get a pet chinchilla, you should take into consideration some important things before buying them. The main takeaway here is that you should never give cat food to your pet chinchilla. While chinchillas and hamsters may seem similar, their diets couldn't be more different, and that means you . 2.1 Fresh Vegetables. 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. As it turns out, chinchillas have an absolutely wide diet that varies considerably in the texture, hardness, nutritional value, etc. Filtered water is ideal for use in Chinchilla bottles. Chinchilla/Hedgehog; Ferrets; Guinea Pigs; Gerbils/Hamsters; Mice/Rats; Rabbits; Featured Shops. This is because wet cat food contains a lot of moisture and, as such, its difficult for chinchillas to digest. Just make sure that they are safe. Just like all other animals, chinchillas need good quality food to survive. Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. Most customers said their chinchillas can't get enough of these treats. This means your cat gets to see your chinchilla but isnt in a position to touch it.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'smallpetshq_com-portrait-1','ezslot_19',188,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-portrait-1-0'); You also need to make sure that this area is just as comfy as where your chinchilla is to avoid your cat from wanting to stretch inside the cage bars.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'smallpetshq_com-leader-4','ezslot_8',189,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-leader-4-0'); Moreover, make sure there isnt a bed positioned over the chinchillas cage to prevent your cat from having a post from where it might try and reach the chinchilla. You can barely overlook the significance of animal intelligence. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Strawberries? This means it should comprise 35% carbohydrates, 30% fiber, 15% protein, 4% protein, and less than 3.5% fat. This is because chins can get ill if they are exposed to large amounts of water on their fur. Health and welfare issues - other. By contrast, cats require a diet high in both fat and carbohydrates. ; The long-tailed chinchillas will feed on insects, such as moths and grasshoppers, and bird eggs if the opportunity presents itself. Here is a breakdown of the nutrients your chinchilla needs in their diet and in what percentages. They should be given very small amounts of chinchilla vegetables like carrots and leafy greens as healthy treats. By Laurie Hess, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian Practice). Below we have listed the most common greens that your chinchillas can safely eat in moderation as part of a healthy and balanced diet. First, rabbit food is not a complete diet for a chinchilla. We have created a list of common foods that chinchilla owners regularly contemplate feeding their chinchilla. Hi, my namesElena Coolidge, and this is my site. If you want to bring a chinchilla into your home, you could be worried about their diet and general health. Calcium and phosphorus play an important role in your chinchillas diet, albeit a complicated one. If rabbits were to eat chinchilla . If you feed them the correct diet, chinchillas generally keep themselves at the right weight. 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. 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. So here is a list of fruits and vegetables that you can feed your chinchillas. Both Chinchillas and Hamsters Are Small Rodents. 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). Following this diet routine is to make sure your chinchilla doesnt turn into a malnourished animal. Yes, cats do attack chinchillas as their rodents, which they see as prey. Much like many other rodents, a chinchillas teeth continue to grow throughout their life, so they need food that will help to stop them from overgrowing. 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. Its important to know how much food you need to offer your chinchilla each day in order for them to be considered healthy. 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. Plain Shredded Wheat. You should also try to avoid giving your chinchilla anything acidic, such as citrus fruits. This is a question many pet owners ask themselves, and if you fall into this category, youre in luck.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'smallpetshq_com-banner-1','ezslot_11',173,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-banner-1-0'); Heres a detailed article on the compatibility of chinchillas and cats to make you better informed on whether owning these two pets is a good idea. 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. In the wild, chins consume very small amounts of fat in their diet so offering them a high-fat diet that their gastrointestinal tract isnt used to can lead to more digestive problems. Chinchillas will eat plenty of native plants in the wild to give them a good balance of minerals and vitamins essential for optimum health. Chinchillas only need to consume around 3-5% fat in their diet which is easily attainable from their base diet so foods such as. What Owners Must Know! 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. Alfalfa hay is usually recommended for young, growing chinchillas. Well, you should try to distribute the appropriate amount of food around their cage instead of handing them their feed in a bowl. As a pet, chinchillas can eat the same dried herbs and benefit from the nutrients. Cat food comes in many different varieties: wet, semi-dry, and dry. Chinchillas cant eat cat food. They need to have variety in the boring food they eat while also getting all the nutritional requirements met. They have very different nutritional needs. Here Are Safe Wood Options For Chinchillas to Chew On: There is often a lot of confusion about if chinchillas actually need water. This is usually the case for cats and chinchillas, which can be stressful for you as a pet owner. 2 Human Food Chinchillas Can Eat. When they are let out of their cage, chinchillas Chinchillas come in a wide variety of colors. While it depends on your cat's personality, many will seek out to hunt chinchillas. As you know, chinchillas are very active, so they run around a lot. You shouldn't have a chinchilla in the same house or at least keep your chinchilla in a separate room. If you give the chinchilla time to first get used to you and its surrounding before meeting your cat.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'smallpetshq_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_10',191,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0'); This gives your chinchilla enough time to be comfortable with the surroundings, with this especially crucial as theyre very social creatures. 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. You can also feed them a mixture of all these hays. Do make sure to feed them every day and check if their droppings are dry and normal. 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. Chinchillas require a diet high in fiber and low in fat. 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. What Do Chinchillas Eat: Diet & Food Guide. But guinea pigs are actually really good at eating slowly and reading their body. The foods below are considered unsafe or too unhealthy to feed to your chinchilla and therefore should be avoided. Feeding adult chinchillas too much alfalfa hay can cause obesity and even calcium stones as the level of calcium and other nutrients is too high and out of balance. The answer is that chinchillas do need fresh water daily and if they dont have access to water they will become dehydrated and eventually become ill and die. Loose mixes may be nutritionally balanced while in the bag but only if your chinchilla eats all of the parts of the mix. You may also be able to give your chinchilla treats like rose petals, rolled oats, or even non-frosted shredded wheat. 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. [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. . Dried fruit (apple, banana, and papaya). 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. The most obvious reason why you shouldnt feed cat food to a chinchilla is because chinchillas are not cats! Specific Substrate Needs. Remember that treats are only supposed to be offered sparingly and not in large amounts daily. so from these numbers alone its clear to see that good quality hay is undoubtedly the most vital part of your chinchillas diet. By doing this, you can be confident that your chinchilla doesnt suffer any physical harm plus is safe from any stress. Chinchilla Image Credit: Veera, Shutterstock. Hey is extremely high in fibre which is important as the dietary tract of a chinchilla requires constant movement and large amounts of fibre are essential to help with this process. What Owners Must Know! Chinchillas are South American rodents that have continuously growing, open-rooted teeth to compensate for the wear that occurs from chewing on very abrasive, high-fiber grass and hay. In conclusion, make sure to feed your chinchilla with care and monitor their diets properly. 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. Just 1 Persian chinchilla left male ( boy ) so playful and friendly and smart, eating dry and wet full trained ,indoor cats living with they parents free all over the house born on new year D.O.B : 01//01/2023 looking for for ever lovely house will b Age Age: 7 weeks; Ready to leave Ready to leave: in 1 week This is because cats have an innate hunting instinct. Poppy. 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. By doing so, youll be giving your cat and chinchilla ample time to get used to each other behaviors and smells. Both critters should be eating a high quality hay as the majority of their diet. Some use only meat products while others include vegetables and grains. such as elevated levels of calcium and in turn, cause health issues. They won't go hunting for insects, but if they see one, they will eat it. As for what kind of water chinchillas solid drink, you cant just give them any old water from the tap. They need to have variety in the boring food they eat while also getting all the nutritional requirements met. Raisins and dried cranberries. 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.