Are Chinchillas Territorial? Avoid pine and cedar shavings, as they can irritate a chinchilla's respiratory tract. Chinchilla Pet Animals and Pets. Chinchillas also require small amounts of fresh greens and can be fed occasional treats such as dried fruit from time to time. If you want to give your chinchilla some treats, then these should be carefully selected. Our main focus is helping owners to better understand and care for their pets with both straight forward and actionable advice. Strong expertise in both dogs and cats. The quality of the ingredients used by manufacturers to make cat food varies enormously. As you know, chinchillas are very active, so they run around a lot. Studying the plants that chinchillas eat on a regular basis was particularly interesting for those scientists. Oat grass. Dont give food that is meant for guinea pigs as they have different digestive systems. Basic nutrients such as sugar, fat and even calcium can all cause health problems to chinchillas if they are overfed. Chinchillas can't eat blueberries for a variety of reasons. They can easily get an upset stomach and have a limited capacity for digestion. Chinchillas are herbivorous and do not eat animal-based products. From their increased curiosity and affection to their unmatched affordability, chinchillas will always be amazing pets. 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. 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). 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. Instead, you should only feed them a healthy, balanced diet that includes lots of fresh green leaves and grass. However, they eat mostly vegetation and seeds. It's not safe for rabbits to eat chinchilla food. 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. Specific Substrate Needs. A . Ideally, you want to offer your chinchillas a low to moderate calcium diet that on the whole contains more calcium than phosphorus. Purebred Chinchilla's. $1,200. So the treats that you choose to feed them should be given only occasionally. Copyright tagDiv. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Romaine Lettuce? Fat - 2-5%. Overconsumption of pellets can also be fattening and can lead to obesity and diarrhea due to excess carbohydrate ingestion. Even though greens are considered healthy or even vital for the majority of the animal kingdom, they are actually less important to the health of a chinchilla so they should only be offered in smaller quantities. This list includes common household foods that hamster should avoid but is by no means exhaustive. We have two females & two males. Chinchillas can eat a wide variety of natural food like hay, vegetables, dried fruits, nuts, berries, dried plants, and herbs. Like most animals in the world, chinchillas require a variety of nutrients to be considered healthy and for their organs to work correctly. Chinchillas in the wild will eat a variety of plants, shrubs, and grasses. This is important because your cat might terrorize your chinchilla even when its in the cage by either hissing at it or staying very close to the cage. Cats are feline predators that are known for hunting rodent prey like chinchillas. You must always do this even after these two pets are acclimatized to each other and coexist peacefully. All four have unique and beautiful personalities & are ready for forever homes. This is because fatty foods are very harmful to their digestive system. Tomato Leaves. 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. Plain Cheerios. 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. As a Chewy & flexoffers affiliate I earn commissions for qualifying purchases. Bottles water is safe for chinchillas to use but is an expensive way of providing your Chinchilla with water and some would consider this quite wasteful. So, what type of hay do chinchillas eat? Make sure to read the product form to know what you are getting when buying treats. such as elevated levels of calcium and in turn, cause health issues. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 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. Second, not all rabbit foods are created equal. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Nuts? They are high in sugar, however, so give sparingly. Some common options for food items that every pet chinchilla owner needs to keep their chinchilla safe and healthy are listed below. Its advisable to have a big enough cage for your chinchilla to jump around should they ever feel threatened by your cat. amongst other things so only a handful are really considered safe enough to eat even in small quantities. There are several reasons why you shouldnt feed your chinchillas cat food and, below, well explore each of these in more detail. When they are let out of their cage, chinchillas Chinchillas come in a wide variety of colors. As a pet, chinchillas can eat the same dried herbs and benefit from the nutrients. Reasons Why Theyre SmartContinue, This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. 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. You should never feed a chinchilla hamster food, as it is one of the worst blends of ingredients for chinchillas to consume. Chinchillas in the wild tend to consume most of their food early in the morning and late at night. Chinchillas dont need a whole lot of greens in their diet but they are still important in the right quantities. Caring for a Chinchilla: What You Need to Know, Overgrown Teeth and Dental Issues in Chinchillas. Chinchillas can easily get their head trapped in these toys and suffocate. No fruits, seeds, nuts or vegetables. Over time, your cat might get used to your chinchilla and stop attacking it altogether. Because of the sensitive nature of a chinchillas digestive tract, sugar can be extremely harmful even if its fed in moderate quantities. Nonetheless, its still recommended never to leave these two pets alone as you never know when your cats natural hunting instincts might kick in and attack your chinchilla. 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. The hay should be dry and fresh-smelling with no trace of mold. Foods to Avoid So, what exactly do chinchillas eat? For example, you could offer them a few pieces of fruit, such as apples or pears. Chinchillas should be given 1-2 tablespoons of pellets per day, and Bunk-Hatch recommends Oxbow Essentials. With all things considered, the best 2 hay choices for your chinchilla are. Some dos and donts for having chinchillas as pets are listed below. 2 Human Food Chinchillas Can Eat. Yes, cats do attack chinchillas as their rodents, which they see as prey. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Chinchillas can consume a wide variety of human foods, most notably vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts, and grains. Raisins and dried cranberries. 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. You can just grab little bits of a few things and make a little sampler jar! Oxbow hay (low dust/hypoallergenic) Hamster food contains ingredients that are high in fats, including seeds and nuts, which could even be toxic to a chinchilla's system. Average Chinchilla Lifespan: How Long Do They Live? The kittens get lots of attention and handling, so grooming and cleaning the eyes will be easy in the future. So, if you decide to make a purchase through one of the links on this site, I receive a commission for it. 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. Chinchillas require a diet that mainly consists of timothy hay with the addition of supplementary chinchilla pellets. So, what should you feed a chinchilla? If you dont have at least a basic understanding of chinchillas dietary needs, then there is the potential they could become seriously ill as they have extremely strict dietary requirements. You can check out the water bottle we recommend you use in our new cage accessories guide here. Provide hay in your chinchilla's cage at all times so it has something to graze on. 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. Chinchillas only need to consume around 3-5% fat in their diet which is easily attainable from their base diet so foods such as. Approximately 75% to 80% of your chinchilla's diet should be made up of fresh hay. You can do this by understanding how a chinchilla behaves and using that to your advantage. No, they can't as they're herbivorous, meaning they eat plenty of grasses or plants. It's safe to give your chin a raisin-size amount 2-3 times per week. First off, you should always feed your chinchilla a healthy, balanced diet. The short answer is yes, chinchillas can eat rabbit food. Always keep an eye on your cat even after your chinchilla and cat have started getting along. It is important to remember the natural chinchilla diet is mainly made up of hay and grass, with some twigs and leaves in between. Chinchillas with these signs should be examined immediately by a veterinarian to have the lodged material extracted. Collect. Dog food is not nutritionally balanced for chinchillas and can make them sick. Anu wood sticks you offer your chin needs to be from non-toxic trees and free from pesticides. If your hamster has consumed any of these items then please seek veterinary advice. The chinchilla's pellets should be put in a food bowl, and they should be given fresh pellets every day. If you feed them the correct diet, chinchillas generally keep themselves at the right weight. In addition to that, if you have two or more chinchillas, they can become quite protective of the feeding bowl, which can cause fights between the chinchillas, and also, one might eat more than the other. Those leaves, while not as pretty as daisies, are a healthy and natural food source for your chinchillas. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Rabbit Food? Created using the Newspaper Theme. Alfalfa hay (low dust/hypoallergenic) Blue Grass 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 PDSA. The Chinchillas are often described as adorable, but they're also Is your chinchilla looking a little too plump? Chinchillas in captivity often require a balanced diet of low fat, low moisture, low carbohydrates, and high fiber. 2.6 No Sudden Dietary Changes. This means that chinchillas require a diet rich in protein but low in fat and carbohydrates. 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. In this post, we have listed many of the safe fruits for chinchillas although this list isnt conclusive. Small pets like chinchillas have very specific dietary needs. However, this isnt something they enjoy doing. 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? 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. Protein - 16-20%. Therefore, its best if you minimized contact between these two pets. (Benefits/Risks), Norwegian Lundehund: What You Need To Know. I blog about their care, where to buy them, breeders, and more. Grapes and raisins have shown to be toxic to dogs, ferrets and cats. Rhubarb. 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. Once again, this boils down to the fact that chinchillas dont need the nutrition from fruits to be healthy so they are only a luxury. Although it is made from flour, bread has very few nutrients for chinchillas. Pelleted diets are better than a mixture of loose items. It is also built with a speaker for remote interaction with pets. You may also be able to give your chinchilla treats like rose petals, rolled oats, or even non-frosted shredded wheat. Chins have a high metabolism and can eat constantlyideally, they shouldn't go without food for more than 12 hours, but 24 hours is doable if absolutely necessary. This ensures its overall wellbeing is guaranteed, meaning your chinchilla gets to enjoy a peaceful life. Hamster food is made largely of things that would be harmful for a chinchilla to eat. One of the Pocket Pets Forever is a website for lovers of pocket pets. Some owners are allergic to hay, so what should they do? To be more precise, these furry animals are mainly folivores, preferring a diet made up of vegetation.Some of the food items that make up most of their diet are seeds, grass, grains, nuts, and leaves. 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. Best Hay For Chinchillas 2023 Reviews and Comparison. Just make sure that they are safe. , they get most if not all of the nutrition they need from this basic diet. Fruits and Veggies - Fresh fruits, fresh greens, and other veggies are a healthy part of your chinchilla's diet as well. 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. In fact, the hamster food is likely to be harmful to them. On top of this, wet cat food has a tendency to stick around in the digestive tract for long periods of time. Reasons Why Theyre Smart. The chinchilla will be stressed out by calm cats too. They also need to have access to fresh water at all times. and how to get rid of it, The Best Chinchilla Toys (Review) in 2023, Are chinchillas Smart? You can repeat the process for a few days, gradually increasing the time frame. Are Chinchillas Cuddly? Image 1 is the male father & Image 2 is the female mother.. Dried fruit (apple, banana, and papaya). Earn FREE Grooming, Pet Wash, and Nail Service Rewards. The most common flowers you can feed your chinchilla include rosebuds, rose petals, calendula flowers and cactus flowers. If you want to know what age baby chinchillas are weaned then head over to our post that shares all you need to know. The answer to this question is no, Cat foods are not suitable for chinchillas and there are many reasons why you should avoid feeding it to them. The rest can be a mix of pellets, fruits and vegetables, herbs but it's different for each species, as . As you know, chinchillas are plant-eating animals. Yes, they can, as harmful bacteria can be crossed from your cat to your chinchilla, causing it a severe illness. Consequently, this lowers the stress level of your chinchilla that wont now feel like a target, thereby leading to an environment where these two can live together in harmony.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smallpetshq_com-netboard-2','ezslot_18',185,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-netboard-2-0'); You need to be careful about how you introduce your chinchilla to your cat is you really want there to be any harmonious relationship between these two creatures. 2.3 Raisins. Do take your chinchilla to the vet if it is vomiting or showing any unexplainable symptoms. For any new chinchillas owner, one of the very first questions you need to ask is what can chinchillas eat?. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. The best way to safeguard your chinchilla from your cat is by placing its cage far from the reach of your cat. 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. First, rabbit food is not a complete diet for a chinchilla. They are very sensitive animals but can be great friends if you know how to take care of them. These exotic animals need chinchilla food pellets every day, a well but in a much more controlled quantity. Fruit can cause problems to chinchillas such as. Treats such as dried fruit, grains, nuts and seeds should not be offered, as they are not easily digested and may lead to tooth damage. It is an animal that will get you smitten instantly, and its elegance will keep swirling, Read More Can Chinchillas Get Fleas? 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.

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