Oxbow Essentials Deluxe Chinchilla Food. When they are let out of their cage, chinchillas Chinchillas come in a wide variety of colors. In fact, when given the choice between dry cat food and fresh grass, chinchillas choose the latter every time! 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. To try to mimic this rough vegetation, the mainstay of pet chinchillas diets should be hay offered in unlimited quantities. Grapes and raisins have shown to be toxic to dogs, ferrets and cats. Foods to Avoid Finally, chinchillas need foods that help to keep their teeth grounded over time. 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. Later in the post, we will show you how much hay, pellets, greens and fruit your chinchillas should ideally eat per day. Indigestible bedding, such as wood shavings, also can cause obstructions. The body of an average chinchilla grows to about 10 inches long, but it can range from 8 inches to 12 inches, and its tail will typically be about 5 inches in length. Fruit is a food that can be offered to your chinchilla as a treat. | Learn More >> You are shopping: Livonia, MI Livonia. It is also built with a speaker for remote interaction with pets. What Nutrients Are Unhealthy If Overfed to Your Chinchilla? Following a healthy diet will maximize your chinchillas lifespan. Chinchillas are herbivores and their diet consists mostly of hay, vegetables, and a small amount of fruit. Are Chinchillas Territorial? Chinchillas in captivity often require a balanced diet of low fat, low moisture, low carbohydrates, and high fiber. Studying the plants that chinchillas eat on a regular basis was particularly interesting for those scientists. Overconsumption of pellets can also be fattening and can lead to obesity and diarrhea due to excess carbohydrate ingestion. Feeding greens and vegetables in large quantities can upset the nutritional balance of the hay and pellets you are providing to your chinchilla. 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. These exotic animals need chinchilla food pellets every day, a well but in a much more controlled quantity. 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. Cats are carnivores (meat-eaters) whereas chinchillas are herbivores (plant-eaters). As rodents, their standard diet tends to follow a more opportunistic model, with chinchillas eating plants, seeds, fruits, and insects that it can get its paws on. As long as your chinchillas are eating plenty of their regular food so that they are receiving the right nutrition, there shouldn't be a problem. 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. Long-tailed chinchillas are primarily herbivorous. Pelleted diets are better than a mixture of loose items. When it comes to pellets for chinchillas, its important that you purchase pellets that are specifically designed for chinchillas. 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. 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! 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. Here is a breakdown of the nutrients your chinchilla needs in their diet and in what percentages. For a healthy domestic animal, you need proper food and a diet plan. They can be offered much variety of good quality and clean hay like timothy hay, orchard grass, alfalfa hay, oat hay, or meadow hay. Caring for a Chinchilla: What You Need to Know, Overgrown Teeth and Dental Issues in Chinchillas. If you want to bring a chinchilla into your home, you could be worried about their diet and general health. So, what should you feed a chinchilla? So, what exactly do chinchillas eat? 2.6 No Sudden Dietary Changes. They won't go hunting for insects, but if they see one, they will eat it. The tipping can come in various colors, including blue, red, cream, and more. You should also try to avoid giving your chinchilla anything acidic, such as citrus fruits. as it helps them to put on weight quickly but this is usually only offered until the age of around 9 months old. Take a look at the guide below that details what foods your chinchilla should eat and in what quantities. Read on for everything that you'll need to know. You should thus monitor it at all times to make sure it doesnt hunt down your chinchilla. Greens especially leafy greens are a food group that you can and should offer to your chinchilla on a regular basis. Some common options for food items that every pet chinchilla owner needs to keep their chinchilla safe and healthy are listed below. Yucca. 2.3 Raisins. By doing this, you can be confident that your chinchilla doesnt suffer any physical harm plus is safe from any stress. But guinea pigs are actually really good at eating slowly and reading their body. Tomato Leaves. link to Are Chinchillas Territorial? The list below contains the fruits that chinchillas can eat in moderation and as part of a balanced diet. Chinchillas are so cute and such intelligent animals that make great pets. This only happens opportunistically, though. Ideally, you want to offer your chinchillas a low to moderate calcium diet that on the whole contains more calcium than phosphorus. This acrobatic animal eats food with a sweet smell as they are very picky. Always keep an eye on your cat even after your chinchilla and cat have started getting along. Timothy hay should be offered in unlimited quantities so your chinchilla can graze and feed on it continually throughout the day, again, more on the exact amounts of food to offer your chin each day later in the post. This is important because these two pets have brains that are programmed to act differently. 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. All four have unique and beautiful personalities & are ready for forever homes. Growing, breeding, and nursing chinchillas may be fed a larger amount of pellets to provide additional calories, protein, fat and calcium. Its important to understand that this is a guide only. This is because rabbits require higher amounts of protein than chinchillas, which is reflected in the content of their food. The treats that you choose to feed them should be done in very limited and controlled quantities. Chinchillas require large amounts of fibre in their diet for their digestive system to function correctly. C hoosing a pet is not a decision to be taken lightly. 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. 2.2 Nutritional requirements. . You will only find the best in customer service and pet care at The Wishbone Pet Company . Once you do this, you can be sure that your cat wont be able to swipe your chinchilla or its cage as they get used to each others company.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'smallpetshq_com-sky-3','ezslot_21',190,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-sky-3-0'); While you might be excoriated to introduce your chinchilla to your entire family, and this includes your cat, its vital first to make sure it first gets used to you. This is because fatty foods are very harmful to their digestive system. One of the questions we were asked recently was whether Chinchillas were territorial and we felt compelled to delve into this subject a bit deeper and provide you with some more useful information How Often Should Chinchillas Have Dust Baths? Both Chinchillas and Hamsters Are Small Rodents. Hay which is sweeter and has more nutrients, should be mostly given to young chinchillas and only occasionally to adult chinchillas. Source: The teeth of a chinchilla are also constantly growing and coarse hay is a must to keep their teeth short and shaped correctly. Poppy. 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. Most importantly, you need to know what they can and cant eat! It's not safe for rabbits to eat chinchilla food. Some other healthy treats include rosehips and mountain ash berries. "Hay should be offered free choice 24 hours a day and should be the main component of your chinchilla's diet." Hay should be replaced daily with fresh hay to prevent bacteria and mold growth. 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. Chinchillas need hay between 14% and 16% plant protein. Like most animals in the world, chinchillas require a variety of nutrients to be considered healthy and for their organs to work correctly. Locust pods. Chinchillas, for the most part, eat a really basic and simple diet that consists of very few foods. Keeping in mind that chinchillas cant eat fatty food, there are some treats that they like that contain fat, but chinchillas love them. Always check the quality of your tap water at home before choosing this option. 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. Small pets like chinchillas have very specific dietary needs. Chinchillas cannot eat hamster food. 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;}. After all, it wont cost much and it might even taste good. If you want to know what age baby chinchillas are weaned then head over to our post that shares all you need to know. Fat is another nutrient that chinchillas need in very small amounts to be considered healthy. Chinchillas can eat a wide variety of natural food like hay, vegetables, dried fruits, nuts, berries, dried plants, and herbs. Humans have food, and chinchillas have hay. To make sure that your pet eats food properly, you need to make the feeding time fun. Unlike cat food or dog food, this will contain many of the nutrients that a chinchilla needs to stay fit and healthy. Chinchilla Sleeping Habits: Are Chinchillas Nocturnal? How to feed the chinchilla. 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. Another important thing that they eat is pellets. Wet foods are usually made up of milk and water. The rest can be a mix of pellets, fruits and vegetables, herbs but it's different for each species, as . This is because chins can get ill if they are exposed to large amounts of water on their fur. Cat food comes in many different varieties: wet, semi-dry, and dry. 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. Chinchilla's natural environment is the Andes mountains. It will keep them active and give them the appropriate amount of pellets per day, hay, and other food items per day as well. Collect. [4] You can buy hay at most pet stores or online. All you need to hope for is that your cat ignores the chinchilla. Chinchillas in the wild tend to consume most of their food early in the morning and late at night. As you can see from everything weve discussed above, you should never feed cat food to a chinchilla. 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. 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. 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. 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. Chinchillas should be given 1-2 tablespoons of pellets per day, and Bunk-Hatch recommends Oxbow Essentials. By doing so, youll be giving your cat and chinchilla ample time to get used to each other behaviors and smells. They will consume stalks, stems, leaves, shoots, fruits, seeds and roots . By contrast, cats require a diet high in both fat and carbohydrates. Do you see that furry animal? Are Chinchillas Cuddly? One of the Pocket Pets Forever is a website for lovers of pocket pets. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. Dog food is not nutritionally balanced for chinchillas and can make them sick. You may also be able to give your chinchilla treats like rose petals, rolled oats, or even non-frosted shredded wheat. Chinchillas also need their diets to be supplemented with pellets to round off and balance their nutritional needs. 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. You can preset the desired amount of food amount for your cat to eat and keep it healthier. Most tap water is clean, however, dirty water can contain giardia and would not be suitable for use in your Chinchilla Water Bottle. They are extremely high in fibre while offering low amounts of sugar. These are usually made up of timothy or alfalfa hay, so you will have limited options to choose from. 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 addition to this, a lot of fruit can actually be harmful to chinchillas and they certainly cant just eat any and all fruits. Cats are carnivores (meat-eaters) whereas chinchillas are herbivores (plant-eaters). If you ask your chinchilla what their fave treats are, dried cranberries and raisins are at the top of their list. They also need to have access to fresh water at all times. Nonetheless, this can be achieved by only slowly introducing these two pets to each other. All of our pet experts are here to help you and . Instead, chinchilla feeds should address the following: Fat: should be between 2% and 5%. The foods below are considered unsafe or too unhealthy to feed to your chinchilla and therefore should be avoided. For example, you could offer them a few pieces of fruit, such as apples or pears. 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. Instead, offer your cat leafy green vegetables like kale, bok choy, or arugula. Now, lets talk more about the healthy treats that you should feed these exotic animals. Some people believe that chinchillas can eat dog food, but this is not a good idea. 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. By Laurie Hess, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian Practice). Theyve become the subject of fascination for many animal lovers who enjoy their antics. Chinchillas with these signs should be examined immediately by a veterinarian to have the lodged material extracted. . The small animals love their leafy snack so much that they can live off it alone. Its always best to check before you offer your chinchilla a new fruit just to make sure its safe and to see just how much you can offer them in one sitting. As wet cat food is so soft, itll have absolutely no effect on keeping your chinchillas teeth to a safe length. Dried dandelions. The food has to be given in a timely fashion and should have wholesome nutrition that can fulfill your pet chinchillas required dietary requirements. 1.1 Understanding The Chinchilla Diet. This is the case when you own a cat and chinchilla because cats are natural predators, whereas chinchillas are rodents and are, therefore, prey. You need to ensure your cat has a comfortable sitting area thats far from the chinchillas cage. Only a couple of tablespoons (1-2 tablespoons) of pellets should be given as daily amounts to a baby or adult chinchilla. Chinchillas cant eat cat food. They love to play and interact with humans which makes them excellent pets. Avoid pine and cedar shavings, as they can irritate a chinchilla's respiratory tract. 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. Chinchillas can eat leaves and twigs in captivity, yet these types of food are more difficult to find when not in the wild. Make sure to read the product form to know what you are getting when buying treats. Strong expertise in both dogs and cats. The diet of chinchillas should ideally be high in protein and fiber while containing low moisture and fat content. For instance, chinchillas were observed eating " Puya berteroniana ", a type of succulent plants . Image Credit: Natalis.ph, Shutterstock. Anu wood sticks you offer your chin needs to be from non-toxic trees and free from pesticides. Hi, my namesElena Coolidge, and this is my site. 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. The quality of the ingredients used by manufacturers to make cat food varies enormously. You should never feed a chinchilla hamster food, as it is one of the worst blends of ingredients for chinchillas to consume. 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. Hay that is recommended for your chinchilla. As for what kind of water chinchillas solid drink, you cant just give them any old water from the tap. 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. 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 have a rounded ears, plump furry bodies, short legs, and long tails. You also need to make sure your cat has a mellow personality to lower the likelihood of it attacking your chinchilla. Give your chinchilla space from the cat, which sees it as a prey. such as elevated levels of calcium and in turn, cause health issues. As such, it can cause kidney damage and other health problems. Or, you could hand out small amounts of peanut butter or cheese. So the treats that you choose to feed them should be given only occasionally. Every formula uses industry-leading volume of protein, glucosamine, and chondroitin. Chinchillas enjoy dandelions because they have an interesting . Their access to water and hay or grass should be maintained in a way that they never run out. Guide + Chart. 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. The Chinchillas are often described as adorable, but they're also Is your chinchilla looking a little too plump? The recommended ratio for calcium to phosphorus is 2:1 so thats two parts calcium to every one part phosphorus. A chinchilla that is fully grown typically weighs between 1 and 3 pounds. Avoid feeding dried fruits. 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;}. This is a general rule for most small animals such as hedgehogs and even the majority of reptiles. Acidic foods can upset the pH balance of your chinchillas stomach and, as such, can cause stomach ulcers. There are animals who have a harder time controlling their eating (we're not alone humans!). 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. Limit fruits and sugary vegetables (e.g., carrots) to <1 teaspoon/day. Homeopathic and herbal remedies. So, can rabbits eat chinchilla food? Most customers said their chinchillas can't get enough of these treats. Chinchillas in the wild tend to consume most of their food early in the morning and late at night. Offering too much or too little of one food group can cause your chin to have digestive and even health issues. Nicole is the proud mom of 3 rescue fur babies, Baby, a Burmese cat; Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway; and Mac, a Lab/Mastiff. 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. Therefore, you need to make sure your chinchilla is safe in the cage placed in a different room your cat cant go into. . As you know, chinchillas are very active, so they run around a lot. The chinchilla's pellets should be put in a food bowl, and they should be given fresh pellets every day. They can also be found in mixed dried dandelion mixtures, which can include dandelion leaves, flower petals, and even roots. What is more, this intelligence defines how much they will learn about their, Read More Are chinchillas Smart? These tend to be expensive but, over time, theyre worth the investment. Both critters should be eating a high quality hay as the majority of their diet. On the flip side to this, if your chinchillas have more phosphorus than calcium in their diet then this can also cause health problems with muscle development, bones health and growth. As you know, chinchillas are plant-eating animals. Changing the brand of pellets . 3. Water should be provided in the form of a water bottle rather than a bowl as this is much more hygienic for your 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. 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. [What Owners Will Want To Know], Can Chinchillas Get Fleas? (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Pumpkin? 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? Some use only meat products while others include vegetables and grains. Just make sure that they are safe. Cats are feline predators that are known for hunting rodent prey like chinchillas. Chinchillas in the wild typically eat most of their food in . Provide a steady supply of hay. 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. Average Chinchilla Lifespan: How Long Do They Live? Approximately 75% to 80% of your chinchilla's diet should be made up of fresh hay. 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. As a pet, chinchillas can eat the same dried herbs and benefit from the nutrients.