1.1 Understanding The Chinchilla Diet. Of course, there are some other food items that chinchillas cant eat as well, so it is best to ask a vet if you are unsure about the food item that you could feed your pet. You can just grab little bits of a few things and make a little sampler jar! Rhubarb. This is because rabbits require higher amounts of protein than chinchillas, which is reflected in the content of their food. Along with the quality of good that you feed your pet chinchilla, the quantity is just as important. Chinchillas also need their diets to be supplemented with pellets to round off and balance their nutritional needs. Chinchillas require a diet high in fiber and low in fat. 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. Many gastrointestinal disorders can result in yellow throw up. The amount of food your chinchilla needs to eat depends on their age, lifestyle and state of health. 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. The foods below are considered unsafe or too unhealthy to feed to your chinchilla and therefore should be avoided. They can easily get an upset stomach and have a limited capacity for digestion. The most obvious reason why you shouldnt feed cat food to a chinchilla is because chinchillas are not cats! Some common options for food items that every pet chinchilla owner needs to keep their chinchilla safe and healthy are listed below. The stomach, chest, and chin are pure white. Semi-dry foods consist of dried milk and grain. Average Chinchilla Lifespan: How Long Do They Live? The Chinchillas are often described as adorable, but they're also Is your chinchilla looking a little too plump? In addition to this, a lot of fruit can actually be harmful to chinchillas and they certainly cant just eat any and all fruits. Limit fruits and sugary vegetables (e.g., carrots) to <1 teaspoon/day. 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. Avoid pine and cedar shavings, as they can irritate a chinchilla's respiratory tract. They also need to have access to fresh water at all times. Guide + Chart. This means that chinchillas require a diet rich in protein but low in fat and carbohydrates. Gastrointestinal Disorders. This is all too situational and it depends on the character of the pet. Chinchillas have an extremely sensitive digestive system as we have already mentioned in this article. But guinea pigs are actually really good at eating slowly and reading their body. Hamster food is made largely of things that would be harmful for a chinchilla to eat. In this article, we'll answer the above questions by taking an in-depth look at what kind of diet is best for your beloved pet chinchilla. 3. The most crucial behavior factors about cats you need to know about them is that they are: On the other hand, the personality traits of the chinchilla are: With such divergent personality traits, its now evident why your cat and chinchilla might struggle to get along just fine. The rest can be a mix of pellets, fruits and vegetables, herbs but it's different for each species, as . Theyve become the subject of fascination for many animal lovers who enjoy their antics. Both chinchillas and hamsters are small rodents, so it's not surprising that they have similar dietary needs. Tomato Leaves. You will only find the best in customer service and pet care at The Wishbone Pet Company . You can either purchase wood sticks from a store or collect your own. Source: The teeth of a chinchilla are also constantly growing and coarse hay is a must to keep their teeth short and shaped correctly. Chinchillas are herbivores and their diet consists mostly of hay, vegetables, and a small amount of fruit. 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. Some other healthy treats include rosehips and mountain ash berries. Additionally, chinchillas can be fed a small amount (1-2 tbsp/day) of a commercial pelleted diet formulated 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. Oat grass. 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. Yes, chinchillas can eat C heerios, . Yes, the chinchilla that you have been eyeing for quite some time now. They will consume stalks, stems, leaves, shoots, fruits, seeds and roots . Their access to water and hay or grass should be maintained in a way that they never run out. On top of this, wet cat food has a tendency to stick around in the digestive tract for long periods of time. 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. It will keep them active and give them the appropriate amount of pellets per day, hay, and other food items per day as well. 2 Human Food Chinchillas Can Eat. How to feed the chinchilla. 2.3 Raisins. This is the case even if the chinchilla is caged as your cat might opt to stare down at the chinchilla or reach down the cage.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'smallpetshq_com-narrow-sky-2','ezslot_15',182,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-narrow-sky-2-0'); This will be a traumatizing experience for the chinchilla, which your cat views as prey. 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. The treats that you choose to feed them should be done in very limited and controlled quantities. When cared for and fed properly, chinchillas can make great pets. Adult chinchillas are recommended to eat timothy hay as this provides all the nutrients your chinchilla needs and in the correct quantities. Dried Cranberries. link to How Often Should Chinchillas Have Dust Baths? Also, as with people, some chinchillas may not react well to all foods so give new items in small amounts. 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. Are Chinchillas Cuddly? Overfeeding of fresh greens also can lead to soft stool or diarrhea. as it helps them to put on weight quickly but this is usually only offered until the age of around 9 months old. Instead, you should only feed them a healthy, balanced diet that includes lots of fresh green leaves and grass. 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 Provide a steady supply of hay. 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. 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. Do make sure to feed them every day and check if their droppings are dry and normal. Also note: the initial interaction shall be concise, lasting only a few minutes. Strong expertise in both dogs and cats. First, rabbit food is not a complete diet for a chinchilla. The food has to be given in a timely fashion and should have wholesome nutrition that can fulfill your pet chinchillas required dietary requirements. Answer (1 of 2): It is not so much that they are 'fragile', but have different habitat requirements than we are used to. The list below contains the fruits that chinchillas can eat in moderation and as part of a balanced diet. You can check out the water bottle we recommend you use in our new cage accessories guide here. 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. It is important to remember the natural chinchilla diet is mainly made up of hay and grass, with some twigs and leaves in between. The diet of chinchillas should ideally be high in protein and fiber while containing low moisture and fat content. The short answer is yes, chinchillas can eat rabbit food. Those leaves, while not as pretty as daisies, are a healthy and natural food source for your chinchillas. Chinchillas only need to consume around 3-5% fat in their diet which is easily attainable from their base diet so foods such as. 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. 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. Find & Download the most popular Chinchilla Animal Vectors on Freepik Free for commercial use High Quality Images Made for Creative Projects. [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. Cats are carnivores (meat-eaters) whereas chinchillas are herbivores (plant-eaters). Well, you should try to distribute the appropriate amount of food around their cage instead of handing them their feed in a bowl. You can do this by understanding how a chinchilla behaves and using that to your advantage. Yes, cats do attack chinchillas as their rodents, which they see as prey. As you know, chinchillas are very sensitive animals, so you need to be very careful with what you feed them. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. There are chinchilla hay pellets and hay cubes available as well. C hoosing a pet is not a decision to be taken lightly. Keeping in mind that chinchillas cant eat fatty food, there are some treats that they like that contain fat, but chinchillas love them. 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. and always check to see if the fruit is recommended for chinchillas and what quantities it should be offered in. Chinchillas are very friendly animals. Both Chinchillas and Hamsters Are Small Rodents. All of our pet experts are here to help you and . For instance, chinchillas were observed eating " Puya berteroniana ", a type of succulent plants . The average pet chinchilla lifespan is 15-20 years Do have hay constantly as well; keep a rack with hay and replace it routinely before it gets moldy. Long-tailed chinchillas are primarily herbivorous. 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 should also provide them with a dry food that has been specifically designed with chinchillas in mind. They shouldn't be used in place of a proper diet of chinchilla pellets and hay. They can also be found in mixed dried dandelion mixtures, which can include dandelion leaves, flower petals, and even roots. Therefore, if you own these two pets, its crucial to have them slowly introduced to each other or else risk your cat attacking the chinchilla. As for what kind of water chinchillas solid drink, you cant just give them any old water from the tap. If you want to give your chinchilla some treats, then these should be carefully selected. Chinchillas should be given 1-2 tablespoons of pellets per day, and Bunk-Hatch recommends Oxbow Essentials. Foods to Avoid 1. However, in many cases, this is easier said than done. They need to have variety in the boring food they eat while also getting all the nutritional requirements met. The chinchilla will be stressed out by calm cats too. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Timothy Hay? The chinchilla should be given fresh hay every day. This is because fatty foods are very harmful to their digestive system. Raisins and dried cranberries. 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. 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. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Plain Cheerios. Always offer small amounts of sugar to your chinchillas and seek advice from your vet if you still arent sure. Give your cat and chinchilla enough time to get used to each other. Having said this, both hay varieties will do a great job of keeping your chins teeth short and providing them with the nutrients they need to be healthy. Provide hay in your chinchilla's cage at all times so it has something to graze on. Lets now take a look at each of these and see why you need to only offer foods that are high in these nutrients sparingly. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you. 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. Dont discourage your pet from eating its own dropping, as it is natural for them to do so. These adorable kittens are loving , caring and very affectionate. 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 hay should be dry and fresh-smelling with no trace of mold. Do you see that furry animal? Arrives by Fri, Mar 31 Buy Auto Feeder Water Dispenser Set Rabbit Cat Dog Chinchilla Food Hanging Gravity at Walmart.com So here is a list of fruits and vegetables that you can feed your chinchillas. 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. List Of Safe Greens & Vegetables For Chinchillas: Fruits should only ever be offered as a treat to your chinchilla. Many also contain preservatives and additives which arent suitable for your chinchilla. 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. Health and welfare issues - other. 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 in the wild tend to consume most of their food early in the morning and late at night. Chinchillas cannot eat hamster food. 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. 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. Some comments from a popular forum AGAINST giving raisins include: 1. As we mentioned earlier, hay is the most important part of a chinchillas diet. Their diets should consist of 30 percent fiber, 14-16 percent protein, 35 percent carbohydrates, 3.5 percent fat/oil, 4 percent sugar, 6 percent minerals and 7 percent moisture/trace elements. 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. With all things considered, the best 2 hay choices for your chinchilla are. 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. Hay which is sweeter and has more nutrients, should be mostly given to young chinchillas and only occasionally to adult chinchillas. Yucca. There are several reasons why you shouldnt feed your chinchillas cat food and, below, well explore each of these in more detail. There are some things that you should do to have a healthy chinchilla. When they are let out of their cage, chinchillas Chinchillas come in a wide variety of colors. Answer (1 of 2): Why would you want to do that? It's safe to give your chin a raisin-size amount 2-3 times per week. Nonetheless, this can be achieved by only slowly introducing these two pets to each other. You should also try to avoid giving your chinchilla anything acidic, such as citrus fruits. Fat - 2-5%. By Laurie Hess, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian Practice). You can give them raisins, carrots, sultanas, and basically all the things that were mentioned above in the list. Hi, My name is Adam. If you feed them the correct diet, chinchillas generally keep themselves at the right weight. Its quite possible that if you put cat food down on the floor, your chinchilla will try to eat it. The best way to safeguard your chinchilla from your cat is by placing its cage far from the reach of your cat. 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. Guide + Chart. Chinchillas dont need a whole lot of greens in their diet but they are still important in the right quantities. This is made worse by the fact that chinchillas dont have the ability to pass gas and therefore the situation can become extremely painful and in some cases, it has actually caused death. The worry is that the chinchilla will refuse to eat unless being served the ingredient (even if a health condition requires them not to eat it anymore.) Its important to know how much food you need to offer your chinchilla each day in order for them to be considered healthy. Thats why they need to have toys and accessories in their houses. 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. 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. Image Credit: Natalis.ph, Shutterstock. 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. 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). Pelleted diets are better than a mixture of loose items. This leads to problems including diarrhea, weight loss, and stomach ulcers. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. Another important thing that they eat is pellets. Fresh greens, such as dark green lettuces, should also be given to provide additional water and fiber. But can rabbits eat chinchilla food safely? The most common flowers you can feed your chinchilla include rosebuds, rose petals, calendula flowers and cactus flowers. What Owners Must Know! Chinchilla Image Credit: Veera, Shutterstock. The recommended ratio for calcium to phosphorus is 2:1 so thats two parts calcium to every one part phosphorus. Here is a breakdown of the nutrients your chinchilla needs in their diet and in what percentages. Unfortunately, though, this doesnt mean that its going to provide your chinchilla with the nutrients they require. This will ensure that they look for it, as they had to look for the food in the wild. One of the Pocket Pets Forever is a website for lovers of pocket pets. Chinchillas are herbivorous and do not eat animal-based products. Studying the plants that chinchillas eat on a regular basis was particularly interesting for those scientists. . This is because chins can get ill if they are exposed to large amounts of water on their fur. Later in the post, we will share the exact pellets we recommend you feed your chinchilla so head over to that section of the post if you are looking for good quality pellets. Overconsumption of pellets can also be fattening and can lead to obesity and diarrhea due to excess carbohydrate ingestion. By doing this, you can be confident that your chinchilla doesnt suffer any physical harm plus is safe from any stress. Here is a breakdown of the nutrients your chinchilla needs in their diet and in what percentages. Bread and Dairy Products. Even though your chinchilla and cat might get along just fine, its advisable never to leave these two pets unsupervised or unattended when interacting with each other.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smallpetshq_com-portrait-2','ezslot_20',176,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-portrait-2-0'); With that said, for your cat and your chinchilla to get along are two different things you must consider before getting these two pets living in the same house. Both critters should be eating a high quality hay as the majority of their diet. , they get most if not all of the nutrition they need from this basic diet. 2.2 Nutritional requirements. 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. 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. 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. Special emphasis on nutritional support. In addition, wet cat food is often too salty for chinchillas. Second, not all rabbit foods are created equal. Chinchillas are also known to love flowers. Foods You Can Feed to Your Chinchilla as Treats Include: Rope Hips are considered one of the healthiest treats you can offer your chinchilla. Although fruits and nuts are something that can be fed to chinchillas, it is best to avoid them. 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. This is because cats instinctive desire is to hunt down rodents while chinchillas tend to be more reserved and usually love hiding.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smallpetshq_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_13',177,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-mobile-leaderboard-2-0'); Therefore, before you can even test whether your cat and chinchilla can get along, the first thing to do is establish each of these species personality traits. Wet foods are usually made up of milk and water. 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. Hay that is recommended for your chinchilla. A good quality pellet usually contains vitamins such as vitamins A, B12, D3 & E. In contrast to hay, where you should provide it in large quantities, pellets should be offered in smaller amounts and make up more of the remaining 10% of your chinchillas diet. 2.2 Dried Fruits And Herbs. 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. Fat is another nutrient that chinchillas need in very small amounts to be considered healthy. The kittens get lots of attention and handling, so grooming and cleaning the eyes will be easy in the future. Like most rodents, chinchillas love to chew things. The brand that we would recommend using is Oxbow as their pellets are of a high quality and are fortified with vitamins such as vitamin D3. Their mum is a chinchilla Persian Semi-long haired silky & soft coat and their Dad is a red . This leads to severe pain as they chew, in addition to drooling and possible eye discharge from upper tooth root pressure on tear ducts. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Made in USA; On Sale; Up to 25% Off: Select . Now, lets talk more about the healthy treats that you should feed these exotic animals.
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