Like most animals in the world, chinchillas require a variety of nutrients to be considered healthy and for their organs to work correctly. 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. Wet foods are usually made up of milk and water. 4. Some of the more common culprits include inflammatory bowel disease, bacterial infections, viral infections, parasites, ulcers, etc. 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. When they are let out of their cage, chinchillas Chinchillas come in a wide variety of colors. Belmore, NSW. You can repeat the process for a few days, gradually increasing the time frame. Overconsumption of pellets can also be fattening and can lead to obesity and diarrhea due to excess carbohydrate ingestion. Grapes and raisins have shown to be toxic to dogs, ferrets and cats. Fruit can cause problems to chinchillas such as. 1 The deluxe chinchilla food is made from high-fiber alfalfa meal to promote gastrointestinal health, with added fiber, protein, and fat derived from soybeans. To make sure that your pet eats food properly, you need to make the feeding time fun. A tablespoon or two each day is appropriate for most chinchillas. Provide hay in your chinchilla's cage at all times so it has something to graze on. Dried dandelions. The list below contains the fruits that chinchillas can eat in moderation and as part of a balanced diet. 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. Give your cat and chinchilla enough time to get used to each other. Fruits and Veggies - Fresh fruits, fresh greens, and other veggies are a healthy part of your chinchilla's diet as well. As we mentioned earlier, hay is the most important part of a chinchillas diet. You should also try to avoid giving your chinchilla anything acidic, such as citrus fruits. 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. Either way, you need to be careful when offering your chin both fruit and dried fruit and always check to see if the fruit is recommended for chinchillas and what quantities it should be offered in. Chinchillas have a rounded ears, plump furry bodies, short legs, and long tails. Chewing is good for your chinchillas teeth as they continually grow throughout their lives and chewing safe objects will help to keep their teeth short and healthy. A . So, excessive feeding can lead to diarrhea and urinary problems. When cared for and fed properly, chinchillas can make great pets. This list includes common household foods that hamster should avoid but is by no means exhaustive. Dry foods are made entirely from grains and other similar products. The hay should be dry and fresh-smelling with no trace of mold. Instead, offer your adult chinchilla timothy hay or other low-calcium grass hays, such as orchard or meadow grass. An aggressive cat will attack the chinchilla but with patience, you can train the pets to coexist. Nicole is the proud mom of 3 rescue fur babies, Baby, a Burmese cat; Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway; and Mac, a Lab/Mastiff. The foods below are considered unsafe or too unhealthy to feed to your chinchilla and therefore should be avoided. In the wild, chinchillas live in cold mountains, crevices of rocks, moving from rock to rock to escape from predators and to find food. 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. Hamsters eat more carbohydrates than chinchillas do, but both species need food with plenty of protein and calcium. Milk and other dairy products are animal products and not appropriate for herbivores. 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 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. On the other hand, the natural hamster diet is mainly . These flowers should be dried before feeding to ensure that they are crunchy since our little ones love to nibble. 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. Those leaves, while not as pretty as daisies, are a healthy and natural food source for your chinchillas. This is usually the case for cats and chinchillas, which can be stressful for you as a pet owner. 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. Can Chinchillas Eat Cat Food? Read More The Best Chinchilla Toys (Review) in 2023Continue, This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. This means that chinchillas require a diet rich in protein but low in fat and carbohydrates. The amount of food your chinchilla needs to eat depends on their age, lifestyle and state of health. A chinchilla that is fully grown typically weighs between 1 and 3 pounds. Look for a pelleted, formulated diet specifically for chinchillas that is 16-20 percent protein, low in fat (2- 4 percent), and high in fiber (15-20 . Fat - 2-5%. You can just grab little bits of a few things and make a little sampler jar! 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. Limit fruits and sugary vegetables (e.g., carrots) to <1 teaspoon/day. Besides, Read More Are Chinchillas Cuddly? Are Chinchillas Cuddly? 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) This is because wet cat food contains a lot of moisture and, as such, its difficult for chinchillas to digest. In this post, we have listed many of the safe fruits for chinchillas although this list isnt conclusive. 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. You can give them raisins, carrots, sultanas, and basically all the things that were mentioned above in the list. Avoid pine and cedar shavings, as they can irritate a chinchilla's respiratory tract. 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 chinchilla should be given fresh hay every day. These commissions help to keep the rest of my content free, so thank you! This acrobatic animal eats food with a sweet smell as they are very picky. and how to get rid of it, The Best Chinchilla Toys (Review) in 2023, Are chinchillas Smart? They are very sensitive animals but can be great friends if you know how to take care of them. 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. Although it is made from flour, bread has very few nutrients for chinchillas. Once this condition occurs, there is nothing that can be done other than to provide pain medication and soft foods. Alfalfa hay is usually recommended for young, growing chinchillas. 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. Anu wood sticks you offer your chin needs to be from non-toxic trees and free from pesticides. Another important thing that they eat is pellets. Fibre - 30-35%. Below we have listed the most common greens that your chinchillas can safely eat in moderation as part of a healthy and balanced diet. As you can see from everything weve discussed above, you should never feed cat food to a chinchilla. So, what exactly do chinchillas eat? Food items that need to be provided to them continuously are hay and clean drinking water. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Pecans? Dog food is not nutritionally balanced for chinchillas and can make them sick. By contrast, cats require a diet high in both fat and carbohydrates. It should be bright green and smell fresh, or else it can be harmful to your chinchilla. Cat food comes in many different varieties: wet, semi-dry, and dry. You may also spot tipping on the legs. Do have hay constantly as well; keep a rack with hay and replace it routinely before it gets moldy. Also note: the initial interaction shall be concise, lasting only a few minutes. So, if you decide to make a purchase through one of the links on this site, I receive a commission for it. 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. In addition to this, a lot of fruit can actually be harmful to chinchillas and they certainly cant just eat any and all fruits. And of course too many raisins can cause diarrhea. Source: The teeth of a chinchilla are also constantly growing and coarse hay is a must to keep their teeth short and shaped correctly. Cats with a chinchilla coat pattern have white undercoats and tipping on the back, tail, head, and flanks. For example, you could offer them a few pieces of fruit, such as apples or pears. There are animals who have a harder time controlling their eating (we're not alone humans!). Earn FREE Grooming, Pet Wash, and Nail Service Rewards. Over time, your cat might get used to your chinchilla and stop attacking it altogether. 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. They will consume stalks, stems, leaves, shoots, fruits, seeds and roots . 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. 2.6 No Sudden Dietary Changes. Its important to know how much food you need to offer your chinchilla each day in order for them to be considered healthy. Reasons Why Theyre SmartContinue, This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. This only happens opportunistically, though. Apart from the fruits that we mentioned above, that can be offered in really small quantities, there are a handful of foods that are considered healthy enough to feed to your chinchilla as treats. Shoot me an emailif you have a question! We ship to everywhere in Canada, and can deliver your package right to your door! The short answer is yes, chinchillas can eat rabbit food. You should never feed a chinchilla hamster food, as it is one of the worst blends of ingredients for chinchillas to consume. 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 such, it can cause kidney damage and other health problems. Naturally aloof people might not want to be constantly hounded for canine kisses, just as cuddly types might be affronted by some cat breeds . 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. There are some things that you should do to have a healthy chinchilla. The rest can be a mix of pellets, fruits and vegetables, herbs but it's different for each species, as . Whether you're looking for tips, tools, activities or advice, you've arrived at the consummate guide for everything related to caring for dogs. Every formula uses industry-leading volume of protein, glucosamine, and chondroitin. There are chinchilla hay pellets and hay cubes available as well. You can give these things in moderation but make sure to avoid nuts and seeds as they are way too high in fat content. 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. An overweight chinchilla is susceptible to many illnesses like diabetes, diarrhea, and liver damage. Dried Cranberries. It is also better to distribute the food all over the cage to make it fun and much healthier for the domestic animal. Image Credit: Natalis.ph, Shutterstock. (Benefits/Risks), Norwegian Lundehund: What You Need To Know. They can easily get an upset stomach and have a limited capacity for digestion. Also, as with people, some chinchillas may not react well to all foods so give new items in small amounts. Not only that, chinchillas are similar to other animals, such as cats or dogs. amongst other things so only a handful are really considered safe enough to eat even in small quantities. Copyright tagDiv. 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). Raisins. They eat Royal Canin special Persian cat food and the kittens are eating kitten food. It's not safe for rabbits to eat chinchilla food. 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. Specialties: The Wishbone Pet Company has the largest selection of raw diets in Santa Cruz, CA with a strong emphasis on holistic natural care. Chinchillas also require small amounts of fresh greens and can be fed occasional treats such as dried fruit from time to time. Poison Ivy. Average Chinchilla Lifespan: How Long Do They Live? and always check to see if the fruit is recommended for chinchillas and what quantities it should be offered in. 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 fatty foods are very harmful to their digestive system. 1. However, this makes them need a lot of physical and mental stimulation. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you. . You may also be able to give your chinchilla treats like rose petals, rolled oats, or even non-frosted shredded wheat. 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. Humans have food, and chinchillas have hay. Chinchillas only need to consume around 3-5% fat in their diet which is easily attainable from their base diet so foods such as. Poppy. How to feed the chinchilla. The diet that you choose to feed your chinchilla should mostly contain hay. Fat is another nutrient that chinchillas need in very small amounts to be considered healthy. Both chinchillas and hamsters are small rodents, so it's not surprising that they have similar dietary needs. They are high in sugar, however, so give sparingly. If you feed them the correct diet, chinchillas generally keep themselves at the right weight. Most tap water is clean, however, dirty water can contain giardia and would not be suitable for use in your Chinchilla Water Bottle. They need to have variety in the boring food they eat while also getting all the nutritional requirements met. Do make sure to feed them every day and check if their droppings are dry and normal. It's safe to give your chin a raisin-size amount 2-3 times per week. We have created a list of common foods that chinchilla owners regularly contemplate feeding their chinchilla. Do have constant clean drinking water; if tap water is not clean, then have bottled water for your pet. This means it should comprise 35% carbohydrates, 30% fiber, 15% protein, 4% protein, and less than 3.5% fat. There is very little difference in the nutrition provided between timothy hay and orchard grass hay. Yes, cats do attack chinchillas as their rodents, which they see as prey. Actually, a good portion of their diet is already rabbit food. 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. [4] You can buy hay at most pet stores or online. Food Options. Some other healthy treats include rosehips and mountain ash berries. Chinchillas need hay between 14% and 16% plant protein. 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. 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. Image 1 is the male father & Image 2 is the female mother.. Eggshells are rich in calcium and, as such, theyre an excellent source of nutrition for your chinchilla! 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. This is the case when you own a cat and chinchilla because cats are natural predators, whereas chinchillas are rodents and are, therefore, prey. If you want to ensure that your chinchilla gets enough calcium, then you should add some eggshells to their diet. 2.1 Fresh Vegetables. 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;}. Like. The kittens get lots of attention and handling, so grooming and cleaning the eyes will be easy in the future. Avoid using wooden toy balls. 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. Overfeeding of fresh greens also can lead to soft stool or diarrhea. As such, its impossible for chinchillas to eat the same diet as cats. You may be tempted to buy cheap cat food from the supermarket. You can do this by understanding how a chinchilla behaves and using that to your advantage. Laurel. Feed them right, and youll have a happy, cuddly pet for many years. Oat grass.