The hay should be dry and fresh-smelling with no trace of mold. What Human Food Can Chinchillas Eat? - Fur, Wings, & Scaly Things Wild chinchillas are omnivores and feed on grasses, seeds, fruits, small plants, plant leaves, small insects, and bird eggs when they get a chance. Long-tailed chinchillas are primarily herbivorous. This is usually the case for cats and chinchillas, which can be stressful for you as a pet owner. So, if you decide to make a purchase through one of the links on this site, I receive a commission for it. 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. Most importantly, you need to know what they can and cant eat! A tablespoon or two each day is appropriate for most chinchillas. Chinchillas also require small amounts of fresh greens and can be fed occasional treats such as dried fruit from time to time. Later in the post, we will show you how much hay, pellets, greens and fruit your chinchillas should ideally eat per day. However, in this list are food items that you should absolutely not feed your chinchilla and if you do, then going to a vet is the best course of action. 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. Fresh vegetables and fruits can occasionally be fed to your chinchillas, but only some of the fruit and vegetables your chinchillas digestive system can bear. Can Chinchillas Eat Hamster Food? What You Need to Know! 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. Therefore, its best if you minimized contact between these two pets. 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 . After all, it wont cost much and it might even taste good. You may also be able to give your chinchilla treats like rose petals, rolled oats, or even non-frosted shredded wheat. Like. Hay and specially . 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. This is because wet cat food contains a lot of moisture and, as such, its difficult for chinchillas to digest. You can just grab little bits of a few things and make a little sampler jar! All of our pet experts are here to help you and . The rest can be a mix of pellets, fruits and vegetables, herbs but it's different for each species, as . Can Rabbits Eat Chinchilla Food? [Can You Feed It Instead?] - Pet Educate If you are thinking of becoming a new pet parent, having a chinchilla will be the ultimate solution. Nonetheless, this can be achieved by only slowly introducing these two pets to each other. 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. Only a couple of tablespoons (1-2 tablespoons) of pellets should be given as daily amounts to a baby or adult chinchilla. To make sure that your pet eats food properly, you need to make the feeding time fun. Dont make sudden changes in their diets as it can upset their stomach. Water should be provided in the form of a water bottle rather than a bowl as this is much more hygienic for your chinchilla. They can be offered much variety of good quality and clean hay like timothy hay, orchard grass, alfalfa hay, oat hay, or meadow hay. , they get most if not all of the nutrition they need from this basic diet. . Alfalfa hay is usually recommended for young, growing chinchillas. All Things Dog. Chinchilla Sleeping Habits: Are Chinchillas Nocturnal? They eat Royal Canin special Persian cat food and the kittens are eating kitten food. Dried fruit (apple, banana, and papaya). Plain Shredded Wheat. This ensures its overall wellbeing is guaranteed, meaning your chinchilla gets to enjoy a peaceful life. So, excessive feeding can lead to diarrhea and urinary problems. and how to get rid of it, The Best Chinchilla Toys (Review) in 2023, Are chinchillas Smart? Filtered water is ideal for use in Chinchilla bottles. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Get the Best Price and Selection of Dry Dog Food at Pet Supplies Plus. Cat food comes in many different varieties: wet, semi-dry, and dry. Many also contain preservatives and additives which arent suitable for your chinchilla. Homeopathic and herbal remedies. Greens and veggies that would usually be considered really healthy choices for most animals can be harmful to chinchillas as nutrients such as calcium can cause unwanted health problems if consumed too often and in large quantities. This is because chins can get ill if they are exposed to large amounts of water on their fur. Its advisable to have a big enough cage for your chinchilla to jump around should they ever feel threatened by your cat. Avoid using wooden toy balls. They need to have variety in the boring food they eat while also getting all the nutritional requirements met. 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. Chinchillas can't eat blueberries for a variety of reasons. Can Chinchillas Eat Carrots? Are Carrots Healthy For Chinchillas? Food Options for Your Pet Chinchilla - The Spruce Pets So, what should you feed a chinchilla? 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. Chinchillas also dont like eating cat food. This acrobatic animal eats food with a sweet smell as they are very picky. Some owners are allergic to hay, so what should they do? 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. Small pets like chinchillas have very specific dietary needs. hay, fresh vegetables, and pellets should still make up the majority of their diet. Although fruits and nuts are something that can be fed to chinchillas, it is best to avoid them. This cage features a plastic and wire mesh construction with a built-in wheel and hideout. 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. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. 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. It is an animal that will get you smitten instantly, and its elegance will keep swirling, Read More Can Chinchillas Get Fleas? Calcium and phosphorus play an important role in your chinchillas diet, albeit a complicated one. Can Chinchillas Eat Hamster Food? Chinchillas require large amounts of fibre in their diet for their digestive system to function correctly. In addition to this, the chinchilla may choose to hide, seeking safety from the cat, thereby making it hard to locate. This is all too situational and it depends on the character of the pet. The chinchilla's pellets should be put in a food bowl, and they should be given fresh pellets every day. List Of Safe Greens & Vegetables For Chinchillas: Fruits should only ever be offered as a treat to your chinchilla. It is the purest type of water available and it does not contain any bacteria. Fresh drinking water should be offered daily in a water bowl or bottle. . You should thus monitor it at all times to make sure it doesnt hunt down your chinchilla. Learning Center - Dog | Pet Supplies Plus Pellets should be hay-based and fortified with additional vitamins. Some of the more common culprits include inflammatory bowel disease, bacterial infections, viral infections, parasites, ulcers, etc. Loose mixes may be nutritionally balanced while in the bag but only if your chinchilla eats all of the parts of the mix. Are Raisins Safe for Chinchillas? | Infolific Chinchillas cannot eat hamster food. They should be given very small amounts of chinchilla vegetables like carrots and leafy greens as healthy treats. No, they can't as they're herbivorous, meaning they eat plenty of grasses or plants. Foods to Avoid So what can chinchillas eat? Both chinchillas and hamsters are small rodents, so it's not surprising that they have similar dietary needs. The Wishbone Pet Company - Santa Cruz, CA - Yelp Merrick Dog Food - Canadian Pet Connection They won't go hunting for insects, but if they see one, they will eat it. They will consume stalks, stems, leaves, shoots, fruits, seeds and roots . No, they cant as theyre herbivorous, meaning they eat plenty of grasses or plants. It is also built with a speaker for remote interaction with pets. Therefore, youll want to choose the hay wisely if you dont want, Read More Best Hay For Chinchillas 2023 Reviews and ComparisonContinue. Yes, chinchillas can eat C heerios, . Chinchillas are South American rodents that have continuously growing, open-rooted teeth to compensate for the wear that occurs from chewing on very abrasive, high-fiber grass and hay. Yes, cats do attack chinchillas as their rodents, which they see as prey. The most obvious reason why you shouldnt feed cat food to a chinchilla is because chinchillas are not cats! Monitoring your chinchillas' diet. Merrick dog food is a premium quality food, made with human grade meats and a selection of vegetables. Chinchillas dont need a whole lot of greens in their diet but they are still important in the right quantities. Instead, they prefer to nibble at their hay or grass. 11 Devon Rex Colors (Common & Unique Varieties) - Excited Cats 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? It is also coarse enough to keep their teeth short and stop them from overgrowing. Arrives by Fri, Mar 31 Buy Auto Feeder Water Dispenser Set Rabbit Cat Dog Chinchilla Food Hanging Gravity at Walmart.com This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. 4. As for what kind of water chinchillas solid drink, you cant just give them any old water from the tap. Along with the quality of good that you feed your pet chinchilla, the quantity is just as important. Also note: the initial interaction shall be concise, lasting only a few minutes. The recommended ratio for calcium to phosphorus is 2:1 so thats two parts calcium to every one part phosphorus.