We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you. Do have hay constantly as well; keep a rack with hay and replace it routinely before it gets moldy. Dried Cranberries. 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. 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 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. Nicole is the proud mom of 3 rescue fur babies, Baby, a Burmese cat; Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway; and Mac, a Lab/Mastiff. Cat with can food. In fact, the hamster food is likely to be harmful to them. , they get most if not all of the nutrition they need from this basic diet. The chinchilla's pellets should be put in a food bowl, and they should be given fresh pellets every day. You can also feed them a mixture of all these hays. Instead, you should only feed them a healthy, balanced diet that includes lots of fresh green leaves and grass. Filtered water is ideal for use in Chinchilla bottles. Chinchillas are rodents and behave in pretty much the same way as a squirrel would. As mentioned earlier, chinchillas' dietary requirements are different from other animals, and therefore, they should not eat guinea pig food or gerbil food. An aggressive cat will attack the chinchilla but with patience, you can train the pets to coexist. Dont make sudden changes in their diets as it can upset their stomach. Cats are carnivores (meat-eaters) whereas chinchillas are herbivores (plant-eaters). 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. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Strawberries? Tomato Leaves. Chinchillas in the wild typically eat most of their food in . Lets look at some more information that is essential for chinchilla pet owners about pet food. 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. There are a lot of food items that a chinchilla owner should never feed their pets. 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. Pets are adorable, but having different species in your home might bring about some issues with some of them incompatible. Fruit can cause problems to chinchillas such as. The PDSA also recommends that you bake any wood you offer to your chinchilla for an hour and also give it a thorough wash to ensure its safe and clean. Once this condition occurs, there is nothing that can be done other than to provide pain medication and soft foods. In addition to this, the chinchilla may choose to hide, seeking safety from the cat, thereby making it hard to locate. 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. Do you see that furry animal? All of our pet experts are here to help you and . 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. Please do not leave them alone at any moment as our pets security is our topmost priority. To be more specific, the diet should have 30% fiber, 16% protein, 35% carbohydrates, and the rest should be filled with fat, minerals, and sugar. Using genetic screening, breeders are now working to try to eradicate the problem - always . These are dried fruits, dried herbs, plantain, and root vegetables. Some of the more common culprits include inflammatory bowel disease, bacterial infections, viral infections, parasites, ulcers, etc. There are chinchilla hay pellets and hay cubes available as well. 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) 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. Read on for everything that you'll need to know. 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. 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. We have two females & two males. It comes with a water bottle and food dish as well, all priced under $20. Wild chinchillas are omnivores and feed on grasses, seeds, fruits, small plants, plant leaves, small insects, and bird eggs when they get a chance. Its role in highlighting their adaptability to new or specif environments is matchless. The treats that you choose to feed them should be done in very limited and controlled quantities. 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. Raisins. Calcium and phosphorus play an important role in your chinchillas diet, albeit a complicated one. Those products can be harmful to your digestive system in large quantities, so keep small portions in hand. But can rabbits eat chinchilla food safely? There are so many different hay varieties to choose from and sometimes it can be hard to know which ones will serve your chinchillas nutritional needs the best. Find & Download the most popular Chinchilla Animal Vectors on Freepik Free for commercial use High Quality Images Made for Creative Projects. Offering too much or too little of one food group can cause your chin to have digestive and even health issues. 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. As you know, chinchillas are very active, so they run around a lot. 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. Also, as with people, some chinchillas may not react well to all foods so give new items in small amounts. For any new chinchillas owner, one of the very first questions you need to ask is what can chinchillas eat?. The chinchilla's digestive system is incompatible with these foods due to their high water content, high acidity, high vitamin C content, high fructose content, and low fiber content, as well as their . So, for a chinchilla to have healthy digestion and be free of illnesses like dental disease and digestion troubles, you need to choose the best chinchilla food that is healthy and appetizing. 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. I would suggest to avoid fruits like Apples. It is also better to distribute the food all over the cage to make it fun and much healthier for the domestic animal. You should thus monitor it at all times to make sure it doesnt hunt down your chinchilla. Just like all other animals, chinchillas need good quality food to survive. our recommended food products for your chinchilla and the best place to purchase them from. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. Anu wood sticks you offer your chin needs to be from non-toxic trees and free from pesticides. Wet foods are usually made up of milk and water. Theyve become the subject of fascination for many animal lovers who enjoy their antics. Hay should be put in the hay rack in the chinchilla's cage. Chinchillas enjoy dandelions because they have an interesting . Fiber: should be at least 15%, preferably up to 35%. 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. The recommended ratio for calcium to phosphorus is 2:1 so thats two parts calcium to every one part phosphorus. The good thing is that even though chinchillas dont eat a vast selection and variety of foods, they get most if not all of the nutrition they need from this basic diet. The hamster food will not be nutritionally beneficial to them. 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. Chinchillas require a diet high in fiber and low in fat. With all things considered, the best 2 hay choices for your chinchilla are. 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. 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. Hay which is sweeter and has more nutrients, should be mostly given to young chinchillas and only occasionally to adult chinchillas. The list below contains the fruits that chinchillas can eat in moderation and as part of a balanced diet. Pellets should be hay-based and fortified with additional vitamins. . Following a healthy diet will maximize your chinchillas lifespan. Here is a breakdown of the nutrients your chinchilla needs in their diet and in what percentages. What is more, this intelligence defines how much they will learn about their, Read More Are chinchillas Smart? This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. If you have to leave your chin alone for up to 24 hours, ensure you leave out plenty of food and water to cover the time span. You can add a small amount of commercially available pelleted chinchilla food to your chinchilla's diet. 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. It is a rich source of Malic acid that is not essential for your Chinchillas. Providing your chinchilla with safe wood for them to chew on is the best and most convenient option. The quality of the ingredients used by manufacturers to make cat food varies enormously. 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. Laurel. hay, fresh vegetables, and pellets should still make up the majority of their diet. This is usually the case for cats and chinchillas, which can be stressful for you as a pet owner. 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. . In this post, we have listed many of the safe fruits for chinchillas although this list isnt conclusive. Purebred Silver & White chinchilla. Fat is another nutrient that chinchillas need in very small amounts to be considered healthy. Can Chinchillas Eat Cucumbers And Is It Safe? 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. Semi-dry foods consist of dried milk and grain. Chinchillas are herbivorous and do not eat animal-based products. So here is a list of fruits and vegetables that you can feed your chinchillas. The foods below are considered unsafe or too unhealthy to feed to your chinchilla and therefore should be avoided. Get the Best Price and Selection of Dry Dog Food at Pet Supplies Plus. You shouldn't have a chinchilla in the same house or at least keep your chinchilla in a separate room. All cats drink filtered water from the water fountain. Many also contain preservatives and additives which arent suitable for your chinchilla. Actually, a good portion of their diet is already rabbit food. Also note: the initial interaction shall be concise, lasting only a few minutes. Image 1 is the male father & Image 2 is the female mother.. Cats are carnivores (meat-eaters) whereas chinchillas are herbivores (plant-eaters). | Learn More >> You are shopping: Livonia, MI Livonia. Dont give food that is meant for guinea pigs as they have different digestive systems. What Nutrients Are Important For Chinchillas? I'm a pocket pet enthusiast and I love sharing my knowledge and passion for these amazing animals. Best Hay For Chinchillas 2023 Reviews and Comparison. They will consume stalks, stems, leaves, shoots, fruits, seeds and roots . Chinchillas can eat leaves and twigs in captivity, yet these types of food are more difficult to find when not in the wild. 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. Do make sure to feed them every day and check if their droppings are dry and normal. This is especially vital in the first days when youll be able to closely supervise your cats behavior around the chinchillas cage.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'smallpetshq_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_0',186,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); Here are some steps you need to take when introducing these two pets. Yucca. You can give them raisins, carrots, sultanas, and basically all the things that were mentioned above in the list. Fruits and Veggies - Fresh fruits, fresh greens, and other veggies are a healthy part of your chinchilla's diet as well. 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. They are very sensitive animals but can be great friends if you know how to take care of them. [Top Speeds], Is My Chinchilla Fat? 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. From allergies to zoomies, we have dogs covered like fur on a sofa. Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. 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 are herbivores and their diet consists mostly of hay, vegetables, and a small amount of fruit. The short answer is yes, chinchillas can eat rabbit food. This is because wet cat food contains a lot of moisture and, as such, its difficult for chinchillas to digest. It is not a suitable food for them to have, even in small amounts. 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. Special emphasis on nutritional support. 1. Are Chinchillas Cuddly? Chinchillas can easily get their head trapped in these toys and suffocate. Earn FREE Grooming, Pet Wash, and Nail Service Rewards. If you want to get a pet chinchilla, you should take into consideration some important things before buying them. By doing so, youll be giving your cat and chinchilla ample time to get used to each other behaviors and smells. . In addition to this, a lot of fruit can actually be harmful to chinchillas and they certainly cant just eat any and all fruits. The food has to be given in a timely fashion and should have wholesome nutrition that can fulfill your pet chinchillas required dietary requirements. Hamster food is made largely of things that would be harmful for a chinchilla to eat. Avoid pine and cedar shavings, as they can irritate a chinchilla's respiratory tract. As a Chewy & flexoffers affiliate I earn commissions for qualifying purchases. Plain Cheerios. 3 Human Foods For Chinchillas: Final Thoughts. Because of this, its a good idea to keep their diet simple and stick to their base diet as much as possible and only add the foods that are needed to keep your chinchilla healthy. Cavies Know Their Body and Can Regulate Their Guinea Pig Food Intake. As we mentioned earlier, hay is the most important part of a chinchillas diet. link to Are Chinchillas Territorial? (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Pumpkin? They need to have variety in the boring food they eat while also getting all the nutritional requirements met. 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. Fibre - 30-35%. Avoid feeding dried fruits. Yes, chinchillas can eat C heerios, . This means that chinchillas require a diet rich in protein but low in fat and carbohydrates. 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. 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). Do have constant clean drinking water; if tap water is not clean, then have bottled water for your pet. Thankfully, nowadays, there is a variety of hay available so that you can choose the hay type that your chinchilla loves the most. 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. Here is a breakdown of the nutrients your chinchilla needs in their diet and in what percentages. Some dos and donts for having chinchillas as pets are listed below. Fruit is a food that can be offered to your chinchilla as a treat. All you need to hope for is that your cat ignores the chinchilla. The kittens get lots of attention and handling, so grooming and cleaning the eyes will be easy in the future. 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. To try to mimic this rough vegetation, the mainstay of pet chinchillas diets should be hay offered in unlimited quantities. It's not safe for rabbits to eat chinchilla food. The most common flowers you can feed your chinchilla include rosebuds, rose petals, calendula flowers and cactus flowers. By doing this, you can be confident that your chinchilla doesnt suffer any physical harm plus is safe from any stress. C hoosing a pet is not a decision to be taken lightly. Thats why they need to have toys and accessories in their houses. (Benefits/Risks), Norwegian Lundehund: What You Need To Know. Long-tailed chinchillas are primarily herbivorous. [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. Chinchillas can consume a wide variety of human foods, most notably vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts, and grains. amongst other things so only a handful are really considered safe enough to eat even in small quantities. Chinchillas in the wild tend to consume most of their food early in the morning and late at night. One of the Pocket Pets Forever is a website for lovers of pocket pets. This cage features a plastic and wire mesh construction with a built-in wheel and hideout. Dried fruit (apple, banana, and papaya). Chinchillas only need to consume around 3-5% fat in their diet which is easily attainable from their base diet so foods such as. This can lead to blockages and other health issues. 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. Chinchillas in the wild will eat a variety of plants, shrubs, and grasses. 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. Chinchillas, for the most part, eat a really basic and simple diet that consists of very few foods. As such, its impossible for chinchillas to eat the same diet as cats. You should also try to avoid giving your chinchilla anything acidic, such as citrus fruits. No, they can't as they're herbivorous, meaning they eat plenty of grasses or plants. 2.3 Raisins. As you know, chinchillas are plant-eating animals. On the other hand, the natural hamster diet is mainly . You must always do this even after these two pets are acclimatized to each other and coexist peacefully. Orchardgrass. Are Chinchillas Territorial? If you feed them the correct diet, chinchillas generally keep themselves at the right weight. If you're looking for a reasonably priced cage that comes with a variety of accessories, try the Habitrail Cristal Hamster Cage with Wheel. 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. A chinchilla that is fully grown typically weighs between 1 and 3 pounds. Second, not all rabbit foods are created equal. This will ensure that they look for it, as they had to look for the food in the wild. so from these numbers alone its clear to see that good quality hay is undoubtedly the most vital part of your chinchillas diet. Small pets like chinchillas have very specific dietary needs. Specific Substrate Needs. Take a look at this guide that shares the types of water your chinchilla can drink, If you want to know everything you need to know about chinchilla water bottles in less than 3 minutes then check our easy to follow guide here. You may also be able to give your chinchilla treats like rose petals, rolled oats, or even non-frosted shredded wheat. It's safe to give your chin a raisin-size amount 2-3 times per week. This will be possible if your cat has a mellow and calm personality and isnt so much interested in hunting, meaning itll most likely ignore the chinchilla. Both chinchillas and hamsters are small rodents, so it's not surprising that they have similar dietary needs. 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 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. Another important thing that they eat is pellets. [4] You can buy hay at most pet stores or online. For example, you could offer them a few pieces of fruit, such as apples or pears. 29493 7 Mile Road . 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. 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. Shoot me an emailif you have a question! 4. If you want to give your chinchilla some treats, then these should be carefully selected. Hamster food contains ingredients that are high in fats, including seeds and nuts, which could even be toxic to a chinchilla's system. The hay should be dry and fresh-smelling with no trace of mold. Its advisable to have a big enough cage for your chinchilla to jump around should they ever feel threatened by your cat. What Nutrients Are Unhealthy If Overfed to Your Chinchilla? The only downside to dried fruit is that as nutrients such as fibre increase so does the sugar content and this can elevate the amounts of sugar into alarming levels. It is an animal that will get you smitten instantly, and its elegance will keep swirling, Read More Can Chinchillas Get Fleas? Only a couple of tablespoons (1-2 tablespoons) of pellets should be given as daily amounts to a baby or adult chinchilla. Chinchillas should be given 1-2 tablespoons of pellets per day, and Bunk-Hatch recommends Oxbow Essentials. Instead, they prefer to nibble at their hay or grass. Chinchillas require a diet that mainly consists of timothy hay with the addition of supplementary chinchilla pellets. Cat food comes in many different varieties: wet, semi-dry, and dry. 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. After all, it wont cost much and it might even taste good. It is the purest type of water available and it does not contain any bacteria. Milk and other dairy products are animal products and not appropriate for herbivores. 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. 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.