
Some good treats for your chinchilla:
- Pears
- Green apples
- Apricots
- Raisins (no more than 3 or 4 a week)
- Blueberries
- Grapes
- Cheerios
- Plain Shredded Wheat
What do you feed a chinchilla?
A Chinchilla's diet should be simple. A quality pellet, ample amounts of fresh hay, and unlimited access to water. If you can get these 3 things together, you'll have a healthy well-nourished chinchilla. A quality pellet can be made specifically for Chinchillas or you can choose to feed a high quality rabbit pellet.
Can chinchillas eat rabbit pellets?
A quality pellet can be made specifically for Chinchillas or you can choose to feed a high quality rabbit pellet. A lot of the pellet selections sold at the pet store are not "quality pellets". In fact, they're junk food riddled with fruit, nuts, fillers, and treats.
What kind of hay is good for chinchillas?
The best types of hay for a chinchilla include common prairie grass, timothy, orchard grass, blue grass, alfalfa and alpine grass. Any type of grass, like good alfalfa, that contains 14 to 16 percent protein, will give the chinchilla something to gnaw, and that will keep their teeth healthy.
Can chinchillas eat alfalfa grass?
Any type of grass, like good alfalfa, that contains 14 to 16 percent protein, will give the chinchilla something to gnaw, and that will keep their teeth healthy. Chinchillas should be given one or two tablespoons of pellets every day.

What do chinchilla rabbits eat?
Giant Chinchilla Rabbit Diet Giant Chinchillas eat the same type of diet as other rabbit breeds, which consist of hay, pellets and fresh herbs and veggies. They should have hay available to chew on at all times as well as fresh, clean water.
Can you feed a chinchilla rabbit food?
Is Rabbit Food Good for My Chinchilla? Unfortunately, rabbit food is not good for your chinchilla. While it may contain some ingredients your pet needs, it also likely includes ingredients that can be difficult to digest, resulting in an upset stomach and other uncomfortable digestive problems.
What do you feed a pet chinchilla?
Food and Water Your chinchilla should always have hay available. Pellets should be plain, hay-based pellets, with no seeds, nuts, or dried fruit. Pellets should be measured, and most adult chinchillas should get about 1-2 tablespoons per chinchilla per day.
What fresh food can a chinchilla eat?
Some suitable veggie options for chinchillas are carrots, kale, parsley, dandelion greens, lettuce, collard greens and turnip greens. Fruit choices include strawberries, pears, bananas and apples. Always chop vegetables and fruits up into very small bites.
Can chinchillas eat guinea pig or rabbit food?
Chinchillas, just like other pets, require a specific diet. As mentioned earlier, chinchillas' dietary requirements are different from other animals, and therefore, they should not eat guinea pig food or gerbil food.
Can chinchillas eat carrots?
What treats do chinchillas like? Small amounts of dried fruit and root vegetables, such as raisins, sultanas and carrots. Some sources recommend nuts and seeds as treats but you must bear in mind the high fat content in those.
What foods are toxic to chinchillas?
There are a number of foods that are poisonous to chinchillas so always double check before you feed them. DO NOT FEED your chinchilla with the following: asparagus, avocado, peas, cabbage, corn, lettuce, broccoli, spinach, rhubarb and rhubarb leaves. Other dangerous foods are banana, sunflower seeds and peanuts.
Can chinchillas eat only hay?
Your chinchilla is a herbivore, which means he eats only plant material. Grass hay should be the high-fiber cornerstone of every chinchilla's diet. The fiber in hay helps meet the important digestive health and dental needs of herbivores such as chinchillas.
Can chinchillas eat timothy hay?
Chinchillas require a high fiber diet and should be offered grass hay (such as Timothy hay or other low calcium hays such as orchard grass, oat hay, or meadow hay) free choice (available 24 hours a day). Hay should be the main component of their diet.
Can chinchillas eat peanut butter?
Salted peanuts are even worse than regular peanuts because the sodium content is far too high. Raw peanuts and peanut butter still have fat contents that are too high to be appropriate for a chinchilla's diet.
Can chinchillas eat raw potatoes?
Chinchillas must be fed with less sugary fruits and vegetables. They can eat celery, potatoes, sweet potatoes, squash, carrot, alfalfa, and kale regularly.
Can chinchillas eat ice cubes?
Bowls of ice cubes are also fine. A fan or air conditioner in the chinchilla's room is a great way to bring down the temperature.
Can chinchillas eat guinea pig food?
No, chinchillas and guinea pigs have different dietary needs. However, the types of foods they eat are very similar, which can often cause confusion. Pellets, in particular, must be species-specific and therefore Chinchillas should not eat pellets that have been designed for guinea pig consumption.
Can chinchillas eat hamster food?
They're basically big hamsters, so can they eat hamster food? As it turns out, the answer is no. Feeding a chinchilla hamster food isn't toxic, so it won't kill them immediately, but hamster food lacks the nutrition that your chinchilla needs, so it can be deadly in the long term.
Is chinchilla poop a good fertilizer?
Tips for Compost Health and Composting Success: Our small herbivores at home are similar in some ways to large herbivores like cows and horses. This is partially why rabbit, guinea pig, or chinchilla feces are such a great addition to compost piles!
Can rabbits eat Degu food?
Avoid high fat foods such peanuts and sunflower seeds, along with foods that are high in sugar, such as fruits. Foods formulated for other species such as rabbits, hamsters and gerbils are also not suitable for degus.
What are some good treats for chinchillas?
Common healthy treats for Chinchillas are Rose hips, non-frosted Shredded Wheaties, Old fashion rolled oats, Alfalfa hay, and an array of chinchilla safe herbs.
What do chinchillas chew on?
As a Chinchilla chews on their hay they grind their back molars together keeping them short and trimmed.
Why do chinchillas bloat?
Excess moisture in their food will lead to bloating. Bloating is a hazard because chinchillas can not relieve themselves of any gasses, meaning without intervention they can pass from buildup. Nuts + Seeds are high in fat. When a chinchilla is fed a diet high in fat they become prone to ailments like fatty liver disease.
Can you feed a rabbit pellet to a chinchilla?
If you can get these 3 things together, you'll have a healthy well-nourished chinchilla. A quality pellet can be made specifically for Chinchillas or you can choose to feed a high quality rabbit pellet. A lot of the pellet selections sold at the pet store are not "quality pellets". In fact, they're junk food riddled with fruit, nuts, fillers, ...
Can you use compressed hay for chinchillas?
Or you can purchase compressed hay cookies for your chinchilla. Choosing any of these will greatly reduce the amount of hay-dust in your home that may be affecting your allergies. Treats. While it can be nice to treat our pets, something important to understand is that it's mostly for us.
Do chinchillas need sugar?
Fruits + Vegetables contain a lot of natural sugar in their natural and dried forms. Pet chinchillas do not need this excess sugar. This excess sugar can resort in your Chinchilla becoming ill. Diabetes, hyperglycemia, and hypoglycemia are all risks when feeding a sugary diet.
What are some good treats for chinchillas?
Less fattening treats include leafy greens and root vegetables like carrots. Chinchillas may be given one teaspoon of the healthier treats every day. Herbs like dandelion or parsley can be given to a chinchilla several times a week in small amounts. Dried rose hips are a very healthy treat with lots of fiber and Vitamin C.
What do chinchillas like?
Chinchillas particularly enjoy dried fruit like peaches , cranberries, bananas, and apples, and they also love sunflower seeds and unsalted nuts. They will also happily devour treats sold at pet stores. Less fattening treats include leafy greens and root vegetables like carrots.
How long does it take for a chinchilla to switch brands?
The chinchilla should gradually be given increasing amounts of the new brand and decreasing amounts of the old brand. It should take a week to complete the switch. Treats should be given by hand and never placed in the food bowl.
Can chinchillas have pellets?
Chinchilla pellets are grass-based, and they contain the right amounts of proteins, roughage and fat to keep the chinchilla healthy. Pellets made for other animals like rabbits or guinea pigs should not be given to a chinchilla, for they can make the chinchilla sick. Chinchillas should always have access to water.
Can chinchillas eat raisins?
Some people use raisins as rewards to train a chinchilla. People who do this cut the raisin into small pieces beforehand, so they don’t give the chinchilla too many raisins during a training session.
Can watermelon make chinchillas sick?
Watery fruits like watermelon can give a chinchilla diarrhea, while some vegetables like corn can give them bloat. The methods used to process and store corn also expose it to mold and fungi, and those can make a chinchilla seriously ill. Sources: rspca.org.uk. chinchillaguide.com. chinchillacare.org.
Can you give a chinchilla grapefruit?
Acidic fruits like tomatoes or grapefruit should not be given to a chinchilla.
Can Rabbits Eat Chinchilla Food?
Rabbits have different dietary requirements than chinchillas, and should not be fed the same diet.
What Food Should Rabbits Eat?
Fresh hay should make up 75% of rabbits diets and needs to be available to them at all times.
What Other Types of Foods Can Rabbits Eat?
Make sure the pellets you’re feeding your rabbit are fresh and not stale.
A List of Great Treats for Rabbits
It is good to provide treats to your rabbits every now and then, but you must make sure you’re not giving them too many as it can be unhealthy.
What Foods are Dangerous to Rabbits?
Yogurt drops are very dangerous for your rabbit and is a serious health risk. It can cause Enterotoxemia.
How Much Food Should a Rabbit Consume?
Rabbits need about two tablespoons of rabbit pellets and a constant supply of hay.
What Are Safe Vegetables For Rabbits?
Grass- this one should be plucked from a plant that does not contain any fertilizer or chemicals. You should dry it before it is consumed.
Can Rabbits Eat Chinchilla Food?
Rabbits have different dietary requirements than chinchillas, and should not be fed the same diet.
What Food Should Rabbits Eat?
Fresh hay should make up 75% of rabbits’ diets and needs to be available to them at all times.
What Other Types of Foods Can Rabbits Eat?
Make sure the pellets you’re feeding your rabbit are fresh and not stale.
A List of Great Treats for Rabbits
It is good to provide treats to your rabbits every now and then, but you must make sure you’re not giving them too many as it can be unhealthy.
What Foods Are Dangerous To Rabbits?
Yogurt drops are very dangerous for your rabbit and is a serious health risk. It can cause Enterotoxemia.
How Much Food Should a Rabbit Consume?
Rabbits need about two tablespoons of rabbit pellets and a constant supply of hay.
What Are Safe Vegetables For Rabbits?
Grass- this one should be plucked from a plant that does not contain any fertilizer or chemicals. You should dry it before it is consumed.
What Should You Feed Pet Chinchillas?
Chinchillas are herbivorous creatures. Their diet requires a large amount of grass. The main foods they eat are:
What Fruits and Vegetables Can Chinchillas Eat?
Consider giving your chinchilla fruits and vegetables up to four times a week. Excessive fruits and vegetables can make your chinchilla ill as their digestive system will have a hard time breaking the sugars and fats down.
What Treats Do Chinchillas Like?
Chinchillas like small amounts of root veggies and dried fruits such as sultanas, raisins, and carrots. Have a look at the list above and below for more ideas, or check out our healthiest chinchilla treats and foods article.
What Are Some of the Best Supplements for Chinchillas?
Some owners will place sale blocks or other minerals such as vitamin c tablets in their chinchillas drinking water.
How Much Do Chinchillas Eat?
Chinchillas require a constant supply of timothy hay and about two tablespoons of chinchilla pellets every day.
What Chinchilla Mixes Should I Feed My Chinchilla?
There are some chinchilla food mixes on the market. Feeding your chinchilla food mixes isn’t recommended as they sometimes contain a lot of treats.
FAQs
Rabbits have different dietary requirements than chinchillas and their food shouldn’t be a substitute.
Is Rabbit Food Bad for My Chinchilla?
While rabbits and chinchillas both eat many of the same foods, they require them in different amounts. Much of the reason has to do with how each animal digests its food.
Is Rabbit Food Good for My Chinchilla?
Unfortunately, rabbit food is not good for your chinchilla. While it may contain some ingredients your pet needs, it also likely includes ingredients that can be difficult to digest, resulting in an upset stomach and other uncomfortable digestive problems.
How Can I Feed My Chinchilla Rabbit Food?
We recommend avoiding rabbit pellets for your chinchilla, but if it is your only option, we recommend purchasing the highest quality pellets you can find and reducing the portion size significantly until you can locate the proper food for your pet.
What Other Foods Are Good For My Chinchilla
Your chinchilla requires a never-ending supply of Timothy hay that it can eat at its leisure, and this single food should make up 80% to 90% of your pet’s diet. The chinchilla can be quite fussy about the hay it eats, so don’t be surprised to see it sorting through it and leaving behind what it doesn’t want.
How Much Should I Feed My Chinchilla?
Besides a never-ending supply of Timothy hay and chinchilla pellets, most experts recommend no more than a tablespoon or two of fresh greens and a tiny amount of fruit.
Summary
If your chinchilla ate some of your rabbit’s food while you weren’t looking, it would likely be fine. It will also be fine if it eats the occasional meal. However, rabbit food is difficult for your chinchilla to digest and will likely cause at least minor digestive problems for your pet.
Is Rabbit and Chinchilla Food The Same?
Rabbit and chinchilla food is not the same, although it’s easy to get confused since both animals require a similar amount of hay. In reality, rabbit and chinchilla foods are made from different ingredients.
What Would Happen If A Rabbit Ate Chinchilla Food?
In the short term, your rabbit may suffer from digestive upset, noticeable via its general demeanor and stools. In the long term and with repetitive and consistent feeding, you may notice issues that arise from protein deficiency.
What You Should Feed Your Rabbit Instead
Now that you know what your rabbit shouldn’t eat, here’s what you should feed your rabbit instead.
