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what to feed chinchillas fruits and vegetables

by Malika Daniel Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Fruits and Vegetables For Chinchillas.

  • Carrots. Although carrots are nutritious, they’re not ideal for chinchillas, which can bloat. Fortunately, they’re quite safe for humans. However, ...
  • Kale. Although your Chinchilla can eat only a few types of vegetables, kale has many health benefits. It is high in beta-carotene, a powerful ...
  • Celery.
  • Alfalfa sprouts.
  • Dried fruit.

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.

Full Answer

What vegetables can a chinchilla eat?

What fruits and vegetables can chinchillas eat?

  • Apple
  • Carrots
  • Sweet potato
  • Kale
  • Parsley
  • Strawberries
  • Pears
  • Dandelion greens
  • Celery
  • Blueberries

More items...

What are the best treats for chinchillas?

What Are The Best Chinchilla Treats?

  1. Hay. Even if you choose a high fiber diet, you still have to add hay to Chinchilla’s menu. ...
  2. Dried fruits and vegetables. Chinchilla should be fed their other favorite foods in small amounts each day (never more than one teaspoon per day).
  3. Dried twigs. ...
  4. Water. ...

Can chinchillas eat fruits and vegetables?

Well, the delicate nature of chinchillas can’t bear more than hay, water, and a few treats. They can eat some fruits and vegetables, but only in small, bite-sized servings. Below is all you need to know about the dos and don’ts of Chinchillas and their diet. Generally speaking, domestic chinchillas have a stomach that is as delicate as a baby’s.

Can chinchillas eat pumpkin seeds?

Pumpkin seeds are not a huge source of salt, but still too much. Pumpkin seeds also contain about 500mg of fat per ounce of seed, which is almost half the average amount that a chinchilla should eat in a day.

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What fruits and veggies can a chinchilla eat?

What fruits and vegetables can chinchillas eat?Carrot.Kale.Alfalfa.Celery.Potato.Sweet potatoes.Squash.

Can chinchillas eat fresh fruits and vegetables?

Fresh Produce About 10% of your chinchilla's diet should consist leafy greens and herbs (see provided greens list for ideas). Your chinchilla can also have other vegetables in small amounts. Fruits and high-sugar vegetables (e.g. carrots, corn), should only be offered as treats in very small quantities (<1 tsp/day).

What fruits can chinchillas not eat?

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. This list is not exhaustive, and if in doubt as to whether something is safe to feed it is best to avoid.

What should a chinchilla eat daily?

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.

What types of fruits can chinchillas eat?

Fruit choices include strawberries, pears, bananas and apples. Always chop vegetables and fruits up into very small bites. Don't let them stay in your chinchilla's cage when they're no longer fresh. If your chinchilla is unwell for any reason, don't feed fruit or other foods that have significant sugar content.

Can chinchillas eat fresh carrots?

Overall, carrots and other vegetables and some fruit can be delicious treats for your chinchillas. As a general rule of thumb, dried versions of foods are better.

What are good chinchilla treats?

According to our online community of chinchilla owners, the most popular and healthy treats for chinchillas are Timothy Hay, Rosehips, Plain Cheerios, dried calendula, and goji berries. It's recommended that you try a small amount of everything to see what your chinchilla likes.

Can chinchillas have strawberries?

In a nutshell, most chinchillas can have strawberries, but only sparingly. That is, maybe once in a while as a special treat. For the most part, though, it's better to avoid giving your chinchilla strawberries or any other kind of fruit to be on the safe side.

Can chinchillas eat cheerios?

Cheerios are a popular, healthy breakfast cereal that many people enjoy, but can chinchillas eat this famous cereal? Yes, chinchillas can eat Cheerios, but they should only be given in moderation. Cheerios have a higher concentration of phosphorus than chinchillas need, so too much can cause a nutritional imbalance.

Can chinchillas eat grapes?

Are grapes safe to feed your chinchilla? Chinchillas can eat grapes, but only in strict moderation as occasional treats, as the high sugar content can be harmful to them.

Should I free feed my chinchilla?

When feeding hay, it should be free fed. It can be placed in a hay rack, in a bowl, on the shelf, or in some sort of container. One good rule of thumb is to give the chinchilla a large handful of hay every day. If the chinchilla eats all of the hay, more hay is needed.

Can chinchillas eat watermelon?

Chinchillas should never eat watermelon, as it is not compatible with their system and can pose a severe health risk. Watermelon is high in sugar and water content.

Can chinchillas have strawberries?

In a nutshell, most chinchillas can have strawberries, but only sparingly. That is, maybe once in a while as a special treat. For the most part, though, it's better to avoid giving your chinchilla strawberries or any other kind of fruit to be on the safe side.

What is the best food for chinchillas?

Hay and pellets should make up the bulk of your chinchilla's diet, but for an occasional treat, try the Exotic Nutrition Dried Rose Hips. These little pieces of dried fruit are a good source of dietary fiber, as well as vitamins C and E, and they make a delicious treat for small animals.

Can chinchillas have grapes?

Are grapes safe to feed your chinchilla? Chinchillas can eat grapes, but only in strict moderation as occasional treats, as the high sugar content can be harmful to them.

Can chinchillas eat watermelon?

Chinchillas should never eat watermelon, as it is not compatible with their system and can pose a severe health risk. Watermelon is high in sugar and water content.

Chinchilla food options

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. Some common options for food items that every pet chinchilla owner needs to keep their chinchilla safe and healthy are listed below.

Feeding amounts

Along with the quality of good that you feed your pet chinchilla, the quantity is just as important. The pets need chinchilla vitamins and nutrients like Omega-3 fatty acids, folic acid, nicotinic acid, vitamin C, natural vitamin E, and many more through adequate nutritional content.

Make feeding fun

To make sure that your pet eats food properly, you need to make the feeding time fun. You can do this by understanding how a chinchilla behaves and using that to your advantage.

Treats

Now, let’s talk more about the healthy treats that you should feed these exotic animals. As you know, chinchillas are very sensitive animals, so you need to be very careful with what you feed them. They can easily get an upset stomach and have a limited capacity for digestion.

Hay supplementation

The diet that you choose to feed your chinchilla should mostly contain hay. Thankfully, nowadays, there is a variety of hay available so that you can choose the hay type that your chinchilla loves the most.

What fruits and vegetables can chinchillas eat?

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. So here is a list of fruits and vegetables that you can feed your chinchillas.

What treats do chinchillas like

Keeping in mind that chinchillas can’t eat fatty food, there are some treats that they like that contain fat, but chinchillas love them.

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.

Do chinchillas need water?

Chinchillas should always have access to water. Vitamin C supplements can be added to the water. Salt blocks and wheels can also provide a chinchilla with minerals that might be lacking in his diet. Chinchilla Guide Home.

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.

What Type of Pellets is Suitable for My Chinchilla?

Chinchillas live on a simple diet comprising of the best chinchilla hay and a small amount of 1-2 tablespoons of high-quality grass-based pellets.

What Treats Can I Feed My Chinchilla?

Chinchillas can eat carrots, raisins, and sultanas as treats but only in very small amounts!

Can Chinchillas Eat Grapes?

Grapes should be avoided as they contain too much water and can give your chinchilla diarrhea.

Can Chinchillas Eat Carrots?

Chinchillas can eat carrots but make sure they are chopped up into smaller pieces.

Can Chinchillas Eat Rabbit Food?

Chinchillas cannot consume food meant for rabbits, as the two animals have different dietary requirements. It is better not to give rabbit food pellets to your chinchillas.

Can Chinchillas Eat Guinea Pig Food

So, can a chinchilla eat guinea pig food too? Chinchillas cannot consume food meant for guinea pigs, as the two animals have different dietary requirements. It is better not to give rabbit food pellets to your chinchillas.

What Do Chinchillas Eat in the Wild?

WARNING: Do not feed your chinchilla foods that wild chinchillas might eat. Chinchillas’ diet is quite different and can result in making your pet seriously ill.

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 do chinchillas need to live?

This consists of hay and pellets. This is what your chinchilla primarily needs to live a long and healthy live. Use a reliable hay feeder and the correctly formulated chinchilla pellets and keep the rest of the items you can offer your chinchilla at minimums, and your chinchilla will be in good shape and healthy.

When do chinchillas eat?

Chinchillas typically consume most of their diet in the early mornings or later at night due to being crepuscular.

Do chinchillas need to grind their teeth?

The last topic I want to cover is a chinchilla’s ever-growing teeth and their need to file and grind their teeth down to remain healthy and infection-free. Chinchillas need safe items to chew inside of their cage, and you can even provide these items when your chinchilla is out for playtime.

Can chinchillas eat vegetables?

Yes, a chinchilla can eat some vegetables. Chinchillas are herbivores, which means they consume plants as the bulk of their diet. Chinchillas can have some vegetables in small amounts and moderation. Not all vegetables are safe for chinchillas.

Can you give a chinchilla a vegetable?

Vegetables are a food group that you can offer your chinchilla, but you always need to be educated and careful when doing so.

Can chinchillas vomit?

In fact, they can’t vomit at all. This simply means that when you offer your chinchilla food items outside of the basic timothy hay or pellets, it’s important to be around in case your chinchilla struggles to swallow its food. This can cause other issues if this happens, such as the following: Drooling.

Can chinchillas eat bananas?

No. Chinchillas cannot eat bananas. Bananas are high in phosphorus. Bananas are also considered acidic and have high sugar, fat, and potassium content. Your chinchilla may experience stomach pain or constipation consuming bananas. If bananas are offered, they must be at extremely low quantities.

Can chinchillas have dried fruits?

Chinchillas can have some dried fruits. They should never have any fresh or water-based fruits. Fresh or water-based fruits can cause diarrhea which can be fatal. Providing your chinchilla with the wrong fruits or the wrong quantities can also cause significant stomach issues and potentially even death.

Can chinchillas eat apple sauce?

A chinchilla should not eat apple sauce. Apple sauce contains even more sugar than apples. Additionally, apple sauce is soft food that isn’t recommended for chinchillas. Apple sauce may cause an upset stomach, illness, or even digestive tract issues with your chinchilla.

Do you have to keep tabs on a chinchilla?

In addition to keeping tabs on your chinchilla before an illness ever takes place, also ensure that you never get too cute or try and get fancy if you believe your chinchilla is ill.

Is sugar good for chinchillas?

Sugar Is Never Good For Chinchillas. If you haven’t noticed by the fruits we went over above, sugar is the silent stomach killer for chinchillas . Yes, other ingredients can also cause issues, for example acid, phosphorus, and fat, but sugar is the biggest no-no for chinchillas. Always keep sugar at a minimum.

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What They Should Be Eating

  • Generally speaking, domestic chinchillas have a stomach that is as delicate as a baby’s. So you should keep the following ingredients away from them to make sure they don’t get ill. They shouldn’t eat anything that is rich in sugar, phosphorus, or calcium. You’ll also want to stay away from fatty and acidic food. This might seem like an infernally ...
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What They Shouldn’T Be Eating

  • Navigating what chinchillas can’t eatis infinitely harder than navigating what they can. If in doubt, simply make sure to check the composition of the fruit or vegetable for any of the harmful ingredients we’ll mention, or simply stick to the basics. The following is a general explanation of the most common ingredients to avoid.
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Keeping Them Healthy

  • Fruits and vegetables aside, there are other things you need to consider to make sure your chinchillas are as healthy as possible. Don’t worry, though; we’ve summed them up in a few simple steps that’ll only cost you an attentive eye: 1. Make sure they always have fresh, clean water. 2. Make sure they’re eating and drinking every day and passing dry droppings. 3. Chinchillas, like ra…
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Conclusion

  • Chinchillas can definitely be a handful to nurture. It’s important to understand that they can’t tolerate little mistakes in dieting and general care. Chinchillascan run around the house or cage like wild rabbits. Don’t be fooled, though; domestic chinchillas are fragile and sensitive creatures that need constant care, especially after they have been domesticated. Fear not, though. As lon…
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