That way you are always feeding your chinchilla
Chinchilla
Chinchillas are either of two species of crepuscular rodents of the parvorder Caviomorpha. They are slightly larger and more robust than ground squirrels, and are native to the Andes mountains in South America. They live in colonies called "herds" at high elevations of up t…
What foods are safe for chinchillas?
“The only human foods that can be given to chinchillas are plain cereals like Cheerios and shredded wheat, or basic rolled oats,” says Bunk-Hatch. “They should never have fresh fruits, vegetables, or other human snacks." Why Trust The Spruce Pets?
What is the best food for chinchillas?
- 75% hay
- 20% feed (pellets) and mixtures of food
- 5% fruit and vegetables
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
Are chinchillas easy pets?
These cuddly creatures are frequently ignored as excellent pet options as some people might have misconceptions regarding how easy or difficult it is to keep them as pets. Chinchillas are easy to maintain as pets, and are suitable for beginners because they are low maintenance, easy to clean, and don’t require much space.
What human food can I feed my chinchilla?
Chinchillas need around a tea spoon a day of fresh greens. Fruits are only to be given as treats as they are high in sugars. Chinchillas can eat small amounts of fruit such as: Apples....The following vegetables can up make the majority of a chinchillas' core diet:Carrot.Kale.Alfalfa.Celery.Potato.Sweet potatoes.Squash.
What can you give chinchillas as a snack?
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.
Do you have to feed a chinchilla everyday?
The chinchilla should be given fresh hay every day. The chinchilla's pellets should be put in a food bowl, and they should be given fresh pellets every day. Changing the brand of pellets should be done slowly and carefully, for suddenly switching brands can make the chinchilla sick.
What do chinchillas eat naturally?
grassesChinchillas have very sensitive digestive systems and in the wild eat grasses, leaves, twigs, roots and stems. As pets, chinchillas need fibre rich diets based on grasses and hays in order for their digestive systems to function properly.
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.
Are pea flakes safe for chinchillas?
Product Description. Exotic Nutrition Pea Flakes are a healthy all natural treat for small animals such as Chinchillas, Prairie Dogs, Guinea pigs, Sugar Gliders, Degus, Skunks, Backyard Chickens, Rabbits and other pets.
What is a chinchillas favorite food?
80-90% of a chinchilla's diet should be high quality grass hay, such as timothy hay or orchard grass hay. Your chinchilla should always have hay available. Pellets should be plain, hay-based pellets, with no seeds, nuts, or dried fruit.
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.
Do chinchillas need veggies?
Treats (including fruits and veggies) are great for encouraging interaction between you and your pet, but they should only be given after daily foods have been eaten. Offering too many treats can cause your chinchilla to refuse his healthy, essential foods as well as put him at risk for illness.
Can chinchillas eat scrambled eggs?
In the wild, chinchillas are omnivores, which means that they eat both plants and meat. However, they eat mostly vegetation and seeds. Occasionally, they will eat insects and bird eggs.
Are Oats good for chinchillas?
Organic rolled oats are a nice chinchilla treat! They provide quick energy and are highly relished! Rolled oats are a perfect, ready-to-use training treat. A small pinch (about 5-10 oats) can be used during a training session or sprinkled onto chinchilla food 1-2 times per week.
Can chinchillas popcorn?
Chinchillas can feed on popcorn, but only in moderation. Popcorn contains minerals and dietary fiber, which are beneficial to chinchillas. You can give popcorn to your chinchilla as a treat, but note that salted and too much popcorn might cause bloating or increase the risk of choking in your pet.
What is chinchillas favorite food?
grass hayFood and Water 80-90% of a chinchilla's diet should be high quality grass hay, such as timothy hay or orchard grass hay. Your chinchilla should always have hay available. Pellets should be plain, hay-based pellets, with no seeds, nuts, or dried fruit.
What do chinchillas like to eat?
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 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 popcorn?
Chinchillas can feed on popcorn, but only in moderation. Popcorn contains minerals and dietary fiber, which are beneficial to chinchillas. You can give popcorn to your chinchilla as a treat, but note that salted and too much popcorn might cause bloating or increase the risk of choking in your pet.
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.
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 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.
