Their diet should be composed of about 35% carbohydrates, 3.5% fat, 30% fiber, 15% protein, and only 4% sugar. Later in the post, we will show you how much hay, pellets, greens and fruit your chinchillas should ideally eat per day. Both chinchillas and hamsters are small rodents, so it's not surprising that they have similar dietary needs. Fiber: should be at least 15%, preferably up to 35%. So, if you decide to make a purchase through one of the links on this site, I receive a commission for it. cute cat; Cat cartoon; cat eat; 1. Pets are adorable, but having different species in your home might bring about some issues with some of them incompatible. Cat with can food. The diet that you choose to feed your chinchilla should mostly contain hay. However, they eat mostly vegetation and seeds. Once again, this boils down to the fact that chinchillas dont need the nutrition from fruits to be healthy so they are only a luxury. 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. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you. It is also built with a speaker for remote interaction with pets. 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. Overconsumption of pellets can also be fattening and can lead to obesity and diarrhea due to excess carbohydrate ingestion. This only happens opportunistically, though. The short answer is no. 2.3 Raisins. Finally, since chinchillas cannot vomit, small or hard foods such as dried fruit, nuts, seeds, or raisins can get stuck in the back of the mouth or esophagus leading to salivation, gagging, lack of appetite and possible problems breathing. Again, although this is the common amount of food that your pet needs, you need to contact the pet veterinarian to be sure of ample amounts of food that your chinchilla needs. You should also provide them with a dry food that has been specifically designed with chinchillas in mind. Overfeeding of fresh greens also can lead to soft stool or diarrhea. Just because a green on the list below is labelled safe doesnt mean that you can feed your chinchilla unlimited amounts of that green or vegetable. Instead, you should only feed them a healthy, balanced diet that includes lots of fresh green leaves and grass. Chinchillas can consume a wide variety of human foods, most notably vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts, and grains. This will ensure that they look for it, as they had to look for the food in the wild. 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. It is an animal that will get you smitten instantly, and its elegance will keep swirling, Read More Can Chinchillas Get Fleas? This includes plenty of fresh green leaves and hay. It comes with a water bottle and food dish as well, all priced under $20. While hay should be offered in unlimited quantities, feeding large amounts of high-calcium alfalfa hay to non-breeding, adult chinchillas has been associated with the development calcium-based bladder stones. Read on for everything that you'll need to know. As such, its best to look for a reputable brand of dry food made specifically for chinchillas. This means that chinchillas require a diet rich in protein but low in fat and carbohydrates. Thank you for supporting us on our journey as we continue to publish content with the aim of helping owners care for their pets in the best way possible! [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. Just 1 Persian chinchilla left male ( boy ) so playful and friendly and smart, eating dry and wet full trained ,indoor cats living with they parents free all over the house born on new year D.O.B : 01//01/2023 looking for for ever lovely house will b Age Age: 7 weeks; Ready to leave Ready to leave: in 1 week Buy Merrick Dog Food online in Canada from Canadian Pet Connection. Please remember that there are hundreds of greens and vegetables from around the world. 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) Ideally, you want to offer your chinchillas a low to moderate calcium diet that on the whole contains more calcium than phosphorus. Providing your chinchilla with safe wood for them to chew on is the best and most convenient option. You may also be able to give your chinchilla treats like rose petals, rolled oats, or even non-frosted shredded wheat. This is usually the case for cats and chinchillas, which can be stressful for you as a pet owner. Chinchillas are so cute and such intelligent animals that make great pets. All you need to hope for is that your cat ignores the chinchilla. I'm a pocket pet enthusiast and I love sharing my knowledge and passion for these amazing animals. The quality of the ingredients used by manufacturers to make cat food varies enormously. 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. Occasionally, they will eat insects and bird eggs. Yes, the chinchilla that you have been eyeing for quite some time now. No, they can't as they're herbivorous, meaning they eat plenty of grasses or plants. Line the cage with a few inches of dye-free paper bedding. What Nutrients Are Unhealthy If Overfed to Your Chinchilla? As well as knowing what foods chinchillas can eat, its also important to understand what common foods your chinchilla should be staying away from too. 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. Treats such as dried fruit, grains, nuts and seeds should not be offered, as they are not easily digested and may lead to tooth damage. And of course too many raisins can cause diarrhea. They will consume stalks, stems, leaves, shoots, fruits, seeds and roots . nuts and sunflower seeds need to be avoided. The chinchilla will be stressed out by calm cats too. So, what should you feed a chinchilla? Chinchillas in the wild typically eat most of their food in . Chinchillas have an extremely sensitive digestive system as we have already mentioned in this article. 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. Provide hay in your chinchilla's cage at all times so it has something to graze on. Instead, offer your adult chinchilla timothy hay or other low-calcium grass hays, such as orchard or meadow grass. Finally, chinchillas need foods that help to keep their teeth grounded over time. 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. In the wild, chinchillas are omnivores, which means that they eat both plants and meat. By Laurie Hess, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian Practice). Chinchilla Sleeping Habits: Are Chinchillas Nocturnal? 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. This is important because these two pets have brains that are programmed to act differently. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Rabbit Food? . Specialties: The Wishbone Pet Company has the largest selection of raw diets in Santa Cruz, CA with a strong emphasis on holistic natural care. Please talk to your vet for a detailed diet plan that suits the individual needs of your pet. If your cat does this, theres a high likelihood of it ignoring the chinchilla, which in turn doesnt get so stressed by the cats presence.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'smallpetshq_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_3',181,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); However, if you have an overly active cat, it might not be a good idea to have these two pets live in the same house. But here is a pretty extensive list of what is safe for chins and most can be found in the bulk section of a health food store for cheap. and how to get rid of it, The Best Chinchilla Toys (Review) in 2023, Are chinchillas Smart? This is a general rule for most small animals such as hedgehogs and even the majority of reptiles. They are high in sugar, however, so give sparingly. For example, you could offer them a few pieces of fruit, such as apples or pears. Water should be provided in the form of a water bottle rather than a bowl as this is much more hygienic for your chinchilla. Unfortunately, yes. so from these numbers alone its clear to see that good quality hay is undoubtedly the most vital part of your chinchillas diet. The popular cereal Cheerios are also seen as a treat that chinchillas can eat due to their dried nature and high amounts of fibre. 2.5 Dried Cranberry And Apple. You can repeat the process for a few days, gradually increasing the time frame. As mentioned earlier, chinchillas' dietary requirements are different from other animals, and therefore, they should not eat guinea pig food or gerbil food. They won't go hunting for insects, but if they see one, they will eat it. Feed them right, and youll have a happy, cuddly pet for many years. An overweight chinchilla is susceptible to many illnesses like diabetes, diarrhea, and liver damage. Provide a steady supply of hay. 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. 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. You can also feed them a mixture of all these hays. The recommended ratio for calcium to phosphorus is 2:1 so thats two parts calcium to every one part phosphorus. They also need to have access to fresh water at all times. There are chinchilla hay pellets and hay cubes available as well. hay, fresh vegetables, and pellets should still make up the majority of their diet. I blog about their care, where to buy them, breeders, and more. These tend to be expensive but, over time, theyre worth the investment. These exotic animals need chinchilla food pellets every day, a well but in a much more controlled quantity. As you can see from everything weve discussed above, you should never feed cat food to a chinchilla. Only a couple of tablespoons (1-2 tablespoons) of pellets should be given as daily amounts to a baby or adult chinchilla. This leads to problems including diarrhea, weight loss, and stomach ulcers. Copyright tagDiv. Wild chinchillas are omnivores and feed on grasses, seeds, fruits, small plants, plant leaves, small insects, and bird eggs when they get a chance. For example, if you have horses then you know they're prone to overeating. This cage features a plastic and wire mesh construction with a built-in wheel and hideout. Once you do this, you can be sure that your cat wont be able to swipe your chinchilla or its cage as they get used to each others company.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'smallpetshq_com-sky-3','ezslot_21',190,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-sky-3-0'); While you might be excoriated to introduce your chinchilla to your entire family, and this includes your cat, its vital first to make sure it first gets used to you. This is all too situational and it depends on the character of the pet. In addition to this, the chinchilla may choose to hide, seeking safety from the cat, thereby making it hard to locate. They eat all sorts of different plants . Chinchillas love treats just like any other animal, but the treats can be deadly for them if you dont know the proper way or amount to feed them. You may be tempted to buy cheap cat food from the supermarket. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. If a chinchilla were to eat dry cat food, it would likely experience digestive issues and may even die. You can either purchase wood sticks from a store or collect your own. Semi-dry foods consist of dried milk and grain. As a pet, chinchillas can eat the same dried herbs and benefit from the nutrients. They are very sensitive animals but can be great friends if you know how to take care of them. Some common options for food items that every pet chinchilla owner needs to keep their chinchilla safe and healthy are listed below. Therefore, if you own these two pets, its crucial to have them slowly introduced to each other or else risk your cat attacking the chinchilla. In addition to that, if you have two or more chinchillas, they can become quite protective of the feeding bowl, which can cause fights between the chinchillas, and also, one might eat more than the other. These flowers should be dried before feeding to ensure that they are crunchy since our little ones love to nibble. Chinchillas, for the most part, eat a really basic and simple diet that consists of very few foods. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Pecans? When it comes to pellets for chinchillas, its important that you purchase pellets that are specifically designed for chinchillas. [4] You can buy hay at most pet stores or online. Although fruits and nuts are something that can be fed to chinchillas, it is best to avoid them. Although it is made from flour, bread has very few nutrients for chinchillas. Monitoring your chinchillas' diet. and how to get rid of itContinue. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. They can be offered much variety of good quality and clean hay like timothy hay, orchard grass, alfalfa hay, oat hay, or meadow hay. The most obvious reason why you shouldn't feed cat food to a chinchilla is because chinchillas are not cats! This means your cat gets to see your chinchilla but isnt in a position to touch it.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'smallpetshq_com-portrait-1','ezslot_19',188,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-portrait-1-0'); You also need to make sure that this area is just as comfy as where your chinchilla is to avoid your cat from wanting to stretch inside the cage bars.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'smallpetshq_com-leader-4','ezslot_8',189,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-leader-4-0'); Moreover, make sure there isnt a bed positioned over the chinchillas cage to prevent your cat from having a post from where it might try and reach the chinchilla. You can add a small amount of commercially available pelleted chinchilla food to your chinchilla's diet. Having said this, both hay varieties will do a great job of keeping your chins teeth short and providing them with the nutrients they need to be healthy. One of the questions we were asked recently was whether Chinchillas were territorial and we felt compelled to delve into this subject a bit deeper and provide you with some more useful information How Often Should Chinchillas Have Dust Baths? However, this isnt something they enjoy doing. Those leaves, while not as pretty as daisies, are a healthy and natural food source for your chinchillas. Fruits and Veggies - Fresh fruits, fresh greens, and other veggies are a healthy part of your chinchilla's diet as well. our recommended food products for your chinchilla and the best place to purchase them from. . There are animals who have a harder time controlling their eating (we're not alone humans!). Pelleted diets are better than a mixture of loose items. List Of Safe Greens & Vegetables For Chinchillas: Fruits should only ever be offered as a treat to your chinchilla. Because of the sensitive nature of a chinchillas digestive tract, sugar can be extremely harmful even if its fed in moderate quantities. 2.4 Certain Breakfast Cereals. Once this condition occurs, there is nothing that can be done other than to provide pain medication and soft foods. Poison Ivy. The auto cat feeder has a 1080HD camera with automatic night vision as well as wide-angle view and supports 10-second voice message recording. Find & Download the most popular Chinchilla Animal Vectors on Freepik Free for commercial use High Quality Images Made for Creative Projects. Dried dandelions. For any new chinchillas owner, one of the very first questions you need to ask is what can chinchillas eat?. All Things Dog. However, this makes them need a lot of physical and mental stimulation. Can chinchillas eat cat food safely without any issue? Our main focus is helping owners to better understand and care for their pets with both straight forward and actionable advice. 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. If you want to get a pet chinchilla, you should take into consideration some important things before buying them. Give your chinchilla space from the cat, which sees it as a prey. It is important to remember the natural chinchilla diet is mainly made up of hay and grass, with some twigs and leaves in between. 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. Along with the quality of good that you feed your pet chinchilla, the quantity is just as important. 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. Guide + Chart. You can either purchase wood sticks from a store or collect your own, Wash The wood Thoroughly (remove all visible dirt), Ensure Sticks Are Totally Dry (should easily snap under pressure), Timothy or Orchard Grass Hay Always Available. This is important because your cat might terrorize your chinchilla even when its in the cage by either hissing at it or staying very close to the cage. Chinchillas cant eat cat food. Keeping in mind that chinchillas cant eat fatty food, there are some treats that they like that contain fat, but chinchillas love them. Strong expertise in both dogs and cats. 1 The deluxe chinchilla food is made from high-fiber alfalfa meal to promote gastrointestinal health, with added fiber, protein, and fat derived from soybeans. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Nuts? The tipping can come in various colors, including blue, red, cream, and more. Besides, Read More Are Chinchillas Cuddly? 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. Cats are carnivores (meat-eaters) whereas chinchillas are herbivores (plant-eaters). They can easily get an upset stomach and have a limited capacity for digestion. Just make sure that they are safe. 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. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Pumpkin? Chinchillas should be given 1-2 tablespoons of pellets per day, and Bunk-Hatch recommends Oxbow Essentials. But guinea pigs are actually really good at eating slowly and reading their body. Chinchillas have an extremely sensitive digestive system and the large amounts of sugar that are usually present in fruit can be harmful to your chinchilla. Chinchillas are very friendly animals. [Top Speeds], Is My Chinchilla Fat? 1. Hay should account for anywhere between 80-90% of your chinchillas food intake so from these numbers alone its clear to see that good quality hay is undoubtedly the most vital part of your chinchillas diet. 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. Acidic foods can upset the pH balance of your chinchillas stomach and, as such, can cause stomach ulcers. This is because cats instinctive desire is to hunt down rodents while chinchillas tend to be more reserved and usually love hiding.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smallpetshq_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_13',177,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-mobile-leaderboard-2-0'); Therefore, before you can even test whether your cat and chinchilla can get along, the first thing to do is establish each of these species personality traits. These are dried fruits, dried herbs, plantain, and root vegetables. When they are let out of their cage, chinchillas Chinchillas come in a wide variety of colors. Fresh greens, such as dark green lettuces, should also be given to provide additional water and fiber. amongst other things so only a handful are really considered safe enough to eat even in small quantities. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Some dos and donts for having chinchillas as pets are listed below. You can give these things in moderation but make sure to avoid nuts and seeds as they are way too high in fat content. Fruit can cause problems to chinchillas such as. Average Chinchilla Lifespan: How Long Do They Live? Dried fruit (apple, banana, and papaya). These commissions help to keep the rest of my content free, so thank you! Hamsters eat more carbohydrates than chinchillas do, but both species need food with plenty of protein and calcium. Created using the Newspaper Theme. 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. These are usually made up of timothy or alfalfa hay, so you will have limited options to choose from. 1. Protein: should be between 16% and 20%. Some other healthy treats include rosehips and mountain ash berries. Avoid pine and cedar shavings, as they can irritate a chinchilla's respiratory tract. ; The long-tailed chinchillas will feed on insects, such as moths and grasshoppers, and bird eggs if the opportunity presents itself. As wet cat food is so soft, itll have absolutely no effect on keeping your chinchillas teeth to a safe length. 29493 7 Mile Road . You can give them raisins, carrots, sultanas, and basically all the things that were mentioned above in the list. Some comments from a popular forum AGAINST giving raisins include: 1. Instead, offer your cat leafy green vegetables like kale, bok choy, or arugula. You can preset the desired amount of food amount for your cat to eat and keep it healthier. Both critters should be eating a high quality hay as the majority of their diet. This list includes common household foods that hamster should avoid but is by no means exhaustive. Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. So, excessive feeding can lead to diarrhea and urinary problems. However, if you are allergic to hay, this is a great option as it greatly reduces the hay dust in your house, which reduces the allergic reaction that you might have to the hay. So what can chinchillas eat? The rest can be a mix of pellets, fruits and vegetables, herbs but it's different for each species, as . It is also better to distribute the food all over the cage to make it fun and much healthier for the domestic animal. Chinchilla Pet Animals and Pets. Both Chinchillas and Hamsters Are Small Rodents. 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. What Do Chinchillas Eat: Diet & Food Guide. We have created a list of common foods that chinchilla owners regularly contemplate feeding their chinchilla. Answer (1 of 2): It is not so much that they are 'fragile', but have different habitat requirements than we are used to. Image 1 is the male father & Image 2 is the female mother.. Like most animals in the world, chinchillas require a variety of nutrients to be considered healthy and for their organs to work correctly.