You can find out exactly which variety of Cheerios is safe to feed to your chinchilla right here(We researched all popular varieties and only recommend feeding your chinchilla these 2 varieties). This leads to problems including diarrhea, weight loss, and stomach ulcers. Do you see that furry animal? C hoosing a pet is not a decision to be taken lightly. Answer (1 of 2): Why would you want to do that? In addition to this, the chinchilla may choose to hide, seeking safety from the cat, thereby making it hard to locate. And of course too many raisins can cause diarrhea. You may also be able to give your chinchilla treats like rose petals, rolled oats, or even non-frosted shredded wheat. We have two females & two males. This leads to severe pain as they chew, in addition to drooling and possible eye discharge from upper tooth root pressure on tear ducts. Some owners are allergic to hay, so what should they do? Dried Cranberries. We ship to everywhere in Canada, and can deliver your package right to your door! Fresh greens, such as dark green lettuces, should also be given to provide additional water and fiber. Grapes and raisins have shown to be toxic to dogs, ferrets and cats. Chinchillas require a diet that mainly consists of timothy hay with the addition of supplementary chinchilla pellets. As rodents, their standard diet tends to follow a more opportunistic model, with chinchillas eating plants, seeds, fruits, and insects that it can get its paws on. Monitoring your chinchillas' diet. Caring for a Chinchilla: What You Need to Know, Overgrown Teeth and Dental Issues in Chinchillas. 2.2 Nutritional requirements. But if you want to own both of these pets, the question running in your mind right now is, do chinchillas get along with cats? The chinchilla's pellets should be put in a food bowl, and they should be given fresh pellets every day. Basic nutrients such as sugar, fat and even calcium can all cause health problems to chinchillas if they are overfed. Health and welfare issues - other. 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. As it turns out, chinchillas have an absolutely wide diet that varies considerably in the texture, hardness, nutritional value, etc. 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. 2.2 Dried Fruits And Herbs. No, they can't as they're herbivorous, meaning they eat plenty of grasses or plants. Fat is another nutrient that chinchillas need in very small amounts to be considered healthy. In addition, wet cat food is often too salty for chinchillas. Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. Locust pods. There is very little difference in the nutrition provided between timothy hay and orchard grass hay. However, in this list are food items that you should absolutely not feed your chinchilla and if you do, then going to a vet is the best course of action. 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. 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. Some dos and donts for having chinchillas as pets are listed below. Protein: should be between 16% and 20%. Its important to know how much food you need to offer your chinchilla each day in order for them to be considered healthy. Fresh Apple. They need to have variety in the boring food they eat while also getting all the nutritional requirements met. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Rabbit Food? 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. The diet that you choose to feed your chinchilla should mostly contain hay. So what can chinchillas eat? You will only find the best in customer service and pet care at The Wishbone Pet Company . Either way, you need to be careful when offering your chin both fruit and dried fruit and always check to see if the fruit is recommended for chinchillas and what quantities it should be offered in. and always check to see if the fruit is recommended for chinchillas and what quantities it should be offered in. Even though this might sound really confusing, if you follow the feeding guide later in the post then you should have no issues with over or underfeeding greens to your chinchilla. You can check out the water bottle we recommend you use in our new cage accessories guide here. Its role in highlighting their adaptability to new or specif environments is matchless. Poison Ivy. Much like many other rodents, a chinchillas teeth continue to grow throughout their life, so they need food that will help to stop them from overgrowing. As a pet, chinchillas can eat the same dried herbs and benefit from the nutrients. As wet cat food is so soft, itll have absolutely no effect on keeping your chinchillas teeth to a safe length. 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. 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. 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. In the wild, chinchillas live in cold mountains, crevices of rocks, moving from rock to rock to escape from predators and to find food. However, they eat mostly vegetation and seeds. Following this diet routine is to make sure your chinchilla doesnt turn into a malnourished animal. and how to get rid of it, The Best Chinchilla Toys (Review) in 2023, Are chinchillas Smart? Look for a pelleted, formulated diet specifically for chinchillas that is 16-20 percent protein, low in fat (2- 4 percent), and high in fiber (15-20 . This is usually the case for cats and chinchillas, which can be stressful for you as a pet owner. A few hamster owners were concerned that their buddies would have trouble eating it because of its size and shape . These tend to be expensive but, over time, theyre worth the investment. 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. 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. Merrick dog food is a premium quality food, made with human grade meats and a selection of vegetables. Wild chinchillas are omnivores and feed on grasses, seeds, fruits, small plants, plant leaves, small insects, and bird eggs when they get a chance. [What Owners Will Want To Know], Can Chinchillas Get Fleas? Like most animals in the world, chinchillas require a variety of nutrients to be considered healthy and for their organs to work correctly. hay, fresh vegetables, and pellets should still make up the majority of their diet. This is what your chinchillas diet should look like, Hay Unlimited amounts (80-90% of the diet), Pellets Limited amounts to complement hay diet, Fresh Greens Small amounts offered daily, Fruit Very small amounts offered on occasion, Lets now break down the different elements of a chinchillas diet and see exactly what they should be eating to keep them both happy and healthy. They are very sensitive animals but can be great friends if you know how to take care of them. Filtered water is ideal for use in Chinchilla bottles. 3 Human Foods For Chinchillas: Final Thoughts. Yes, chinchillas can eat C heerios, . So, what should you feed a chinchilla? There are animals who have a harder time controlling their eating (we're not alone humans!). Dried Herbs. They shouldn't be used in place of a proper diet of chinchilla pellets and hay. Reasons Why Theyre SmartContinue, This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Chinchillas can eat a wide variety of natural food like hay, vegetables, dried fruits, nuts, berries, dried plants, and herbs. After all, it wont cost much and it might even taste good. 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. All this time, as you do this, never make the mistake of leaving these two pets unattended because your cat might start startling or hunting the chinchilla.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smallpetshq_com-leader-2','ezslot_4',183,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-leader-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smallpetshq_com-leader-2','ezslot_5',183,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-leader-2-0_1'); .leader-2-multi-183{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:7px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:7px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. The short answer is yes, chinchillas can eat rabbit food. Alfalfa hay is usually recommended for young, growing chinchillas. But guinea pigs are actually really good at eating slowly and reading their body. Make sure to read the product form to know what you are getting when buying treats. They can easily get an upset stomach and have a limited capacity for digestion. An overweight chinchilla is susceptible to many illnesses like diabetes, diarrhea, and liver damage. 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. Chinchillas cant eat cat food. Lets look at some more information that is essential for chinchilla pet owners about pet food. You can either purchase wood sticks from a store or collect your own. In this post, we have listed many of the safe fruits for chinchillas although this list isnt conclusive. 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. (Benefits/Risks), Norwegian Lundehund: What You Need To Know. If they are fed certain foods together frequently, they will become accustomed to them always being served together. This is because fatty foods are very harmful to their digestive system. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. As you know, chinchillas are very active, so they run around a lot. (Later in this post, we will share the exact brand of timothy hay we recommend you purchase as well as the cheapest place to get it from). nuts and sunflower seeds need to be avoided. Belmore, NSW. Over time, your cat might get used to your chinchilla and stop attacking it altogether. It comes with a water bottle and food dish as well, all priced under $20. Chinchillas require large amounts of fibre in their diet for their digestive system to function correctly. [4] You can buy hay at most pet stores or online. There is, however, no harm in using this type of water providing they get enough minerals from elsewhere. By doing so, youll be giving your cat and chinchilla ample time to get used to each other behaviors and smells. Semi-dry foods consist of dried milk and grain. 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. 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. A chinchilla that is fully grown typically weighs between 1 and 3 pounds. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The hamster food will not be nutritionally beneficial to them. Using genetic screening, breeders are now working to try to eradicate the problem - always . Along with the quality of good that you feed your pet chinchilla, the quantity is just as important. Their mum is a chinchilla Persian Semi-long haired silky & soft coat and their Dad is a red . Some of the more common culprits include inflammatory bowel disease, bacterial infections, viral infections, parasites, ulcers, etc. Copyright tagDiv. Why You Shouldnt Feed Cat Food To A Chinchilla, The Risks Of Feeding Wet Cat Food To A Chinchilla, Can Chinchillas Eat Pretzels? (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Pecans? Some other healthy treats include rosehips and mountain ash berries. 2 Human Food Chinchillas Can Eat. As such, its impossible for chinchillas to eat the same diet as cats. Adult chinchillas are recommended to eat timothy hay as this provides all the nutrients your chinchilla needs and in the correct quantities. We have created a list of common foods that chinchilla owners regularly contemplate feeding their chinchilla. Created using the Newspaper Theme. From their increased curiosity and affection to their unmatched affordability, chinchillas will always be amazing pets. Source: The teeth of a chinchilla are also constantly growing and coarse hay is a must to keep their teeth short and shaped correctly. They won't go hunting for insects, but if they see one, they will eat it. If you want to bring a chinchilla into your home, you could be worried about their diet and general health. 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. First off, you should always feed your chinchilla a healthy, balanced diet. So, what type of hay do chinchillas eat? They need to have variety in the boring food they eat while also getting all the nutritional requirements met. Hamsters eat more carbohydrates than chinchillas do, but both species need food with plenty of protein and calcium. Although fruits and nuts are something that can be fed to chinchillas, it is best to avoid them. 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. Well, you should try to distribute the appropriate amount of food around their cage instead of handing them their feed in a bowl. Food items that need to be provided to them continuously are hay and clean drinking water. Avoid pine and cedar shavings, as they can irritate a chinchilla's respiratory tract. Instead, you should only feed them a healthy, balanced diet that includes lots of fresh green leaves and grass. Studying the plants that chinchillas eat on a regular basis was particularly interesting for those scientists. The popular cereal Cheerios are also seen as a treat that chinchillas can eat due to their dried nature and high amounts of fibre. Can Chinchillas Eat Cat Food? This means that feeding too many greens can cause an unbalanced amount of nutrients such as elevated levels of calcium and in turn, cause health issues. Or, you could hand out small amounts of peanut butter or cheese. The most important thing is to provide chinchillas with additional water, especially in summer, and monitor their daily water intake. You can also feed them a mixture of all these hays. If you are thinking of becoming a new pet parent, having a chinchilla will be the ultimate solution. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Romaine Lettuce? Overfeeding of fresh greens also can lead to soft stool or diarrhea. Chinchillas have a rounded ears, plump furry bodies, short legs, and long tails. All four have unique and beautiful personalities & are ready for forever homes. Buy Merrick Dog Food online in Canada from Canadian Pet Connection. Purebred Silver & White chinchilla. 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. Below we have listed the most common greens that your chinchillas can safely eat in moderation as part of a healthy and balanced diet. It is the purest type of water available and it does not contain any bacteria. You must always do this even after these two pets are acclimatized to each other and coexist peacefully. As you know, chinchillas are plant-eating animals. 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. 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. Its quite possible that if you put cat food down on the floor, your chinchilla will try to eat it. Some use only meat products while others include vegetables and grains. Additionally, chinchillas can be fed a small amount (1-2 tbsp/day) of a commercial pelleted diet formulated for chinchillas. Commercial pelleted food is also available for chinchillas but should be offered in limited quantities of no more than one-to-two tablespoons per day for an adult chinchilla. If you're looking for a reasonably priced cage that comes with a variety of accessories, try the Habitrail Cristal Hamster Cage with Wheel. Chinchillas in the wild will eat a variety of plants, shrubs, and grasses. Hay that is recommended for your chinchilla. Therefore, youll want to choose the hay wisely if you dont want, Read More Best Hay For Chinchillas 2023 Reviews and ComparisonContinue. Cats are carnivores (meat-eaters) whereas chinchillas are herbivores (plant-eaters). You have to be very careful with what you feed these animals, so here are some food items that you should never feed your chinchilla. You may also spot tipping on the legs. Overconsumption of pellets can also be fattening and can lead to obesity and diarrhea due to excess carbohydrate ingestion. If this is a problem you were undergoing, reading this insightful article has enlightened you to understand better if cats and chinchillas can get along. Most customers said their chinchillas can't get enough of these treats. Calcium and phosphorus play an important role in your chinchillas diet, albeit a complicated one. If you want to get a pet chinchilla, you should take into consideration some important things before buying them. They are high in sugar, however, so give sparingly. Later in the post, we will show you how much hay, pellets, greens and fruit your chinchillas should ideally eat per day. Always check the quality of your tap water at home before choosing this option. In the wild, chins consume very small amounts of fat in their diet so offering them a high-fat diet that their gastrointestinal tract isnt used to can lead to more digestive problems. 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. [Top Speeds], Is My Chinchilla Fat? It should be bright green and smell fresh, or else it can be harmful to your chinchilla. 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. The tipping can come in various colors, including blue, red, cream, and more. Chinchillas enjoy dandelions because they have an interesting . What Greens & Vegetables Can Chinchillas Eat? In conclusion, make sure to feed your chinchilla with care and monitor their diets properly. Arrives by Fri, Mar 31 Buy Auto Feeder Water Dispenser Set Rabbit Cat Dog Chinchilla Food Hanging Gravity at Walmart.com 2.6 No Sudden Dietary Changes. Pets are adorable, but having different species in your home might bring about some issues with some of them incompatible. Fruits and Veggies - Fresh fruits, fresh greens, and other veggies are a healthy part of your chinchilla's diet as well. Following a healthy diet will maximize your chinchillas lifespan. Hamsters vs. Gerbils: Whats the Difference. Just make sure that they are safe. They will consume stalks, stems, leaves, shoots, fruits, seeds and roots . The problem is that the majority of fruits are high enough in sugar to cause your chinchilla digestive problems amongst other things so only a handful are really considered safe enough to eat even in small 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. 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. 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. 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? Hamster food is made largely of things that would be harmful for a chinchilla to eat. Purebred Chinchilla's. $1,200. and how to get rid of itContinue. If you want to ensure that your chinchilla gets enough calcium, then you should add some eggshells to their diet. Tomato Leaves. This means that chinchillas require a diet rich in protein but low in fat and carbohydrates. Hi, My name is Adam. Hay and specially . Too much calcium can have a negative effect on a chinchillas health as excessive amounts can cause calcium stones. Therefore, its best if you minimized contact between these two pets. 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. The diet of chinchillas should ideally be high in protein and fiber while containing low moisture and fat content. Chinchillas need hay between 14% and 16% plant protein. The amount of food your chinchilla needs to eat depends on their age, lifestyle and state of health. Chinchillas also dont like eating cat food. Food Options. Rhubarb. The Chinchillas are often described as adorable, but they're also Is your chinchilla looking a little too plump? This is a question many pet owners ask themselves, and if you fall into this category, youre in luck.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'smallpetshq_com-banner-1','ezslot_11',173,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-banner-1-0'); Heres a detailed article on the compatibility of chinchillas and cats to make you better informed on whether owning these two pets is a good idea. In addition to this, a lot of fruit can actually be harmful to chinchillas and they certainly cant just eat any and all fruits. Besides, Read More Are Chinchillas Cuddly? Pics + 7 Signs Theyre Overweight, How Much Is A Chinchilla [Cost & Price Stats]. You should also provide them with a dry food that has been specifically designed with chinchillas in mind. What Nutrients Are Important For Chinchillas? Oxbow Essentials Deluxe Chinchilla Food. Fruit can cause problems to chinchillas such as. Are Chinchillas Territorial? The quality of the ingredients used by manufacturers to make cat food varies enormously. They eat all sorts of different plants . Oat grass. In this post, we will share the foods your chinchilla should be eating on a daily basis, how much they should be eating as well as what foods they need to stay away from. Chinchilla Sleeping Habits: Are Chinchillas Nocturnal? So, what exactly do chinchillas eat? For these two pets to live in harmony with each other, patience and constant supervision is necessary. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Note: Its important to understand that this is a guide only. , they get most if not all of the nutrition they need from this basic diet. So the treats that you choose to feed them should be given only occasionally. 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. With all things considered, the best 2 hay choices for your chinchilla are. Chinchillas are also known to love flowers. Due to their opportunistic nature in the wild, most chinchillas will eat any leaves, seeds, fruits, and nonpoisonous insects that it can come across, and because they are endangered .