They will consume stalks, stems, leaves, shoots, fruits, seeds and roots . The answer is that chinchillas do need fresh water daily and if they dont have access to water they will become dehydrated and eventually become ill and die. In this post, we have listed many of the safe fruits for chinchillas although this list isnt conclusive. The 8 Best Chinchilla Foods of 2023 - The Spruce Pets Chinchillas, for the most part, eat a really basic and simple diet that consists of very few foods. They won't go hunting for insects, but if they see one, they will eat it. You can give them raisins, carrots, sultanas, and basically all the things that were mentioned above in the list. Some dos and donts for having chinchillas as pets are listed below. Answer (1 of 2): It is not so much that they are 'fragile', but have different habitat requirements than we are used to. 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. Are Chinchillas Territorial? 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. Best Hay For Chinchillas 2023 Reviews and Comparison. They are very sensitive animals but can be great friends if you know how to take care of them. The treats that these exotic animals eat are dried rose hips, dandelion, and hibiscus leaves, basically dried fruits, and root vegetables should be given to them. 2.4 Certain Breakfast Cereals. Can Chinchillas Live With Cats? Tips for families who want to own both! Plain Shredded Wheat. . You should thus monitor it at all times to make sure it doesnt hunt down your chinchilla. 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 . 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. Can Chinchillas Eat Dog Food - Ask Pet Guru No, Apples should not be given on regular basis to Chinchillas but Chinchillas can eat Apples but only in moderation. What is the reason why Chinchillas are not allowed to consume blueberries? Avoid using wooden toy balls. As you know, chinchillas are very active, so they run around a lot. Chinchillas require large amounts of fibre in their diet for their digestive system to function correctly. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Pumpkin? What Fruits Can Chinchillas Eat? (Complete Chart) These are dried fruits, dried herbs, plantain, and root vegetables. Dried Cranberries. Copyright tagDiv. How can chinchilla food be replaced with rabbit food? - Quora Dog food is not nutritionally balanced for chinchillas and can make them sick. Auto Feeder Water Dispenser Set Rabbit Cat Dog Chinchilla Food Hanging link to How Often Should Chinchillas Have Dust Baths? Chinchilla | International Cat Care 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. Over time, your cat might get used to your chinchilla and stop attacking it altogether. Give your chinchilla space from the cat, which sees it as a prey. This is a general rule for most small animals such as hedgehogs and even the majority of reptiles. 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. Here is a breakdown of the nutrients your chinchilla needs in their diet and in what percentages. It is important to remember the natural chinchilla diet is mainly made up of hay and grass, with some twigs and leaves in between. The diet of chinchillas should ideally be high in protein and fiber while containing low moisture and fat content. Just make sure that they are safe. A few hamster owners were concerned that their buddies would have trouble eating it because of its size and shape . Milk and other dairy products are animal products and not appropriate for herbivores. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Nuts? Long-tailed chinchillas are primarily herbivorous. Here are useful tips you should follow to ensure peaceful coexistence between these two: Whereas your cat and chinchilla might eventually learn to live with each other, dont expect them to be best friends. Most tap water is clean, however, dirty water can contain giardia and would not be suitable for use in your Chinchilla Water Bottle. Can chinchillas eat cat food safely without any issue? Are Chinchillas Cuddly? It is the purest type of water available and it does not contain any bacteria. 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. You can find out exactly which variety of Cheerios is safe to feed to your chinchilla right here, then check our easy to follow guide here. This is usually the case for cats and chinchillas, which can be stressful for you as a pet owner. 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. 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? nuts and sunflower seeds need to be avoided. Similarly, pet chinchillas should be offered food twice a day but may consume food throughout the day, as they tend to eat more slowly than other small animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs. Unfortunately, though, this doesnt mean that its going to provide your chinchilla with the nutrients they require. Now, lets talk more about the healthy treats that you should feed these exotic animals. Those leaves, while not as pretty as daisies, are a healthy and natural food source for your chinchillas. Alfalfa hay (low dust/hypoallergenic) Blue Grass hay. How to Care for a Pet Chinchilla - The Spruce Pets With all things considered, the best 2 hay choices for your chinchilla are. Only a couple of tablespoons (1-2 tablespoons) of pellets should be given as daily amounts to a baby or adult chinchilla. Along with the quality of good that you feed your pet chinchilla, the quantity is just as important. Occasionally, they will eat insects and bird eggs. 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. But guinea pigs are actually really good at eating slowly and reading their body. To be more precise, these furry animals are mainly folivores, preferring a diet made up of vegetation.Some of the food items that make up most of their diet are seeds, grass, grains, nuts, and leaves. 3 Spot-clean soiled bedding daily, and do a full bedding change weekly when you wash everything in the enclosure with mild soap and water. Find & Download the most popular Chinchilla Animal Vectors on Freepik Free for commercial use High Quality Images Made for Creative Projects. Please talk to your vet for a detailed diet plan that suits the individual needs of your pet. If a chinchilla is not active, it can in fact be bad for their health and cause an array of chinchilla health problems. We love merrick dog food, including dry and canned food, too! If you want to give your chinchilla some treats, then these should be carefully selected. [Top Speeds], Is My Chinchilla Fat? Chinchillas also dont like eating cat food. The diet for chinchillas should be monitored to make sure they follow it daily. Hamsters vs. Gerbils: Whats the Difference. Cats with a chinchilla coat pattern have white undercoats and tipping on the back, tail, head, and flanks. We will be constantly adding new dedicated posts where we spotlight popular fruits so you can see in detail if the fruit is safe as well as how often and how much to offer your chinchilla. 2.6 No Sudden Dietary Changes. Give your cat and chinchilla enough time to get used to each other. Eggshells are rich in calcium and, as such, theyre an excellent source of nutrition for your chinchilla! Can Chinchillas Eat Cat Food? - (Discover The Truth) Chinchillas are herbivores and their diet consists mostly of hay, vegetables, and a small amount of fruit. Earn FREE Grooming, Pet Wash, and Nail Service Rewards. The best way to safeguard your chinchilla from your cat is by placing its cage far from the reach of your cat. As such, its impossible for chinchillas to eat the same diet as cats. Hi, My name is Adam. Most importantly, you need to know what they can and cant eat! The 7 Best Deals on Chewy This March - AZ Animals 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. Collect. This is all too situational and it depends on the character of the pet. 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. Dont make sudden changes in their diets as it can upset their stomach. In the wild, chinchillas live in cold mountains, crevices of rocks, moving from rock to rock to escape from predators and to find food. This leads to problems including diarrhea, weight loss, and stomach ulcers. If a chinchilla were to eat dry cat food, it would likely experience digestive issues and may even die. Please remember that there are hundreds of greens and vegetables from around the world. This is because chins can get ill if they are exposed to large amounts of water on their fur. 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. C hoosing a pet is not a decision to be taken lightly. Their mum is a chinchilla Persian Semi-long haired silky & soft coat and their Dad is a red . What Foods Are Poisonous To Chinchillas? (Read Before You Feed!) Nicole is the proud mom of 3 rescue fur babies, Baby, a Burmese cat; Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway; and Mac, a Lab/Mastiff. What Do Chinchillas Eat? A Guide to Their Diet - AZ Animals Hamster food contains ingredients that are high in fats, including seeds and nuts, which could even be toxic to a chinchilla's system. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Merrick Dog Food - Canadian Pet Connection We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Rabbit Food? 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. Raisins and dried cranberries. Following a healthy diet will maximize your chinchillas lifespan. 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). Offering too much or too little of one food group can cause your chin to have digestive and even health issues. If you have to leave your chin alone for up to 24 hours, ensure you leave out plenty of food and water to cover the time span. 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. These flowers should be dried before feeding to ensure that they are crunchy since our little ones love to nibble. Studying the plants that chinchillas eat on a regular basis was particularly interesting for those scientists. What Treats Are Safe For Chinchillas? - Pet Assure Strong expertise in both dogs and cats. Chinchillas are South American rodents that have continuously growing, open-rooted teeth to compensate for the wear that occurs from chewing on very abrasive, high-fiber grass and hay. You may be tempted to buy cheap cat food from the supermarket. Feed them right, and youll have a happy, cuddly pet for many years. As you know, chinchillas are very sensitive animals, so you need to be very careful with what you feed them. . After all, it wont cost much and it might even taste good. Get the Best Price and Selection of Dry Dog Food at Pet Supplies Plus. The stomach, chest, and chin are pure white. What Do Chinchillas Eat: Diet & Food Guide. (Benefits/Risks), Norwegian Lundehund: What You Need To Know. It comes with a water bottle and food dish as well, all priced under $20. Stay on top of the latest news about canine behavior, nutrition and health. 4. 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. Arrives by Fri, Mar 31 Buy Auto Feeder Water Dispenser Set Rabbit Cat Dog Chinchilla Food Hanging Gravity at Walmart.com You also need to make sure your cat has a mellow personality to lower the likelihood of it attacking your chinchilla. 1.1 Understanding The Chinchilla Diet. Do take your chinchilla to the vet if it is vomiting or showing any unexplainable symptoms. Their access to water and hay or grass should be maintained in a way that they never run out. 2.1 Fresh Vegetables. The most obvious reason why you shouldnt feed cat food to a chinchilla is because chinchillas are not cats! Furthermore, chinchillas might suffer from stress caused by your cat, which might trigger a sickness, thereby leading to its untimely demise. However, its still possible for these two pets to get along, but this doesnt mean that youll find the chinchilla cuddling on the lap of your cat.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'smallpetshq_com-narrow-sky-1','ezslot_14',179,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-narrow-sky-1-0'); Yes, cats and chinchillas can live in one house. 1. 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. First, rabbit food is not a complete diet for a chinchilla. Safe and Unsafe Food for Chinchillas | Infolific 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. Provide a steady supply of hay. What Do Chinchillas Eat in the Wild and as Pets? | Pet Keen Therefore, you need to make sure your chinchilla is safe in the cage placed in a different room your cat cant go into. 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 . 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. While it depends on your cat's personality, many will seek out to hunt chinchillas. Purebred Chinchilla's. $1,200. 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) Can Chinchillas Eat Cucumbers And Is It Safe? You dont need to panic about the role that calcium and phosphorus play in the health of your chinchilla, instead, simply stick to a basic and recommended diet of fresh hay, supplemented with pellets and a small number of fresh greens or vegetables. Instead, offer your cat leafy green vegetables like kale, bok choy, or arugula. The small animals love their leafy snack so much that they can live off it alone. 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. Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. Limit fruits and sugary vegetables (e.g., carrots) to <1 teaspoon/day. 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. A tablespoon or two each day is appropriate for most chinchillas. Protein: should be between 16% and 20%. You can just grab little bits of a few things and make a little sampler jar! When, How and What to Feed a Chinchilla - Caring Pets Additionally, chinchillas can be fed a small amount (1-2 tbsp/day) of a commercial pelleted diet formulated for chinchillas. Feeding greens and vegetables in large quantities can upset the nutritional balance of the hay and pellets you are providing to your chinchilla. It is not a suitable food for them to have, even in small amounts. Cavies Know Their Body and Can Regulate Their Guinea Pig Food Intake. Whether you're looking for tips, tools, activities or advice, you've arrived at the consummate guide for everything related to caring for dogs. So, can rabbits eat chinchilla food? . The Chinchillas are often described as adorable, but they're also Is your chinchilla looking a little too plump? Loose mixes may be nutritionally balanced while in the bag but only if your chinchilla eats all of the parts of the mix. Chinchillas in captivity often require a balanced diet of low fat, low moisture, low carbohydrates, and high fiber. Good hays include alfalfa hay, timothy hay, orchard grass, and blue grass. 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. You can give these things in moderation but make sure to avoid nuts and seeds as they are way too high in fat content. I'm the main author of Pocket Pets Forever. Homeopathic and herbal remedies. What Do Chinchillas Eat? | Chinchillas Diet By Types | BioExplorer.net This is important because these two pets have brains that are programmed to act differently. 2.5 Dried Cranberry And Apple. Bottles water is safe for chinchillas to use but is an expensive way of providing your Chinchilla with water and some would consider this quite wasteful. Plain Cheerios. 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. 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. As it turns out, chinchillas have an absolutely wide diet that varies considerably in the texture, hardness, nutritional value, etc. Chinchillas in the wild tend to consume most of their food early in the morning and late at night. Why You Shouldnt Feed Cat Food To A Chinchilla, The Risks Of Feeding Wet Cat Food To A Chinchilla, Can Chinchillas Eat Pretzels? It's important to offer your chinchillas an unlimited amount of fresh hay in their cage daily so they can continually consume the large amounts of fibre they need. Pet Supplies : PStarDMoon Bunny Automatic Food Feeder& Water Dispenser 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. Reasons Why Theyre Smart. You will only find the best in customer service and pet care at The Wishbone Pet Company . You should never feed a chinchilla hamster food, as it is one of the worst blends of ingredients for chinchillas to consume.