As you know, chinchillas are very active, so they run around a lot. 29493 7 Mile Road . Chinchillas cant eat cat food. Fruits and Veggies - Fresh fruits, fresh greens, and other veggies are a healthy part of your chinchilla's diet as well. In fact, when given the choice between dry cat food and fresh grass, chinchillas choose the latter every time! 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. 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. Its important to understand that this is a guide only. (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). Instead, chinchilla feeds should address the following: Fat: should be between 2% and 5%. Long-tailed chinchillas are primarily herbivorous. 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. 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. It is also built with a speaker for remote interaction with pets. However, this isnt something they enjoy doing. 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. Overconsumption of pellets can also be fattening and can lead to obesity and diarrhea due to excess carbohydrate ingestion. Fruit can cause problems to chinchillas such as. ; The long-tailed chinchillas will feed on insects, such as moths and grasshoppers, and bird eggs if the opportunity presents itself. 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. Even though greens are considered healthy or even vital for the majority of the animal kingdom, they are actually less important to the health of a chinchilla so they should only be offered in smaller quantities. The diet that you choose to feed your chinchilla should mostly contain hay. Yes, cats do attack chinchillas as their rodents, which they see as prey. Poppy. You need to ensure your cat has a comfortable sitting area thats far from the chinchillas cage. So, what should you feed a chinchilla? The most important thing is to provide chinchillas with additional water, especially in summer, and monitor their daily water intake. Buy Merrick Dog Food online in Canada from Canadian Pet Connection. You can repeat the process for a few days, gradually increasing the time frame. Unfortunately, yes. If rabbits were to eat chinchilla . Fresh greens, such as dark green lettuces, should also be given to provide additional water and fiber. The most common flowers you can feed your chinchilla include rosebuds, rose petals, calendula flowers and cactus flowers. The bottom line is, chinchillas dont need treats, but if you feel bad or want your chinchilla to be happy, then you can give them treats occasionally. Why You Shouldnt Feed Cat Food To A Chinchilla, The Risks Of Feeding Wet Cat Food To A Chinchilla, Can Chinchillas Eat Pretzels? While it depends on your cat's personality, many will seek out to hunt chinchillas. Customer: Hi my name is***** and my granddaughter has a chinchilla and I'm taking care of her her name is ***** ***** her chest got wet because her water bottle was leaking and now her hair is kind of clumped a little bit but she's trying to pull it out what can I do to help her and she is so mad at me because I'm trying to take care of it and she's not happy can you give me some good ideas . The kittens get lots of attention and handling, so grooming and cleaning the eyes will be easy in the future. All cats drink filtered water from the water fountain. 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. You may also spot tipping on the legs. It is the purest type of water available and it does not contain any bacteria. You should do this by giving your cat ample time to become used to the new smell while making sure your chinchilla remains in the cage. Even though your chinchilla and cat might get along just fine, its advisable never to leave these two pets unsupervised or unattended when interacting with each other.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smallpetshq_com-portrait-2','ezslot_20',176,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-portrait-2-0'); With that said, for your cat and your chinchilla to get along are two different things you must consider before getting these two pets living in the same house. Plain Cheerios. The short answer is no. The food has to be given in a timely fashion and should have wholesome nutrition that can fulfill your pet chinchillas required dietary requirements. 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. These are usually made up of timothy or alfalfa hay, so you will have limited options to choose from. Hay which is sweeter and has more nutrients, should be mostly given to young chinchillas and only occasionally to adult chinchillas. 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. If you are thinking of becoming a new pet parent, having a chinchilla will be the ultimate solution. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. , they get most if not all of the nutrition they need from this basic diet. No, they cant as theyre herbivorous, meaning they eat plenty of grasses or plants. Greens especially leafy greens are a food group that you can and should offer to your chinchilla on a regular basis. 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. Some dos and donts for having chinchillas as pets are listed below. There is, however, no harm in using this type of water providing they get enough minerals from elsewhere. Gastrointestinal Disorders. 2.3 Raisins. 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. Cats are carnivores (meat-eaters) whereas chinchillas are herbivores (plant-eaters). 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. Reasons Why Theyre Smart. Chinchillas, for the most part, eat a really basic and simple diet that consists of very few foods. However, in many cases, this is easier said than done. Answer (1 of 2): It is not so much that they are 'fragile', but have different habitat requirements than we are used to. hay, fresh vegetables, and pellets should still make up the majority of their diet. Although cats and chinchillas might not coexist peacefully at first, there are ways of promoting this to happen. This is important because these two pets have brains that are programmed to act differently. Acidic foods can upset the pH balance of your chinchillas stomach and, as such, can cause stomach ulcers. Both chinchillas and hamsters are small rodents, so it's not surprising that they have similar dietary needs. Raisins. Specific Substrate Needs. 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. "Hay should be offered free choice 24 hours a day and should be the main component of your chinchilla's diet." Hay should be replaced daily with fresh hay to prevent bacteria and mold growth. As wet cat food is so soft, itll have absolutely no effect on keeping your chinchillas teeth to a safe length. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Timothy Hay? Locust pods. Package Include: PStarDMoon pet automatic feeder set contains 1 food feeder and 1 water feeder and 1 hay feeder bag, a complete set with large capacity, which can satisfy pets' drinking and eating at the same ; Size: The food feeder can hold 1400ml of food and the water feeder can hold 500ml of water, which can meet the supply of food . 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. In fact, the hamster food is likely to be harmful to them. You can preset the desired amount of food amount for your cat to eat and keep it healthier. Its role in highlighting their adaptability to new or specif environments is matchless. Hard objects, such as branches from non-toxic fruit trees (like apple, pear, and peach trees), can be given to promote chewing and teeth wear, but toxic trees (like cherry, cedar, plum and redwood) should be avoided. Studying the plants that chinchillas eat on a regular basis was particularly interesting for those scientists. 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. In conclusion, make sure to feed your chinchilla with care and monitor their diets properly. Also, as with people, some chinchillas may not react well to all foods so give new items in small amounts. Feeding adult chinchillas too much alfalfa hay can cause obesity and even calcium stones as the level of calcium and other nutrients is too high and out of balance. The popular cereal Cheerios are also seen as a treat that chinchillas can eat due to their dried nature and high amounts of fibre. Coprophagy helps to maintain the correct balance of intestinal flora within the gut, and also enables the chinchilla to absorb B Vitamins that are produced in the caecum (part of the gut). Oxbow hay (low dust/hypoallergenic) Hi, my namesElena Coolidge, and this is my site. They are very sensitive animals but can be great friends if you know how to take care of them. chinchillabreeders.org is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. The chinchilla's digestive system is incompatible with these foods due to their high water content, high acidity, high vitamin C content, high fructose content, and low fiber content, as well as their . 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. You'll need to make sure you'll be sharing your home with an animal that suits your lifestyle, available space, and even your personality type. 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). Instead, you should only feed them a healthy, balanced diet that includes lots of fresh green leaves and grass. Chinchillas are so cute and such intelligent animals that make great pets. To make sure that your pet eats food properly, you need to make the feeding time fun. Hay should be put in the hay rack in the chinchilla's cage. They can be offered much variety of good quality and clean hay like timothy hay, orchard grass, alfalfa hay, oat hay, or meadow hay. Chinchillas with these signs should be examined immediately by a veterinarian to have the lodged material extracted. These exotic animals need chinchilla food pellets every day, a well but in a much more controlled quantity. Chinchilla Pet Animals and Pets. You can do this by understanding how a chinchilla behaves and using that to your advantage. It is also better to distribute the food all over the cage to make it fun and much healthier for the domestic animal. This is because rabbits require higher amounts of protein than chinchillas, which is reflected in the content of their food. Made in USA; On Sale; Up to 25% Off: Select . Chinchillas are also known to love flowers. It is important to remember the natural chinchilla diet is mainly made up of hay and grass, with some twigs and leaves in between. Hibiscus is known to be a healthy treat for chinchillas if offered in small quantities and is often used in commercial chinchilla treats. It will keep them active and give them the appropriate amount of pellets per day, hay, and other food items per day as well. Merrick dog food is a premium quality food, made with human grade meats and a selection of vegetables. The average pet chinchilla lifespan is 15-20 years This ensures its overall wellbeing is guaranteed, meaning your chinchilla gets to enjoy a peaceful life. Hamster food contains ingredients that are high in fats, including seeds and nuts, which could even be toxic to a chinchilla's system. 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. Line the cage with a few inches of dye-free paper bedding. 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. Instead, they prefer to nibble at their hay or grass. 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. Filtered water is ideal for use in Chinchilla bottles. An overweight chinchilla is susceptible to many illnesses like diabetes, diarrhea, and liver damage. If you want to get a pet chinchilla, you should take into consideration some important things before buying them. Wild chinchillas are omnivores and feed on grasses, seeds, fruits, small plants, plant leaves, small insects, and bird eggs when they get a chance. Image Credit: Natalis.ph, Shutterstock. Chinchillas in the wild tend to consume most of their food early in the morning and late at night. Besides, Read More Are Chinchillas Cuddly? 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. Protein - 16-20%. 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. Health and welfare issues - other. By doing so, youll be giving your cat and chinchilla ample time to get used to each other behaviors and smells. 2 Human Food Chinchillas Can Eat. Poison Ivy. Below we have listed the most common greens that your chinchillas can safely eat in moderation as part of a healthy and balanced diet. What Greens & Vegetables Can Chinchillas Eat? Finally, chinchillas need foods that help to keep their teeth grounded over time. This is because cats have an innate hunting instinct. To try to mimic this rough vegetation, the mainstay of pet chinchillas diets should be hay offered in unlimited quantities. Their mum is a chinchilla Persian Semi-long haired silky & soft coat and their Dad is a red . 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. 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. Read on for everything that you'll need to know. Like most rodents, chinchillas love to chew things. Chinchilla Diapers: What You Need To Know + Pics, 16+ Different Chinchilla Colors: Pictures + Pricing, How Fast Can Chinchillas Run? Consequently, this lowers the stress level of your chinchilla that wont now feel like a target, thereby leading to an environment where these two can live together in harmony.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smallpetshq_com-netboard-2','ezslot_18',185,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-netboard-2-0'); You need to be careful about how you introduce your chinchilla to your cat is you really want there to be any harmonious relationship between these two creatures. Hamsters eat more carbohydrates than chinchillas do, but both species need food with plenty of protein and calcium. This is the case when you own a cat and chinchilla because cats are natural predators, whereas chinchillas are rodents and are, therefore, prey. (Benefits/Risks), Norwegian Lundehund: What You Need To Know. If you want to know what age baby chinchillas are weaned then head over to our post that shares all you need to know. Instead, offer your adult chinchilla timothy hay or other low-calcium grass hays, such as orchard or meadow grass. As with all pets, a proper diet is key to health and long life in chinchillas. We ship to everywhere in Canada, and can deliver your package right to your door! Nicole is the proud mom of 3 rescue fur babies, Baby, a Burmese cat; Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway; and Mac, a Lab/Mastiff. . First off, you should always feed your chinchilla a healthy, balanced diet. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Dried Cranberries. So what can chinchillas eat? Stay on top of the latest news about canine behavior, nutrition and health. It is a rich source of Malic acid that is not essential for your Chinchillas. Can Chinchillas Eat Cat Food? Because of this, its a good idea to keep their diet simple and stick to their base diet as much as possible and only add the foods that are needed to keep your chinchilla healthy. 4. Fruit is a food that can be offered to your chinchilla as a treat. Arrives by Fri, Mar 31 Buy Auto Feeder Water Dispenser Set Rabbit Cat Dog Chinchilla Food Hanging Gravity at Walmart.com Later in the post, we will show you how much hay, pellets, greens and fruit your chinchillas should ideally eat per day. Shoot me an emailif you have a question! Feeding greens and vegetables in large quantities can upset the nutritional balance of the hay and pellets you are providing to your chinchilla. The diet of chinchillas should ideally be high in protein and fiber while containing low moisture and fat content. Raisins and dried cranberries. The list below contains the fruits that chinchillas can eat in moderation and as part of a balanced diet. The tipping can come in various colors, including blue, red, cream, and more. Purebred Chinchilla's. $1,200. Water should be provided in the form of a water bottle rather than a bowl as this is much more hygienic for your chinchilla. Like most animals in the world, chinchillas require a variety of nutrients to be considered healthy and for their organs to work correctly. Unfortunately, though, this doesnt mean that its going to provide your chinchilla with the nutrients they require. The only downside to dried fruit is that as nutrients such as fibre increase so does the sugar content and this can elevate the amounts of sugar into alarming levels. The treats that you choose to feed them should be done in very limited and controlled quantities. As you know, chinchillas are plant-eating animals. Chinchillas also dont like eating cat food. Loose mixes may be nutritionally balanced while in the bag but only if your chinchilla eats all of the parts of the mix. Provide a steady supply of hay. Chinchillas require large amounts of fibre in their diet for their digestive system to function correctly. Thats why they need to have toys and accessories in their houses. As you know, chinchillas are very sensitive animals, so you need to be very careful with what you feed them. They will consume stalks, stems, leaves, shoots, fruits, seeds and roots . Avoid pine and cedar shavings, as they can irritate a chinchilla's respiratory tract. Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. 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. There are animals who have a harder time controlling their eating (we're not alone humans!). You can give them raisins, carrots, sultanas, and basically all the things that were mentioned above in the list. Furthermore, chinchillas might suffer from stress caused by your cat, which might trigger a sickness, thereby leading to its untimely demise. 2.1 Fresh Vegetables. You will only find the best in customer service and pet care at The Wishbone Pet Company . Remember that treats are only supposed to be offered sparingly and not in large amounts daily. The foods below are considered unsafe or too unhealthy to feed to your chinchilla and therefore should be avoided. Therefore, you need to make sure your chinchilla is safe in the cage placed in a different room your cat cant go into. 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. amongst other things so only a handful are really considered safe enough to eat even in small quantities. as their pellets are of a high quality and are fortified with vitamins such as vitamin D3. Fat - 2-5%. djvstock. When cared for and fed properly, chinchillas can make great pets. First, rabbit food is not a complete diet for a chinchilla. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Pecans? Just make sure that they are safe. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you. Tomato Leaves. Please remember that there are hundreds of greens and vegetables from around the world. Chinchillas only need to consume around 3-5% fat in their diet which is easily attainable from their base diet so foods such as nuts and sunflower seeds need to be avoided. Fiber: should be at least 15%, preferably up to 35%. Average Chinchilla Lifespan: How Long Do They Live? These flowers should be dried before feeding to ensure that they are crunchy since our little ones love to nibble. Offering too much or too little of one food group can cause your chin to have digestive and even health issues. 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. Chinchilla Image Credit: Veera, Shutterstock. Laurel. Both Chinchillas and Hamsters Are Small Rodents. This includes plenty of fresh green leaves and hay. For example, if you have horses then you know they're prone to overeating. As you can see from everything weve discussed above, you should never feed cat food to a chinchilla. Now, lets talk more about the healthy treats that you should feed these exotic animals. As we mentioned earlier, hay is the most important part of a chinchillas diet. Chinchillas in the wild typically eat most of their food in . Dog food is not nutritionally balanced for chinchillas and can make them sick. Dried fruit is often preferred to regular fruit, this is down to the fact that dried fruit offers much less water (which is considered bad for chinchillas) as well as increased levels of other nutrients such as fibre. As you know, chinchillas are plant-eating animals. Following a healthy diet will maximize your chinchillas lifespan. Or, you could hand out small amounts of peanut butter or cheese. Please talk to your vet for a detailed diet plan that suits the individual needs of your pet. 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. Bread and Dairy Products. They should be given very small amounts of chinchilla vegetables like carrots and leafy greens as healthy treats. The stomach, chest, and chin are pure white. Some people believe that chinchillas can eat dog food, but this is not a good idea. Therefore, youll want to choose the hay wisely if you dont want, Read More Best Hay For Chinchillas 2023 Reviews and ComparisonContinue. Hi, My name is Adam. head over to our post that shares all you need to know. Do have hay constantly as well; keep a rack with hay and replace it routinely before it gets moldy. Wet foods are usually made up of milk and water. What Nutrients Are Important For Chinchillas? 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) 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. A . How to feed the chinchilla. From allergies to zoomies, we have dogs covered like fur on a sofa. 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. Chinchillas can't eat blueberries for a variety of reasons. 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? Some comments from a popular forum AGAINST giving raisins include: 1. This means that chinchillas require a diet rich in protein but low in fat and carbohydrates. 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. In addition to this, a lot of fruit can actually be harmful to chinchillas and they certainly cant just eat any and all fruits. But can rabbits eat chinchilla food safely? The hamster food will not be nutritionally beneficial to them. They have very different nutritional needs. Limit fruits and sugary vegetables (e.g., carrots) to <1 teaspoon/day. 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.