Fresh Apple. head over to our post that shares all you need to know. Guide + Chart. Food Options. Fiber: should be at least 15%, preferably up to 35%. so from these numbers alone its clear to see that good quality hay is undoubtedly the most vital part of your chinchillas diet. . For these two pets to live in harmony with each other, patience and constant supervision is necessary. 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. Water should be provided in the form of a water bottle rather than a bowl as this is much more hygienic for your chinchilla. Too much calcium can have a negative effect on a chinchillas health as excessive amounts can cause calcium stones. Changing the brand of pellets . 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. They have very different nutritional needs. Cat with can food. You shouldn't have a chinchilla in the same house or at least keep your chinchilla in a separate room. No, they cant as theyre herbivorous, meaning they eat plenty of grasses or plants. Like most rodents, chinchillas love to chew things. To make sure that your pet eats food properly, you need to make the feeding time fun. On the other hand, the natural hamster diet is mainly . One of the Pocket Pets Forever is a website for lovers of pocket pets. 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. Hibiscus is known to be a healthy treat for chinchillas if offered in small quantities and is often used in commercial chinchilla treats. Chinchillas also dont like eating cat food. Hi, My name is Adam. The average pet chinchilla lifespan is 15-20 years So, what should you feed a chinchilla? 2 Human Food Chinchillas Can Eat. 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. What Owners Must Know! (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Strawberries? These commissions help to keep the rest of my content free, so thank you! This can lead to blockages and other health issues. When cared for and fed properly, chinchillas can make great pets. Chinchillas are herbivorous and do not eat animal-based products. Created using the Newspaper Theme. This is the case when you own a cat and chinchilla because cats are natural predators, whereas chinchillas are rodents and are, therefore, prey. 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 . Lets look at some more information that is essential for chinchilla pet owners about pet food. The short answer is yes, chinchillas can eat rabbit food. All four have unique and beautiful personalities & are ready for forever homes. The Chinchillas are often described as adorable, but they're also Is your chinchilla looking a little too plump? All you need to hope for is that your cat ignores the chinchilla. 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. our recommended food products for your chinchilla and the best place to purchase them from. Chinchillas have an extremely sensitive digestive system as we have already mentioned in this article. There is very little difference in the nutrition provided between timothy hay and orchard grass hay. It is also built with a speaker for remote interaction with pets. Chinchilla Image Credit: Veera, Shutterstock. Offering too much or too little of one food group can cause your chin to have digestive and even health issues. Dried Cranberries. To try to mimic this rough vegetation, the mainstay of pet chinchillas diets should be hay offered in unlimited quantities. Like most animals in the world, chinchillas require a variety of nutrients to be considered healthy and for their organs to work correctly. You can do this by understanding how a chinchilla behaves and using that to your advantage. Average Chinchilla Lifespan: How Long Do They Live? 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. 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 Nonetheless, this can be achieved by only slowly introducing these two pets to each other. As for what kind of water chinchillas solid drink, you cant just give them any old water from the tap. This means it should comprise 35% carbohydrates, 30% fiber, 15% protein, 4% protein, and less than 3.5% fat. Copyright tagDiv. If you ask your chinchilla what their fave treats are, dried cranberries and raisins are at the top of their list. But can rabbits eat chinchilla food safely? 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. 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. Foods You Can Feed to Your Chinchilla as Treats Include: Rope Hips are considered one of the healthiest treats you can offer your chinchilla. Botanical hay. As such, it can cause kidney damage and other health problems. Yes, they can, as harmful bacteria can be crossed from your cat to your chinchilla, causing it a severe illness. These are usually made up of timothy or alfalfa hay, so you will have limited options to choose from. So, what exactly do chinchillas eat? It is an animal that will get you smitten instantly, and its elegance will keep swirling, Read More Can Chinchillas Get Fleas? Using genetic screening, breeders are now working to try to eradicate the problem - always . Nicole is the proud mom of 3 rescue fur babies, Baby, a Burmese cat; Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway; and Mac, a Lab/Mastiff. 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. 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. Here is a breakdown of the nutrients your chinchilla needs in their diet and in what percentages. Instead, they prefer to nibble at their hay or grass. The kittens get lots of attention and handling, so grooming and cleaning the eyes will be easy in the future. If your hamster has consumed any of these items then please seek veterinary advice. 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. As you know, chinchillas are plant-eating animals. Chinchillas cant eat cat food. If rabbits were to eat chinchilla . Chinchillas require large amounts of fibre in their diet for their digestive system to function correctly. Furthermore, chinchillas might suffer from stress caused by your cat, which might trigger a sickness, thereby leading to its untimely demise. Oxbow hay (low dust/hypoallergenic) An overweight chinchilla is susceptible to many illnesses like diabetes, diarrhea, and liver damage. Special emphasis on nutritional support. Calcium and phosphorus play an important role in your chinchillas diet, albeit a complicated one. Protein - 16-20%. Chinchillas enjoy dandelions because they have an interesting . However, they eat mostly vegetation and seeds. 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. They shouldn't be used in place of a proper diet of chinchilla pellets and hay. [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. There are chinchilla hay pellets and hay cubes available as well. Hamster food contains ingredients that are high in fats, including seeds and nuts, which could even be toxic to a chinchilla's system. By contrast, cats require a diet high in both fat and carbohydrates. They are high in sugar, however, so give sparingly. The food has to be given in a timely fashion and should have wholesome nutrition that can fulfill your pet chinchillas required dietary requirements. Please remember that there are hundreds of greens and vegetables from around the world. Those leaves, while not as pretty as daisies, are a healthy and natural food source for your chinchillas. Please do not leave them alone at any moment as our pets security is our topmost priority. They have very different nutritional needs. 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. Both Chinchillas and Hamsters Are Small Rodents. such as elevated levels of calcium and in turn, cause health issues. [4] You can buy hay at most pet stores or online. (Benefits/Risks), Norwegian Lundehund: What You Need To Know. Behavior & Training Food & Nutrition . Wild chinchillas are omnivores and feed on grasses, seeds, fruits, small plants, plant leaves, small insects, and bird eggs when they get a chance. 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). Chinchillas in the wild will eat a variety of plants, shrubs, and grasses. The most obvious reason why you shouldn't feed cat food to a chinchilla is because chinchillas are not cats! In conclusion, make sure to feed your chinchilla with care and monitor their diets properly. By doing so, youll be giving your cat and chinchilla ample time to get used to each other behaviors and smells. They can also be found in mixed dried dandelion mixtures, which can include dandelion leaves, flower petals, and even roots. Buy Merrick Dog Food online in Canada from Canadian Pet Connection. 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 . Take a look at the guide below that details what foods your chinchilla should eat and in what quantities. Following a healthy diet will maximize your chinchillas lifespan. I'm the main author of Pocket Pets Forever. 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. What Nutrients Are Important For Chinchillas? Avoid pine and cedar shavings, as they can irritate a chinchilla's respiratory tract. Guide + Chart. There are some things that you should do to have a healthy chinchilla. Line the cage with a few inches of dye-free paper bedding. By Laurie Hess, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian Practice). The most obvious reason why you shouldnt feed cat food to a chinchilla is because chinchillas are not cats! The small animals love their leafy snack so much that they can live off it alone. If you want to give your chinchilla some treats, then these should be carefully selected. Additionally, chinchillas can be fed a small amount (1-2 tbsp/day) of a commercial pelleted diet formulated for chinchillas. They eat all sorts of different plants . Chinchillas are so cute and such intelligent animals that make great pets. 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. Their diet should be composed of about 35% carbohydrates, 3.5% fat, 30% fiber, 15% protein, and only 4% sugar. 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. Chinchillas cannot eat hamster food. The list below contains the fruits that chinchillas can eat in moderation and as part of a balanced diet. Finally, chinchillas need foods that help to keep their teeth grounded over time. 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. Chinchillas with these signs should be examined immediately by a veterinarian to have the lodged material extracted. Alfalfa hay is usually recommended for young, growing chinchillas. 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. There is, however, no harm in using this type of water providing they get enough minerals from elsewhere. This is because rabbits require higher amounts of protein than chinchillas, which is reflected in the content of their food. With all things considered, the best 2 hay choices for your chinchilla are. Now, lets talk more about the healthy treats that you should feed these exotic animals. Some owners are allergic to hay, so what should they do? They should be given very small amounts of chinchilla vegetables like carrots and leafy greens as healthy treats. This doesnt cost you anything additional. 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. Do make sure to feed them every day and check if their droppings are dry and normal. The foods below are considered unsafe or too unhealthy to feed to your chinchilla and therefore should be avoided. This means that chinchillas require a diet rich in protein but low in fat and carbohydrates. This is because wet cat food contains a lot of moisture and, as such, its difficult for chinchillas to digest. So, what type of hay do chinchillas eat? We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you. Bread and Dairy Products. It is also coarse enough to keep their teeth short and stop them from overgrowing. The short answer is no. 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. Purebred Chinchilla's. $1,200. Unlike cat food or dog food, this will contain many of the nutrients that a chinchilla needs to stay fit and healthy. This is a general rule for most small animals such as hedgehogs and even the majority of reptiles. Grapes and raisins have shown to be toxic to dogs, ferrets and cats. When they are let out of their cage, chinchillas Chinchillas come in a wide variety of colors. 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. 1.1 Understanding The Chinchilla Diet. Provide a steady supply of hay. This leads to severe pain as they chew, in addition to drooling and possible eye discharge from upper tooth root pressure on tear ducts. 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. The diet of chinchillas should ideally be high in protein and fiber while containing low moisture and fat content. 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. Chinchillas love dandelion leaves. This might not sound that bad at first, however, the fact that a chinchillas digestional tract isnt adapted to processing large amounts of sugar means that it can be left to ferment and cause gas. I'm a pocket pet enthusiast and I love sharing my knowledge and passion for these amazing animals. These exotic animals need chinchilla food pellets every day, a well but in a much more controlled quantity. The chinchilla will be stressed out by calm cats too. I would suggest to avoid fruits like Apples. Belmore, NSW. Although cats and chinchillas might not coexist peacefully at first, there are ways of promoting this to happen. While long term overfeeding of sugary foods can cause problems such as tooth decay and obesity, even overfeeding sugary food just once and cause diarrhoea and gas. The main takeaway here is that you should never give cat food to your pet chinchilla. 3 Human Foods For Chinchillas: Final Thoughts. 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. The chinchilla's pellets should be put in a food bowl, and they should be given fresh pellets every day. You can just grab little bits of a few things and make a little sampler jar! Dont make sudden changes in their diets as it can upset their stomach. Fruits and Veggies - Fresh fruits, fresh greens, and other veggies are a healthy part of your chinchilla's diet as well. Alfalfa hay (low dust/hypoallergenic) Blue Grass hay. Chinchillas require a diet high in fiber and low in fat. Actually, a good portion of their diet is already rabbit food. Pets are adorable, but having different species in your home might bring about some issues with some of them incompatible. The diet for chinchillas should be monitored to make sure they follow it daily. Basic nutrients such as sugar, fat and even calcium can all cause health problems to chinchillas if they are overfed. If you want to bring a chinchilla into your home, you could be worried about their diet and general health. Overfeeding of fresh greens also can lead to soft stool or diarrhea. These flowers should be dried before feeding to ensure that they are crunchy since our little ones love to nibble. Later in the post, we will show you how much hay, pellets, greens and fruit your chinchillas should ideally eat per day. 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. Provide hay in your chinchilla's cage at all times so it has something to graze on. 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. Hamsters vs. Gerbils: Whats the Difference. As a Chewy & flexoffers affiliate I earn commissions for qualifying purchases. You can either purchase wood sticks from a store or collect your own. 2.5 Dried Cranberry And Apple. Just make sure that they are safe. Some people believe that chinchillas can eat dog food, but this is not a good idea. 1 What Foods Are Poisonous To Chinchillas? Poppy. 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. Poison Ivy. Answer (1 of 2): It is not so much that they are 'fragile', but have different habitat requirements than we are used to. Gastrointestinal Disorders. 2.6 No Sudden Dietary Changes. Distilled water isnt as easy to get hold of as water from the tap and it, unfortunately, does not contain any minerals which your Chinchilla needs. 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. Fresh drinking water should be offered daily in a water bowl or bottle. 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. As you know, chinchillas are plant-eating animals. By doing this, you can be confident that your chinchilla doesnt suffer any physical harm plus is safe from any stress. Because chinchillas teeth grow throughout their lives, when they are not offered enough hay (and consume mainly pellets), the surfaces of their top and bottom teeth collide inside their mouths with such force as they chew that the roots of their teeth become impacted, like a persons impacted wisdom teeth. Second, not all rabbit foods are created equal. This is because cats have an innate hunting instinct. Not only that, chinchillas are similar to other animals, such as cats or dogs. If you can imagine for a moment what that would be like, it is much easier to see why they need dust baths instead of w. This only happens opportunistically, though. From allergies to zoomies, we have dogs covered like fur on a sofa. Chinchillas will eat plenty of native plants in the wild to give them a good balance of minerals and vitamins essential for optimum health. Although it is made from flour, bread has very few nutrients for chinchillas. 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. If you want to know what age baby chinchillas are weaned then head over to our post that shares all you need to know. Later in the post, we will share the exact pellets we recommend you feed your chinchilla so head over to that section of the post if you are looking for good quality pellets. The treats that you choose to feed them should be done in very limited and controlled quantities. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. and how to get rid of itContinue. Dont discourage your pet from eating its own dropping, as it is natural for them to do so. You also need to make sure your cat has a mellow personality to lower the likelihood of it attacking your chinchilla. This list includes common household foods that hamster should avoid but is by no means exhaustive. As such, its impossible for chinchillas to eat the same diet as cats. 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. Chinchillas have a rounded ears, plump furry bodies, short legs, and long tails. Yes, the chinchilla that you have been eyeing for quite some time now. (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). djvstock. Chinchilla's natural environment is the Andes mountains. 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.