Chinchillas cannot eat hamster food. Chinchillas require large amounts of fibre in their diet for their digestive system to function correctly. Additionally, chinchillas can be fed a small amount (1-2 tbsp/day) of a commercial pelleted diet formulated for chinchillas. Chinchillas only need to consume around 3-5% fat in their diet which is easily attainable from their base diet so foods such as. Source: The teeth of a chinchilla are also constantly growing and coarse hay is a must to keep their teeth short and shaped correctly. It is an animal that will get you smitten instantly, and its elegance will keep swirling, Read More Can Chinchillas Get Fleas? djvstock. Now, lets talk more about the healthy treats that you should feed these exotic animals. Feed them right, and youll have a happy, cuddly pet for many years. Chinchillas are herbivorous and do not eat animal-based products. If you want to know what age baby chinchillas are weaned then head over to our post that shares all you need to know. Chinchillas dont need a whole lot of greens in their diet but they are still important in the right quantities. If you're looking for a reasonably priced cage that comes with a variety of accessories, try the Habitrail Cristal Hamster Cage with Wheel. Thank you for supporting us on our journey as we continue to publish content with the aim of helping owners care for their pets in the best way possible! You should also provide them with a dry food that has been specifically designed with chinchillas in mind. Avoid feeding dried fruits. 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) This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Pelleted diets are better than a mixture of loose items. Chinchillas will eat plenty of native plants in the wild to give them a good balance of minerals and vitamins essential for optimum health. Provide a steady supply of hay. Avoid pine and cedar shavings, as they can irritate a chinchilla's respiratory tract. 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. 2.2 Nutritional requirements. The diet that you choose to feed your chinchilla should mostly contain hay. Also, as with people, some chinchillas may not react well to all foods so give new items in small amounts. We have two females & two males. Alfalfa hay is usually recommended for young, growing chinchillas as it helps them to put on weight quickly but this is usually only offered until the age of around 9 months old. Foods to Avoid Chinchillas in the wild tend to consume most of their food early in the morning and late at night. As a Chewy & flexoffers affiliate I earn commissions for qualifying purchases. Are Chinchillas Cuddly? Lets now take a look at each of these and see why you need to only offer foods that are high in these nutrients sparingly. You can give them raisins, carrots, sultanas, and basically all the things that were mentioned above in the list. What Owners Must Know! It is also better to distribute the food all over the cage to make it fun and much healthier for the domestic animal. First, rabbit food is not a complete diet for a chinchilla. Protein: should be between 16% and 20%. This is the case even if the chinchilla is caged as your cat might opt to stare down at the chinchilla or reach down the cage.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'smallpetshq_com-narrow-sky-2','ezslot_15',182,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-narrow-sky-2-0'); This will be a traumatizing experience for the chinchilla, which your cat views as prey. Therefore, its best if you minimized contact between these two pets. On the flip side to this, if your chinchillas have more phosphorus than calcium in their diet then this can also, cause health problems with muscle development, bones health and growth. What Owners Must Know! If a chinchilla were to eat dry cat food, it would likely experience digestive issues and may even die. Basic nutrients such as sugar, fat and even calcium can all cause health problems to chinchillas if they are overfed. Its 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. Can Chinchillas Eat Hamster Food? You can check out the water bottle we recommend you use in our new cage accessories guide here. This leads to severe pain as they chew, in addition to drooling and possible eye discharge from upper tooth root pressure on tear ducts. Please do not leave them alone at any moment as our pets security is our topmost priority. It's not safe for rabbits to eat chinchilla food. 4. Raisins and dried cranberries. But can rabbits eat chinchilla food safely? 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. The diet for chinchillas should be monitored to make sure they follow it daily. 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. Cats are carnivores (meat-eaters) whereas chinchillas are herbivores (plant-eaters). 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. Dog food is not nutritionally balanced for chinchillas and can make them sick. Guide + Chart. If your hamster has consumed any of these items then please seek veterinary advice. Another important thing that they eat is pellets. 3 Human Foods For Chinchillas: Final Thoughts. This only happens opportunistically, though. Small pets like chinchillas have very specific dietary needs. Greens especially leafy greens are a food group that you can and should offer to your chinchilla on a regular basis. It is not a suitable food for them to have, even in small amounts. 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. 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. Yes, they can, as harmful bacteria can be crossed from your cat to your chinchilla, causing it a severe illness. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smallpetshq_com-box-4','ezslot_2',194,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-box-4-0');You should thus not be surprised if a cat and chinchilla bond as companions or friends. However, they eat mostly vegetation and seeds. The rest can be a mix of pellets, fruits and vegetables, herbs but it's different for each species, as . The recommended ratio for calcium to phosphorus is 2:1 so thats two parts calcium to every one part phosphorus. In addition to this, a lot of fruit can actually be harmful to chinchillas and they certainly cant just eat any and all fruits. 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. Purebred Silver & White chinchilla. 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. There are several reasons why you shouldnt feed your chinchillas cat food and, below, well explore each of these in more detail. To make sure that your pet eats food properly, you need to make the feeding time fun. Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. If rabbits were to eat chinchilla . Many also contain preservatives and additives which arent suitable for your chinchilla. You can either purchase wood sticks from a store or collect your own. Some common options for food items that every pet chinchilla owner needs to keep their chinchilla safe and healthy are listed below. Dried Cranberries. Milk and other dairy products are animal products and not appropriate for herbivores. Hamsters eat more carbohydrates than chinchillas do, but both species need food with plenty of protein and calcium. On the other hand, the natural hamster diet is mainly . It is the purest type of water available and it does not contain any bacteria. An overweight chinchilla is susceptible to many illnesses like diabetes, diarrhea, and liver damage. Never change your chinchillas' diet suddenly, as this could upset their digestive system and make them very ill. You should thus monitor it at all times to make sure it doesnt hunt down your chinchilla. Orchardgrass. Image 1 is the male father & Image 2 is the female mother.. You can barely overlook the significance of animal intelligence. Specialties: The Wishbone Pet Company has the largest selection of raw diets in Santa Cruz, CA with a strong emphasis on holistic natural care. You can also feed them a mixture of all these hays. Also note: the initial interaction shall be concise, lasting only a few minutes. They can easily get an upset stomach and have a limited capacity for digestion. The small animals love their leafy snack so much that they can live off it alone. Why You Shouldnt Feed Cat Food To A Chinchilla, The Risks Of Feeding Wet Cat Food To A Chinchilla, Can Chinchillas Eat Pretzels? The chinchilla's pellets should be put in a food bowl, and they should be given fresh pellets every day. Good hays include alfalfa hay, timothy hay, orchard grass, and blue grass. Most importantly, you need to know what they can and cant eat! Well, you should try to distribute the appropriate amount of food around their cage instead of handing them their feed in a bowl. and how to get rid of it, The Best Chinchilla Toys (Review) in 2023, Are chinchillas Smart? Greens and veggies that would usually be considered really healthy choices for most animals can be harmful to chinchillas as nutrients such as calcium can cause unwanted health problems if consumed too often and in large quantities. . All you need to hope for is that your cat ignores the chinchilla. Instead, you should only feed them a healthy, balanced diet that includes lots of fresh green leaves and grass. Chinchillas can easily get their head trapped in these toys and suffocate. 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. Apart from the fruits that we mentioned above, that can be offered in really small quantities, there are a handful of foods that are considered healthy enough to feed to your chinchilla as treats. 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. Its important to understand that this is a guide only. What is the reason why Chinchillas are not allowed to consume blueberries? In conclusion, make sure to feed your chinchilla with care and monitor their diets properly. Nonetheless, this can be achieved by only slowly introducing these two pets to each other. This leads to problems including diarrhea, weight loss, and stomach ulcers. Chinchillas require a diet high in fiber and low in fat. 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. Fat is another nutrient that chinchillas need in very small amounts to be considered healthy. Yes, the chinchilla that you have been eyeing for quite some time now. Chinchillas are so cute and such intelligent animals that make great pets. our recommended food products for your chinchilla and the best place to purchase them from. The most obvious reason why you shouldn't feed cat food to a chinchilla is because chinchillas are not cats! 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. [4] You can buy hay at most pet stores or online. When they are let out of their cage, chinchillas Chinchillas come in a wide variety of colors. Hamsters vs. Gerbils: Whats the Difference. We ship to everywhere in Canada, and can deliver your package right to your door! Like most animals in the world, chinchillas require a variety of nutrients to be considered healthy and for their organs to work correctly. 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 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. They can be offered much variety of good quality and clean hay like timothy hay, orchard grass, alfalfa hay, oat hay, or meadow hay. Offering too much or too little of one food group can cause your chin to have digestive and even health issues. Like most rodents, chinchillas love to chew things. Chinchillas should be given 1-2 tablespoons of pellets per day, and Bunk-Hatch recommends Oxbow Essentials. 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. This means it should comprise 35% carbohydrates, 30% fiber, 15% protein, 4% protein, and less than 3.5% fat. Created using the Newspaper Theme. Cats with a chinchilla coat pattern have white undercoats and tipping on the back, tail, head, and flanks. Finally, since chinchillas cannot vomit, small or hard foods such as dried fruit, nuts, seeds, or raisins can get stuck in the back of the mouth or esophagus leading to salivation, gagging, lack of appetite and possible problems breathing. 3. Keeping in mind that chinchillas cant eat fatty food, there are some treats that they like that contain fat, but chinchillas love them. Earn FREE Grooming, Pet Wash, and Nail Service Rewards. After all, it wont cost much and it might even taste good. The pets need chinchilla vitamins and nutrients like Omega-3 fatty acids, folic acid, nicotinic acid, vitamin C, natural vitamin E, and many more through adequate nutritional content. Like. The good thing is that even though chinchillas dont eat a vast selection and variety of foods, they get most if not all of the nutrition they need from this basic diet. Avoid using wooden toy balls. Fruits and Veggies - Fresh fruits, fresh greens, and other veggies are a healthy part of your chinchilla's diet as well. The list below contains the fruits that chinchillas can eat in moderation and as part of a balanced diet. Some other healthy treats include rosehips and mountain ash berries. Belmore, NSW. So, what type of hay do chinchillas eat? Please talk to your vet for a detailed diet plan that suits the individual needs of your pet. Instead, offer your adult chinchilla timothy hay or other low-calcium grass hays, such as orchard or meadow grass. Two such posts that we have recently published are. Chinchillas are rodents and behave in pretty much the same way as a squirrel would. By Laurie Hess, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian Practice). Below we have listed the most common greens that your chinchillas can safely eat in moderation as part of a healthy and balanced diet. Dried Herbs. 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. No fruits, seeds, nuts or vegetables. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Pecans? When cared for and fed properly, chinchillas can make great pets. Finally, chinchillas need foods that help to keep their teeth grounded over time. Behavior & Training Food & Nutrition . Can chinchillas eat cat food safely without any issue? We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you. For example, if you have horses then you know they're prone to overeating. 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. Hay and specially . Reasons Why Theyre Smart. 2.3 Raisins. Chinchillas can't eat blueberries for a variety of reasons. All cats drink filtered water from the water fountain. 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 . 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. As for what kind of water chinchillas solid drink, you cant just give them any old water from the tap. 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. As mentioned earlier, chinchillas' dietary requirements are different from other animals, and therefore, they should not eat guinea pig food or gerbil food. and how to get rid of itContinue. Furthermore, chinchillas might suffer from stress caused by your cat, which might trigger a sickness, thereby leading to its untimely demise. This means your cat gets to see your chinchilla but isnt in a position to touch it.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'smallpetshq_com-portrait-1','ezslot_19',188,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-portrait-1-0'); You also need to make sure that this area is just as comfy as where your chinchilla is to avoid your cat from wanting to stretch inside the cage bars.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'smallpetshq_com-leader-4','ezslot_8',189,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-leader-4-0'); Moreover, make sure there isnt a bed positioned over the chinchillas cage to prevent your cat from having a post from where it might try and reach the chinchilla. 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. They are extremely high in fibre while offering low amounts of sugar. 2.1 Fresh Vegetables. Long-tailed chinchillas are primarily herbivorous. This ensures its overall wellbeing is guaranteed, meaning your chinchilla gets to enjoy a peaceful life. 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. Always keep an eye on your cat even after your chinchilla and cat have started getting along. Stay on top of the latest news about canine behavior, nutrition and health. 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. 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 popular cereal Cheerios are also seen as a treat that chinchillas can eat due to their dried nature and high amounts of fibre. Fat - 2-5%. The main takeaway here is that you should never give cat food to your pet chinchilla. We have created a list of common foods that chinchilla owners regularly contemplate feeding their chinchilla. As we mentioned earlier, hay is the most important part of a chinchillas diet. Can Chinchillas Eat Cat Food? Anu wood sticks you offer your chin needs to be from non-toxic trees and free from pesticides. Hay should be put in the hay rack in the chinchilla's cage. Dont make sudden changes in their diets as it can upset their stomach. You need to ensure your cat has a comfortable sitting area thats far from the chinchillas cage. 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). This acrobatic animal eats food with a sweet smell as they are very picky. Please remember that there are hundreds of greens and vegetables from around the world. Do take your chinchilla to the vet if it is vomiting or showing any unexplainable symptoms. Naturally aloof people might not want to be constantly hounded for canine kisses, just as cuddly types might be affronted by some cat breeds . It comes with a water bottle and food dish as well, all priced under $20. Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. Indigestible bedding, such as wood shavings, also can cause obstructions. Laurel. What Nutrients Are Important For Chinchillas? However, in many cases, this is easier said than done. They are very sensitive animals but can be great friends if you know how to take care of them. 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. For example, you could offer them a few pieces of fruit, such as apples or pears. Hi, My name is Adam.