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. They should be given very small amounts of chinchilla vegetables like carrots and leafy greens as healthy treats. 2.5 Dried Cranberry And Apple. 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. Just make sure that they are safe. 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. 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. Earn FREE Grooming, Pet Wash, and Nail Service Rewards. Learn more about their diets, below. Chinchillas are among the most intelligent and fun pets to have. Chinchillas are herbivores and their diet consists mostly of hay, vegetables, and a small amount of fruit. Chinchillas are herbivorous and do not eat animal-based products. 2.1 Fresh Vegetables. The diet of chinchillas should ideally be high in protein and fiber while containing low moisture and fat content. 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. If you want to know what age baby chinchillas are weaned then head over to our post that shares all you need to know. [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 is, however, no harm in using this type of water providing they get enough minerals from elsewhere. If you want to give your chinchilla some treats, then these should be carefully selected. Some use only meat products while others include vegetables and grains. 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. If a chinchilla is not active, it can in fact be bad for their health and cause an array of chinchilla health problems. 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. All cats drink filtered water from the water fountain. Although cats and chinchillas might not coexist peacefully at first, there are ways of promoting this to happen. Unfortunately, though, this doesnt mean that its going to provide your chinchilla with the nutrients they require. 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. Both Chinchillas and Hamsters Are Small Rodents. 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. 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. So what can chinchillas eat? This is usually the case for cats and chinchillas, which can be stressful for you as a pet owner. . as it helps them to put on weight quickly but this is usually only offered until the age of around 9 months old. The most important thing is to provide chinchillas with additional water, especially in summer, and monitor their daily water intake. It is a rich source of Malic acid that is not essential for your Chinchillas. Best Hay For Chinchillas 2023 Reviews and Comparison. Many gastrointestinal disorders can result in yellow throw up. Once this condition occurs, there is nothing that can be done other than to provide pain medication and soft foods. There are some things that you should do to have a healthy chinchilla. You can check out the water bottle we recommend you use in our new cage accessories guide here. Some common options for food items that every pet chinchilla owner needs to keep their chinchilla safe and healthy are listed below. Fresh greens, such as dark green lettuces, should also be given to provide additional water and fiber. If you ask your chinchilla what their fave treats are, dried cranberries and raisins are at the top of their list. 2.2 Nutritional requirements. Chinchillas need hay between 14% and 16% plant protein. For these two pets to live in harmony with each other, patience and constant supervision is necessary. Do you see that furry animal? | Learn More >> You are shopping: Livonia, MI Livonia. They are high in sugar, however, so give sparingly. We recommend that you stick to simple and researched greens and vegetables rather than experimenting with all sorts of different options that really arent needed, remember, a chinchilla only needs a simple diet to be both happy and healthy. 1.1 Understanding The Chinchilla Diet. So, for a chinchilla to have healthy digestion and be free of illnesses like dental disease and digestion troubles, you need to choose the best chinchilla food that is healthy and appetizing. As a general rule of thumb, chinchillas dont need fruit to be considered healthy and they dont need it in their diet. Take a look at the guide below that details what foods your chinchilla should eat and in what quantities. Fresh Apple. Chinchillas also dont like eating cat food. How to feed the chinchilla. Gastrointestinal Disorders. The popular cereal Cheerios are also seen as a treat that chinchillas can eat due to their dried nature and high amounts of fibre. Filtered water is ideal for use in Chinchilla bottles. 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. 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. By doing this, you can be confident that your chinchilla doesnt suffer any physical harm plus is safe from any stress. The small animals love their leafy snack so much that they can live off it alone. There are animals who have a harder time controlling their eating (we're not alone humans!). 3. Chinchillas are very friendly animals. An overweight chinchilla is susceptible to many illnesses like diabetes, diarrhea, and liver damage. 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. Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. 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? 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. 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. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Pumpkin? Most customers said their chinchillas can't get enough of these treats. These are usually made up of timothy or alfalfa hay, so you will have limited options to choose from. You can also feed them a mixture of all these hays. Greens especially leafy greens are a food group that you can and should offer to your chinchilla on a regular basis. This is because cats have an innate hunting instinct. This is all too situational and it depends on the character of the pet. Both chinchillas and hamsters are small rodents, so it's not surprising that they have similar dietary needs. Instead, you should only feed them a healthy, balanced diet that includes lots of fresh green leaves and grass. 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. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. (Benefits/Risks), Norwegian Lundehund: What You Need To Know. (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). Do take your chinchilla to the vet if it is vomiting or showing any unexplainable symptoms. If a chinchilla were to eat dry cat food, it would likely experience digestive issues and may even die. hay, fresh vegetables, and pellets should still make up the majority of their diet. head over to our post that shares all you need to know. It is also built with a speaker for remote interaction with pets. Chinchillas in the wild typically eat most of their food in . Foods You Can Feed to Your Chinchilla as Treats Include: Rope Hips are considered one of the healthiest treats you can offer your chinchilla. You should thus monitor it at all times to make sure it doesnt hunt down your chinchilla. You can give these things in moderation but make sure to avoid nuts and seeds as they are way too high in fat content. A chinchilla that is fully grown typically weighs between 1 and 3 pounds. Because of the sensitive nature of a chinchillas digestive tract, sugar can be extremely harmful even if its fed in moderate quantities. Loose mixes may be nutritionally balanced while in the bag but only if your chinchilla eats all of the parts of the mix. Source: The teeth of a chinchilla are also constantly growing and coarse hay is a must to keep their teeth short and shaped correctly. While it depends on your cat's personality, many will seek out to hunt chinchillas. Fat - 2-5%. Hamsters vs. Gerbils: Whats the Difference. ; The long-tailed chinchillas will feed on insects, such as moths and grasshoppers, and bird eggs if the opportunity presents itself. 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 can barely overlook the significance of animal intelligence. Created using the Newspaper Theme. Calcium and phosphorus play an important role in your chinchillas diet, albeit a complicated one. They eat Royal Canin special Persian cat food and the kittens are eating kitten food. nuts and sunflower seeds need to be avoided. Or, you could hand out small amounts of peanut butter or cheese. 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. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Timothy Hay? Rhubarb. Please talk to your vet for a detailed diet plan that suits the individual needs of your pet. Instead, chinchilla feeds should address the following: Fat: should be between 2% and 5%. Please do not leave them alone at any moment as our pets security is our topmost priority. What Do Chinchillas Eat: Diet & Food Guide. Just because a green on the list below is labelled safe doesnt mean that you can feed your chinchilla unlimited amounts of that green or vegetable. This list includes common household foods that hamster should avoid but is by no means exhaustive. 4. Some owners are allergic to hay, so what should they do? One of the Pocket Pets Forever is a website for lovers of pocket pets. 29493 7 Mile Road . We ship to everywhere in Canada, and can deliver your package right to your door! Here is a breakdown of the nutrients your chinchilla needs in their diet and in what percentages. Can chinchillas eat cat food safely without any issue? The food has to be given in a timely fashion and should have wholesome nutrition that can fulfill your pet chinchillas required dietary requirements. If you want to get a pet chinchilla, you should take into consideration some important things before buying them. Grapes and raisins have shown to be toxic to dogs, ferrets and cats. 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. Some comments from a popular forum AGAINST giving raisins include: 1. Good hays include alfalfa hay, timothy hay, orchard grass, and blue grass. You can give them raisins, carrots, sultanas, and basically all the things that were mentioned above in the list. Semi-dry foods consist of dried milk and grain. I'm a pocket pet enthusiast and I love sharing my knowledge and passion for these amazing animals. 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. Chinchillas are so cute and such intelligent animals that make great pets. 1. 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. 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. 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. Water should be provided in the form of a water bottle rather than a bowl as this is much more hygienic for your chinchilla. Strong expertise in both dogs and cats. This doesnt cost you anything additional. Hi, my namesElena Coolidge, and this is my site. Can Chinchillas Eat Cucumbers And Is It Safe? We love merrick dog food, including dry and canned food, too! Take a look at this guide that shares the types of water your chinchilla can drink, If you want to know everything you need to know about chinchilla water bottles in less than 3 minutes then check our easy to follow guide here. You can preset the desired amount of food amount for your cat to eat and keep it healthier. Two such posts that we have recently published are. Get the Best Price and Selection of Dry Dog Food at Pet Supplies Plus. To try to mimic this rough vegetation, the mainstay of pet chinchillas diets should be hay offered in unlimited quantities. Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. 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. 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. Instead, offer your cat leafy green vegetables like kale, bok choy, or arugula. 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 find out exactly which variety of Cheerios is safe to feed to your chinchilla right here, then check our easy to follow guide here. If you give the chinchilla time to first get used to you and its surrounding before meeting your cat.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'smallpetshq_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_10',191,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0'); This gives your chinchilla enough time to be comfortable with the surroundings, with this especially crucial as theyre very social creatures. Specific Substrate Needs. cute cat; Cat cartoon; cat eat; 1. Chinchillas can eat a wide variety of natural food like hay, vegetables, dried fruits, nuts, berries, dried plants, and herbs. And of course too many raisins can cause diarrhea. The most crucial behavior factors about cats you need to know about them is that they are: On the other hand, the personality traits of the chinchilla are: With such divergent personality traits, its now evident why your cat and chinchilla might struggle to get along just fine. and how to get rid of it, The Best Chinchilla Toys (Review) in 2023, Are chinchillas Smart? Lets look at some more information that is essential for chinchilla pet owners about pet food. The hay should be dry and fresh-smelling with no trace of mold. 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. I blog about their care, where to buy them, breeders, and more. This can lead to blockages and other health issues. Chins have a high metabolism and can eat constantlyideally, they shouldn't go without food for more than 12 hours, but 24 hours is doable if absolutely necessary. Feed them right, and youll have a happy, cuddly pet for many years. On the other hand, the natural hamster diet is mainly . However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. Every formula uses industry-leading volume of protein, glucosamine, and chondroitin. Stay on top of the latest news about canine behavior, nutrition and health. Dried Cranberries. Foods to Avoid Actually, a good portion of their diet is already rabbit food. By Laurie Hess, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian Practice). [Top Speeds], Is My Chinchilla Fat? 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. Our main focus is helping owners to better understand and care for their pets with both straight forward and actionable advice. Small pets like chinchillas have very specific dietary needs. 2.3 Raisins. Over time, your cat might get used to your chinchilla and stop attacking it altogether. Can Chinchillas Eat Cat Food? This means that feeding too many greens can cause an unbalanced amount of nutrients such as elevated levels of calcium and in turn, cause health issues. Make sure to read the product form to know what you are getting when buying treats. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Strawberries? Buy Merrick Dog Food online in Canada from Canadian Pet Connection. Along with the quality of good that you feed your pet chinchilla, the quantity is just as important. Laurel. 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. Approximately 75% to 80% of your chinchilla's diet should be made up of fresh hay. Chinchillas in the wild will eat a variety of plants, shrubs, and grasses. 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. Chinchillas only need to consume around 3-5% fat in their diet which is easily attainable from their base diet so foods such as. Pelleted diets are better than a mixture of loose items. Answer (1 of 2): It is not so much that they are 'fragile', but have different habitat requirements than we are used to. Those leaves, while not as pretty as daisies, are a healthy and natural food source for your chinchillas. They have very different nutritional needs. They can easily get an upset stomach and have a limited capacity for digestion. Anu wood sticks you offer your chin needs to be from non-toxic trees and free from pesticides. Always keep an eye on your cat even after your chinchilla and cat have started getting along. 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. 4. All of our pet experts are here to help you and . It is the purest type of water available and it does not contain any bacteria. So, if you decide to make a purchase through one of the links on this site, I receive a commission for it. As a Chewy & flexoffers affiliate I earn commissions for qualifying purchases. Shoot me an emailif you have a question! 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. 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. Specialties: The Wishbone Pet Company has the largest selection of raw diets in Santa Cruz, CA with a strong emphasis on holistic natural care. Like most rodents, chinchillas love to chew things. While chinchillas and hamsters may seem similar, their diets couldn't be more different, and that means you . If you feed them the correct diet, chinchillas generally keep themselves at the right weight. 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. Dont discourage your pet from eating its own dropping, as it is natural for them to do so. Using genetic screening, breeders are now working to try to eradicate the problem - always . Wild chinchillas are omnivores and feed on grasses, seeds, fruits, small plants, plant leaves, small insects, and bird eggs when they get a chance. We have created a list of common foods that chinchilla owners regularly contemplate feeding their chinchilla. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 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. Plain Shredded Wheat. 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. Botanical hay. 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. Dog food is not nutritionally balanced for chinchillas and can make them sick. Chinchillas love dandelion leaves. No fruits, seeds, nuts or vegetables. 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.
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