These exotic animals need chinchilla food pellets every day, a well but in a much more controlled quantity. I blog about their care, where to buy them, breeders, and more. They eat all sorts of different plants . All this time, as you do this, never make the mistake of leaving these two pets unattended because your cat might start startling or hunting the chinchilla.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smallpetshq_com-leader-2','ezslot_4',183,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-leader-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smallpetshq_com-leader-2','ezslot_5',183,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-leader-2-0_1'); .leader-2-multi-183{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:7px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:7px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. Later in the post, we will show you how much hay, pellets, greens and fruit your chinchillas should ideally eat per day. There is very little difference in the nutrition provided between timothy hay and orchard grass hay. You should also provide them with a dry food that has been specifically designed with chinchillas in mind. Therefore, you need to make sure your chinchilla is safe in the cage placed in a different room your cat cant go into. They also need to have access to fresh water at all times. The chinchilla should be given fresh hay every day. Stay on top of the latest news about canine behavior, nutrition and health. 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. Treats such as dried fruit, grains, nuts and seeds should not be offered, as they are not easily digested and may lead to tooth damage. Some dos and donts for having chinchillas as pets are listed below. This acrobatic animal eats food with a sweet smell as they are very picky. It's not safe for rabbits to eat chinchilla food. Some owners are allergic to hay, so what should they do? 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. But if you want to own both of these pets, the question running in your mind right now is, do chinchillas get along with cats? 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. Growing, breeding, and nursing chinchillas may be fed a larger amount of pellets to provide additional calories, protein, fat and calcium. It will keep them active and give them the appropriate amount of pellets per day, hay, and other food items per day as well. Chinchillas are very friendly animals. There are animals who have a harder time controlling their eating (we're not alone humans!). Chinchillas in the wild will eat a variety of plants, shrubs, and grasses. Special emphasis on nutritional support. Alfalfa hay is usually recommended for young, growing chinchillas. These adorable kittens are loving , caring and very affectionate. So, what should you feed a chinchilla? Dont give food that is meant for guinea pigs as they have different digestive systems. 1. But here is a pretty extensive list of what is safe for chins and most can be found in the bulk section of a health food store for cheap. . Because of the sensitive nature of a chinchillas digestive tract, sugar can be extremely harmful even if its fed in moderate quantities. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. So what can chinchillas eat? 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. This means it should comprise 35% carbohydrates, 30% fiber, 15% protein, 4% protein, and less than 3.5% fat. 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. Poison Ivy. Hi, my namesElena Coolidge, and this is my site. 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. Are Chinchillas Cuddly? Like. 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. To make sure that your pet eats food properly, you need to make the feeding time fun. As mentioned earlier, chinchillas' dietary requirements are different from other animals, and therefore, they should not eat guinea pig food or gerbil food. Every formula uses industry-leading volume of protein, glucosamine, and chondroitin. An overweight chinchilla is susceptible to many illnesses like diabetes, diarrhea, and liver damage. Commercial pelleted food is also available for chinchillas but should be offered in limited quantities of no more than one-to-two tablespoons per day for an adult chinchilla. 1.1 Rabbit Food; 1.2 Hamster And Gerbil Food; 1.3 Sugary Foods; 1.4 Certain Vegetables; 1.5 Certain Fruits; 1.6 Processed Human Foods; 1.7 Chocolate; 2 What Foods Are Toxic To Chinchillas: Final Thoughts Find & Download the most popular Chinchilla Animal Vectors on Freepik Free for commercial use High Quality Images Made for Creative Projects. Wet foods are usually made up of milk and water. Studying the plants that chinchillas eat on a regular basis was particularly interesting for those scientists. 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. Semi-dry foods consist of dried milk and grain. Gastrointestinal Disorders. Chinchilla Pet Animals and Pets. The amount of food your chinchilla needs to eat depends on their age, lifestyle and state of health. Can chinchillas eat cat food safely without any issue? Second, not all rabbit foods are created equal. Just like all other animals, chinchillas need good quality food to survive. What Owners Must Know! It is an animal that will get you smitten instantly, and its elegance will keep swirling, Read More Can Chinchillas Get Fleas? 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 . Cats are carnivores (meat-eaters) whereas chinchillas are herbivores (plant-eaters). Answer (1 of 2): It is not so much that they are 'fragile', but have different habitat requirements than we are used to. It's safe to give your chin a raisin-size amount 2-3 times per week. Health and welfare issues - other. There are several reasons why you shouldnt feed your chinchillas cat food and, below, well explore each of these in more detail. As a pet, chinchillas can eat the same dried herbs and benefit from the nutrients. As wet cat food is so soft, itll have absolutely no effect on keeping your chinchillas teeth to a safe length. All Things Dog. Limit fruits and sugary vegetables (e.g., carrots) to <1 teaspoon/day. 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. 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. All cats drink filtered water from the water fountain. Calcium and phosphorus play an important role in your chinchillas diet, albeit a complicated one. Again, you can head over to our dedicated page herewhere we share all of our recommended food products for your chinchilla and the best place to purchase them from. Grapes and raisins have shown to be toxic to dogs, ferrets and cats. Pelleted diets are better than a mixture of loose items. Now, lets talk more about the healthy treats that you should feed these exotic animals. 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. Chinchilla's natural environment is the Andes mountains. What is the reason why Chinchillas are not allowed to consume blueberries? Chinchillas should be given 1-2 tablespoons of pellets per day, and Bunk-Hatch recommends Oxbow Essentials. Belmore, NSW. 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). Filtered water is ideal for use in Chinchilla bottles. By Laurie Hess, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian Practice). 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. In addition, wet cat food is often too salty for chinchillas. nuts and sunflower seeds need to be avoided. . Pics + 7 Signs Theyre Overweight, How Much Is A Chinchilla [Cost & Price Stats]. This only happens opportunistically, though. Created using the Newspaper Theme. Chinchilla Sleeping Habits: Are Chinchillas Nocturnal? Below we have listed the most common greens that your chinchillas can safely eat in moderation as part of a healthy and balanced diet. Reasons Why Theyre Smart. Instead, you should only feed them a healthy, balanced diet that includes lots of fresh green leaves and grass. Please do not leave them alone at any moment as our pets security is our topmost priority. [Top Speeds], Is My Chinchilla Fat? You can add a small amount of commercially available pelleted chinchilla food to your chinchilla's diet. Earn FREE Grooming, Pet Wash, and Nail Service Rewards. Orchardgrass. Can Chinchillas Eat Cat Food? Chinchillas require large amounts of fibre in their diet for their digestive system to function correctly. 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. Here Are Safe Wood Options For Chinchillas to Chew On: There is often a lot of confusion about if chinchillas actually need water. No, Apples should not be given on regular basis to Chinchillas but Chinchillas can eat Apples but only in moderation. These tend to be expensive but, over time, theyre worth the investment. What Nutrients Are Important For Chinchillas? Most customers said their chinchillas can't get enough of these treats. 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 dont need a whole lot of greens in their diet but they are still important in the right quantities. 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. As it turns out, chinchillas have an absolutely wide diet that varies considerably in the texture, hardness, nutritional value, etc. Monitoring your chinchillas' diet. In fact, when given the choice between dry cat food and fresh grass, chinchillas choose the latter every time! 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. Chinchillas, for the most part, eat a really basic and simple diet that consists of very few foods. 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. 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. 2.2 Nutritional requirements. Cat food comes in many different varieties: wet, semi-dry, and dry. 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. If you ask your chinchilla what their fave treats are, dried cranberries and raisins are at the top of their list. If a chinchilla were to eat dry cat food, it would likely experience digestive issues and may even die. Instead, offer your adult chinchilla timothy hay or other low-calcium grass hays, such as orchard or meadow grass. It is not a suitable food for them to have, even in small amounts. This is because rabbits require higher amounts of protein than chinchillas, which is reflected in the content of their food. Although cats and chinchillas might not coexist peacefully at first, there are ways of promoting this to happen. 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. Chinchillas need hay between 14% and 16% plant protein. While chinchillas and hamsters may seem similar, their diets couldn't be more different, and that means you . You can give them raisins, carrots, sultanas, and basically all the things that were mentioned above in the list. Avoid using wooden toy balls. It should be bright green and smell fresh, or else it can be harmful to your chinchilla. 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. Most importantly, you need to know what they can and cant eat! 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. This is usually the case for cats and chinchillas, which can be stressful for you as a pet owner. Those products can be harmful to your digestive system in large quantities, so keep small portions in hand. Some comments from a popular forum AGAINST giving raisins include: 1. Just make sure that they are safe. Chinchillas are among the most intelligent and fun pets to have. Arrives by Fri, Mar 31 Buy Auto Feeder Water Dispenser Set Rabbit Cat Dog Chinchilla Food Hanging Gravity at Walmart.com cute cat; Cat cartoon; cat eat; 1. 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 short answer is yes, chinchillas can eat rabbit food. Although it is made from flour, bread has very few nutrients for chinchillas. Nicole is the proud mom of 3 rescue fur babies, Baby, a Burmese cat; Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway; and Mac, a Lab/Mastiff. Hibiscus is known to be a healthy treat for chinchillas if offered in small quantities and is often used in commercial chinchilla treats. Small pets like chinchillas have very specific dietary needs. You can either purchase wood sticks from a store or collect your own. 29493 7 Mile Road . Why You Shouldnt Feed Cat Food To A Chinchilla, The Risks Of Feeding Wet Cat Food To A Chinchilla, Can Chinchillas Eat Pretzels? Some common options for food items that every pet chinchilla owner needs to keep their chinchilla safe and healthy are listed below. Too much calcium can have a negative effect on a chinchillas health as excessive amounts can cause calcium stones. The auto cat feeder has a 1080HD camera with automatic night vision as well as wide-angle view and supports 10-second voice message recording. Chinchillas also dont like eating cat food. Image Credit: Natalis.ph, Shutterstock. The hay should be dry and fresh-smelling with no trace of mold. The kittens get lots of attention and handling, so grooming and cleaning the eyes will be easy in the future. 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. hay, fresh vegetables, and pellets should still make up the majority of their diet. Fat is another nutrient that chinchillas need in very small amounts to be considered healthy. Therefore, if you own these two pets, its crucial to have them slowly introduced to each other or else risk your cat attacking the chinchilla. Purebred Silver & White chinchilla. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Approximately 75% to 80% of your chinchilla's diet should be made up of fresh hay. This is because wet cat food contains a lot of moisture and, as such, its difficult for chinchillas to digest. 4. 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. This means that chinchillas require a diet rich in protein but low in fat and carbohydrates. Made in USA; On Sale; Up to 25% Off: Select . Hamster food contains ingredients that are high in fats, including seeds and nuts, which could even be toxic to a chinchilla's system. While it depends on your cat's personality, many will seek out to hunt chinchillas. 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. our recommended food products for your chinchilla and the best place to purchase them from. Unlike cat food or dog food, this will contain many of the nutrients that a chinchilla needs to stay fit and healthy. Or, you could hand out small amounts of peanut butter or cheese. Nonetheless, this can be achieved by only slowly introducing these two pets to each other. List Of Safe Greens & Vegetables For Chinchillas: Fruits should only ever be offered as a treat to your chinchilla. Chinchilla Diapers: What You Need To Know + Pics, 16+ Different Chinchilla Colors: Pictures + Pricing, How Fast Can Chinchillas Run? Along with the quality of good that you feed your pet chinchilla, the quantity is just as important. Average Chinchilla Lifespan: How Long Do They Live? Basic nutrients such as sugar, fat and even calcium can all cause health problems to chinchillas if they are overfed. Its role in highlighting their adaptability to new or specif environments is matchless. A tablespoon or two each day is appropriate for most chinchillas. All greens and veggies should be offered in limited quantities and in moderation. Acidic foods can upset the pH balance of your chinchillas stomach and, as such, can cause stomach ulcers. Get the Best Price and Selection of Dry Dog Food at Pet Supplies Plus. No, they cant as theyre herbivorous, meaning they eat plenty of grasses or plants. This list includes common household foods that hamster should avoid but is by no means exhaustive. and always check to see if the fruit is recommended for chinchillas and what quantities it should be offered in. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. If you want to give your chinchilla some treats, then these should be carefully selected. You need to ensure your cat has a comfortable sitting area thats far from the chinchillas cage. 2.5 Dried Cranberry And Apple. So, excessive feeding can lead to diarrhea and urinary problems. There are a lot of food items that a chinchilla owner should never feed their pets. So, can rabbits eat chinchilla food? However, they eat mostly vegetation and seeds. You can do this by understanding how a chinchilla behaves and using that to your advantage. We have two females & two males. 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. All you need to hope for is that your cat ignores the chinchilla. 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. They won't go hunting for insects, but if they see one, they will eat it. What Greens & Vegetables Can Chinchillas Eat? 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. You should also try to avoid giving your chinchilla anything acidic, such as citrus fruits. 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. What Nutrients Are Unhealthy If Overfed to Your Chinchilla? For instance, chinchillas were observed eating " Puya berteroniana ", a type of succulent plants . . 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. If you want to get a pet chinchilla, you should take into consideration some important things before buying them. You must always do this even after these two pets are acclimatized to each other and coexist peacefully. 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. 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. Wild chinchillas are omnivores and feed on grasses, seeds, fruits, small plants, plant leaves, small insects, and bird eggs when they get a chance. A . This is a general rule for most small animals such as hedgehogs and even the majority of reptiles. So, if you decide to make a purchase through one of the links on this site, I receive a commission for it. Pets are adorable, but having different species in your home might bring about some issues with some of them incompatible. The recommended ratio for calcium to phosphorus is 2:1 so thats two parts calcium to every one part phosphorus. 2 Human Food Chinchillas Can Eat. You can repeat the process for a few days, gradually increasing the time frame. 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. 1 What Foods Are Poisonous To Chinchillas? These are usually made up of timothy or alfalfa hay, so you will have limited options to choose from. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Rabbit Food? 2.1 Fresh Vegetables. as it helps them to put on weight quickly but this is usually only offered until the age of around 9 months old. 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. 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. 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. Oat grass. Do make sure to feed them every day and check if their droppings are dry and normal. 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. 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. Purebred Chinchilla's. $1,200. These commissions help to keep the rest of my content free, so thank you! 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. 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). Pellets should be hay-based and fortified with additional vitamins. Food items that need to be provided to them continuously are hay and clean drinking water. Water should be provided in the form of a water bottle rather than a bowl as this is much more hygienic for your chinchilla. An aggressive cat will attack the chinchilla but with patience, you can train the pets to coexist. Naturally aloof people might not want to be constantly hounded for canine kisses, just as cuddly types might be affronted by some cat breeds . The diet that you choose to feed your chinchilla should mostly contain hay. This can lead to blockages and other health issues. 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. | Learn More >> You are shopping: Livonia, MI Livonia. 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. 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. 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. By doing so, youll be giving your cat and chinchilla ample time to get used to each other behaviors and smells.

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