2.3 Raisins. Some comments from a popular forum AGAINST giving raisins include: 1. 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. This can lead to blockages and other health issues. There are several reasons why you shouldnt feed your chinchillas cat food and, below, well explore each of these in more detail. As a general rule of thumb, chinchillas dont need fruit to be considered healthy and they dont need it in their diet. If a chinchilla is not active, it can in fact be bad for their health and cause an array of chinchilla health problems. . Hamsters eat more carbohydrates than chinchillas do, but both species need food with plenty of protein and calcium. Some owners are allergic to hay, so what should they do? 4. Never change your chinchillas' diet suddenly, as this could upset their digestive system and make them very ill. And of course too many raisins can cause diarrhea. Chinchillas in the wild tend to consume most of their food early in the morning and late at night. Always offer small amounts of sugar to your chinchillas and seek advice from your vet if you still arent sure. 3 Human Foods For Chinchillas: Final Thoughts. Just like all other animals, chinchillas need good quality food to survive. For these two pets to live in harmony with each other, patience and constant supervision is necessary. [What Owners Will Want To Know], Can Chinchillas Get Fleas? 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. Chinchilla Image Credit: Veera, Shutterstock. 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 What Nutrients Are Unhealthy If Overfed to Your Chinchilla? [Top Speeds], Is My Chinchilla Fat? 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. From their increased curiosity and affection to their unmatched affordability, chinchillas will always be amazing pets. 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. 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 Chinchillas can consume a wide variety of human foods, most notably vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts, and grains. Some of the more common culprits include inflammatory bowel disease, bacterial infections, viral infections, parasites, ulcers, etc. hay, fresh vegetables, and pellets should still make up the majority of their diet. The chinchilla should be given fresh hay every day. They have very different nutritional needs. Rhubarb. They have very different nutritional needs. Tomato Leaves. Fat - 2-5%. 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. What is the reason why Chinchillas are not allowed to consume blueberries? We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. There is very little difference in the nutrition provided between timothy hay and orchard grass hay. First off, you should always feed your chinchilla a healthy, balanced diet. On top of this, wet cat food has a tendency to stick around in the digestive tract for long periods of time. Dont make sudden changes in their diets as it can upset their stomach. Another important thing that they eat is pellets. An aggressive cat will attack the chinchilla but with patience, you can train the pets to coexist. If you decide to collect your own wood then you need to make sure you do a few things before handing it over to your chinchilla. 2.6 No Sudden Dietary Changes. 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. Caring for a Chinchilla: What You Need to Know, Overgrown Teeth and Dental Issues in Chinchillas. Unfortunately, though, this doesnt mean that its going to provide your chinchilla with the nutrients they require. 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. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Romaine Lettuce? 2.5 Dried Cranberry And Apple. The amount of food your chinchilla needs to eat depends on their age, lifestyle and state of health. Yes, they can, as harmful bacteria can be crossed from your cat to your chinchilla, causing it a severe illness. The chinchilla's pellets should be put in a food bowl, and they should be given fresh pellets every day. 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. Its important to understand that this is a guide only. The diet that you choose to feed your chinchilla should mostly contain hay. You can either purchase wood sticks from a store or collect your own, Wash The wood Thoroughly (remove all visible dirt), Ensure Sticks Are Totally Dry (should easily snap under pressure), Timothy or Orchard Grass Hay Always Available. Timothy hay should be offered in unlimited quantities so your chinchilla can graze and feed on it continually throughout the day, again, more on the exact amounts of food to offer your chin each day later in the post. As such, its impossible for chinchillas to eat the same diet as cats. What Owners Must Know! It is also coarse enough to keep their teeth short and stop them from overgrowing. 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. These flowers should be dried before feeding to ensure that they are crunchy since our little ones love to nibble. You can check out the water bottle we recommend you use in our new cage accessories guide here. If you want to know what age baby chinchillas are weaned then head over to our post that shares all you need to know. and always check to see if the fruit is recommended for chinchillas and what quantities it should be offered in. What Nutrients Are Important For Chinchillas? Raisins and dried cranberries. The tipping can come in various colors, including blue, red, cream, and more. Feeding your chinchilla excessive amounts of pellets does not supply enough fiber for their gastrointestinal tracts (which require high fiber for fermentation of food) and doesnt provide the roughage to wear down their continuously growing teeth. How to feed the chinchilla. Hi, my namesElena Coolidge, and this is my site. It will keep them active and give them the appropriate amount of pellets per day, hay, and other food items per day as well. 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. Feeding greens and vegetables in large quantities can upset the nutritional balance of the hay and pellets you are providing to your chinchilla. The stomach, chest, and chin are pure white. The foods below are considered unsafe or too unhealthy to feed to your chinchilla and therefore should be avoided. Studying the plants that chinchillas eat on a regular basis was particularly interesting for those scientists. link to How Often Should Chinchillas Have Dust Baths? It should be bright green and smell fresh, or else it can be harmful to your chinchilla. However, this isnt something they enjoy doing. The treats that you choose to feed them should be done in very limited and controlled quantities. 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. [4] You can buy hay at most pet stores or online. Chinchillas cannot eat hamster food. This is a general rule for most small animals such as hedgehogs and even the majority of reptiles. Monitoring your chinchillas' diet. You may be tempted to buy cheap cat food from the supermarket. Can Chinchillas Eat Hamster Food? 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). It's safe to give your chin a raisin-size amount 2-3 times per week. Ideally, you want to offer your chinchillas a low to moderate calcium diet that on the whole contains more calcium than phosphorus. This is important because your cat might terrorize your chinchilla even when its in the cage by either hissing at it or staying very close to the cage. Poppy. 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. The chinchilla will be stressed out by calm cats too. There are so many different hay varieties to choose from and sometimes it can be hard to know which ones will serve your chinchillas nutritional needs the best. Chinchillas cant eat cat food. These adorable kittens are loving , caring and very affectionate. 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. In fact, when given the choice between dry cat food and fresh grass, chinchillas choose the latter every time! So, can rabbits eat chinchilla food? If you are thinking of becoming a new pet parent, having a chinchilla will be the ultimate solution. Acidic foods can upset the pH balance of your chinchillas stomach and, as such, can cause stomach ulcers. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Even though greens are considered healthy or even vital for the majority of the animal kingdom, they are actually less important to the health of a chinchilla so they should only be offered in smaller quantities. Cats are feline predators that are known for hunting rodent prey like chinchillas. There are some things that you should do to have a healthy chinchilla. The recommended ratio for calcium to phosphorus is 2:1 so thats two parts calcium to every one part phosphorus. By doing so, youll be giving your cat and chinchilla ample time to get used to each other behaviors and smells. Like. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. 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. Second, not all rabbit foods are created equal. Dried Herbs. Chinchillas in the wild tend to consume most of their food early in the morning and late at night. There are chinchilla hay pellets and hay cubes available as well. Chinchilla Pet Animals and Pets. Fruits and Veggies - Fresh fruits, fresh greens, and other veggies are a healthy part of your chinchilla's diet as well. Line the cage with a few inches of dye-free paper bedding. Finally, chinchillas need foods that help to keep their teeth grounded over time. To make sure that your pet eats food properly, you need to make the feeding time fun. Here Are Safe Wood Options For Chinchillas to Chew On: There is often a lot of confusion about if chinchillas actually need water. Chinchillas dont need a whole lot of greens in their diet but they are still important in the right quantities. Merrick dog food is a premium quality food, made with human grade meats and a selection of vegetables. Adult chinchillas are recommended to eat timothy hay as this provides all the nutrients your chinchilla needs and in the correct quantities. Yes, chinchillas can eat C heerios, . Learn more about their diets, below. Dried fruit (apple, banana, and papaya). If you want to give them something extra special, then you can include some fruit snacks, peanut butter, cheese, or eggshells into their food bowl every once in a while. They eat Royal Canin special Persian cat food and the kittens are eating kitten food. 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. While chinchillas and hamsters may seem similar, their diets couldn't be more different, and that means you . 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 . Avoid pine and cedar shavings, as they can irritate a chinchilla's respiratory tract. Growing, breeding, and nursing chinchillas may be fed a larger amount of pellets to provide additional calories, protein, fat and calcium. Unlike cat food or dog food, this will contain many of the nutrients that a chinchilla needs to stay fit and healthy. 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. 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. It's not safe for rabbits to eat chinchilla food. Chinchillas are herbivores and their diet consists mostly of hay, vegetables, and a small amount of fruit. Can Chinchillas Eat Cucumbers And Is It Safe? Chewing is good for your chinchillas teeth as they continually grow throughout their lives and chewing safe objects will help to keep their teeth short and healthy. They won't go hunting for insects, but if they see one, they will eat it. Now, lets talk more about the healthy treats that you should feed these exotic animals. We will be constantly adding new dedicated posts where we spotlight popular fruits so you can see in detail if the fruit is safe as well as how often and how much to offer your chinchilla. If this is a problem you were undergoing, reading this insightful article has enlightened you to understand better if cats and chinchillas can get along. Actually, a good portion of their diet is already rabbit food. Milk and other dairy products are animal products and not appropriate for herbivores. cute cat; Cat cartoon; cat eat; 1. Chinchillas are rodents and behave in pretty much the same way as a squirrel would. such as elevated levels of calcium and in turn, cause health issues. 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. Pics + 7 Signs Theyre Overweight, How Much Is A Chinchilla [Cost & Price Stats]. Just make sure that they are safe. Image Credit: Natalis.ph, Shutterstock. Created using the Newspaper Theme. 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. 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. amongst other things so only a handful are really considered safe enough to eat even in small quantities. This leads to problems including diarrhea, weight loss, and stomach ulcers. A . Give your cat and chinchilla enough time to get used to each other. You can give them raisins, carrots, sultanas, and basically all the things that were mentioned above in the list. Package Include: PStarDMoon pet automatic feeder set contains 1 food feeder and 1 water feeder and 1 hay feeder bag, a complete set with large capacity, which can satisfy pets' drinking and eating at the same ; Size: The food feeder can hold 1400ml of food and the water feeder can hold 500ml of water, which can meet the supply of food . The answer is that chinchillas do need fresh water daily and if they dont have access to water they will become dehydrated and eventually become ill and die. Nicole is the proud mom of 3 rescue fur babies, Baby, a Burmese cat; Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway; and Mac, a Lab/Mastiff. You shouldn't have a chinchilla in the same house or at least keep your chinchilla in a separate room. It is an animal that will get you smitten instantly, and its elegance will keep swirling, Read More Can Chinchillas Get Fleas? Hi, My name is Adam. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Nuts? As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. There are a lot of food items that a chinchilla owner should never feed their pets. 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. The PDSA also recommends that you bake any wood you offer to your chinchilla for an hour and also give it a thorough wash to ensure its safe and clean. As it turns out, chinchillas have an absolutely wide diet that varies considerably in the texture, hardness, nutritional value, etc. Eggshells are rich in calcium and, as such, theyre an excellent source of nutrition for your chinchilla! They can be offered much variety of good quality and clean hay like timothy hay, orchard grass, alfalfa hay, oat hay, or meadow hay. Water should be provided in the form of a water bottle rather than a bowl as this is much more hygienic for your chinchilla. The only downside to dried fruit is that as nutrients such as fibre increase so does the sugar content and this can elevate the amounts of sugar into alarming levels. Please talk to your vet for a detailed diet plan that suits the individual needs of your pet. Do have hay constantly as well; keep a rack with hay and replace it routinely before it gets moldy. Fresh Apple. Chinchillas have a rounded ears, plump furry bodies, short legs, and long tails. In this post, we will share the foods your chinchilla should be eating on a daily basis, how much they should be eating as well as what foods they need to stay away from. 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. Shoot me an emailif you have a question! It is also built with a speaker for remote interaction with pets. By doing this, you can be confident that your chinchilla doesnt suffer any physical harm plus is safe from any stress. Therefore, youll want to choose the hay wisely if you dont want, Read More Best Hay For Chinchillas 2023 Reviews and ComparisonContinue. 1 What Foods Are Poisonous To Chinchillas? This cage features a plastic and wire mesh construction with a built-in wheel and hideout. Chinchillas also need their diets to be supplemented with pellets to round off and balance their nutritional needs. Provide a steady supply of hay. Dry foods are made entirely from grains and other similar products. 1.1 Understanding The Chinchilla Diet. 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. Read on for everything that you'll need to know. | Learn More >> You are shopping: Livonia, MI Livonia. All of our pet experts are here to help you and . These exotic animals need chinchilla food pellets every day, a well but in a much more controlled quantity. Many also contain preservatives and additives which arent suitable for your chinchilla. This is because rabbits require higher amounts of protein than chinchillas, which is reflected in the content of their food. Behavior & Training Food & Nutrition . our recommended food products for your chinchilla and the best place to purchase them from. Plain Cheerios. Chinchillas also dont like eating cat food. Cat with can food. 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 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. The kittens get lots of attention and handling, so grooming and cleaning the eyes will be easy in the future. First, rabbit food is not a complete diet for a chinchilla. Hard objects, such as branches from non-toxic fruit trees (like apple, pear, and peach trees), can be given to promote chewing and teeth wear, but toxic trees (like cherry, cedar, plum and redwood) should be avoided. 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. As a pet, chinchillas can eat the same dried herbs and benefit from the nutrients. In the wild, chins consume very small amounts of fat in their diet so offering them a high-fat diet that their gastrointestinal tract isnt used to can lead to more digestive problems. To be more precise, these furry animals are mainly folivores, preferring a diet made up of vegetation.Some of the food items that make up most of their diet are seeds, grass, grains, nuts, and leaves. Chinchillas require large amounts of fibre in their diet for their digestive system to function correctly. Always keep an eye on your cat even after your chinchilla and cat have started getting along. You may also spot tipping on the legs. With all things considered, the best 2 hay choices for your chinchilla are. Most importantly, you need to know what they can and cant eat! This only happens opportunistically, though. An overweight chinchilla is susceptible to many illnesses like diabetes, diarrhea, and liver damage. Here is a breakdown of the nutrients your chinchilla needs in their diet and in what percentages. Are Chinchillas Territorial? Some use only meat products while others include vegetables and grains. A tablespoon or two each day is appropriate for most chinchillas. 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. This is because chins can get ill if they are exposed to large amounts of water on their fur. A few hamster owners were concerned that their buddies would have trouble eating it because of its size and shape . Basic nutrients such as sugar, fat and even calcium can all cause health problems to chinchillas if they are overfed. I'm a pocket pet enthusiast and I love sharing my knowledge and passion for these amazing animals. Cats are carnivores (meat-eaters) whereas chinchillas are herbivores (plant-eaters). 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. This is because wet cat food contains a lot of moisture and, as such, its difficult for chinchillas to digest. Image 1 is the male father & Image 2 is the female mother.. Source: The teeth of a chinchilla are also constantly growing and coarse hay is a must to keep their teeth short and shaped correctly. They also need to have access to fresh water at all times. Doing this is vital because your cats natural hunting instinct might kick in at any moment. This is made worse by the fact that chinchillas dont have the ability to pass gas and therefore the situation can become extremely painful and in some cases, it has actually caused death. Wet foods are usually made up of milk and water. In conclusion, make sure to feed your chinchilla with care and monitor their diets properly. Although it is made from flour, bread has very few nutrients for chinchillas. 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.