To try to mimic this rough vegetation, the mainstay of pet chinchillas diets should be hay offered in unlimited quantities. No, they cant as theyre herbivorous, meaning they eat plenty of grasses or plants. Fiber: should be at least 15%, preferably up to 35%. 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. 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. Please do not leave them alone at any moment as our pets security is our topmost priority. Created using the Newspaper Theme. 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. Chinchillas dont need a whole lot of greens in their diet but they are still important in the right quantities. 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. This is because cats have an innate hunting instinct. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. 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? All of our pet experts are here to help you and . Some use only meat products while others include vegetables and grains. Also, as with people, some chinchillas may not react well to all foods so give new items in small amounts. For example, if you have horses then you know they're prone to overeating. 3 Human Foods For Chinchillas: Final Thoughts. Fruit can cause problems to chinchillas such as. 4. Either way, you need to be careful when offering your chin both fruit and dried fruit and always check to see if the fruit is recommended for chinchillas and what quantities it should be offered in. For example, you could offer them a few pieces of fruit, such as apples or pears. Yes, cats do attack chinchillas as their rodents, which they see as prey. Protein - 16-20%. Its role in highlighting their adaptability to new or specif environments is matchless. Filtered water is ideal for use in Chinchilla bottles. 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. 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. amongst other things so only a handful are really considered safe enough to eat even in small quantities. Their mum is a chinchilla Persian Semi-long haired silky & soft coat and their Dad is a red . As we mentioned earlier, hay is the most important part of a chinchillas diet. All you need to hope for is that your cat ignores the chinchilla. (Benefits/Risks), Norwegian Lundehund: What You Need To Know. Raisins and dried cranberries. As you know, chinchillas are very sensitive animals, so you need to be very careful with what you feed them. Some owners are allergic to hay, so what should they do? Like most rodents, chinchillas love to chew things. Cats are carnivores (meat-eaters) whereas chinchillas are herbivores (plant-eaters). Dry foods are made entirely from grains and other similar products. Finally, chinchillas need foods that help to keep their teeth grounded over time. Chinchillas should be given 1-2 tablespoons of pellets per day, and Bunk-Hatch recommends Oxbow Essentials. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Pecans? Avoid feeding dried fruits. Hamster food contains ingredients that are high in fats, including seeds and nuts, which could even be toxic to a chinchilla's system. 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. Oxbow hay (low dust/hypoallergenic) 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. Following a healthy diet will maximize your chinchillas lifespan. 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 . 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. Chinchilla/Hedgehog; Ferrets; Guinea Pigs; Gerbils/Hamsters; Mice/Rats; Rabbits; Featured Shops. 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. Yucca. Chinchillas also dont like eating cat food. This can lead to blockages and other health issues. Additionally, chinchillas can be fed a small amount (1-2 tbsp/day) of a commercial pelleted diet formulated for chinchillas. Chinchillas require a diet that mainly consists of timothy hay with the addition of supplementary chinchilla pellets. In fact, the hamster food is likely to be harmful to them. 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. You should never feed a chinchilla hamster food, as it is one of the worst blends of ingredients for chinchillas to consume. Actually, a good portion of their diet is already rabbit food. The recommended ratio for calcium to phosphorus is 2:1 so thats two parts calcium to every one part phosphorus. Nonetheless, this can be achieved by only slowly introducing these two pets to each other. A chinchilla that is fully grown typically weighs between 1 and 3 pounds. If a chinchilla is not active, it can in fact be bad for their health and cause an array of chinchilla health problems. Hamster food is made largely of things that would be harmful for a chinchilla to eat. They can be offered much variety of good quality and clean hay like timothy hay, orchard grass, alfalfa hay, oat hay, or meadow hay. For these two pets to live in harmony with each other, patience and constant supervision is necessary. If you feed them the correct diet, chinchillas generally keep themselves at the right weight. Most tap water is clean, however, dirty water can contain giardia and would not be suitable for use in your Chinchilla Water Bottle. When cared for and fed properly, chinchillas can make great pets. 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. If you ask your chinchilla what their fave treats are, dried cranberries and raisins are at the top of their list. Many also contain preservatives and additives which arent suitable for your chinchilla. Chinchillas can consume a wide variety of human foods, most notably vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts, and grains. This is usually the case for cats and chinchillas, which can be stressful for you as a pet owner. This list includes common household foods that hamster should avoid but is by no means exhaustive. Hamsters vs. Gerbils: Whats the Difference. The short answer is yes, chinchillas can eat rabbit food. 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. What Do Chinchillas Eat: Diet & Food Guide. 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 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. So, if you decide to make a purchase through one of the links on this site, I receive a commission for it. Thankfully, nowadays, there is a variety of hay available so that you can choose the hay type that your chinchilla loves the most. , they get most if not all of the nutrition they need from this basic diet. 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. But guinea pigs are actually really good at eating slowly and reading their body. Purebred Silver & White chinchilla. 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. 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. It is an animal that will get you smitten instantly, and its elegance will keep swirling, Read More Can Chinchillas Get Fleas? However, this isnt something they enjoy doing. Cat food comes in many different varieties: wet, semi-dry, and dry. From their increased curiosity and affection to their unmatched affordability, chinchillas will always be amazing pets. 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. Approximately 75% to 80% of your chinchilla's diet should be made up of fresh hay. Besides, Read More Are Chinchillas Cuddly? Fresh drinking water should be offered daily in a water bowl or bottle. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Pumpkin? 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. Here is a breakdown of the nutrients your chinchilla needs in their diet and in what percentages. Due to their opportunistic nature in the wild, most chinchillas will eat any leaves, seeds, fruits, and nonpoisonous insects that it can come across, and because they are endangered . All greens and veggies should be offered in limited quantities and in moderation. Rhubarb. 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. By doing this, you can be confident that your chinchilla doesnt suffer any physical harm plus is safe from any stress. Chinchillas only need to consume around 3-5% fat in their diet which is easily attainable from their base diet so foods such as. Instead, they prefer to nibble at their hay or grass. Furthermore, chinchillas might suffer from stress caused by your cat, which might trigger a sickness, thereby leading to its untimely demise. There are chinchilla hay pellets and hay cubes available as well. Thats why they need to have toys and accessories in their houses. Occasionally, they will eat insects and bird eggs. They shouldn't be used in place of a proper diet of chinchilla pellets and hay. 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. They have very different nutritional needs. Both critters should be eating a high quality hay as the majority of their diet. To make sure that your pet eats food properly, you need to make the feeding time fun. | Learn More >> You are shopping: Livonia, MI Livonia. You will only find the best in customer service and pet care at The Wishbone Pet Company . Chinchillas can eat leaves and twigs in captivity, yet these types of food are more difficult to find when not in the wild. 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. For instance, chinchillas were observed eating " Puya berteroniana ", a type of succulent plants . Always check the quality of your tap water at home before choosing this option. Chinchillas are herbivorous and do not eat animal-based products. You can add a small amount of commercially available pelleted chinchilla food to your chinchilla's diet. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Timothy Hay? 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 rest can be a mix of pellets, fruits and vegetables, herbs but it's different for each species, as . Raisins. They won't go hunting for insects, but if they see one, they will eat it. 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. This leads to problems including diarrhea, weight loss, and stomach ulcers. Now, lets talk more about the healthy treats that you should feed these exotic animals. In the wild, chinchillas live in cold mountains, crevices of rocks, moving from rock to rock to escape from predators and to find food.