Second, not all rabbit foods are created equal. Chinchillas in captivity often require a balanced diet of low fat, low moisture, low carbohydrates, and high fiber. The Chinchillas are often described as adorable, but they're also Is your chinchilla looking a little too plump? Read More The Best Chinchilla Toys (Review) in 2023Continue, This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. In addition to this, a lot of fruit can actually be harmful to chinchillas and they certainly cant just eat any and all fruits. Plain Cheerios. In addition to this, the chinchilla may choose to hide, seeking safety from the cat, thereby making it hard to locate. 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. Chinchilla Sleeping Habits: Are Chinchillas Nocturnal? Cats are feline predators that are known for hunting rodent prey like chinchillas. All greens and veggies should be offered in limited quantities and in moderation. As for what kind of water chinchillas solid drink, you cant just give them any old water from the tap. Fibre - 30-35%. 2.2 Dried Fruits And Herbs. However, if you are allergic to hay, this is a great option as it greatly reduces the hay dust in your house, which reduces the allergic reaction that you might have to the hay. Those products can be harmful to your digestive system in large quantities, so keep small portions in hand. 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. Raisins. They can also be found in mixed dried dandelion mixtures, which can include dandelion leaves, flower petals, and even roots. There are several reasons why you shouldnt feed your chinchillas cat food and, below, well explore each of these in more detail. The quality of the ingredients used by manufacturers to make cat food varies enormously. 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. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Bread and Dairy Products. Although cats and chinchillas might not coexist peacefully at first, there are ways of promoting this to happen. 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. Dried fruit (apple, banana, and papaya). 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. They won't go hunting for insects, but if they see one, they will eat it. This is because cats have an innate hunting instinct. Actually, a good portion of their diet is already rabbit food. No, they can't as they're herbivorous, meaning they eat plenty of grasses or plants. Some common options for food items that every pet chinchilla owner needs to keep their chinchilla safe and healthy are listed below. Of course, there are some other food items that chinchillas cant eat as well, so it is best to ask a vet if you are unsure about the food item that you could feed your pet. Chinchillas need hay between 14% and 16% plant protein. I'm a pocket pet enthusiast and I love sharing my knowledge and passion for these amazing animals. It is also coarse enough to keep their teeth short and stop them from overgrowing. No, they cant as theyre herbivorous, meaning they eat plenty of grasses or plants. 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. Wild chinchillas are omnivores and feed on grasses, seeds, fruits, small plants, plant leaves, small insects, and bird eggs when they get a chance. Again, although this is the common amount of food that your pet needs, you need to contact the pet veterinarian to be sure of ample amounts of food that your chinchilla needs. link to Are Chinchillas Territorial? Lets look at some more information that is essential for chinchilla pet owners about pet food. Are Chinchillas Territorial? The kittens get lots of attention and handling, so grooming and cleaning the eyes will be easy in the future. Yucca. Do have constant clean drinking water; if tap water is not clean, then have bottled water for your pet. Or, you could hand out small amounts of peanut butter or cheese. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. 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. Chinchillas can eat a wide variety of natural food like hay, vegetables, dried fruits, nuts, berries, dried plants, and herbs. Buy Merrick Dog Food online in Canada from Canadian Pet Connection. 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. 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. Occasionally, they will eat insects and bird eggs. Their diet should be composed of about 35% carbohydrates, 3.5% fat, 30% fiber, 15% protein, and only 4% sugar. 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. 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. Once this condition occurs, there is nothing that can be done other than to provide pain medication and soft foods. 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. Why You Shouldnt Feed Cat Food To A Chinchilla, The Risks Of Feeding Wet Cat Food To A Chinchilla, Can Chinchillas Eat Pretzels? 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 greens and vegetables in large quantities can upset the nutritional balance of the hay and pellets you are providing to your chinchilla. It is also better to distribute the food all over the cage to make it fun and much healthier for the domestic animal. Below we have listed the most common greens that your chinchillas can safely eat in moderation as part of a healthy and balanced diet. The diet for chinchillas should be monitored to make sure they follow it daily. Chinchillas enjoy dandelions because they have an interesting . 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. It will keep them active and give them the appropriate amount of pellets per day, hay, and other food items per day as well. These adorable kittens are loving , caring and very affectionate. Are Chinchillas Cuddly? This means that chinchillas require a diet rich in protein but low in fat and carbohydrates. Health and welfare issues - other. Like most animals in the world, chinchillas require a variety of nutrients to be considered healthy and for their organs to work correctly. Dried Herbs. 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. Instead, chinchilla feeds should address the following: Fat: should be between 2% and 5%. Pelleted diets are better than a mixture of loose items. You can give these things in moderation but make sure to avoid nuts and seeds as they are way too high in fat content. I blog about their care, where to buy them, breeders, and more. You can just grab little bits of a few things and make a little sampler jar! The popular cereal Cheerios are also seen as a treat that chinchillas can eat due to their dried nature and high amounts of fibre. 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. If you want to get a pet chinchilla, you should take into consideration some important things before buying them. Hi, my namesElena Coolidge, and this is my site. Good hays include alfalfa hay, timothy hay, orchard grass, and blue grass. Provide a steady supply of hay. This leads to problems including diarrhea, weight loss, and stomach ulcers. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Nuts? Orchardgrass. In conclusion, make sure to feed your chinchilla with care and monitor their diets properly. All you need to hope for is that your cat ignores the chinchilla. "Hay should be offered free choice 24 hours a day and should be the main component of your chinchilla's diet." Hay should be replaced daily with fresh hay to prevent bacteria and mold growth. Its always best to check before you offer your chinchilla a new fruit just to make sure its safe and to see just how much you can offer them in one sitting. While chinchillas and hamsters may seem similar, their diets couldn't be more different, and that means you . However, in many cases, this is easier said than done. Eggshells are rich in calcium and, as such, theyre an excellent source of nutrition for your chinchilla! 2.2 Nutritional requirements. Purebred Chinchilla's. $1,200. This is because chins can get ill if they are exposed to large amounts of water on their fur. cute cat; Cat cartoon; cat eat; 1. Instead, offer your adult chinchilla timothy hay or other low-calcium grass hays, such as orchard or meadow grass. as their pellets are of a high quality and are fortified with vitamins such as vitamin D3. So here is a list of fruits and vegetables that you can feed your chinchillas. Fruit can cause problems to chinchillas such as. This is because cats instinctive desire is to hunt down rodents while chinchillas tend to be more reserved and usually love hiding.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smallpetshq_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_13',177,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-mobile-leaderboard-2-0'); Therefore, before you can even test whether your cat and chinchilla can get along, the first thing to do is establish each of these species personality traits. 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 . Unlike cat food or dog food, this will contain many of the nutrients that a chinchilla needs to stay fit and healthy. Dont make sudden changes in their diets as it can upset their stomach. nuts and sunflower seeds need to be avoided. 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. These exotic animals need chinchilla food pellets every day, a well but in a much more controlled quantity. Chinchillas also need their diets to be supplemented with pellets to round off and balance their nutritional needs. Answer (1 of 2): It is not so much that they are 'fragile', but have different habitat requirements than we are used to. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. Laurel. Always keep an eye on your cat even after your chinchilla and cat have started getting along. A few hamster owners were concerned that their buddies would have trouble eating it because of its size and shape . In this post, we have listed many of the safe fruits for chinchillas although this list isnt conclusive. Therefore, you need to make sure your chinchilla is safe in the cage placed in a different room your cat cant go into. To try to mimic this rough vegetation, the mainstay of pet chinchillas diets should be hay offered in unlimited quantities. Chinchillas in the wild tend to consume most of their food early in the morning and late at night. The recommended ratio for calcium to phosphorus is 2:1 so thats two parts calcium to every one part phosphorus. 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. Fruits and Veggies - Fresh fruits, fresh greens, and other veggies are a healthy part of your chinchilla's diet as well. 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. 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. Line the cage with a few inches of dye-free paper bedding. 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. 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. Because of the sensitive nature of a chinchillas digestive tract, sugar can be extremely harmful even if its fed in moderate quantities. If you want to know what age baby chinchillas are weaned then head over to our post that shares all you need to know. Instead, they prefer to nibble at their hay or grass. 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). The tipping can come in various colors, including blue, red, cream, and more. 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. 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. Like most rodents, chinchillas love to chew things. Calcium and phosphorus play an important role in your chinchillas diet, albeit a complicated one. If a chinchilla were to eat dry cat food, it would likely experience digestive issues and may even die. 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. 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? Fresh Apple. Chinchilla Diapers: What You Need To Know + Pics, 16+ Different Chinchilla Colors: Pictures + Pricing, How Fast Can Chinchillas Run? Chinchillas in the wild typically eat most of their food in . Overconsumption of pellets can also be fattening and can lead to obesity and diarrhea due to excess carbohydrate ingestion. By doing so, youll be giving your cat and chinchilla ample time to get used to each other behaviors and smells. It is not a suitable food for them to have, even in small amounts. Chinchillas are among the most intelligent and fun pets to have. What Greens & Vegetables Can Chinchillas Eat? The most obvious reason why you shouldn't feed cat food to a chinchilla is because chinchillas are not cats! As long as your chinchillas are eating plenty of their regular food so that they are receiving the right nutrition, there shouldn't be a problem. Grapes and raisins have shown to be toxic to dogs, ferrets and cats. Oxbow Essentials Deluxe Chinchilla Food. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 2.6 No Sudden Dietary Changes. 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. Guide + Chart. So, what should you feed a chinchilla? One of the Pocket Pets Forever is a website for lovers of pocket pets. When it comes to pellets for chinchillas, its important that you purchase pellets that are specifically designed for chinchillas. They can easily get an upset stomach and have a limited capacity for digestion. so from these numbers alone its clear to see that good quality hay is undoubtedly the most vital part of your chinchillas diet. 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. Chinchillas could be temperate and might be picky eaters, and you should be careful about, Read More Can Chinchillas Eat Cucumbers And Is It Safe?Continue, This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Rabbit Food? Fiber: should be at least 15%, preferably up to 35%. As such, its impossible for chinchillas to eat the same diet as cats. The diet of chinchillas should ideally be high in protein and fiber while containing low moisture and fat content. You may also be able to give your chinchilla treats like rose petals, rolled oats, or even non-frosted shredded wheat. The main takeaway here is that you should never give cat food to your pet chinchilla. Semi-dry foods consist of dried milk and grain. Chinchillas dont need a whole lot of greens in their diet but they are still important in the right quantities. Shoot me an emailif you have a question! As wet cat food is so soft, itll have absolutely no effect on keeping your chinchillas teeth to a safe length. There are some great hay-based pellets out there on the market that complement your chinchillas hay-based diet and fill in the gaps in your chins nutrition really well. 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 . Botanical hay. From allergies to zoomies, we have dogs covered like fur on a sofa. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Pumpkin? This is because rabbits require higher amounts of protein than chinchillas, which is reflected in the content of their food. If you're looking for a reasonably priced cage that comes with a variety of accessories, try the Habitrail Cristal Hamster Cage with Wheel. Hibiscus is known to be a healthy treat for chinchillas if offered in small quantities and is often used in commercial chinchilla treats. However, they eat mostly vegetation and seeds. What is the reason why Chinchillas are not allowed to consume blueberries? Also, as with people, some chinchillas may not react well to all foods so give new items in small amounts. I'm the main author of Pocket Pets Forever. 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. As mentioned earlier, chinchillas' dietary requirements are different from other animals, and therefore, they should not eat guinea pig food or gerbil food. Chinchillas have an extremely sensitive digestive system as we have already mentioned in this article. Remember that treats are only supposed to be offered sparingly and not in large amounts daily. Some other healthy treats include rosehips and mountain ash berries. Their access to water and hay or grass should be maintained in a way that they never run out. Chinchillas are herbivores and their diet consists mostly of hay, vegetables, and a small amount of fruit. Monitoring your chinchillas' diet. 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 comes with a water bottle and food dish as well, all priced under $20. Pets are adorable, but having different species in your home might bring about some issues with some of them incompatible. Chinchilla's natural environment is the Andes mountains. 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. You can check out the water bottle we recommend you use in our new cage accessories guide here. 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. It is a rich source of Malic acid that is not essential for your Chinchillas. The chinchilla's pellets should be put in a food bowl, and they should be given fresh pellets every day. The foods below are considered unsafe or too unhealthy to feed to your chinchilla and therefore should be avoided. You must always do this even after these two pets are acclimatized to each other and coexist peacefully. Some dos and donts for having chinchillas as pets are listed below. This can lead to blockages and other health issues. Give your cat and chinchilla enough time to get used to each other. You may also spot tipping on the legs. The short answer is yes, chinchillas can eat rabbit food. An aggressive cat will attack the chinchilla but with patience, you can train the pets to coexist. 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. 1. 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. If a chinchilla is not active, it can in fact be bad for their health and cause an array of chinchilla health problems. Its role in highlighting their adaptability to new or specif environments is matchless. Can Chinchillas Eat Cat Food? As it turns out, chinchillas have an absolutely wide diet that varies considerably in the texture, hardness, nutritional value, etc. head over to our post that shares all you need to know. It is the purest type of water available and it does not contain any bacteria. Some of the more common culprits include inflammatory bowel disease, bacterial infections, viral infections, parasites, ulcers, etc. If you dont have at least a basic understanding of chinchillas dietary needs, then there is the potential they could become seriously ill as they have extremely strict dietary requirements. ; The long-tailed chinchillas will feed on insects, such as moths and grasshoppers, and bird eggs if the opportunity presents itself. They need to have variety in the boring food they eat while also getting all the nutritional requirements met. 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. 3 Spot-clean soiled bedding daily, and do a full bedding change weekly when you wash everything in the enclosure with mild soap and water. This means it should comprise 35% carbohydrates, 30% fiber, 15% protein, 4% protein, and less than 3.5% fat. Chinchillas only need to consume around 3-5% fat in their diet which is easily attainable from their base diet so foods such as. List Of Safe Greens & Vegetables For Chinchillas: Fruits should only ever be offered as a treat to your chinchilla. and how to get rid of it, The Best Chinchilla Toys (Review) in 2023, Are chinchillas Smart? Chinchilla Image Credit: Veera, Shutterstock. You can also feed them a mixture of all these hays. As you know, chinchillas are plant-eating animals. They have very different nutritional needs. 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. Always offer small amounts of sugar to your chinchillas and seek advice from your vet if you still arent sure. They are high in sugar, however, so give sparingly. 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. 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. 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.
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