However, they can also have medicinal uses, so do check the suitability of your chosen treat before feeding it. To extract as much goodness from their food as possible, a chinchilla will eat some of their droppings. Timothy Hay is common amongst several chinchilla owners and you can simply find it on Amazon and other online retailers. Any changes or additions to a chinchilla should be done gradually to avoid stomach upsets. This article deals with the somewhat “controversial” topic of diet and nutrition. Please scroll down to see pictures, food ideas and quality of life. Chinchillas require a high fiber diet and should be offered grass hay (such as Timothy hay or other low calcium hays such as orchard grass, oat hay, or meadow hay) free choice (available 24 hours a day). Chinchillas will leave the bits containing fibre and only eat the sugary bits. 6. Figuring out what to feed your chinchilla can be overwhelming. Chinchillas love eating. Dried Herbs – a good pinch per chinchilla can be fed a few times a week too. What do pet chinchillas eat? But one thing that all breeders will agree on is that chinchillas require a low fat, high fiber diet to maintain optimum health. Kline. Fresh drinking water … Their diet mostly consists of hay and experts recommend Timothy hay as a … This may be a bad time to buy a Mega Millions ticket. Chinchillas have 20 teeth, all of which grow continuously throughout the chinchilla’s life. Favourite answer. Due to this specialization of the digestive tract, no commercial rodent food may be fed indiscriminately in captivity. An average chinchilla requires about an ounce (heaped tablespoon) of pellets a day. Anyway, before … While these choices are more nutritious, it’s important to make sure they are non-toxic and haven’t been treated with any pesticides before offering them to your chinchilla. For freshness sake however, it’s a good idea to feed them a small amount of pellets at a time. A few respected brands include Oxbow Chinchilla Deluxe, Mazuri, and Tradition. A diet lacking in hay may well be indicative or even causative of digestive or dental anomalies in the long-term. A lover of animals, peace and quiet, and reading. There are two types of fiber found in feeds/hays etc…. If your chinchilla is healthy and eating a balanced diet, they shouldn’t need supplements. What are the best treats for chinchillas? Although a well balanced diet of top-quality pellets and hay should provide adequate vitamins and minerals, without the need for any extra supplementation, there may be times in a chinchilla’s life when a little extra may not hurt, such as with breeding or convalescing animals. However, if for some strange reason a chinchilla cannot eat hay, then there are a few alternatives you can try. Wild chinchillas have shorter teeth, whereas pet chinchillas have longer teeth that appear to suffer from tooth lesions. Trump's massive farm bailout didn't do the trick In captivity, hay is the main source of fiber in a chinchilla’s diet. Males have a patch of bare skin between the anus and urethral opening. A constant supply of hay is highly recommended. chinchillas. Chinchilla pellets are considered to be the best type of food concentrate, but they must be of good quality and fed fresh (within their best before date), otherwise the vitamin content may have deteriorated with age. Chinchillas originate from a dry climate, and have developed needing a very dry diet. Some treats (such as raisins) are really best used as a remedy for very mild constipation or a hand-taming aid and may be fed while the chin is being handled so it can associate handling with something pleasant. With their bushy tails, tiny ears, long whiskers, and adorably fluffy fur, the little creatures can truly make you say "awww." Hand feeding involves feeding kits homemade formula designed to replicate a mother’s milk using a syringe. This isnt good for chinchillas. I feed about a quarter of a slice per chinchilla as an occasional treat. Hay maintains good digestion, helps to ensure correct tooth-wear and may also help to prevent cage-boredom too. It is recommended that you look for pellets that are moderate in protein (16-20%), low fat (2-5%), and high in fiber (15-35%). Timothy hay contains a minimum of 32% fiber of which @ 25.10% is ADF. ... ← Can Chinchillas eat Brazil Nuts? Chinchillas in the wild will eat a variety of plants, shrubs, and grasses. This includes grass hay, chinchilla pellets, and fresh fruits and vegetables in moderation. Human Food – some cereals that have no added fat or sugar make suitable treats for chinchillas if fed in moderation, such as Shredded Wheat, All Bran, etc. We have already talked about the benefits of parsley, chard, and mint. A diet that is heavily supplemented with fruit can lead to obesity, severe illnesses, and premature death. A good quality pellet, good quality hay, and fresh water. They are rodents, so do they follow the same dietary patterns as mice or squirrels? A chinchilla must be encouraged to eat hay by cutting down on treats and concentrates if necessary. What do chinchillas eat? Nuts + Seeds are high in fat. Lv 6. Chinchillas also … So, what do chinchillas like to play with? Hay makes up most of their diet. Just feed enough pellets that your chinchilla will eat in one day, there should be just a few pellets left in the bowl by the next feeding time. Although high-quality pellets are an important aspect of a chinchilla’s diet, most only need to eat 1 – 2 tablespoons each day and obesity could occur from overfeeding. Chinchillas need a diet high in fibre and protein but low in moisture and fat. Chinchillas are true herbivores, and they need lots of fiber to keep their complex digestive system running smoothly. Often a diet that is too low in fiber will result in the teeth not getting worn down correctly, and dental problems may result. That is the basics of what a chinchilla needs to have a healthy diet. This is because their natural diet in the wild is based on chewing tough grasses and hay. The best kind of diet for your chinchillas is one that’s as natural as possible, packed with plenty of fresh veg and hay. A chinchilla liver cant digest fat. Odd thing to put on a list for food, but we easily forget how important water is to living organisms. However, a thumb-sized piece once or twice a week is relished by most chinchillas. Jasper showed up at my doorstep in nothing but a tiny dog carrier. There shouldn't be any matting. N.p., n.d. Excess moisture in their food will lead to bloating. Please follow instructions on the tub. What vegetables can chinchillas eat? You can purchase dry pellets that are formulated for chinchillas from most pet stores. The majority of illnesses that a pet chinchilla will suffer from will be directly or indirectly caused by dietary intake, so it is, therefore, useful to get a basic understanding of the correct nutritional requirements. Chinchillas are native to the cold mountains of the Andes in South America, and as such, they have very thick fur. Try cutting out the mixed food (gradually) and increase the number of pellets fed, until the chinchilla is fed pellets only. Chinchillas do not get along well when caged together, and should be kept in individual cages. What do skunks eat? The natural diet for wild chinchillas includes shrubs, grasses, flowers, herbs, seeds, roots, bark, and fruits. They enjoy living in colonies, commonly known as herds. Posts about what do chinchillas eat written by jamisontodd. The woman who owned him lived in a van and had this poor little guy living in a tiny space not even big enough for a mouse! After they are weaned, the young chinchillas are ready to be moved to a new home. Chinchillas are, without a doubt, one of the most adorable animal species ever. Before we get into the detail, we should mention that skunks – as omnivores are not overly picky animals. Our pets can only eat what we give them so it’s up to us to make sure they are eating safe foods and drinking clean water. If they simply must be fed as a treat, then do so a sparingly as possible, as infrequently as possible. Harold Bornstein, Trump's eccentric ex-doctor, dies They can (and have) caused bloat in chinchillas and therefore, should be avoided. While chinchillas enjoy dried fruit, nuts and seeds, these things are all fattening. Plants and vegetables which grow in mountainous areas are what precisely they normally eat. In this section we will give you a detailed list of the food chinchillas can eat as well as the type of food they should stay away from. In fact, it is said that the chinchilla fur is the softest out of all land mammals! Water is just as important for chinchillas as it is for humans and should always be available in a stoppered bottle attached to the cage for easily access. One important note: treats aren’t on this list. It’s normal for chinchillas to have small litters, averaging at two baby chinchillas. 1 decade ago. What do chinchillas eat? Chew Toys for Chinchillas . Your chinchilla is a social animal and loves company. Although they contain a reasonable balance of protein and fiber, they are full of ingredients that really should be fed as occasional treats only, and should not be included in the staple diet. With their background, it’s not a surprise that chinchillas love lots of hay. Chinchillas need a mixed diet in order to stay healthy. It's crucial to always give your pet chinchilla the right things to eat. Oxbow . Introduce all new foodstuff slowly, as usual. Is the chinchilla still using the dust bath? However, if the litter is too large and the mother chinchilla cannot feed every kit, then you can hand feed the baby chinchilla using homemade milk to … I have decided to deal with the topic of treats rather thoroughly as 99% of chinchilla owners give their chinchillas treats on a regular basis. While chins can eat a variety of vegetables, many chin owners have to make sure they aren’t adopting an unhealthy diet. In captivity and zoo chinchillas eat fruits, lettuce, carrots, kale, apples, pellets, hay cubes, herbs and grains. Jan 29, 2020 - Ensuring your chinchilla has the correct diet is vital to their well-being. Willow and hazel and other kinds of fruit tree wood (as long as the fruit DOES NOT contain stones) may also be given instead of apple wood. Only the equivalent of a couple of raisins should be given weekly. Biscuits are extremely high in fat and sugar, and you are not doing your chinchilla any favors if you feed them regularly. 11. Chinchillas are Sociable. There are several types of food that you should feed to your pet chinchilla; for instance, chinchilla pellets, hay, fruits and vegetables, and Timothy Hay. How Much Do Chinchillas Eat? A properly weaned baby chinchilla won’t have different needs, so once you make a few key choices, you’ll know what to get for their whole lives. Distilled and softened water aren’t recommended due to the high sodium content that could cause your chinchilla to become dehydrated in the long-run. Is that chinchillas require a large expenditure of nutrients by Kyuu Sanmu ideal as an addition hay. And grasses to watch them as they eat grasses, hay is common amongst several chinchilla that! ’ t need supplements as an addition to the cold mountains of the hayrack balance of vitamins should. Much fat in them excellent fibrous treat, I give my chinchillas love strip. Not working she will be engrossed in a healthy and happy home,... 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