Later in the post, we will show you how much hay, pellets, greens and fruit your chinchillas should ideally eat per day. In the wild, chinchillas live in cold mountains, crevices of rocks, moving from rock to rock to escape from predators and to find food. The food has to be given in a timely fashion and should have wholesome nutrition that can fulfill your pet chinchillas required dietary requirements. Cat with can food. 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. Changing the brand of pellets . Chinchillas in the wild will eat a variety of plants, shrubs, and grasses. So, excessive feeding can lead to diarrhea and urinary problems. As you know, chinchillas are very sensitive animals, so you need to be very careful with what you feed them. Can chinchillas eat cat food safely without any issue? They have very different nutritional needs. The foods below are considered unsafe or too unhealthy to feed to your chinchilla and therefore should be avoided. Below we have listed the most common greens that your chinchillas can safely eat in moderation as part of a healthy and balanced diet. Are Chinchillas Cuddly? You can do this by understanding how a chinchilla behaves and using that to your advantage. Following a healthy diet will maximize your chinchillas lifespan. Yes, they can, as harmful bacteria can be crossed from your cat to your chinchilla, causing it a severe illness. 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. Hay should account for anywhere between 80-90% of your chinchillas food intake so from these numbers alone its clear to see that good quality hay is undoubtedly the most vital part of your chinchillas diet. Studying the plants that chinchillas eat on a regular basis was particularly interesting for those scientists. You'll need to make sure you'll be sharing your home with an animal that suits your lifestyle, available space, and even your personality type. Not only that, chinchillas are similar to other animals, such as cats or dogs. This acrobatic animal eats food with a sweet smell as they are very picky. Pics + 7 Signs Theyre Overweight, How Much Is A Chinchilla [Cost & Price Stats]. Therefore, you need to make sure your chinchilla is safe in the cage placed in a different room your cat cant go into. Food items that need to be provided to them continuously are hay and clean drinking water. The most common flowers you can feed your chinchilla include rosebuds, rose petals, calendula flowers and cactus flowers. [Top Speeds], Is My Chinchilla Fat? 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. Instead, they prefer to nibble at their hay or grass. Following this diet routine is to make sure your chinchilla doesnt turn into a malnourished animal. As wet cat food is so soft, itll have absolutely no effect on keeping your chinchillas teeth to a safe length. All Things Dog. No fruits, seeds, nuts or vegetables. | Learn More >> You are shopping: Livonia, MI Livonia. as it helps them to put on weight quickly but this is usually only offered until the age of around 9 months old. So what should you do? We ship to everywhere in Canada, and can deliver your package right to your door! So, what type of hay do chinchillas eat? We have created a list of common foods that chinchilla owners regularly contemplate feeding their chinchilla. For any new chinchillas owner, one of the very first questions you need to ask is what can chinchillas eat?. You can just grab little bits of a few things and make a little sampler jar! In addition, wet cat food is often too salty for chinchillas. You must always do this even after these two pets are acclimatized to each other and coexist peacefully. Laurel. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 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. 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. First, rabbit food is not a complete diet for a chinchilla. These flowers should be dried before feeding to ensure that they are crunchy since our little ones love to nibble. But can rabbits eat chinchilla food safely? Please talk to your vet for a detailed diet plan that suits the individual needs of your pet. If you want to bring a chinchilla into your home, you could be worried about their diet and general health. 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. Food Options. Chinchillas have a rounded ears, plump furry bodies, short legs, and long tails. Chinchillas are herbivores and their diet consists mostly of hay, vegetables, and a small amount of fruit. When it comes to pellets for chinchillas, its important that you purchase pellets that are specifically designed for chinchillas. However, this isnt something they enjoy doing. 2.1 Fresh Vegetables. 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. Humans have food, and chinchillas have hay. They need to have variety in the boring food they eat while also getting all the nutritional requirements met. These are usually made up of timothy or alfalfa hay, so you will have limited options to choose from. The brand that we would recommend using is Oxbow as their pellets are of a high quality and are fortified with vitamins such as vitamin D3. Answer (1 of 2): It is not so much that they are 'fragile', but have different habitat requirements than we are used to. If you feed them the correct diet, chinchillas generally keep themselves at the right weight. Provide a steady supply of hay. Fiber: should be at least 15%, preferably up to 35%. Occasionally, they will eat insects and bird eggs. In addition to this, a lot of fruit can actually be harmful to chinchillas and they certainly cant just eat any and all fruits. Do have constant clean drinking water; if tap water is not clean, then have bottled water for your pet. They can also be found in mixed dried dandelion mixtures, which can include dandelion leaves, flower petals, and even roots. "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. 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. Unfortunately, though, this doesnt mean that its going to provide your chinchilla with the nutrients they require. Tomato Leaves. Providing your chinchilla with safe wood for them to chew on is the best and most convenient option. 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. Alfalfa hay (low dust/hypoallergenic) Blue Grass hay. Some people believe that chinchillas can eat dog food, but this is not a good idea. Although fruits and nuts are something that can be fed to chinchillas, it is best to avoid them. 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 . In this post, we have listed many of the safe fruits for chinchillas although this list isnt conclusive. 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. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Pumpkin? . Can Chinchillas Eat Hamster Food? You can add a small amount of commercially available pelleted chinchilla food to your chinchilla's diet. 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. So here is a list of fruits and vegetables that you can feed your chinchillas. 2.5 Dried Cranberry And Apple. Loose mixes may be nutritionally balanced while in the bag but only if your chinchilla eats all of the parts of the mix. Over time, your cat might get used to your chinchilla and stop attacking it altogether. 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. List Of Safe Greens & Vegetables For Chinchillas: Fruits should only ever be offered as a treat to your chinchilla. Are Chinchillas Territorial? Chinchillas only need to consume around 3-5% fat in their diet which is easily attainable from their base diet so foods such as. such as elevated levels of calcium and in turn, cause health issues. Anu wood sticks you offer your chin needs to be from non-toxic trees and free from pesticides. No, they can't as they're herbivorous, meaning they eat plenty of grasses or plants. For example, you could offer them a few pieces of fruit, such as apples or pears. Chinchillas are rodents and behave in pretty much the same way as a squirrel would. Image Credit: Natalis.ph, Shutterstock. They have very different nutritional needs. Cats are feline predators that are known for hunting rodent prey like chinchillas. If your hamster has consumed any of these items then please seek veterinary advice. It is also built with a speaker for remote interaction with pets. Make sure to read the product form to know what you are getting when buying treats. It's not safe for rabbits to eat chinchilla food. These exotic animals need chinchilla food pellets every day, a well but in a much more controlled quantity. The diet of chinchillas should ideally be high in protein and fiber while containing low moisture and fat content. In fact, when given the choice between dry cat food and fresh grass, chinchillas choose the latter every time! You will only find the best in customer service and pet care at The Wishbone Pet Company . I blog about their care, where to buy them, breeders, and more. Thankfully, nowadays, there is a variety of hay available so that you can choose the hay type that your chinchilla loves the most. By doing so, youll be giving your cat and chinchilla ample time to get used to each other behaviors and smells. The most important thing is to provide chinchillas with additional water, especially in summer, and monitor their daily water intake. While it depends on your cat's personality, many will seek out to hunt chinchillas. This is all too situational and it depends on the character of the pet. Growing, breeding, and nursing chinchillas may be fed a larger amount of pellets to provide additional calories, protein, fat and calcium. In the wild, chinchillas are omnivores, which means that they eat both plants and meat. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Pecans? What Owners Must Know! All of our pet experts are here to help you and . Oat grass. 2.2 Dried Fruits And Herbs. Do have hay constantly as well; keep a rack with hay and replace it routinely before it gets moldy. If you want to get a pet chinchilla, you should take into consideration some important things before buying them. Ideally, you want to offer your chinchillas a low to moderate calcium diet that on the whole contains more calcium than phosphorus. However, in many cases, this is easier said than done. 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. Their diet should be composed of about 35% carbohydrates, 3.5% fat, 30% fiber, 15% protein, and only 4% sugar. All four have unique and beautiful personalities & are ready for forever homes. Do you see that furry animal? You can give these things in moderation but make sure to avoid nuts and seeds as they are way too high in fat content. What Do Chinchillas Eat: Diet & Food Guide. 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. One of the Pocket Pets Forever is a website for lovers of pocket pets. 2.2 Nutritional requirements. They won't go hunting for insects, but if they see one, they will eat it. The chinchilla's pellets should be put in a food bowl, and they should be given fresh pellets every day. Bread and Dairy Products. Nonetheless, this can be achieved by only slowly introducing these two pets to each other. 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. Second, not all rabbit foods are created equal. So, if you decide to make a purchase through one of the links on this site, I receive a commission for it. 2 Human Food Chinchillas Can Eat. Poison Ivy. Cavies Know Their Body and Can Regulate Their Guinea Pig Food Intake. As we mentioned earlier, hay is the most important part of a chinchillas diet. Provide hay in your chinchilla's cage at all times so it has something to graze on. Indigestible bedding, such as wood shavings, also can cause obstructions. 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. 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 Our main focus is helping owners to better understand and care for their pets with both straight forward and actionable advice. Greens and veggies that would usually be considered really healthy choices for most animals can be harmful to chinchillas as nutrients such as calcium can cause unwanted health problems if consumed too often and in large quantities. If you're looking for a reasonably priced cage that comes with a variety of accessories, try the Habitrail Cristal Hamster Cage with Wheel. 4. How to feed the chinchilla. (Later in this post, we will share the exact brand of timothy hay we recommend you purchase as well as the cheapest place to get it from). Plain Cheerios. This is usually the case for cats and chinchillas, which can be stressful for you as a pet owner. But guinea pigs are actually really good at eating slowly and reading their body. Made in USA; On Sale; Up to 25% Off: Select . The stomach, chest, and chin are pure white. For example, if you have horses then you know they're prone to overeating. What Nutrients Are Unhealthy If Overfed to Your Chinchilla? Guide + Chart. 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. Chinchilla/Hedgehog; Ferrets; Guinea Pigs; Gerbils/Hamsters; Mice/Rats; Rabbits; Featured Shops. Eggshells are rich in calcium and, as such, theyre an excellent source of nutrition for your chinchilla! Dont give food that is meant for guinea pigs as they have different digestive systems. Chinchillas are also known to love flowers. Well, you should try to distribute the appropriate amount of food around their cage instead of handing them their feed in a bowl. 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 a chinchilla were to eat dry cat food, it would likely experience digestive issues and may even die. You may be tempted to buy cheap cat food from the supermarket. 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. Locust pods. Specialties: The Wishbone Pet Company has the largest selection of raw diets in Santa Cruz, CA with a strong emphasis on holistic natural care. It should be bright green and smell fresh, or else it can be harmful to your chinchilla. Dried Herbs. Persians (the Chinchilla is in the Persian or Longhair cat family) can carry a gene that leads to kidney failure (called autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease) through the development of cysts in the kidney. 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? hay, fresh vegetables, and pellets should still make up the majority of their diet. 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. Chinchillas and cats can get along just fine, but this depends on your cats personality and demeanor. The amount of food your chinchilla needs to eat depends on their age, lifestyle and state of health. And of course too many raisins can cause diarrhea. Chins have a high metabolism and can eat constantlyideally, they shouldn't go without food for more than 12 hours, but 24 hours is doable if absolutely necessary. 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. What is more, this intelligence defines how much they will learn about their, Read More Are chinchillas Smart? Gastrointestinal Disorders. 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. 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. Avoid pine and cedar shavings, as they can irritate a chinchilla's respiratory tract. If you want to ensure that your chinchilla gets enough calcium, then you should add some eggshells to their diet. This means it should comprise 35% carbohydrates, 30% fiber, 15% protein, 4% protein, and less than 3.5% fat. 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. As for what kind of water chinchillas solid drink, you cant just give them any old water from the tap. First off, you should always feed your chinchilla a healthy, balanced diet. If you ask your chinchilla what their fave treats are, dried cranberries and raisins are at the top of their list. Therefore, its best if you minimized contact between these two pets. 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. Now, lets talk more about the healthy treats that you should feed these exotic animals. We have two females & two males. 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. Shoot me an emailif you have a question! 1 The deluxe chinchilla food is made from high-fiber alfalfa meal to promote gastrointestinal health, with added fiber, protein, and fat derived from soybeans. The quality of the ingredients used by manufacturers to make cat food varies enormously. No, Apples should not be given on regular basis to Chinchillas but Chinchillas can eat Apples but only in moderation. 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. 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. Chinchillas cant eat cat food. You should also try to avoid giving your chinchilla anything acidic, such as citrus fruits. This is important because these two pets have brains that are programmed to act differently. Chinchilla Pet Animals and Pets. We love merrick dog food, including dry and canned food, too! Chinchillas require a diet high in fiber and low in fat. They will consume stalks, stems, leaves, shoots, fruits, seeds and roots . Behavior & Training Food & Nutrition . Cats are carnivores (meat-eaters) whereas chinchillas are herbivores (plant-eaters). The popular cereal Cheerios are also seen as a treat that chinchillas can eat due to their dried nature and high amounts of fibre. 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 . Give your cat and chinchilla enough time to get used to each other. They shouldn't be used in place of a proper diet of chinchilla pellets and hay. 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. our recommended food products for your chinchilla and the best place to purchase them from. It's safe to give your chin a raisin-size amount 2-3 times per week. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you. 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. Some comments from a popular forum AGAINST giving raisins include: 1. Chinchillas need hay between 14% and 16% plant protein. You can either purchase wood sticks from a store or collect your own. 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). 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. Filtered water is ideal for use in Chinchilla bottles. 1. By contrast, cats require a diet high in both fat and carbohydrates. Hi, My name is Adam. As such, its best to look for a reputable brand of dry food made specifically for chinchillas. 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. You shouldn't have a chinchilla in the same house or at least keep your chinchilla in a separate room. This ensures its overall wellbeing is guaranteed, meaning your chinchilla gets to enjoy a peaceful life. Doing this is vital because your cats natural hunting instinct might kick in at any moment. Dog food is not nutritionally balanced for chinchillas and can make them sick. 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 leads to severe pain as they chew, in addition to drooling and possible eye discharge from upper tooth root pressure on tear ducts. This is because fatty foods are very harmful to their digestive system. Hamsters eat more carbohydrates than chinchillas do, but both species need food with plenty of protein and calcium. Find & Download the most popular Chinchilla Animal Vectors on Freepik Free for commercial use High Quality Images Made for Creative Projects. The hay should be dry and fresh-smelling with no trace of mold. A chinchilla that is fully grown typically weighs between 1 and 3 pounds.

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