In fact, the hamster food is likely to be harmful to them. Please remember that there are hundreds of greens and vegetables from around the world. They can also be found in mixed dried dandelion mixtures, which can include dandelion leaves, flower petals, and even roots. Pellets should be hay-based and fortified with additional vitamins. Chinchilla/Hedgehog; Ferrets; Guinea Pigs; Gerbils/Hamsters; Mice/Rats; Rabbits; Featured Shops. You should never feed a chinchilla hamster food, as it is one of the worst blends of ingredients for chinchillas to consume. 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. The foods below are considered unsafe or too unhealthy to feed to your chinchilla and therefore should be avoided. Dont give rabbit pellets as, again, these two animals are quite different. If a chinchilla is not active, it can in fact be bad for their health and cause an array of chinchilla health problems. This means that chinchillas require a diet rich in protein but low in fat and carbohydrates. Are Chinchillas Territorial? So, what exactly do chinchillas eat? 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. Laurel. This is important because these two pets have brains that are programmed to act differently. cute cat; Cat cartoon; cat eat; 1. | Learn More >> You are shopping: Livonia, MI Livonia. One thing thats worth pointing out is that orchard grass hay is slightly more coarse than standard timothy hay and will do a better job of keeping your chinchillas teeth short if they are starting to look overgrown. our recommended food products for your chinchilla and the best place to purchase them from. Our main focus is helping owners to better understand and care for their pets with both straight forward and actionable advice. The most obvious reason why you shouldn't feed cat food to a chinchilla is because chinchillas are not cats! I'm a pocket pet enthusiast and I love sharing my knowledge and passion for these amazing animals. Both chinchillas and hamsters are small rodents, so it's not surprising that they have similar dietary needs. Why You Shouldnt Feed Cat Food To A Chinchilla, The Risks Of Feeding Wet Cat Food To A Chinchilla, Can Chinchillas Eat Pretzels? Instead, offer your cat leafy green vegetables like kale, bok choy, or arugula. However, in many cases, this is easier said than done. The bottom line is, chinchillas dont need treats, but if you feel bad or want your chinchilla to be happy, then you can give them treats occasionally. These are usually made up of timothy or alfalfa hay, so you will have limited options to choose from. Well, you should try to distribute the appropriate amount of food around their cage instead of handing them their feed in a bowl. By Laurie Hess, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian Practice). This is because cats have an innate hunting instinct. Just because a green on the list below is labelled safe doesnt mean that you can feed your chinchilla unlimited amounts of that green or vegetable. and always check to see if the fruit is recommended for chinchillas and what quantities it should be offered in. 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. This can lead to blockages and other health issues. 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. 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. You shouldn't have a chinchilla in the same house or at least keep your chinchilla in a separate room. But guinea pigs are actually really good at eating slowly and reading their body. This ensures its overall wellbeing is guaranteed, meaning your chinchilla gets to enjoy a peaceful life. Chinchillas can eat a wide variety of natural food like hay, vegetables, dried fruits, nuts, berries, dried plants, and herbs. . 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 it depends on your cat's personality, many will seek out to hunt chinchillas. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Dried Herbs. If you feed them the correct diet, chinchillas generally keep themselves at the right weight. Reasons Why Theyre SmartContinue, This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Chinchillas love treats just like any other animal, but the treats can be deadly for them if you dont know the proper way or amount to feed them. Do have hay constantly as well; keep a rack with hay and replace it routinely before it gets moldy. Loose mixes may be nutritionally balanced while in the bag but only if your chinchilla eats all of the parts of the mix. Average Chinchilla Lifespan: How Long Do They Live? First, rabbit food is not a complete diet for a chinchilla. Protein - 16-20%. There is, however, no harm in using this type of water providing they get enough minerals from elsewhere. Both Chinchillas and Hamsters Are Small Rodents. The worry is that the chinchilla will refuse to eat unless being served the ingredient (even if a health condition requires them not to eat it anymore.) 2.3 Raisins. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Also note: the initial interaction shall be concise, lasting only a few minutes. Some dos and donts for having chinchillas as pets are listed below. 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. Eggshells are rich in calcium and, as such, theyre an excellent source of nutrition for your chinchilla! Cats are carnivores (meat-eaters) whereas chinchillas are herbivores (plant-eaters). What Do Chinchillas Eat: Diet & Food Guide. For any new chinchillas owner, one of the very first questions you need to ask is what can chinchillas eat?. So, what should you feed a chinchilla? Chinchillas are among the most intelligent and fun pets to have. Or, you could hand out small amounts of peanut butter or cheese. Botanical hay. Some other healthy treats include rosehips and mountain ash berries. 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. 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 PDSA. Hamsters eat more carbohydrates than chinchillas do, but both species need food with plenty of protein and calcium. Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. You can repeat the process for a few days, gradually increasing the time frame. Whether you're looking for tips, tools, activities or advice, you've arrived at the consummate guide for everything related to caring for dogs. What Nutrients Are Important For Chinchillas? 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. Milk and other dairy products are animal products and not appropriate for herbivores. In fact, when given the choice between dry cat food and fresh grass, chinchillas choose the latter every time! Hi, My name is Adam. From their increased curiosity and affection to their unmatched affordability, chinchillas will always be amazing pets. Plain Cheerios. 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. 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. Feeding any type of cat food to your chinchilla is a bad idea, however, feeding them wet cat food is one of the worst things you can do. The list below contains the fruits that chinchillas can eat in moderation and as part of a balanced diet. There are animals who have a harder time controlling their eating (we're not alone humans!). 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. This is because chins can get ill if they are exposed to large amounts of water on their fur. 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. nuts and sunflower seeds need to be avoided. Its important to know how much food you need to offer your chinchilla each day in order for them to be considered healthy. Additionally, chinchillas can be fed a small amount (1-2 tbsp/day) of a commercial pelleted diet formulated for chinchillas. A few hamster owners were concerned that their buddies would have trouble eating it because of its size and shape . Instead, chinchilla feeds should address the following: Fat: should be between 2% and 5%. No fruits, seeds, nuts or vegetables. 2.4 Certain Breakfast Cereals. link to Are Chinchillas Territorial? 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. Chinchillas can easily get their head trapped in these toys and suffocate. It's safe to give your chin a raisin-size amount 2-3 times per week. This only happens opportunistically, though. This leads to problems including diarrhea, weight loss, and stomach ulcers. Fruit is a food that can be offered to your chinchilla as a treat. Chinchillas cannot eat hamster food. This list includes common household foods that hamster should avoid but is by no means exhaustive. 2.6 No Sudden Dietary Changes. chinchillabreeders.org is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. The chinchilla should be given fresh hay every day. 1.1 Understanding The Chinchilla Diet. 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. Learn more about their diets, below. Another important thing that they eat is pellets. 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. Changing the brand of pellets . Those products can be harmful to your digestive system in large quantities, so keep small portions in hand. This means it should comprise 35% carbohydrates, 30% fiber, 15% protein, 4% protein, and less than 3.5% fat. For a healthy domestic animal, you need proper food and a diet plan. (Benefits/Risks), Norwegian Lundehund: What You Need To Know. Answer (1 of 2): Why would you want to do that? 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. Plain Shredded Wheat. kathson 35oz Hanging Automatic Food Water Dispenser Gravity Pet Auto Feeder Waterer Set for Rabbit Cat Dog Chinchilla Guinea Pig Hedgehog Ferret Rating Required Select Rating 1 star (worst) 2 stars 3 stars (average) 4 stars 5 stars (best) Growing, breeding, and nursing chinchillas may be fed a larger amount of pellets to provide additional calories, protein, fat and calcium. Semi-dry foods consist of dried milk and grain. Answer (1 of 2): It is not so much that they are 'fragile', but have different habitat requirements than we are used to. Please talk to your vet for a detailed diet plan that suits the individual needs of your pet. [4] You can buy hay at most pet stores or online. The popular cereal Cheerios are also seen as a treat that chinchillas can eat due to their dried nature and high amounts of fibre. Chinchillas also need their diets to be supplemented with pellets to round off and balance their nutritional needs. Providing greens in small amounts and not too often is something you will have to get used to as a chinchillas owner due to the fact that chinchillas have unusual nutritional needs. 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. 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. While chinchillas and hamsters may seem similar, their diets couldn't be more different, and that means you . 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). Please do not leave them alone at any moment as our pets security is our topmost priority. Health and welfare issues - other. The diet for chinchillas should be monitored to make sure they follow it daily. All Things Dog. Stay on top of the latest news about canine behavior, nutrition and health. They can be offered much variety of good quality and clean hay like timothy hay, orchard grass, alfalfa hay, oat hay, or meadow hay. In the wild, chinchillas are omnivores, which means that they eat both plants and meat. Chinchillas have a rounded ears, plump furry bodies, short legs, and long tails. Calcium and phosphorus play an important role in your chinchillas diet, albeit a complicated one. Chinchillas in the wild tend to consume most of their food early in the morning and late at night. The hamster food will not be nutritionally beneficial to them. . 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. 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. [What Owners Will Want To Know]Continue, This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. They need to have variety in the boring food they eat while also getting all the nutritional requirements met. A tablespoon or two each day is appropriate for most chinchillas. Chinchillas can consume a wide variety of human foods, most notably vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts, and grains. Along with the quality of good that you feed your pet chinchilla, the quantity is just as important. Its advisable to have a big enough cage for your chinchilla to jump around should they ever feel threatened by your cat. You will only find the best in customer service and pet care at The Wishbone Pet Company . 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. Lets look at some more information that is essential for chinchilla pet owners about pet food. Its important to understand that this is a guide only. Hay which is sweeter and has more nutrients, should be mostly given to young chinchillas and only occasionally to adult chinchillas. Strong expertise in both dogs and cats. Actually, a good portion of their diet is already rabbit food. Chinchillas require a diet that mainly consists of timothy hay with the addition of supplementary chinchilla pellets. 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. 4. Chinchillas, for the most part, eat a really basic and simple diet that consists of very few foods. Offering too much or too little of one food group can cause your chin to have digestive and even health issues. Do have constant clean drinking water; if tap water is not clean, then have bottled water for your pet. Anu wood sticks you offer your chin needs to be from non-toxic trees and free from pesticides. I would suggest to avoid fruits like Apples. Therefore, its best if you minimized contact between these two pets. All of our pet experts are here to help you and . Can chinchillas eat cat food safely without any issue? Every formula uses industry-leading volume of protein, glucosamine, and chondroitin. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smallpetshq_com-box-4','ezslot_2',194,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-box-4-0');You should thus not be surprised if a cat and chinchilla bond as companions or friends. They love to play and interact with humans which makes them excellent pets. 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. 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. A . As a general rule of thumb, chinchillas dont need fruit to be considered healthy and they dont need it in their diet. Most customers said their chinchillas can't get enough of these treats. Special emphasis on nutritional support. 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. , they get most if not all of the nutrition they need from this basic diet. Yucca. 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. 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. Chinchillas are so cute and such intelligent animals that make great pets. As with all pets, a proper diet is key to health and long life in chinchillas. The rest can be a mix of pellets, fruits and vegetables, herbs but it's different for each species, as . 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 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. The recommended ratio for calcium to phosphorus is 2:1 so thats two parts calcium to every one part phosphorus. In addition to this, the chinchilla may choose to hide, seeking safety from the cat, thereby making it hard to locate. Furthermore, chinchillas might suffer from stress caused by your cat, which might trigger a sickness, thereby leading to its untimely demise. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you. Instead, offer your adult chinchilla timothy hay or other low-calcium grass hays, such as orchard or meadow grass. After all, it wont cost much and it might even taste good. If they are fed certain foods together frequently, they will become accustomed to them always being served together.
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