Chinchilla Diapers: What You Need To Know + Pics, 16+ Different Chinchilla Colors: Pictures + Pricing, How Fast Can Chinchillas Run? The tipping can come in various colors, including blue, red, cream, and more. Most customers said their chinchillas can't get enough of these treats. Acidic foods can upset the pH balance of your chinchillas stomach and, as such, can cause stomach ulcers. Do have constant clean drinking water; if tap water is not clean, then have bottled water for your pet. Like. Eggshells are rich in calcium and, as such, theyre an excellent source of nutrition for your chinchilla! What Owners Must Know! 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. Water should be provided in the form of a water bottle rather than a bowl as this is much more hygienic for your chinchilla. Hamsters eat more carbohydrates than chinchillas do, but both species need food with plenty of protein and calcium. Chinchilla's natural environment is the Andes mountains. 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. Chinchillas cannot eat hamster food. In addition, wet cat food is often too salty for chinchillas. Get the Best Price and Selection of Dry Dog Food at Pet Supplies Plus. The diet that you choose to feed your chinchilla should mostly contain hay. Chinchillas should be given 1-2 tablespoons of pellets per day, and Bunk-Hatch recommends Oxbow Essentials. Chinchillas cant eat cat food. In this post, we have listed many of the safe fruits for chinchillas although this list isnt conclusive. 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 . Protein - 16-20%. On the other hand, the natural hamster diet is mainly . If you want to give your chinchilla some treats, then these should be carefully selected. (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). 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. Answer (1 of 2): Why would you want to do that? They have very different nutritional needs. Image Credit: Natalis.ph, Shutterstock. As you know, chinchillas are very active, so they run around a lot. They have very different nutritional needs. 1. 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. Unfortunately, yes. What Nutrients Are Important For Chinchillas? These are dried fruits, dried herbs, plantain, and root vegetables. These tend to be expensive but, over time, theyre worth the investment. We have created a list of common foods that chinchilla owners regularly contemplate feeding their chinchilla. 4. 2.5 Dried Cranberry And Apple. Orchardgrass. 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. 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. 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. 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. Therefore, youll want to choose the hay wisely if you dont want, Read More Best Hay For Chinchillas 2023 Reviews and ComparisonContinue. Below we have listed the most common greens that your chinchillas can safely eat in moderation as part of a healthy and balanced diet. amongst other things so only a handful are really considered safe enough to eat even in small quantities. Earn FREE Grooming, Pet Wash, and Nail Service Rewards. Wild chinchillas are omnivores and feed on grasses, seeds, fruits, small plants, plant leaves, small insects, and bird eggs when they get a chance. Although fruits and nuts are something that can be fed to chinchillas, it is best to avoid them. 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. 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. What Do Chinchillas Eat: Diet & Food Guide. 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. Instead, offer your adult chinchilla timothy hay or other low-calcium grass hays, such as orchard or meadow grass. 2.2 Nutritional requirements. Give your chinchilla space from the cat, which sees it as a prey. Second, not all rabbit foods are created equal. All four have unique and beautiful personalities & are ready for forever homes. You can either purchase wood sticks from a store or collect your own, Wash The wood Thoroughly (remove all visible dirt), Ensure Sticks Are Totally Dry (should easily snap under pressure), Timothy or Orchard Grass Hay Always Available. We love merrick dog food, including dry and canned food, too! Chinchillas require a diet that mainly consists of timothy hay with the addition of supplementary chinchilla pellets. Timothy hay should be offered in unlimited quantities so your chinchilla can graze and feed on it continually throughout the day, again, more on the exact amounts of food to offer your chin each day later in the post. Food Options. 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. Dont discourage your pet from eating its own dropping, as it is natural for them to do so. Like most animals in the world, chinchillas require a variety of nutrients to be considered healthy and for their organs to work correctly. Chinchillas can easily get their head trapped in these toys and suffocate. Adult chinchillas are recommended to eat timothy hay as this provides all the nutrients your chinchilla needs and in the correct quantities. Fat - 2-5%. Some owners are allergic to hay, so what should they do? Chinchillas can eat a wide variety of natural food like hay, vegetables, dried fruits, nuts, berries, dried plants, and herbs. 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. By Laurie Hess, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian Practice). Purebred Silver & White chinchilla. 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 . Rhubarb. Nicole is the proud mom of 3 rescue fur babies, Baby, a Burmese cat; Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway; and Mac, a Lab/Mastiff. You can give these things in moderation but make sure to avoid nuts and seeds as they are way too high in fat content. There are some things that you should do to have a healthy chinchilla. Cats are feline predators that are known for hunting rodent prey like chinchillas. Whether you're looking for tips, tools, activities or advice, you've arrived at the consummate guide for everything related to caring for dogs. Furthermore, chinchillas might suffer from stress caused by your cat, which might trigger a sickness, thereby leading to its untimely demise. 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. Bottles water is safe for chinchillas to use but is an expensive way of providing your Chinchilla with water and some would consider this quite wasteful. Chinchillas in the wild typically eat most of their food in . This means it should comprise 35% carbohydrates, 30% fiber, 15% protein, 4% protein, and less than 3.5% fat. Fat is another nutrient that chinchillas need in very small amounts to be considered healthy. As you know, chinchillas are plant-eating animals. Fruit is a food that can be offered to your chinchilla as a treat. It is also better to distribute the food all over the cage to make it fun and much healthier for the domestic animal. Those leaves, while not as pretty as daisies, are a healthy and natural food source for your chinchillas. You can either purchase wood sticks from a store or collect your own. You must always do this even after these two pets are acclimatized to each other and coexist peacefully. Ideally, you want to offer your chinchillas a low to moderate calcium diet that on the whole contains more calcium than phosphorus. 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. 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. Chinchillas are among the most intelligent and fun pets to have. The pets need chinchilla vitamins and nutrients like Omega-3 fatty acids, folic acid, nicotinic acid, vitamin C, natural vitamin E, and many more through adequate nutritional content. 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. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. 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. 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. 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. 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. They need to have variety in the boring food they eat while also getting all the nutritional requirements met. 3. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Timothy Hay? They also need to have access to fresh water at all times. 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. Chinchillas, for the most part, eat a really basic and simple diet that consists of very few foods. Many also contain preservatives and additives which arent suitable for your chinchilla. Two such posts that we have recently published are. Feed them right, and youll have a happy, cuddly pet for many years. All greens and veggies should be offered in limited quantities and in moderation. This is because wet cat food contains a lot of moisture and, as such, its difficult for chinchillas to digest. Hard objects, such as branches from non-toxic fruit trees (like apple, pear, and peach trees), can be given to promote chewing and teeth wear, but toxic trees (like cherry, cedar, plum and redwood) should be avoided. Fibre - 30-35%. Some of the more common culprits include inflammatory bowel disease, bacterial infections, viral infections, parasites, ulcers, etc. The chinchilla should be given fresh hay every day. Occasionally, they will eat insects and bird eggs. Health and welfare issues - other. Its important to offer your chinchillas an unlimited amount of fresh hay in their cage daily so they can continually consume the large amounts of fibre they need. Always check the quality of your tap water at home before choosing this option. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. our recommended food products for your chinchilla and the best place to purchase them from. What Owners Must Know! Behavior & Training Food & Nutrition . This means that chinchillas require a diet rich in protein but low in fat and carbohydrates. Pellets should be hay-based and fortified with additional vitamins. Do make sure to feed them every day and check if their droppings are dry and normal. Chinchillas in the wild will eat a variety of plants, shrubs, and grasses. Do take your chinchilla to the vet if it is vomiting or showing any unexplainable symptoms. Feeding greens and vegetables in large quantities can upset the nutritional balance of the hay and pellets you are providing to your chinchilla. Besides, Read More Are Chinchillas Cuddly? If you want to get a pet chinchilla, you should take into consideration some important things before buying them. You should thus monitor it at all times to make sure it doesnt hunt down your chinchilla. Homeopathic and herbal remedies. They eat Royal Canin special Persian cat food and the kittens are eating kitten food. I would suggest to avoid fruits like Apples. 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. 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. Chinchillas also need their diets to be supplemented with pellets to round off and balance their nutritional needs. Fiber: should be at least 15%, preferably up to 35%. It will keep them active and give them the appropriate amount of pellets per day, hay, and other food items per day as well. This includes plenty of fresh green leaves and hay. . The average pet chinchilla lifespan is 15-20 years All cats drink filtered water from the water fountain. If you are thinking of becoming a new pet parent, having a chinchilla will be the ultimate solution. No, Apples should not be given on regular basis to Chinchillas but Chinchillas can eat Apples but only in moderation. Buy Merrick Dog Food online in Canada from Canadian Pet Connection. 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). Yucca. 3 Human Foods For Chinchillas: Final Thoughts. You need to ensure your cat has a comfortable sitting area thats far from the chinchillas cage. Yes, the chinchilla that you have been eyeing for quite some time now. Plain Cheerios. Pets are adorable, but having different species in your home might bring about some issues with some of them incompatible. 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. Chinchillas are so cute and such intelligent animals that make great pets. 2.3 Raisins. This might not sound that bad at first, however, the fact that a chinchillas digestional tract isnt adapted to processing large amounts of sugar means that it can be left to ferment and cause gas. On top of this, wet cat food has a tendency to stick around in the digestive tract for long periods of time. Lets look at some more information that is essential for chinchilla pet owners about pet food. Why You Shouldnt Feed Cat Food To A Chinchilla, The Risks Of Feeding Wet Cat Food To A Chinchilla, Can Chinchillas Eat Pretzels? These commissions help to keep the rest of my content free, so thank you! Arrives by Fri, Mar 31 Buy Auto Feeder Water Dispenser Set Rabbit Cat Dog Chinchilla Food Hanging Gravity at Walmart.com There are chinchilla hay pellets and hay cubes available as well. 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. After all, it wont cost much and it might even taste good. They are high in sugar, however, so give sparingly. 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. Its quite possible that if you put cat food down on the floor, your chinchilla will try to eat it. 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. Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. Theyve become the subject of fascination for many animal lovers who enjoy their antics. Naturally aloof people might not want to be constantly hounded for canine kisses, just as cuddly types might be affronted by some cat breeds . Cat food comes in many different varieties: wet, semi-dry, and dry. A . Hamster food is made largely of things that would be harmful for a chinchilla to eat. While hay should be offered in unlimited quantities, feeding large amounts of high-calcium alfalfa hay to non-breeding, adult chinchillas has been associated with the development calcium-based bladder stones. 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. Chinchillas only need to consume around 3-5% fat in their diet which is easily attainable from their base diet so foods such as. Reasons Why Theyre Smart. Additionally, chinchillas can be fed a small amount (1-2 tbsp/day) of a commercial pelleted diet formulated for chinchillas. 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) 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. 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. Locust pods. Not only that, chinchillas are similar to other animals, such as cats or dogs. Providing your chinchilla with safe wood for them to chew on is the best and most convenient option. The hay should be dry and fresh-smelling with no trace of mold. The rest can be a mix of pellets, fruits and vegetables, herbs but it's different for each species, as . While chinchillas and hamsters may seem similar, their diets couldn't be more different, and that means you . Both chinchillas and hamsters are small rodents, so it's not surprising that they have similar dietary needs. This leads to problems including diarrhea, weight loss, and stomach ulcers. 1 What Foods Are Poisonous To Chinchillas? However, in many cases, this is easier said than done. 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. First off, you should always feed your chinchilla a healthy, balanced diet. Although cats and chinchillas might not coexist peacefully at first, there are ways of promoting this to happen. Can chinchillas eat cat food safely without any issue? Belmore, NSW. Please do not leave them alone at any moment as our pets security is our topmost priority. What is more, this intelligence defines how much they will learn about their, Read More Are chinchillas Smart? Do have hay constantly as well; keep a rack with hay and replace it routinely before it gets moldy. Our main focus is helping owners to better understand and care for their pets with both straight forward and actionable advice. Alfalfa hay is usually recommended for young, growing chinchillas. [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. . Strong expertise in both dogs and cats. You should also provide them with a dry food that has been specifically designed with chinchillas in mind. 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. So what should you do? Bread and Dairy Products. Instead, offer your cat leafy green vegetables like kale, bok choy, or arugula. Changing the brand of pellets . 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. 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. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you. 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 One of the questions we were asked recently was whether Chinchillas were territorial and we felt compelled to delve into this subject a bit deeper and provide you with some more useful information How Often Should Chinchillas Have Dust Baths? The diet for chinchillas should be monitored to make sure they follow it daily. Provide a steady supply of hay. 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. Growing, breeding, and nursing chinchillas may be fed a larger amount of pellets to provide additional calories, protein, fat and calcium. Having said this, both hay varieties will do a great job of keeping your chins teeth short and providing them with the nutrients they need to be healthy. Like most rodents, chinchillas love to chew things. Purebred Chinchilla's. $1,200. Can Chinchillas Eat Cat Food? Nonetheless, this can be achieved by only slowly introducing these two pets to each other. However, this makes them need a lot of physical and mental stimulation. and how to get rid of itContinue. Merrick dog food is a premium quality food, made with human grade meats and a selection of vegetables. Special emphasis on nutritional support. No, they can't as they're herbivorous, meaning they eat plenty of grasses or plants. This is all too situational and it depends on the character of the pet. Because of this, its a good idea to keep their diet simple and stick to their base diet as much as possible and only add the foods that are needed to keep your chinchilla healthy. Do you see that furry animal? If you ask your chinchilla what their fave treats are, dried cranberries and raisins are at the top of their list. Here are useful tips you should follow to ensure peaceful coexistence between these two: Whereas your cat and chinchilla might eventually learn to live with each other, dont expect them to be best friends. as their pellets are of a high quality and are fortified with vitamins such as vitamin D3. Foods You Can Feed to Your Chinchilla as Treats Include: Rope Hips are considered one of the healthiest treats you can offer your chinchilla. 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. . This is a question many pet owners ask themselves, and if you fall into this category, youre in luck.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'smallpetshq_com-banner-1','ezslot_11',173,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-banner-1-0'); Heres a detailed article on the compatibility of chinchillas and cats to make you better informed on whether owning these two pets is a good idea. This means it should comprise 35% carbohydrates, 30% fiber, 15% protein, 4% protein, and less than 3.5% fat. 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. A chinchilla that is fully grown typically weighs between 1 and 3 pounds. While it depends on your cat's personality, many will seek out to hunt chinchillas. Its role in highlighting their adaptability to new or specif environments is matchless. There is very little difference in the nutrition provided between timothy hay and orchard grass hay. You should also consider designing hiding spots where your chinchilla can sleep or hide whenever its feeling tensed due to the cats presence.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'smallpetshq_com-leader-3','ezslot_6',187,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-leader-3-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'smallpetshq_com-leader-3','ezslot_7',187,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-leader-3-0_1'); .leader-3-multi-187{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:7px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:7px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:50px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}.