The chinchilla's pellets should be put in a food bowl, and they should be given fresh pellets every day. Another important thing that they eat is pellets. Therefore, you need to make sure your chinchilla is safe in the cage placed in a different room your cat cant go into. Chinchillas in the wild typically eat most of their food in . Well, you should try to distribute the appropriate amount of food around their cage instead of handing them their feed in a bowl. Providing your chinchilla with safe wood for them to chew on is the best and most convenient option. 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. 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. Monitoring your chinchillas' diet. The quality of the ingredients used by manufacturers to make cat food varies enormously. The amount of food your chinchilla needs to eat depends on their age, lifestyle and state of health. Later in the post, we will show you how much hay, pellets, greens and fruit your chinchillas should ideally eat per day. Basic nutrients such as sugar, fat and even calcium can all cause health problems to chinchillas if they are overfed. They need to have variety in the boring food they eat while also getting all the nutritional requirements met. Give your cat and chinchilla enough time to get used to each other. 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. Studying the plants that chinchillas eat on a regular basis was particularly interesting for those scientists. Plain Shredded Wheat. 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? Both critters should be eating a high quality hay as the majority of their diet. Some common options for food items that every pet chinchilla owner needs to keep their chinchilla safe and healthy are listed below. Line the cage with a few inches of dye-free paper bedding. Chinchillas cannot eat hamster food. 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. Overfeeding of fresh greens also can lead to soft stool or diarrhea. Adult chinchillas are recommended to eat timothy hay as this provides all the nutrients your chinchilla needs and in the correct quantities. However, this makes them need a lot of physical and mental stimulation. Chinchillas can eat a wide variety of natural food like hay, vegetables, dried fruits, nuts, berries, dried plants, and herbs. Reasons Why Theyre Smart. 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 is the reason why Chinchillas are not allowed to consume blueberries? If you ask your chinchilla what their fave treats are, dried cranberries and raisins are at the top of their list. Oxbow Essentials Deluxe Chinchilla Food. Chinchillas only need to consume around 3-5% fat in their diet which is easily attainable from their base diet so foods such as. Fat - 2-5%. 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. link to How Often Should Chinchillas Have Dust Baths? . We have created a list of common foods that chinchilla owners regularly contemplate feeding their 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. Our main focus is helping owners to better understand and care for their pets with both straight forward and actionable advice. 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. Raisins. Shoot me an emailif you have a question! Health and welfare issues - other. In this post, we will share the foods your chinchilla should be eating on a daily basis, how much they should be eating as well as what foods they need to stay away from. 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. This ensures its overall wellbeing is guaranteed, meaning your chinchilla gets to enjoy a peaceful life. Most tap water is clean, however, dirty water can contain giardia and would not be suitable for use in your Chinchilla Water Bottle. 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? This doesnt cost you anything additional. Instead, offer your cat leafy green vegetables like kale, bok choy, or arugula. You can check out the water bottle we recommend you use in our new cage accessories guide here. 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. Like most rodents, chinchillas love to chew things. You may also spot tipping on the legs. Unfortunately, yes. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. An aggressive cat will attack the chinchilla but with patience, you can train the pets to coexist. In conclusion, make sure to feed your chinchilla with care and monitor their diets properly. If you want to bring a chinchilla into your home, you could be worried about their diet and general health. Dried fruit (apple, banana, and papaya). nuts and sunflower seeds need to be avoided. Besides, Read More Are Chinchillas Cuddly? The diet that you choose to feed your chinchilla should mostly contain hay. and always check to see if the fruit is recommended for chinchillas and what quantities it should be offered in. 2.1 Fresh Vegetables. Give your chinchilla space from the cat, which sees it as a prey. Alfalfa hay is usually recommended for young, growing chinchillas as it helps them to put on weight quickly but this is usually only offered until the age of around 9 months old. You can also feed them a mixture of all these hays. As a Chewy & flexoffers affiliate I earn commissions for qualifying purchases. Always offer small amounts of sugar to your chinchillas and seek advice from your vet if you still arent sure. Even though this might sound really confusing, if you follow the feeding guide later in the post then you should have no issues with over or underfeeding greens to your chinchilla. This cage features a plastic and wire mesh construction with a built-in wheel and hideout. 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 also provide them with a dry food that has been specifically designed with chinchillas in mind. It is also built with a speaker for remote interaction with pets. A . When cared for and fed properly, chinchillas can make great pets. However, in many cases, this is easier said than done. Too much calcium can have a negative effect on a chinchillas health as excessive amounts can cause calcium stones. Yucca. 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. The short answer is yes, chinchillas can eat rabbit food. In the wild, chinchillas live in cold mountains, crevices of rocks, moving from rock to rock to escape from predators and to find food. This is usually the case for cats and chinchillas, which can be stressful for you as a pet owner. It is an animal that will get you smitten instantly, and its elegance will keep swirling, Read More Can Chinchillas Get Fleas? Long-tailed chinchillas are primarily herbivorous. They have very different nutritional needs. What Nutrients Are Unhealthy If Overfed to Your Chinchilla? On the flip side to this, if your chinchillas have more phosphorus than calcium in their diet then this can also, cause health problems with muscle development, bones health and growth. 4. Feeding greens and vegetables in large quantities can upset the nutritional balance of the hay and pellets you are providing to your chinchilla. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Romaine Lettuce? All cats drink filtered water from the water fountain. This will ensure that they look for it, as they had to look for the food in the wild. Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. Take a look at the guide below that details what foods your chinchilla should eat and in what quantities. Dont discourage your pet from eating its own dropping, as it is natural for them to do so. Note: Its important to understand that this is a guide only. 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. In fact, the hamster food is likely to be harmful to them. Using genetic screening, breeders are now working to try to eradicate the problem - always . Chinchillas are so cute and such intelligent animals that make great pets. 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. Hay and specially . 2.5 Dried Cranberry And Apple. These commissions help to keep the rest of my content free, so thank you! Chinchillas have an extremely sensitive digestive system as we have already mentioned in this article. Copyright tagDiv. Water should be provided in the form of a water bottle rather than a bowl as this is much more hygienic for your chinchilla. You will only find the best in customer service and pet care at The Wishbone Pet Company . This is because wet cat food contains a lot of moisture and, as such, its difficult for chinchillas to digest. As you know, chinchillas are very active, so they run around a lot. The average pet chinchilla lifespan is 15-20 years Learn more about their diets, below. Cats are feline predators that are known for hunting rodent prey like chinchillas. 2.4 Certain Breakfast Cereals. Even though greens are considered healthy or even vital for the majority of the animal kingdom, they are actually less important to the health of a chinchilla so they should only be offered in smaller quantities. List Of Safe Greens & Vegetables For Chinchillas: Fruits should only ever be offered as a treat to your chinchilla. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Pecans? There are some things that you should do to have a healthy chinchilla. Read on for everything that you'll need to know. 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. Hamsters vs. Gerbils: Whats the Difference. Because of the sensitive nature of a chinchillas digestive tract, sugar can be extremely harmful even if its fed in moderate quantities. Some other healthy treats include rosehips and mountain ash berries. They eat Royal Canin special Persian cat food and the kittens are eating kitten food. 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. Cats are carnivores (meat-eaters) whereas chinchillas are herbivores (plant-eaters). What Owners Must Know! 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. When they are let out of their cage, chinchillas Chinchillas come in a wide variety of colors. Poison Ivy. As with all pets, a proper diet is key to health and long life in chinchillas. Pelleted diets are better than a mixture of loose items. Chinchillas should be given 1-2 tablespoons of pellets per day, and Bunk-Hatch recommends Oxbow Essentials. Foods to Avoid Rhubarb. Yes, they can, as harmful bacteria can be crossed from your cat to your chinchilla, causing it a severe illness. 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. The recommended ratio for calcium to phosphorus is 2:1 so thats two parts calcium to every one part phosphorus. 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. With all things considered, the best 2 hay choices for your chinchilla are. Feed them right, and youll have a happy, cuddly pet for many years. 2 Human Food Chinchillas Can Eat. Chinchillas require a diet high in fiber and low in fat. 3. You also need to make sure your cat has a mellow personality to lower the likelihood of it attacking your chinchilla. Foods You Can Feed to Your Chinchilla as Treats Include: Rope Hips are considered one of the healthiest treats you can offer your chinchilla. As you know, chinchillas are very sensitive animals, so you need to be very careful with what you feed them. Chinchillas and cats can get along just fine, but this depends on your cats personality and demeanor. 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. Please talk to your vet for a detailed diet plan that suits the individual needs of your pet. It is a rich source of Malic acid that is not essential for your Chinchillas. 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. It's 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. So, can rabbits eat chinchilla food? However, this isnt something they enjoy doing. So, for a chinchilla to have healthy digestion and be free of illnesses like dental disease and digestion troubles, you need to choose the best chinchilla food that is healthy and appetizing. This is the case when you own a cat and chinchilla because cats are natural predators, whereas chinchillas are rodents and are, therefore, prey. 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. Also note: the initial interaction shall be concise, lasting only a few minutes. Yes, chinchillas can eat C heerios, . No, Apples should not be given on regular basis to Chinchillas but Chinchillas can eat Apples but only in moderation.