The short answer is yes, chinchillas can eat rabbit food. The stomach, chest, and chin are pure white. 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. 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 . Approximately 75% to 80% of your chinchilla's diet should be made up of fresh hay. As such, its impossible for chinchillas to eat the same diet as cats. Because chinchillas teeth grow throughout their lives, when they are not offered enough hay (and consume mainly pellets), the surfaces of their top and bottom teeth collide inside their mouths with such force as they chew that the roots of their teeth become impacted, like a persons impacted wisdom teeth. This site 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. 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. A few hamster owners were concerned that their buddies would have trouble eating it because of its size and shape . Dried fruit (apple, banana, and papaya). If you want to get a pet chinchilla, you should take into consideration some important things before buying them. So, if you decide to make a purchase through one of the links on this site, I receive a commission for it. 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. While chinchillas and hamsters may seem similar, their diets couldn't be more different, and that means you . If you feed them the correct diet, chinchillas generally keep themselves at the right weight. Chinchilla/Hedgehog; Ferrets; Guinea Pigs; Gerbils/Hamsters; Mice/Rats; Rabbits; Featured Shops. 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. Chinchillas in the wild tend to consume most of their food early in the morning and late at night. On top of this, wet cat food has a tendency to stick around in the digestive tract for long periods of time. 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. 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? Two such posts that we have recently published are. Buy Merrick Dog Food online in Canada from Canadian Pet Connection. Dont make sudden changes in their diets as it can upset their stomach. The small animals love their leafy snack so much that they can live off it alone. A . If you are thinking of becoming a new pet parent, having a chinchilla will be the ultimate solution. 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. 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. Consequently, this lowers the stress level of your chinchilla that wont now feel like a target, thereby leading to an environment where these two can live together in harmony.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smallpetshq_com-netboard-2','ezslot_18',185,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-netboard-2-0'); You need to be careful about how you introduce your chinchilla to your cat is you really want there to be any harmonious relationship between these two creatures. Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. Once again, this boils down to the fact that chinchillas dont need the nutrition from fruits to be healthy so they are only a luxury. 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. Chinchillas only need to consume around 3-5% fat in their diet which is easily attainable from their base diet so foods such as. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Nuts? (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Pumpkin? Loose mixes may be nutritionally balanced while in the bag but only if your chinchilla eats all of the parts of the mix. There are chinchilla hay pellets and hay cubes available as well. You can repeat the process for a few days, gradually increasing the time frame. List Of Safe Greens & Vegetables For Chinchillas: Fruits should only ever be offered as a treat to your chinchilla. ; The long-tailed chinchillas will feed on insects, such as moths and grasshoppers, and bird eggs if the opportunity presents itself. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. Chinchillas and cats can get along just fine, but this depends on your cats personality and demeanor. Make sure to read the product form to know what you are getting when buying treats. You can just grab little bits of a few things and make a little sampler jar! It's not safe for rabbits to eat chinchilla food. Hamsters eat more carbohydrates than chinchillas do, but both species need food with plenty of protein and calcium. 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. Although cats and chinchillas might not coexist peacefully at first, there are ways of promoting this to happen. And of course too many raisins can cause diarrhea. Later in the post, we will share the exact pellets we recommend you feed your chinchilla so head over to that section of the post if you are looking for good quality pellets. Provide a steady supply of hay. Look for a pelleted, formulated diet specifically for chinchillas that is 16-20 percent protein, low in fat (2- 4 percent), and high in fiber (15-20 . Note: Its important to understand that this is a guide only. Both critters should be eating a high quality hay as the majority of their diet. Raisins and dried cranberries. By Laurie Hess, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian Practice). 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. Some use only meat products while others include vegetables and grains. head over to our post that shares all you need to know. They can also be found in mixed dried dandelion mixtures, which can include dandelion leaves, flower petals, and even roots. Dog food is not nutritionally balanced for chinchillas and can make them sick. 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. Some owners are allergic to hay, so what should they do? This includes plenty of fresh green leaves and hay. This is because rabbits require higher amounts of protein than chinchillas, which is reflected in the content of their food. 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. I blog about their care, where to buy them, breeders, and more. However, this makes them need a lot of physical and mental stimulation. Arrives by Fri, Mar 31 Buy Auto Feeder Water Dispenser Set Rabbit Cat Dog Chinchilla Food Hanging Gravity at Walmart.com Chinchillas in the wild typically eat most of their food in . Fruit is a food that can be offered to your chinchilla as a treat. 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 Fruit can cause problems to chinchillas such as. Chinchillas need hay between 14% and 16% plant protein. You can barely overlook the significance of animal intelligence. 1 What Foods Are Poisonous To Chinchillas? Also note: the initial interaction shall be concise, lasting only a few minutes. 2.4 Certain Breakfast Cereals. 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. If you want to bring a chinchilla into your home, you could be worried about their diet and general health. If you ask your chinchilla what their fave treats are, dried cranberries and raisins are at the top of their list. Overconsumption of pellets can also be fattening and can lead to obesity and diarrhea due to excess carbohydrate ingestion. 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. These are dried fruits, dried herbs, plantain, and root vegetables. 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. 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. For example, you could offer them a few pieces of fruit, such as apples or pears. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Pecans? 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. No, they cant as theyre herbivorous, meaning they eat plenty of grasses or plants. 3 Spot-clean soiled bedding daily, and do a full bedding change weekly when you wash everything in the enclosure with mild soap and water. Avoid pine and cedar shavings, as they can irritate a chinchilla's respiratory tract. Chinchillas are among the most intelligent and fun pets to have. Homeopathic and herbal remedies. Chinchillas also need their diets to be supplemented with pellets to round off and balance their nutritional needs. 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. The chinchilla will be stressed out by calm cats too. Hamster food is made largely of things that would be harmful for a chinchilla to eat. Wild chinchillas are omnivores and feed on grasses, seeds, fruits, small plants, plant leaves, small insects, and bird eggs when they get a chance. 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. Dont give rabbit pellets as, again, these two animals are quite different. 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. Stay on top of the latest news about canine behavior, nutrition and health. Indigestible bedding, such as wood shavings, also can cause obstructions. Chinchillas with these signs should be examined immediately by a veterinarian to have the lodged material extracted. Guide + Chart. 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. Acidic foods can upset the pH balance of your chinchillas stomach and, as such, can cause stomach ulcers. . Hay and specially . Plain Cheerios. Give your chinchilla space from the cat, which sees it as a prey. Although it is made from flour, bread has very few nutrients for chinchillas. It will keep them active and give them the appropriate amount of pellets per day, hay, and other food items per day as well. As you can see from everything weve discussed above, you should never feed cat food to a chinchilla. This is because fatty foods are very harmful to their digestive system. Chinchillas are herbivores and their diet consists mostly of hay, vegetables, and a small amount of fruit. As wet cat food is so soft, itll have absolutely no effect on keeping your chinchillas teeth to a safe length. For a healthy domestic animal, you need proper food and a diet plan. Dried Herbs. Hamster food contains ingredients that are high in fats, including seeds and nuts, which could even be toxic to a chinchilla's system. All cats drink filtered water from the water fountain. For these two pets to live in harmony with each other, patience and constant supervision is necessary. But guinea pigs are actually really good at eating slowly and reading their body. 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. This is a general rule for most small animals such as hedgehogs and even the majority of reptiles. Do take your chinchilla to the vet if it is vomiting or showing any unexplainable symptoms. Cats are carnivores (meat-eaters) whereas chinchillas are herbivores (plant-eaters). Hi, my namesElena Coolidge, and this is my site. 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 . This means it should comprise 35% carbohydrates, 30% fiber, 15% protein, 4% protein, and less than 3.5% fat. This means that feeding too many greens can cause an unbalanced amount of nutrients such as elevated levels of calcium and in turn, cause health issues. 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. Can Chinchillas Eat Cat Food? Do you see that furry animal? 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. The most crucial behavior factors about cats you need to know about them is that they are: On the other hand, the personality traits of the chinchilla are: With such divergent personality traits, its now evident why your cat and chinchilla might struggle to get along just fine. This means that chinchillas require a diet rich in protein but low in fat and carbohydrates. Well, you should try to distribute the appropriate amount of food around their cage instead of handing them their feed in a bowl. For any new chinchillas owner, one of the very first questions you need to ask is what can chinchillas eat?. What Greens & Vegetables Can Chinchillas Eat? Always offer small amounts of sugar to your chinchillas and seek advice from your vet if you still arent sure. Greens especially leafy greens are a food group that you can and should offer to your chinchilla on a regular basis. These adorable kittens are loving , caring and very affectionate. link to How Often Should Chinchillas Have Dust Baths? Not only that, chinchillas are similar to other animals, such as cats or dogs. 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. Its important to know how much food you need to offer your chinchilla each day in order for them to be considered healthy. Basic nutrients such as sugar, fat and even calcium can all cause health problems to chinchillas if they are overfed. 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. If you want to ensure that your chinchilla gets enough calcium, then you should add some eggshells to their diet. 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. Coprophagy helps to maintain the correct balance of intestinal flora within the gut, and also enables the chinchilla to absorb B Vitamins that are produced in the caecum (part of the gut). This cage features a plastic and wire mesh construction with a built-in wheel and hideout. link to Are Chinchillas Territorial? You can give them raisins, carrots, sultanas, and basically all the things that were mentioned above in the list. Purebred Chinchilla's. $1,200. The most important thing is to provide chinchillas with additional water, especially in summer, and monitor their daily water intake. If you want to know what age baby chinchillas are weaned then head over to our post that shares all you need to know. Much like many other rodents, a chinchillas teeth continue to grow throughout their life, so they need food that will help to stop them from overgrowing. djvstock. You may be tempted to buy cheap cat food from the supermarket. It comes with a water bottle and food dish as well, all priced under $20. Image 1 is the male father & Image 2 is the female mother.. 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 can lead to blockages and other health issues. Growing, breeding, and nursing chinchillas may be fed a larger amount of pellets to provide additional calories, protein, fat and calcium. Over time, your cat might get used to your chinchilla and stop attacking it altogether. The average pet chinchilla lifespan is 15-20 years Grapes and raisins have shown to be toxic to dogs, ferrets and cats. 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. This is the case when you own a cat and chinchilla because cats are natural predators, whereas chinchillas are rodents and are, therefore, prey. The foods below are considered unsafe or too unhealthy to feed to your chinchilla and therefore should be avoided. 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. 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? They can be offered much variety of good quality and clean hay like timothy hay, orchard grass, alfalfa hay, oat hay, or meadow hay. This means it should comprise 35% carbohydrates, 30% fiber, 15% protein, 4% protein, and less than 3.5% fat. Oxbow hay (low dust/hypoallergenic) Unfortunately, yes. Chinchillas have an extremely sensitive digestive system as we have already mentioned in this article. In addition to this, a lot of fruit can actually be harmful to chinchillas and they certainly cant just eat any and all fruits. As for what kind of water chinchillas solid drink, you cant just give them any old water from the tap. Learn more about their diets, below. Chinchillas should be given 1-2 tablespoons of pellets per day, and Bunk-Hatch recommends Oxbow Essentials. You also need to make sure your cat has a mellow personality to lower the likelihood of it attacking your chinchilla. What Owners Must Know! Like most animals in the world, chinchillas require a variety of nutrients to be considered healthy and for their organs to work correctly. Furthermore, chinchillas might suffer from stress caused by your cat, which might trigger a sickness, thereby leading to its untimely demise. Why You Shouldnt Feed Cat Food To A Chinchilla, The Risks Of Feeding Wet Cat Food To A Chinchilla, Can Chinchillas Eat Pretzels? Once you do this, you can be sure that your cat wont be able to swipe your chinchilla or its cage as they get used to each others company.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'smallpetshq_com-sky-3','ezslot_21',190,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-sky-3-0'); While you might be excoriated to introduce your chinchilla to your entire family, and this includes your cat, its vital first to make sure it first gets used to you. They have very different nutritional needs. 2.5 Dried Cranberry And Apple. You need to ensure your cat has a comfortable sitting area thats far from the chinchillas cage. Additionally, chinchillas can be fed a small amount (1-2 tbsp/day) of a commercial pelleted diet formulated for chinchillas. Can chinchillas eat cat food safely without any issue? [What Owners Will Want To Know], Can Chinchillas Get Fleas? Pelleted diets are better than a mixture of loose items. Caring for a Chinchilla: What You Need to Know, Overgrown Teeth and Dental Issues in Chinchillas. 2.3 Raisins. However, this isnt something they enjoy doing. In this article, we'll answer the above questions by taking an in-depth look at what kind of diet is best for your beloved pet chinchilla. If a chinchilla is not active, it can in fact be bad for their health and cause an array of chinchilla health problems. You should also provide them with a dry food that has been specifically designed with chinchillas in mind. So what can chinchillas eat? Therefore, its best if you minimized contact between these two pets. Avoid using wooden toy balls. However, in this list are food items that you should absolutely not feed your chinchilla and if you do, then going to a vet is the best course of action. Locust pods. It is important to remember the natural chinchilla diet is mainly made up of hay and grass, with some twigs and leaves in between. There are animals who have a harder time controlling their eating (we're not alone humans!). Following a healthy diet will maximize your chinchillas lifespan. Thats why they need to have toys and accessories in their houses. Shoot me an emailif you have a question! 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. You may also be able to give your chinchilla treats like rose petals, rolled oats, or even non-frosted shredded wheat. Botanical hay. 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. Both Chinchillas and Hamsters Are Small Rodents. Lets look at some more information that is essential for chinchilla pet owners about pet food. . In addition, wet cat food is often too salty for chinchillas. 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. Created using the Newspaper Theme. Rhubarb. 3. Chinchillas can eat leaves and twigs in captivity, yet these types of food are more difficult to find when not in the wild. 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. 2.6 No Sudden Dietary Changes. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. Hi, My name is Adam. Those leaves, while not as pretty as daisies, are a healthy and natural food source for your chinchillas. Along with the quality of good that you feed your pet chinchilla, the quantity is just as important. Chinchillas cant eat cat food. Limit fruits and sugary vegetables (e.g., carrots) to <1 teaspoon/day. Just like all other animals, chinchillas need good quality food to survive. This ensures its overall wellbeing is guaranteed, meaning your chinchilla gets to enjoy a peaceful life. Cats with a chinchilla coat pattern have white undercoats and tipping on the back, tail, head, and flanks. Gastrointestinal Disorders. This means that chinchillas require a diet rich in protein but low in fat and carbohydrates. A chinchilla that is fully grown typically weighs between 1 and 3 pounds. 3 Human Foods For Chinchillas: Final Thoughts. However, they eat mostly vegetation and seeds. This only happens opportunistically, though. Made in USA; On Sale; Up to 25% Off: Select . What Nutrients Are Important For Chinchillas? 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. 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 will eat plenty of native plants in the wild to give them a good balance of minerals and vitamins essential for optimum health. Chinchillas enjoy dandelions because they have an interesting . In the wild, chinchillas are omnivores, which means that they eat both plants and meat. Here is a breakdown of the nutrients your chinchilla needs in their diet and in what percentages. Fresh greens, such as dark green lettuces, should also be given to provide additional water and fiber. The chinchilla's pellets should be put in a food bowl, and they should be given fresh pellets every day. As rodents, their standard diet tends to follow a more opportunistic model, with chinchillas eating plants, seeds, fruits, and insects that it can get its paws on. Although fruits and nuts are something that can be fed to chinchillas, it is best to avoid them. Some comments from a popular forum AGAINST giving raisins include: 1. our recommended food products for your chinchilla and the best place to purchase them from. Please do not leave them alone at any moment as our pets security is our topmost priority. Cat food comes in many different varieties: wet, semi-dry, and dry. The main takeaway here is that you should never give cat food to your pet chinchilla. As you know, chinchillas are very sensitive animals, so you need to be very careful with what you feed them. The hamster food will not be nutritionally beneficial to them.