Protein - 16-20%. Chinchillas require a diet that mainly consists of timothy hay with the addition of supplementary chinchilla pellets. Botanical hay. As such, its best to look for a reputable brand of dry food made specifically for chinchillas. Well, you should try to distribute the appropriate amount of food around their cage instead of handing them their feed in a bowl. Nonetheless, its still recommended never to leave these two pets alone as you never know when your cats natural hunting instincts might kick in and attack your chinchilla. You'll need to make sure you'll be sharing your home with an animal that suits your lifestyle, available space, and even your personality type. 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;}. This means it should comprise 35% carbohydrates, 30% fiber, 15% protein, 4% protein, and less than 3.5% fat. Many also contain preservatives and additives which arent suitable for your chinchilla. So, excessive feeding can lead to diarrhea and urinary problems. All of our pet experts are here to help you and . Poison Ivy. Therefore, you need to make sure your chinchilla is safe in the cage placed in a different room your cat cant go into. It is an animal that will get you smitten instantly, and its elegance will keep swirling, Read More Can Chinchillas Get Fleas? Here is a breakdown of the nutrients your chinchilla needs in their diet and in what percentages. Chinchillas can't eat blueberries for a variety of reasons. Eggshells are rich in calcium and, as such, theyre an excellent source of nutrition for your chinchilla! All greens and veggies should be offered in limited quantities and in moderation. Ideally, you want to offer your chinchillas a low to moderate calcium diet that on the whole contains more calcium than phosphorus. Dried Herbs. Over time, your cat might get used to your chinchilla and stop attacking it altogether. The recommended ratio for calcium to phosphorus is 2:1 so thats two parts calcium to every one part phosphorus. You can check out the water bottle we recommend you use in our new cage accessories guide here. As we mentioned earlier, hay is the most important part of a chinchillas diet. Therefore, its best if you minimized contact between these two pets. What Owners Must Know! Do you see that furry animal? Please do not leave them alone at any moment as our pets security is our topmost priority. The most obvious reason why you shouldn't feed cat food to a chinchilla is because chinchillas are not cats! It should be bright green and smell fresh, or else it can be harmful to your chinchilla. Health and welfare issues - other. Actually, a good portion of their diet is already rabbit food. Raisins and dried cranberries. Chinchillas and cats can get along just fine, but this depends on your cats personality and demeanor. 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. 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. In fact, the hamster food is likely to be harmful to them. Because of the sensitive nature of a chinchillas digestive tract, sugar can be extremely harmful even if its fed in moderate quantities. Hamster food contains ingredients that are high in fats, including seeds and nuts, which could even be toxic to a chinchilla's system. This cage features a plastic and wire mesh construction with a built-in wheel and hideout. Chinchillas have a rounded ears, plump furry bodies, short legs, and long tails. This is because cats have an innate hunting instinct. Lets look at some more information that is essential for chinchilla pet owners about pet food. I would suggest to avoid fruits like Apples. Customer: Hi my name is***** and my granddaughter has a chinchilla and I'm taking care of her her name is ***** ***** her chest got wet because her water bottle was leaking and now her hair is kind of clumped a little bit but she's trying to pull it out what can I do to help her and she is so mad at me because I'm trying to take care of it and she's not happy can you give me some good ideas . These exotic animals need chinchilla food pellets every day, a well but in a much more controlled quantity. Avoid using wooden toy balls. Anu wood sticks you offer your chin needs to be from non-toxic trees and free from pesticides. As with all pets, a proper diet is key to health and long life in chinchillas. Special emphasis on nutritional support. There is, however, no harm in using this type of water providing they get enough minerals from elsewhere. The short answer is no. Not only that, chinchillas are similar to other animals, such as cats or dogs. Chinchilla Diapers: What You Need To Know + Pics, 16+ Different Chinchilla Colors: Pictures + Pricing, How Fast Can Chinchillas Run? Yes, they can, as harmful bacteria can be crossed from your cat to your chinchilla, causing it a severe illness. You should never feed a chinchilla hamster food, as it is one of the worst blends of ingredients for chinchillas to consume. 4. 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. 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. 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. While chinchillas and hamsters may seem similar, their diets couldn't be more different, and that means you . Fat - 2-5%. 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. Remember that treats are only supposed to be offered sparingly and not in large amounts daily. The stomach, chest, and chin are pure white. As such, it can cause kidney damage and other health problems. Instead, you should only feed them a healthy, balanced diet that includes lots of fresh green leaves and grass. Instead, offer your adult chinchilla timothy hay or other low-calcium grass hays, such as orchard or meadow grass. Take a look at the guide below that details what foods your chinchilla should eat and in what quantities. From their increased curiosity and affection to their unmatched affordability, chinchillas will always be amazing pets. Average Chinchilla Lifespan: How Long Do They Live? When cared for and fed properly, chinchillas can make great pets. 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. In the wild, chinchillas are omnivores, which means that they eat both plants and meat. Hi, my namesElena Coolidge, and this is my site. 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. Cat food comes in many different varieties: wet, semi-dry, and dry. A . These are dried fruits, dried herbs, plantain, and root vegetables. Instead, offer your cat leafy green vegetables like kale, bok choy, or arugula. Stay on top of the latest news about canine behavior, nutrition and health. You can either purchase wood sticks from a store or collect your own. 2.2 Dried Fruits And Herbs. They have very different nutritional needs. Our main focus is helping owners to better understand and care for their pets with both straight forward and actionable advice. Just like all other animals, chinchillas need good quality food to survive. There are several reasons why you shouldnt feed your chinchillas cat food and, below, well explore each of these in more detail. These adorable kittens are loving , caring and very affectionate. For any new chinchillas owner, one of the very first questions you need to ask is what can chinchillas eat?. link to How Often Should Chinchillas Have Dust Baths? They have very different nutritional needs. I'm a pocket pet enthusiast and I love sharing my knowledge and passion for these amazing animals. Providing your chinchilla with safe wood for them to chew on is the best and most convenient option. What Owners Must Know! 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. Learn more about their diets, below. If you want to bring a chinchilla into your home, you could be worried about their diet and general health. Chinchillas in the wild typically eat most of their food in . Best Hay For Chinchillas 2023 Reviews and Comparison. 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. Specific Substrate Needs. If you want to get a pet chinchilla, you should take into consideration some important things before buying them. Caring for a Chinchilla: What You Need to Know, Overgrown Teeth and Dental Issues in Chinchillas. 3 Human Foods For Chinchillas: Final Thoughts. Behavior & Training Food & Nutrition . One of the Pocket Pets Forever is a website for lovers of pocket pets. The body of an average chinchilla grows to about 10 inches long, but it can range from 8 inches to 12 inches, and its tail will typically be about 5 inches in length. As you know, chinchillas are plant-eating animals. Provide hay in your chinchilla's cage at all times so it has something to graze on. Chinchillas are herbivorous and do not eat animal-based products. Chinchilla Pet Animals and Pets. Its role in highlighting their adaptability to new or specif environments is matchless. Fiber: should be at least 15%, preferably up to 35%. First, rabbit food is not a complete diet for a chinchilla. Second, not all rabbit foods are created equal. Rhubarb. What is more, this intelligence defines how much they will learn about their, Read More Are chinchillas Smart? . Its quite possible that if you put cat food down on the floor, your chinchilla will try to eat it. Those leaves, while not as pretty as daisies, are a healthy and natural food source for your chinchillas. The diet of chinchillas should ideally be high in protein and fiber while containing low moisture and fat content. Overconsumption of pellets can also be fattening and can lead to obesity and diarrhea due to excess carbohydrate ingestion. 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. 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. Both critters should be eating a high quality hay as the majority of their diet. 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. Hay should account for anywhere between 80-90% of your chinchillas food intake so from these numbers alone its clear to see that good quality hay is undoubtedly the most vital part of your chinchillas diet. So, what type of hay do chinchillas eat? Gastrointestinal Disorders. If your hamster has consumed any of these items then please seek veterinary advice. So, can rabbits eat chinchilla food? This leads to severe pain as they chew, in addition to drooling and possible eye discharge from upper tooth root pressure on tear ducts. This is 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. Cat with can food. Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. Chinchillas in the wild will eat a variety of plants, shrubs, and grasses. The foods below are considered unsafe or too unhealthy to feed to your chinchilla and therefore should be avoided. Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. 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. There are some things that you should do to have a healthy chinchilla. Theyve become the subject of fascination for many animal lovers who enjoy their antics. The most important thing is to provide chinchillas with additional water, especially in summer, and monitor their daily water intake. Growing, breeding, and nursing chinchillas may be fed a larger amount of pellets to provide additional calories, protein, fat and calcium. 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. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. Poppy. 1.1 Understanding The Chinchilla Diet. The diet for chinchillas should be monitored to make sure they follow it daily. The list below contains the fruits that chinchillas can eat in moderation and as part of a balanced diet. Instead, they prefer to nibble at their hay or grass. so from these numbers alone its clear to see that good quality hay is undoubtedly the most vital part of your chinchillas diet.