Hamsters vs. Gerbils: Whats the Difference. Yes, they can, as harmful bacteria can be crossed from your cat to your chinchilla, causing it a severe illness. 4. There are several reasons why you shouldnt feed your chinchillas cat food and, below, well explore each of these in more detail. "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. Approximately 75% to 80% of your chinchilla's diet should be made up of fresh hay. Protein - 16-20%. 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. Instead, chinchilla feeds should address the following: Fat: should be between 2% and 5%. 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. What Do Chinchillas Eat in the Wild and as Pets? | Pet Keen Can Chinchillas Eat Cat Food? - Pet Food Fuss It's safe to give your chin a raisin-size amount 2-3 times per week. Safe and Unsafe Food for Chinchillas | Infolific (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Pumpkin? As we mentioned earlier, hay is the most important part of a chinchillas diet. By doing so, youll be giving your cat and chinchilla ample time to get used to each other behaviors and smells. 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. An aggressive cat will attack the chinchilla but with patience, you can train the pets to coexist. Pelleted diets are better than a mixture of loose items. There is, however, no harm in using this type of water providing they get enough minerals from elsewhere. Dont give rabbit pellets as, again, these two animals are quite different. Lets look at some more information that is essential for chinchilla pet owners about pet food. 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 . Foods to Avoid (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Romaine Lettuce? Also note: the initial interaction shall be concise, lasting only a few minutes. 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. The amount of food your chinchilla needs to eat depends on their age, lifestyle and state of health. It is important to remember the natural chinchilla diet is mainly made up of hay and grass, with some twigs and leaves in between. 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. . Make sure to read the product form to know what you are getting when buying treats. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Strawberries? Thats why they need to have toys and accessories in their houses. Its role in highlighting their adaptability to new or specif environments is matchless. However, they eat mostly vegetation and seeds. 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. Please do not leave them alone at any moment as our pets security is our topmost priority. Can Chinchillas Eat Hamster Food? If your hamster has consumed any of these items then please seek veterinary advice. Chinchillas cant eat cat food. Instead, they prefer to nibble at their hay or grass. Chinchilla Exotic Persian kittens for sale | Cats & Kittens | Gumtree There are some things that you should do to have a healthy chinchilla. 3 Ways to Feed a Chinchilla - wikiHow Pet Chinchillas can consume a wide variety of human foods, most notably vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts, and grains. 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. Always offer small amounts of sugar to your chinchillas and seek advice from your vet if you still arent sure. What Nutrients Are Unhealthy If Overfed to Your Chinchilla? Its important to know how much food you need to offer your chinchilla each day in order for them to be considered healthy. Please remember that there are hundreds of greens and vegetables from around the world. . The best pet for you based on your zodiac sign - Stars Insider All cats drink filtered water from the water fountain. 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. Chinchillas will eat plenty of native plants in the wild to give them a good balance of minerals and vitamins essential for optimum health. So, what type of hay do chinchillas eat? Dont give food that is meant for guinea pigs as they have different digestive systems. Special emphasis on nutritional support. 2.3 Raisins. If you feed them the correct diet, chinchillas generally keep themselves at the right weight. 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. The most common flowers you can feed your chinchilla include rosebuds, rose petals, calendula flowers and cactus flowers. Avoid feeding dried fruits. Protein: should be between 16% and 20%. Health and welfare issues - other. If you want to give your chinchilla some treats, then these should be carefully selected. Can Chinchillas Live With Cats? Tips for families who want to own both! so from these numbers alone its clear to see that good quality hay is undoubtedly the most vital part of your chinchillas diet. 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. 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. What do Chinchillas Eat? Chinchilla Diet 101 - The Pet Savvy Chinchilla Image Credit: Veera, Shutterstock. Many also contain preservatives and additives which arent suitable for your chinchilla. This is because wet cat food contains a lot of moisture and, as such, its difficult for chinchillas to digest. This list includes common household foods that hamster should avoid but is by no means exhaustive. Reasons Why Theyre SmartContinue, This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. what are some dehydrated fruits chinchillas can eat? In this post, we have listed many of the safe fruits for chinchillas although this list isnt conclusive. Dried Cranberries. The most obvious reason why you shouldnt feed cat food to a chinchilla is because chinchillas are not cats! All four have unique and beautiful personalities & are ready for forever homes. The most obvious reason why you shouldn't feed cat food to a chinchilla is because chinchillas are not cats! Chinchilla Sleeping Habits: Are Chinchillas Nocturnal? What Do Chinchillas Eat: Diet & Food Guide - Your Chinchilla Pet Care 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. Do make sure to feed them every day and check if their droppings are dry and normal. Provide hay in your chinchilla's cage at all times so it has something to graze on. As a Chewy & flexoffers affiliate I earn commissions for qualifying purchases. There are some great hay-based pellets out there on the market that complement your chinchillas hay-based diet and fill in the gaps in your chins nutrition really well. Can Chinchillas Eat Cheerios? What You Need to Know! Alfalfa hay is usually recommended for young, growing chinchillas. When they are let out of their cage, chinchillas Chinchillas come in a wide variety of colors. Following a healthy diet will maximize your chinchillas lifespan. Thankfully, nowadays, there is a variety of hay available so that you can choose the hay type that your chinchilla loves the most. They are extremely high in fibre while offering low amounts of sugar. 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. Limit fruits and sugary vegetables (e.g., carrots) to <1 teaspoon/day. Chinchillas also require small amounts of fresh greens and can be fed occasional treats such as dried fruit from time to time. Additionally, chinchillas can be fed a small amount (1-2 tbsp/day) of a commercial pelleted diet formulated for chinchillas. Chinchillas - Feeding | VCA Animal Hospital By Laurie Hess, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian Practice). 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;}. 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. Grapes and raisins have shown to be toxic to dogs, ferrets and cats. The 7 Best Deals on Chewy This March - AZ Animals It is also built with a speaker for remote interaction with pets. 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. Can Chinchillas Eat Hamster Food - Passionate About Food The quality of the ingredients used by manufacturers to make cat food varies enormously. What Treats Can I Give My Chinchilla? Healthiest Treats for Chinchillas Fruits and Veggies - Fresh fruits, fresh greens, and other veggies are a healthy part of your chinchilla's diet as well. This leads to problems including diarrhea, weight loss, and stomach ulcers. Fruit can cause problems to chinchillas such as. If rabbits were to eat chinchilla . Gastrointestinal Disorders. What is the reason why Chinchillas are not allowed to consume blueberries? 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. . A chinchilla that is fully grown typically weighs between 1 and 3 pounds. Guide + Chart. My granddaughter has a chinchilla and I'm taking care of her her name (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Pecans? They have very different nutritional needs. As such, its best to look for a reputable brand of dry food made specifically for chinchillas. This is the case when you own a cat and chinchilla because cats are natural predators, whereas chinchillas are rodents and are, therefore, prey. Chinchillas in captivity often require a balanced diet of low fat, low moisture, low carbohydrates, and high fiber. as their pellets are of a high quality and are fortified with vitamins such as vitamin D3. You can give them raisins, carrots, sultanas, and basically all the things that were mentioned above in the list. If you have to leave your chin alone for up to 24 hours, ensure you leave out plenty of food and water to cover the time span. 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. From allergies to zoomies, we have dogs covered like fur on a sofa. The diet of chinchillas should ideally be high in protein and fiber while containing low moisture and fat content. 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. 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. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Dried fruit (apple, banana, and papaya). No, they cant as theyre herbivorous, meaning they eat plenty of grasses or plants. Adult chinchillas are recommended to eat timothy hay as this provides all the nutrients your chinchilla needs and in the correct quantities. 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. Unfortunately, though, this doesnt mean that its going to provide your chinchilla with the nutrients they require. 11 Devon Rex Colors (Common & Unique Varieties) - Excited Cats [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. Chewing is good for your chinchillas teeth as they continually grow throughout their lives and chewing safe objects will help to keep their teeth short and healthy. Source: The teeth of a chinchilla are also constantly growing and coarse hay is a must to keep their teeth short and shaped correctly. 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. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Nuts? Some dos and donts for having chinchillas as pets are listed below. Some use only meat products while others include vegetables and grains. Merrick Dog Food - Canadian Pet Connection Can Chinchillas Eat Cucumbers And Is It Safe? As such, its impossible for chinchillas to eat the same diet as cats. 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. What Do Chinchillas Eat? | PetMD Some people believe that chinchillas can eat dog food, but this is not a good idea. Here is a breakdown of the nutrients your chinchilla needs in their diet and in what percentages. Buy Merrick Dog Food online in Canada from Canadian Pet Connection. Botanical hay. Answer (1 of 2): It is not so much that they are 'fragile', but have different habitat requirements than we are used to. 1. 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. As you know, chinchillas are plant-eating animals. Occasionally, they will eat insects and bird eggs. 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. Cats are carnivores (meat-eaters) whereas chinchillas are herbivores (plant-eaters). A . If you are thinking of becoming a new pet parent, having a chinchilla will be the ultimate solution. Stay on top of the latest news about canine behavior, nutrition and health. Second, not all rabbit foods are created equal. Dry Dog Food | Pet Supplies Plus In addition to this, the chinchilla may choose to hide, seeking safety from the cat, thereby making it hard to locate. our recommended food products for your chinchilla and the best place to purchase them from. Can Chinchillas Eat Hamster Food? (7 Cool Diet Tips) 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. You should also try to avoid giving your chinchilla anything acidic, such as citrus fruits. Those products can be harmful to your digestive system in large quantities, so keep small portions in hand. Cat-for-sale in Leicester, Leicestershire - Gumtree Chinchillas can't eat blueberries for a variety of reasons. Chinchillas love dandelion leaves. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Homeopathic and herbal remedies. Unfortunately, yes. Following this diet routine is to make sure your chinchilla doesnt turn into a malnourished animal. If a chinchilla is not active, it can in fact be bad for their health and cause an array of chinchilla health problems. These are usually made up of timothy or alfalfa hay, so you will have limited options to choose from. and how to get rid of it, The Best Chinchilla Toys (Review) in 2023, Are chinchillas Smart? Our main focus is helping owners to better understand and care for their pets with both straight forward and actionable advice. You may also be able to give your chinchilla treats like rose petals, rolled oats, or even non-frosted shredded wheat. 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 Hay should be put in the hay rack in the chinchilla's cage. The best way to safeguard your chinchilla from your cat is by placing its cage far from the reach of your cat. All this time, as you do this, never make the mistake of leaving these two pets unattended because your cat might start startling or hunting the chinchilla.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smallpetshq_com-leader-2','ezslot_4',183,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-leader-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smallpetshq_com-leader-2','ezslot_5',183,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-leader-2-0_1'); .leader-2-multi-183{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:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. Using genetic screening, breeders are now working to try to eradicate the problem - always . Oxbow Essentials Deluxe Chinchilla Food. The stomach, chest, and chin are pure white. 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. 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. ; The long-tailed chinchillas will feed on insects, such as moths and grasshoppers, and bird eggs if the opportunity presents itself. 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.