The best way to safeguard your chinchilla from your cat is by placing its cage far from the reach of your cat. Hamster food contains ingredients that are high in fats, including seeds and nuts, which could even be toxic to a chinchilla's system. 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 enjoy dandelions because they have an interesting . If this is a problem you were undergoing, reading this insightful article has enlightened you to understand better if cats and chinchillas can get along. I'm a pocket pet enthusiast and I love sharing my knowledge and passion for these amazing animals. It is a rich source of Malic acid that is not essential for your Chinchillas. If rabbits were to eat chinchilla . Both Chinchillas and Hamsters Are Small Rodents. There are several reasons why you shouldnt feed your chinchillas cat food and, below, well explore each of these in more detail. Foods You Can Feed to Your Chinchilla as Treats Include: Rope Hips are considered one of the healthiest treats you can offer your chinchilla. Find & Download the most popular Chinchilla Animal Vectors on Freepik Free for commercial use High Quality Images Made for Creative Projects. The chinchilla's pellets should be put in a food bowl, and they should be given fresh pellets every day. 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. Poppy. Unlike cat food or dog food, this will contain many of the nutrients that a chinchilla needs to stay fit and healthy. From allergies to zoomies, we have dogs covered like fur on a sofa. This is all too situational and it depends on the character of the pet. Chinchillas are so cute and such intelligent animals that make great pets. 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. All of our pet experts are here to help you and . Keeping in mind that chinchillas cant eat fatty food, there are some treats that they like that contain fat, but chinchillas love them. Created using the Newspaper Theme. Get the Best Price and Selection of Dry Dog Food at Pet Supplies Plus. Not only that, chinchillas are similar to other animals, such as cats or dogs. A good quality pellet usually contains vitamins such as vitamins A, B12, D3 & E. In contrast to hay, where you should provide it in large quantities, pellets should be offered in smaller amounts and make up more of the remaining 10% of your chinchillas diet. Many also contain preservatives and additives which arent suitable for your chinchilla. Now, lets talk more about the healthy treats that you should feed these exotic animals. Or, you could hand out small amounts of peanut butter or cheese. Can Chinchillas Eat Cucumbers And Is It Safe? Like. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Pecans? 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 a chinchilla were to eat dry cat food, it would likely experience digestive issues and may even die. In conclusion, make sure to feed your chinchilla with care and monitor their diets properly. hay, fresh vegetables, and pellets should still make up the majority of their diet. Avoid feeding dried fruits. It is also built with a speaker for remote interaction with pets. Following this diet routine is to make sure your chinchilla doesnt turn into a malnourished animal. 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 hay should be dry and fresh-smelling with no trace of mold. Chinchillas dont need a whole lot of greens in their diet but they are still important in the right quantities. Fruit is a food that can be offered to your chinchilla as a treat. The most obvious reason why you shouldnt feed cat food to a chinchilla is because chinchillas are not cats! Overfeeding of fresh greens also can lead to soft stool or diarrhea. 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. Chinchillas can consume a wide variety of human foods, most notably vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts, and grains. Purebred Chinchilla's. $1,200. Like most rodents, chinchillas love to chew things. Pics + 7 Signs Theyre Overweight, How Much Is A Chinchilla [Cost & Price Stats]. 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. Raisins and dried cranberries. Additionally, chinchillas can be fed a small amount (1-2 tbsp/day) of a commercial pelleted diet formulated for chinchillas. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. The average pet chinchilla lifespan is 15-20 years When it comes to pellets for chinchillas, its important that you purchase pellets that are specifically designed for chinchillas. 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. Copyright tagDiv. Provide a steady supply of hay. Some comments from a popular forum AGAINST giving raisins include: 1. 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. Shoot me an emailif you have a question! Nonetheless, this can be achieved by only slowly introducing these two pets to each other. Chinchillas need hay between 14% and 16% plant protein. First off, you should always feed your chinchilla a healthy, balanced diet. You can add a small amount of commercially available pelleted chinchilla food to your chinchilla's diet. 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. These tend to be expensive but, over time, theyre worth the investment. While it depends on your cat's personality, many will seek out to hunt chinchillas. Anu wood sticks you offer your chin needs to be from non-toxic trees and free from pesticides. Do you see that furry animal? 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? Offering too much or too little of one food group can cause your chin to have digestive and even health issues. You can also feed them a mixture of all these hays. Chinchilla Image Credit: Veera, Shutterstock. Second, not all rabbit foods are created equal. The tipping can come in various colors, including blue, red, cream, and more. 2.2 Nutritional requirements. Chinchillas in the wild tend to consume most of their food early in the morning and late at night. They are extremely high in fibre while offering low amounts of sugar. Its advisable to have a big enough cage for your chinchilla to jump around should they ever feel threatened by your cat. Milk and other dairy products are animal products and not appropriate for herbivores. As it turns out, chinchillas have an absolutely wide diet that varies considerably in the texture, hardness, nutritional value, etc. Do have hay constantly as well; keep a rack with hay and replace it routinely before it gets moldy. 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 So here is a list of fruits and vegetables that you can feed your chinchillas. Foods to Avoid You can barely overlook the significance of animal intelligence. Always offer small amounts of sugar to your chinchillas and seek advice from your vet if you still arent sure. You may also be able to give your chinchilla treats like rose petals, rolled oats, or even non-frosted shredded wheat. Their mum is a chinchilla Persian Semi-long haired silky & soft coat and their Dad is a red . Once this condition occurs, there is nothing that can be done other than to provide pain medication and soft foods. This is because wet cat food contains a lot of moisture and, as such, its difficult for chinchillas to digest. Oat grass. Both critters should be eating a high quality hay as the majority of their diet. There is very little difference in the nutrition provided between timothy hay and orchard grass hay. Feeding greens and vegetables in large quantities can upset the nutritional balance of the hay and pellets you are providing to your chinchilla. Whether you're looking for tips, tools, activities or advice, you've arrived at the consummate guide for everything related to caring for dogs. 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). 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 . Distilled water isnt as easy to get hold of as water from the tap and it, unfortunately, does not contain any minerals which your Chinchilla needs. Only a couple of tablespoons (1-2 tablespoons) of pellets should be given as daily amounts to a baby or adult chinchilla. A few hamster owners were concerned that their buddies would have trouble eating it because of its size and shape . 4. Food Options. Dog food is not nutritionally balanced for chinchillas and can make them sick. Due to their opportunistic nature in the wild, most chinchillas will eat any leaves, seeds, fruits, and nonpoisonous insects that it can come across, and because they are endangered . After all, it wont cost much and it might even taste good. Avoid pine and cedar shavings, as they can irritate a chinchilla's respiratory tract. Dried fruit is often preferred to regular fruit, this is down to the fact that dried fruit offers much less water (which is considered bad for chinchillas) as well as increased levels of other nutrients such as fibre. Poison Ivy. Some dos and donts for having chinchillas as pets are listed below. They can also be found in mixed dried dandelion mixtures, which can include dandelion leaves, flower petals, and even roots. Indigestible bedding, such as wood shavings, also can cause obstructions. Their diet should be composed of about 35% carbohydrates, 3.5% fat, 30% fiber, 15% protein, and only 4% sugar. Most tap water is clean, however, dirty water can contain giardia and would not be suitable for use in your Chinchilla Water Bottle. They have very different nutritional needs. 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. 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. Semi-dry foods consist of dried milk and grain. Food items that need to be provided to them continuously are hay and clean drinking water. 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. Lets look at some more information that is essential for chinchilla pet owners about pet food. Oxbow Essentials Deluxe Chinchilla Food. If a chinchilla is not active, it can in fact be bad for their health and cause an array of chinchilla health problems. Monitoring your chinchillas' diet. What is more, this intelligence defines how much they will learn about their, Read More Are chinchillas Smart? as their pellets are of a high quality and are fortified with vitamins such as vitamin D3. Fresh greens, such as dark green lettuces, should also be given to provide additional water and fiber. Its important to know how much food you need to offer your chinchilla each day in order for them to be considered healthy. 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. Chinchillas in the wild typically eat most of their food in . 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. When cared for and fed properly, chinchillas can make great pets. 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. 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. . 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. Oxbow hay (low dust/hypoallergenic) This doesnt cost you anything additional. By doing so, youll be giving your cat and chinchilla ample time to get used to each other behaviors and smells. Along with the quality of good that you feed your pet chinchilla, the quantity is just as important. There are chinchilla hay pellets and hay cubes available as well. Plain Cheerios. 2.4 Certain Breakfast Cereals. Rhubarb. Some other healthy treats include rosehips and mountain ash berries. 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. C hoosing a pet is not a decision to be taken lightly. Ideally, you want to offer your chinchillas a low to moderate calcium diet that on the whole contains more calcium than phosphorus. While long term overfeeding of sugary foods can cause problems such as tooth decay and obesity, even overfeeding sugary food just once and cause diarrhoea and gas. The amount of food your chinchilla needs to eat depends on their age, lifestyle and state of health. The diet that you choose to feed your chinchilla should mostly contain hay. You can check out the water bottle we recommend you use in our new cage accessories guide here. Some use only meat products while others include vegetables and grains. Occasionally, they will eat insects and bird eggs. Finally, chinchillas need foods that help to keep their teeth grounded over time. So, what should you feed a chinchilla? An aggressive cat will attack the chinchilla but with patience, you can train the pets to coexist. The only downside to dried fruit is that as nutrients such as fibre increase so does the sugar content and this can elevate the amounts of sugar into alarming levels. Instead, offer your cat leafy green vegetables like kale, bok choy, or arugula. This means it should comprise 35% carbohydrates, 30% fiber, 15% protein, 4% protein, and less than 3.5% fat. There are animals who have a harder time controlling their eating (we're not alone humans!). They eat all sorts of different plants . 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. 1.1 Understanding The Chinchilla Diet. Just because a green on the list below is labelled safe doesnt mean that you can feed your chinchilla unlimited amounts of that green or vegetable. This is because cats have an innate hunting instinct. The foods below are considered unsafe or too unhealthy to feed to your chinchilla and therefore should be avoided. However, they eat mostly vegetation and seeds. As such, its impossible for chinchillas to eat the same diet as cats. This is the case when you own a cat and chinchilla because cats are natural predators, whereas chinchillas are rodents and are, therefore, prey. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Image 1 is the male father & Image 2 is the female mother.. 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. They can easily get an upset stomach and have a limited capacity for digestion. Source: The teeth of a chinchilla are also constantly growing and coarse hay is a must to keep their teeth short and shaped correctly. The list below contains the fruits that chinchillas can eat in moderation and as part of a balanced diet. If you are thinking of becoming a new pet parent, having a chinchilla will be the ultimate solution. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smallpetshq_com-box-4','ezslot_2',194,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-box-4-0');You should thus not be surprised if a cat and chinchilla bond as companions or friends. The short answer is no. As for what kind of water chinchillas solid drink, you cant just give them any old water from the tap. 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. They also need to have access to fresh water at all times. All you need to hope for is that your cat ignores the chinchilla. On the other hand, the natural hamster diet is mainly . They love to play and interact with humans which makes them excellent pets. List Of Safe Greens & Vegetables For Chinchillas: Fruits should only ever be offered as a treat to your chinchilla. Chinchillas are herbivorous and do not eat animal-based products. 29493 7 Mile Road . Dont discourage your pet from eating its own dropping, as it is natural for them to do so. Cats are carnivores (meat-eaters) whereas chinchillas are herbivores (plant-eaters). These commissions help to keep the rest of my content free, so thank you! 2.2 Dried Fruits And Herbs. Never change your chinchillas' diet suddenly, as this could upset their digestive system and make them very ill. 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. It is an animal that will get you smitten instantly, and its elegance will keep swirling, Read More Can Chinchillas Get Fleas? With all things considered, the best 2 hay choices for your chinchilla are. 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! Because of the sensitive nature of a chinchillas digestive tract, sugar can be extremely harmful even if its fed in moderate quantities. Cat with can food. 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. This is important because these two pets have brains that are programmed to act differently. These flowers should be dried before feeding to ensure that they are crunchy since our little ones love to nibble. Water should be provided in the form of a water bottle rather than a bowl as this is much more hygienic for your chinchilla. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Strawberries? This is because rabbits require higher amounts of protein than chinchillas, which is reflected in the content of their food. Naturally aloof people might not want to be constantly hounded for canine kisses, just as cuddly types might be affronted by some cat breeds . "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. Specialties: The Wishbone Pet Company has the largest selection of raw diets in Santa Cruz, CA with a strong emphasis on holistic natural care. These adorable kittens are loving , caring and very affectionate. Chinchillas also dont like eating cat food. Some of the more common culprits include inflammatory bowel disease, bacterial infections, viral infections, parasites, ulcers, etc. The kittens get lots of attention and handling, so grooming and cleaning the eyes will be easy in the future. Fresh Apple. 2 Human Food Chinchillas Can Eat. Fresh vegetables and fruits can occasionally be fed to your chinchillas, but only some of the fruit and vegetables your chinchillas digestive system can bear. 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. For these two pets to live in harmony with each other, patience and constant supervision is necessary. 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. What Nutrients Are Important For Chinchillas? 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. Hi, my namesElena Coolidge, and this is my site. Fruits and Veggies - Fresh fruits, fresh greens, and other veggies are a healthy part of your chinchilla's diet as well. cute cat; Cat cartoon; cat eat; 1. Are Chinchillas Cuddly? This acrobatic animal eats food with a sweet smell as they are very picky. Instead, offer your adult chinchilla timothy hay or other low-calcium grass hays, such as orchard or meadow grass. Chinchillas will eat plenty of native plants in the wild to give them a good balance of minerals and vitamins essential for optimum health. Instead, they prefer to nibble at their hay or grass. Those products can be harmful to your digestive system in large quantities, so keep small portions in hand. Most importantly, you need to know what they can and cant eat! This list includes common household foods that hamster should avoid but is by no means exhaustive. Doing this is vital because your cats natural hunting instinct might kick in at any moment. Remember that treats are only supposed to be offered sparingly and not in large amounts daily. 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. As such, it can cause kidney damage and other health problems. If they are fed certain foods together frequently, they will become accustomed to them always being served together. Chinchillas are very friendly animals. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. Please talk to your vet for a detailed diet plan that suits the individual needs of your pet. You can give these things in moderation but make sure to avoid nuts and seeds as they are way too high in fat content. In this post, we have listed many of the safe fruits for chinchillas although this list isnt conclusive. 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 . 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. Chinchillas cannot eat hamster food. Special emphasis on nutritional support. As a pet, chinchillas can eat the same dried herbs and benefit from the nutrients. Yes, the chinchilla that you have been eyeing for quite some time now. Every formula uses industry-leading volume of protein, glucosamine, and chondroitin. Long-tailed chinchillas are primarily herbivorous. All Things Dog. 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;}. However, this makes them need a lot of physical and mental stimulation. What Nutrients Are Unhealthy If Overfed to Your Chinchilla? 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 can easily get their head trapped in these toys and suffocate. Chinchillas are rodents and behave in pretty much the same way as a squirrel would. 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. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Timothy Hay? Nicole is the proud mom of 3 rescue fur babies, Baby, a Burmese cat; Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway; and Mac, a Lab/Mastiff. 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. Answer (1 of 2): It is not so much that they are 'fragile', but have different habitat requirements than we are used to. The quality of the ingredients used by manufacturers to make cat food varies enormously. Good hays include alfalfa hay, timothy hay, orchard grass, and blue grass. 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. Always keep an eye on your cat even after your chinchilla and cat have started getting along. A . But here is a pretty extensive list of what is safe for chins and most can be found in the bulk section of a health food store for cheap. and how to get rid of itContinue. Caring for a Chinchilla: What You Need to Know, Overgrown Teeth and Dental Issues in Chinchillas.
