Always offer small amounts of sugar to your chinchillas and seek advice from your vet if you still arent sure. This is usually the case for cats and chinchillas, which can be stressful for you as a pet owner. They shouldn't be used in place of a proper diet of chinchilla pellets and hay. The short answer is no. These are usually made up of timothy or alfalfa hay, so you will have limited options to choose from. 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. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Thats why they need to have toys and accessories in their houses. So, if you decide to make a purchase through one of the links on this site, I receive a commission for it. What Owners Must Know! The treats that you choose to feed them should be done in very limited and controlled quantities. This means that chinchillas require a diet rich in protein but low in fat and carbohydrates. 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. If you're looking for a reasonably priced cage that comes with a variety of accessories, try the Habitrail Cristal Hamster Cage with Wheel. Cat with can food. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Rabbit Food? So here is a list of fruits and vegetables that you can feed your chinchillas. Reasons Why Theyre Smart. In addition to this, a lot of fruit can actually be harmful to chinchillas and they certainly cant just eat any and all fruits. "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. To try to mimic this rough vegetation, the mainstay of pet chinchillas diets should be hay offered in unlimited quantities. Always keep an eye on your cat even after your chinchilla and cat have started getting along. Its role in highlighting their adaptability to new or specif environments is matchless. Fat is another nutrient that chinchillas need in very small amounts to be considered healthy. Chinchillas need hay between 14% and 16% plant protein. 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. 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 . 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. 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. The diet of chinchillas should ideally be high in protein and fiber while containing low moisture and fat content. 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. Dog food is not nutritionally balanced for chinchillas and can make them sick. Keeping in mind that chinchillas cant eat fatty food, there are some treats that they like that contain fat, but chinchillas love them. Wild chinchillas are omnivores and feed on grasses, seeds, fruits, small plants, plant leaves, small insects, and bird eggs when they get a chance. Get the Best Price and Selection of Dry Dog Food at Pet Supplies Plus. 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;}. Here is a breakdown of the nutrients your chinchilla needs in their diet and in what percentages. This means that chinchillas require a diet rich in protein but low in fat and carbohydrates. Bread and Dairy Products. Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. 2.1 Fresh Vegetables. 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. Just make sure that they are safe. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. Dried Cranberries. If you feed them the correct diet, chinchillas generally keep themselves at the right weight. If you want to bring a chinchilla into your home, you could be worried about their diet and general health. Naturally aloof people might not want to be constantly hounded for canine kisses, just as cuddly types might be affronted by some cat breeds . Grapes and raisins have shown to be toxic to dogs, ferrets and cats. head over to our post that shares all you need to know. The quality of the ingredients used by manufacturers to make cat food varies enormously. Poison Ivy. Buy Merrick Dog Food online in Canada from Canadian Pet Connection. This can lead to blockages and other health issues. This leads to problems including diarrhea, weight loss, and stomach ulcers. Good hays include alfalfa hay, timothy hay, orchard grass, and blue grass. They can be offered much variety of good quality and clean hay like timothy hay, orchard grass, alfalfa hay, oat hay, or meadow hay. Growing, breeding, and nursing chinchillas may be fed a larger amount of pellets to provide additional calories, protein, fat and calcium. 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. Chinchilla/Hedgehog; Ferrets; Guinea Pigs; Gerbils/Hamsters; Mice/Rats; Rabbits; Featured Shops. As you know, chinchillas are plant-eating animals. In this post, we have listed many of the safe fruits for chinchillas although this list isnt conclusive. Every formula uses industry-leading volume of protein, glucosamine, and chondroitin. 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. Here are useful tips you should follow to ensure peaceful coexistence between these two: Whereas your cat and chinchilla might eventually learn to live with each other, dont expect them to be best friends. The foods below are considered unsafe or too unhealthy to feed to your chinchilla and therefore should be avoided. If rabbits were to eat chinchilla . Yes, they can, as harmful bacteria can be crossed from your cat to your chinchilla, causing it a severe illness. Feed them right, and youll have a happy, cuddly pet for many years. 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. 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. In addition to this, the chinchilla may choose to hide, seeking safety from the cat, thereby making it hard to locate. This ensures its overall wellbeing is guaranteed, meaning your chinchilla gets to enjoy a peaceful life. The recommended ratio for calcium to phosphorus is 2:1 so thats two parts calcium to every one part phosphorus. Guide + Chart. This includes plenty of fresh green leaves and hay. Cats with a chinchilla coat pattern have white undercoats and tipping on the back, tail, head, and flanks. Caring for a Chinchilla: What You Need to Know, Overgrown Teeth and Dental Issues in Chinchillas. Water should be provided in the form of a water bottle rather than a bowl as this is much more hygienic for your chinchilla. 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. 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. They have very different nutritional needs. Cat food comes in many different varieties: wet, semi-dry, and dry. While hay should be offered in unlimited quantities, feeding large amounts of high-calcium alfalfa hay to non-breeding, adult chinchillas has been associated with the development calcium-based bladder stones. So what can chinchillas eat? Purebred Chinchilla's. $1,200. 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. Can Chinchillas Eat Cucumbers And Is It Safe? This is important because these two pets have brains that are programmed to act differently. No, Apples should not be given on regular basis to Chinchillas but Chinchillas can eat Apples but only in moderation. . Chinchilla Image Credit: Veera, Shutterstock. Earn FREE Grooming, Pet Wash, and Nail Service Rewards. In the wild, chinchillas live in cold mountains, crevices of rocks, moving from rock to rock to escape from predators and to find food. Food Options. Dried Herbs. Wet foods are usually made up of milk and water. Purebred Silver & White chinchilla. The chinchilla will be stressed out by calm cats too. link to Are Chinchillas Territorial? Fibre - 30-35%. . The rest can be a mix of pellets, fruits and vegetables, herbs but it's different for each species, as . Fat - 2-5%. Although fruits and nuts are something that can be fed to chinchillas, it is best to avoid them. 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. Monitoring your chinchillas' diet. Give your cat and chinchilla enough time to get used to each other. Like. An overweight chinchilla is susceptible to many illnesses like diabetes, diarrhea, and liver damage. 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. 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. The worry is that the chinchilla will refuse to eat unless being served the ingredient (even if a health condition requires them not to eat it anymore.) This is because fatty foods are very harmful to their digestive system. Or, you could hand out small amounts of peanut butter or cheese. Those products can be harmful to your digestive system in large quantities, so keep small portions in hand. They are very sensitive animals but can be great friends if you know how to take care of them. No fruits, seeds, nuts or vegetables. You can give these things in moderation but make sure to avoid nuts and seeds as they are way too high in fat content. Using genetic screening, breeders are now working to try to eradicate the problem - always . 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 . 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? Too much calcium can have a negative effect on a chinchillas health as excessive amounts can cause calcium stones. Thankfully, nowadays, there is a variety of hay available so that you can choose the hay type that your chinchilla loves the most. As such, its best to look for a reputable brand of dry food made specifically for chinchillas. 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;}. By Laurie Hess, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian Practice). Milk and other dairy products are animal products and not appropriate for herbivores. Just like all other animals, chinchillas need good quality food to survive. Theyve become the subject of fascination for many animal lovers who enjoy their antics. You must always do this even after these two pets are acclimatized to each other and coexist peacefully. 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. Their access to water and hay or grass should be maintained in a way that they never run out. Not only that, chinchillas are similar to other animals, such as cats or dogs. 2.2 Nutritional requirements. Alfalfa hay (low dust/hypoallergenic) Blue Grass hay. As such, it can cause kidney damage and other health problems. Also note: the initial interaction shall be concise, lasting only a few minutes. 1.1 Understanding The Chinchilla Diet. Fresh drinking water should be offered daily in a water bowl or bottle. However, this isnt something they enjoy doing. Yes, the chinchilla that you have been eyeing for quite some time now. This is all too situational and it depends on the character of the pet. Chinchillas are also known to love flowers. Tomato Leaves. They can also be found in mixed dried dandelion mixtures, which can include dandelion leaves, flower petals, and even roots. They are high in sugar, however, so give sparingly. Its important to know how much food you need to offer your chinchilla each day in order for them to be considered healthy. Eggshells are rich in calcium and, as such, theyre an excellent source of nutrition for your chinchilla! They can easily get an upset stomach and have a limited capacity for digestion. Additionally, chinchillas can be fed a small amount (1-2 tbsp/day) of a commercial pelleted diet formulated for chinchillas. You can give them raisins, carrots, sultanas, and basically all the things that were mentioned above in the list. Nonetheless, this can be achieved by only slowly introducing these two pets to each other. There are some things that you should do to have a healthy chinchilla. In fact, when given the choice between dry cat food and fresh grass, chinchillas choose the latter every time! 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. 1. Later in the post, we will show you how much hay, pellets, greens and fruit your chinchillas should ideally eat per day. First, rabbit food is not a complete diet for a chinchilla. 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. [Top Speeds], Is My Chinchilla Fat? Indigestible bedding, such as wood shavings, also can cause obstructions. Chinchillas cannot eat hamster food. As it turns out, chinchillas have an absolutely wide diet that varies considerably in the texture, hardness, nutritional value, etc. However, this makes them need a lot of physical and mental stimulation. We have two females & two males. You should also try to avoid giving your chinchilla anything acidic, such as citrus fruits. Fresh greens, such as dark green lettuces, should also be given to provide additional water and fiber. Chinchillas require large amounts of fibre in their diet for their digestive system to function correctly. 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. This is because rabbits require higher amounts of protein than chinchillas, which is reflected in the content of their food. . If you ask your chinchilla what their fave treats are, dried cranberries and raisins are at the top of their list. You will only find the best in customer service and pet care at The Wishbone Pet Company . You can preset the desired amount of food amount for your cat to eat and keep it healthier. Answer (1 of 2): Why would you want to do that? and how to get rid of itContinue. Timothy hay should be offered in unlimited quantities so your chinchilla can graze and feed on it continually throughout the day, again, more on the exact amounts of food to offer your chin each day later in the post. Chinchillas love dandelion leaves. Instead, you should only feed them a healthy, balanced diet that includes lots of fresh green leaves and grass. Chinchillas enjoy dandelions because they have an interesting . 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. As you can see from everything weve discussed above, you should never feed cat food to a chinchilla. Nicole is the proud mom of 3 rescue fur babies, Baby, a Burmese cat; Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway; and Mac, a Lab/Mastiff. Plain Cheerios. Chinchillas can't eat blueberries for a variety of reasons. As such, its impossible for chinchillas to eat the same diet as cats. But guinea pigs are actually really good at eating slowly and reading their body. Another important thing that they eat is pellets. This acrobatic animal eats food with a sweet smell as they are very picky. Here Are Safe Wood Options For Chinchillas to Chew On: There is often a lot of confusion about if chinchillas actually need water. Learn more about their diets, below. Semi-dry foods consist of dried milk and grain. Laurel. Chinchillas also dont like eating cat food. [4] You can buy hay at most pet stores or online. 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. The amount of food your chinchilla needs to eat depends on their age, lifestyle and state of health. 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. Our main focus is helping owners to better understand and care for their pets with both straight forward and actionable advice. It is also built with a speaker for remote interaction with pets. Source: The teeth of a chinchilla are also constantly growing and coarse hay is a must to keep their teeth short and shaped correctly. 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. Although cats and chinchillas might not coexist peacefully at first, there are ways of promoting this to happen. After all, it wont cost much and it might even taste good. As a Chewy & flexoffers affiliate I earn commissions for qualifying purchases. Do you see that furry animal? 2.4 Certain Breakfast Cereals. Following a healthy diet will maximize your chinchillas lifespan. Gastrointestinal Disorders. You should never feed a chinchilla hamster food, as it is one of the worst blends of ingredients for chinchillas to consume. To be more precise, these furry animals are mainly folivores, preferring a diet made up of vegetation.Some of the food items that make up most of their diet are seeds, grass, grains, nuts, and leaves. On the other hand, the natural hamster diet is mainly . For a healthy domestic animal, you need proper food and a diet plan. There is, however, no harm in using this type of water providing they get enough minerals from elsewhere. 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. The hay should be dry and fresh-smelling with no trace of mold. 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. These flowers should be dried before feeding to ensure that they are crunchy since our little ones love to nibble. Many gastrointestinal disorders can result in yellow throw up. Fiber: should be at least 15%, preferably up to 35%. Doing this is vital because your cats natural hunting instinct might kick in at any moment. You should thus monitor it at all times to make sure it doesnt hunt down your chinchilla. 3 Human Foods For Chinchillas: Final Thoughts. Poppy. The small animals love their leafy snack so much that they can live off it alone. There are chinchilla hay pellets and hay cubes available as well. Cats are carnivores (meat-eaters) whereas chinchillas are herbivores (plant-eaters). 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. You can barely overlook the significance of animal intelligence. Chinchillas can easily get their head trapped in these toys and suffocate. 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. Belmore, NSW. There are animals who have a harder time controlling their eating (we're not alone humans!). Collect. Chinchillas in the wild typically eat most of their food in . You also need to make sure your cat has a mellow personality to lower the likelihood of it attacking your chinchilla. I'm a pocket pet enthusiast and I love sharing my knowledge and passion for these amazing animals. Following this diet routine is to make sure your chinchilla doesnt turn into a malnourished animal. 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. Most tap water is clean, however, dirty water can contain giardia and would not be suitable for use in your Chinchilla Water Bottle. In fact, the hamster food is likely to be harmful to them. They have very different nutritional needs. 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. 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. All you need to hope for is that your cat ignores the chinchilla. When it comes to pellets for chinchillas, its important that you purchase pellets that are specifically designed for chinchillas. Pics + 7 Signs Theyre Overweight, How Much Is A Chinchilla [Cost & Price Stats]. 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 . 3. Some use only meat products while others include vegetables and grains. These are dried fruits, dried herbs, plantain, and root vegetables. Hamster food contains ingredients that are high in fats, including seeds and nuts, which could even be toxic to a chinchilla's system. The most obvious reason why you shouldnt feed cat food to a chinchilla is because chinchillas are not cats! 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. So, what exactly do chinchillas eat? Cats are carnivores (meat-eaters) whereas chinchillas are herbivores (plant-eaters). This will be possible if your cat has a mellow and calm personality and isnt so much interested in hunting, meaning itll most likely ignore the chinchilla. What Nutrients Are Unhealthy If Overfed to Your Chinchilla? The food has to be given in a timely fashion and should have wholesome nutrition that can fulfill your pet chinchillas required dietary requirements. Changing the brand of pellets . 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. Protein - 16-20%. If you want to know what age baby chinchillas are weaned then head over to our post that shares all you need to know. 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. Long-tailed chinchillas are primarily herbivorous. Reasons Why Theyre SmartContinue, This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.