Just because by some miracle your chinchilla is still alive does not mean it's good, and by you passing on all of this bad information you're only putting other people's chinchillas lives at risk. I am sticking to the seed and hay diet (Low fat seeds) peas for some, but in moderation as they are full of carbs, I cut them out once, but when one of the chins stopped eating, I guess in protest, the vet said to give them back. You can give your chins an unsweetened shredded wheat as a treat each day. We just rescued our third Chin. Salt blocks or wheels are good for chinchillas. DOMESTICATE chins. They definitely know our voices. is it not healthy for them to eat it fresh? Second, the shells of pistachios can be sharp and dangerous for chinchillas. I hope that's helpful. Make sure you check the ingredient list on the premade/processed food, pellets, and treats you give your chinchilla. Funny, people that follow your method can't seem to get them to live past 5. hmmmm. The wild ones doens't live of off pellets and hay, and guess what, the domesticated chinchilla is still a chinchilla. Look up formaldehyde and it's roll in human embalming as well as what happens to blood when it mixes with it. Unfortunately loads of old advice books will tell you to give raisins daily but they are like chocolate to a diabetic. No you don't give them vegetables or fruits at any given time. Why do you need to dry the wood and cook leaves? Do you think this is a bad idea? Still organic, but not good for a chinchilla digestive system. Dried rose petals he freaks over!! small or hard foods such as dried fruit, nuts, seeds, or raisins can get stuck in the back of the mouth or esophagus leading . After being flamed by many for my anti pellet stance on facelessbook, I started a page called Chinchilla Health. They are too high in fat and calories so can make chinchillas overweight. If you have anymore questions feel free! I am wondering about these small/medium ears of colored corn on the cob? hello As always, only give as a treat and in small amounts. We do recommend going to a vet with experience with "exotic" pets in general or chinchillas in particular. I'm asking in case I want to give him a treat or snack, by using stuff at home and not waste money by going to the petshop. Chinchillas need a diet that is low in fat in order to maintain their health. What Vegetables Can Chinchillas Eat? [List] - Your Chinchilla Pet Care Why would you feed unhealthy treats when there are plenty of healthy options available they they love to eat just as much as the un-healthy ones? She also has two full sized cages with connecting tubes to herself (48" high) Basically a ferret cage with home made pine ledges (like leaping / sleeping ledges but bigger) I am by no means an expert and would NEVER claim to be or close myself to other ideas with grandiose statements based on nothing but internet hoopla. They had 1 small hanging fleece hammock and paper bedding, and hardly ever got to go out and run, and when they did, it was a chase fest to return them back to the cage once they were caught and picked up by the tail. Hope this information helps! I never tried prunes with my first but I let this one have a small piece. smaller than a raisin, and she LOVED it. You may even want to steam them first, let them dry over time. Nearly two weeks ago I brought home two adorable 9 week old chinchilla brothers. this is a green leafy vegetable. Many chins are trainable and the moderate use of treats shouldn't be banned. Also, the main reason rabbit pellets are so bad for them is because it's corn based. I swear there are some very stupid indecent people on here like you. Be it pellets and hay/pellets, forage and hay or forage and hay only. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when feeding pistachios to your chinchilla. They are high in fiber and vitamin C. Dried Herbs (dandelion roots or leaves, rosemary, hibiscus, parsley, strawberry, and blackberry leaves). I was just wondering if it is bad for a chinchilla to eat watermelon because I gave my male chinchilla, Tazz, some watermelon and I don't know if it will harm him. I appreciate your opinion, but everyone has to decide what is best for their pet. Ducks are omnivorous, which means they eat both plants and animals. Yes, but this is a post about chincilla's not rats. It is also important to make sure the wood is pesticide and Herbicide free and steaming is a good idea to kill any natural bacteria or fungus, as this could kill your chinchilla. In the summer, I generally gather CLEAN MOLD FREE clover, wheat stocks and heads, and dandilion leaves. I know it is not good for chinchillas to chew plastic, but it was the only cage I could afford. I personally haven't given my chins popcorn as a treat. She came around lol. Do not use distilled water, it will starve their bodies of natural minerals and won't hydrate properly. we have had ours since she was 6 months she is now 6. she has had a few names but chewy is her name hence she chews so we watch her careful, her cage is in our kitchen as she loves all the activity that goes on. I have given chinchillas cranberries for about 12 years and they are fine. Sure they do not really eat the branch, just chew it, but there is still back molar movement so the chewing is doing its intended job of wearing down the molars. I got my first Chinchilla when I was 13yrs old and that was 20yrs ago. for now he ( my chinchilla ) has not been allergic do not many things. I'm sure it will soon be followed by another product which is immune to the poisonous effects. Bran Flakes Cereal: im guessing unfrosted? While there are some risks. DO NOT feel your cinch Avocado. you know what? what should i feed it on a daily basis? 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 crap. am definitely switching to more of a variety after reading some of the comments and Heinz's reccomendations. Apple branches are great, as are blackberry and a number of others (NOT cherry, peach or stone fruit) Just make sure there is no fungal infection on the wood. When they leave their home, we will do interior maintenance. CINNAMON CAN BE DEADLY TO CHINS - EVEN SMALL AMOUNTS!!! I have a white chin namad Rosalee. I will continue to love my three legged chinchilla. Sorry for being so long winded, but look forward to comments on how we are doing with the girls. Maybe even Timothy hay. Flowers like camomile, and the other ones mentioned should only be given in same amounts & on occasion. I also picked up some screw in bolts with wingnuts, similar to what they use for "leaping ledges" This way i could customize the shelf size to fit the entire width of their cage. Chinchillas will eat a lot of things but only a few items are ok for them to eat. but if anybody has tried it please reply. If you did want to get her a treat from inside your house, dried cranberries or raisins once or twice every few days is good. I would appreciate any information on this topic! PLEASE, make sure you keep them cool, at least 74 degress or less in the summer months. My chinchillas loved them, but I read that they often carry a fungus/mold/toxin. Sadly we're not sure if that extends to fresh corn. Sorry for continuing my rant, but I have dedicated myself to spreading this info as much as possible. Also, shredded wheat without the sugar coating is fine. Kim. The watermelon has lots of water content. No. I also add in this organic multigrain crushed grain cereal (looks like oatmeal but with kamut, bran, oat and a few others) AS A TREAT IN MODERATION due to the softer nature. But will he be okay if he ate the sand? I try to keep their treats to things I know are healthy for them, I hope this is an ok treat. The answer is yes, but there are a few things to, keep in mind. The girls are a little more accustomed to sweets so peas work for them, in combination with the above seeds. It is small for now but I hope it becomes a place for us to easily exchange ideas and experiences without the ego. Although these foods are considered safe, they should be fed in moderation. well, guess what. Aside from that, the oil is generally not good for them. just be in a cage with a cardboard box as a hide. They are a real bugger to clean after a bout of barnyard bum, but pine shelves are multi functional since they also give them something to chew on. But I'm a little worried about all these conflicting answers ref food and treats. Chinchillas who eat. I was wondering if anyone knows anything about these treats, or if this was just an unfortunate coincidence. I want to introduce my pair of chins into but am worried about them eatng leaves and bark from a health point of view. Chinchillas can't assimilate sweets in the liver. Can Chinchillas Eat Guinea Pig Food. So far all material I have read in regards to Chinchillas mentions water bottles, not water bowls. Raisins: unsafe, too much sugar I didn't give him a lot. Theyre also a good source of fiber. i am a chinchilla lover and i learn lots from them!!! Im not sure about jasmine trees, but apple tree branches are ok. My chins love the branches of apple trees. For my chinchillas dust bath , I use Oxbow ( the same product that my chinchillas hay and food comes from.). Now Im not arguing or anything, since I totally understand the frustration, but theyre very very sensitive. If it is I would suggest giving them some ice cubes to munch on. It is one way to get the classroom quiet is to tell them the chinchilla does not like loud noise. January 20, 2022 by John Eppler. They shouldn't be used in place of a proper diet of chinchilla pellets and hay. A few minutes later, I found an apple seed lying around. I also give them very tiny, tiny amounts of dried cranberries. If you see their stool pellets are soft, cut back to dry pellets and Timothy Hay! I hate to harm any animal. You can give your chin shredded wheat without the sugar coating, also. Now all I give him is plenty of timothy hay and Oxbow chinchilla diet daily. One who owns a chinchilla should have the basic knowledge on how to care for them. Always provide them with timothy hay and a good quality of chinchilla pellets . They are also a good source of vitamins and minerals, including potassium. They are teeny tiny pieces,so they can eat a couple different types in one snack, and a spoonful can be sprinkled in a cage during the day or while you sleep to keep your chin foraging and busy. If they get too much water content they could develop diarrhea. Chinchillas have different personalities, some like to be held and some don't. As does high fructose corn syrup, corn starch and all sorts of nasties. You don't give them stuff humans snack on. their all time favourite TREAT is "mushy banana" (As I call it when walking in the room) Moderation is key, but they all do fine with it and as soon as they hear the words they start pawing at the bars. Provide them with timothy hay, and chinchilla pellets each day. A typical chinchilla diet may include hay, pellets, fresh vegetables, and seeds. I give them 1 red grape. It can cause liver damage in the long run. KALE CAUSES GAS AND BLOATING A wild chinchilla's diet is quite different from that of a domesticated chinchilla's, but the nutritional needs remain the . For food though, I would recommend oxbow essentials chinchilla, I've never seen pikachu as happy as he is when he is on that food :), My chinchilla eats corn too and he is eight years now. Are they good or not ? Aimee, apple tree wood or branches are totally safe for your chin to chew on. The hay is essential for their digestive system and it also helps to keep those teeth filed down. This is a sign of lack of salt in their diet. What Do Chinchillas Eat: Diet & Food Guide - Your Chinchilla Pet Care . only small pieces in small moderation isthe key It also helps to keep their teeth filed down. They still need to have chinchilla pellets for vitamins. So, try not to grab them up to quickly! Never ever give wet fruits to chinchillas always give dry. What brand of hay is cheap and good for chinchillas,cause i don't have a lot of money:( Why do chinchillas need hay and what are some signs of A chinchillas liver can filter out high sugar or fat content which can lead to liver damage over time. My website is not about chinchillas not does it have much in the way of relevant chinchilla information, I own an alarm company and I found posting pictures of chinchillas more agreeable to my way of doing things than the standard fear mongering pictures of some random Sara and Romeo breaking into someone's home. i'm wondering what brand of hay is best for chinchillas?And is there any possible substitute for the hay? Last edited by Marios Alexandrou. Gas can have some very serious health consequences for a chinchilla. I switched my chinchilla treats to natural household treats. Hope this information helped! Timothy and orchard hay should be fed daily, alfalfa less as it is already in the pellet, You can give banana chips as a treat 3 chips a day and you can get those from Kroger or Walmart and you need to be feeding Timothy hay from like Petsmart, petco or a pet store caring Timothy hay on a daily basis also the chinchilla food from pet smart or pet store and you need to do some more research on them if you are thinking about it because they are a lot of work but Worth it And they are mess so please do some research thank you. So providing hay is essential! There are many types of wood to stay away from a few VERY poisonous woods are Cedar, Cherry (Any pit fruit wood like peach, apricot etc) I like to stick with the tried and true. i do whatever it takes to take care of them if you r really desperate i will take him!!! I personally have seen chinchillas who have lived to be 20+ years old, they were never feed junk, just quality hay and pellets. please search before you give Don'the know why. I collect pruned sticks from peoples apple trees. Red Clover Flowers: ^ Try to always keep your chin's treats low in sugar and fat content. Why does everyone insist on being so frightened of these foods? You can also buy lava blocks. produced by certain types of fungi. Dandelion Flowers: safe, but in moderation. His cage is pretty small, but I excersize him almost every night now and he seems perfectly healthy. Im worried about my little guy. Im not certain if jasmine wood is the safest wood for your chins. Oxbow has a bled thats 3/4 western Timmothy and 1/4 orchard grass and its a good way to keep them balanced, its not expensive either its less than 20$ for a big bag that should last 1-2 months. It's so cute! I hope this helps you with your chinchilla! They should give them timothy hay or orchard grass. and then you look at their profile pic, and its a pic of a chinchilla cage with the very same stuff in it. People say all kinds of things on these forums even Vets are incorrect often. They are absolute nib-noses and love to explore anything new. You can also give your pets a plain cheerio or unfrosted shredded wheat each day as a treat. You can give your chinchilla dry fruits abd vegetables from time to time. Kim. Hay that is recommended for your chinchilla. A good test is to gently rotate their jaw and feel for any catching. Invest 50 bucks in a dehydrator and it will save you money and give you healthier treats. Well. Gone are the days of the massive explosive aluminum bomb in the kitchen. We had to bring him to Dr. Legendre every 3 months to get sedated so he could grind down his back teeth. Provide your pet with chinchilla pellets and timothy hay everyday. If your vet only clips their front teeth, you may ask for him/her to xray your chin. Only you can decide whats good for your chinchilla. I feed my chinchilla the chinchilla pellets from oxbow and also their Timothy hay. You can give a cheerio or shredded wheat as a treat every so often. Chinchillas can eat strawberries, apples, and pears among a few others that made the list.However, this must be very seldom and only offered as dried fruits. Kim, My treat preferences are shreddies (unfrosted shredded wheats). but if anybody has tried it please reply. (That's why I think unsalted unsweetened banana chips are great, plus they gnaw on them!) Someone needed to give away her 2 chinchillas and I gladly accepted them This is a safe treat and is good for them. I found some grape wood in the reptile section of the pet store, and they are great for chewing as are apple and pear branches from the back yard. FYI, he went in for a severe sinus infection which eventually took his life. You now have a "best buddy". You might want to check out this list of chinchilla treats. I have also been putting her food in a small amount of water to soften it. Because of "round up ready" corn. I watch their mouth movement, bowel movement, energy level, hair, and look for ANYTHING out of the norm when adding foods. Is there a reason for why pet Chinchillias should be provided with a water bottle instead of a water bowl? I'm avoiding treats because our chi thinks hay pieces are treats. My chinchilla has plastic platforms in her cage, and she won't stop chewing them! Avocados are apparently one of them! Long story short, ensure your chin eats lots of rough hay that forces them to use their molars. Not honey nut cheerios! another thing i've discovered with aquarius as she gets older, we got her in 2004 and we think she was 2 or 3 at the time, she does tend to have more in the way of picky bowels (compared to the others on the same diet) in that her digestive system slows down and her turds get smaller and harder. The honey nut cheerios have too high of sugar and fat content. I never said you can not feed treats, I said they are not needed, and why would you purposely put your pet's health at risk when you can get the same enjoyment out of giving them a healthy treat? The orchids will be very harmful for ur chinchilla They are practically poisonous to humans so I imagine theyre not good for chinchillas I recommend to bring her to a vet or him. I could never refer to a pet as an "It" my wife as cousin It, on a bad hair day, but beyond that :p, LOL i nearly spit out my cereal! Treats should not be more than 1 tablespoon per day. I assume it is all the unhealthy starch which is converted to sugar. # Organic Cranberry Juice Home (All Topics) Pets & Animals Chinchillas Safe and Unsafe Food for Chinchillas. I know that things happen, but there is a ton of information available that is good and helpful that can prevent accidents and injuries. They were completely groggy and non-responsive to the touch. Make sure you provide them with chin pellets and timothy hay every day. Saves a lot of money and Chinchillas need to have safe wood prepared to chew on constantly to prevent dental problems. Well I have a fairly new chinchilla .,, I named her Makilla she is so full of life. He nibbled a hole through it and pulled out one of the blossoms. He's now happy and his old self again. Can chinchilla cages be cleaned with water and detergent? Chinchilla Treats - What can Chinchillas eat? Limit the amount you give them or they will get fat. Chinchilla's, lIke any creature with the ability to taste will eat whatever tastes or feels good. Raisins have a moderately high sugar content. I need to check out the nutritional content, but they just love Fennagreek seeds. Chins don't live forever and I bet yours are happy guys, but they're so little I hope by Dorito you mean a tiny chip off the whole one, right? A large exercise wheel like the chin spin. I want them to enjoy their life what type of human foods can chinchillas eat. Oxbow has so many good reviews also Mizuri brand does too when it comes to everything chinchilla I get everything from chewy and get it on auto shop to save u some dough. Bethy. Infact Charlie chinchilla has more sugar & it's cereal based. But one last word, if you have any doubt or instinct that it isn't safe - DON'T GIVE IT TO THEM!! One of the best treats for a chinchilla and can be offered daily. If you buy this at the grocery store in a package, try to get some that has lowered sugar content. you guys are way to sensitive about your chinchillas! A chinchilla's teeth float and continually grow. When feeding pistachios to a chinchilla, it is best to remove the shell first. Healthy fats are necessary for the absorption of vitamins and minerals. No they cannot survive without hay or only on a wood diet. Nuts won't kill them. Not in their natural diet, but I thought id ask your opinion. As for treats, looking at that site, although some products impress me, I am a little concerned about their inclusion of products very apparently (IMO) purchased from the bulk sweet section of the grocery store. Since this takes time, they have a small amount of time to perform the procedure. He isn't acting any different than usual but I just want to be sure. The only vegetable acceptable for chinchillas is a carrot cut into small pieces. The list of vegetable chinchillas can eat isn't that long. So if he ate one seed, would it be enough to severely harm him? Reply. what can i feed it as a treat that i can get from my kitchen or outside? #1 Sweet Alyssum. Everyone ignore the comment by Riven. The only reason cedar seems to be popular is because of the counteraction with smell it has. I discovered this lack of knowledge when an apparent er vet in Surrey was poking and prodding in his mouth trying to find and remove something which the student vet discovered (in a book) this was a normal part of his anatomy.