I have been scanning through this site to read all your posts. hay cubes are great, but i don't know if the shorter strands would be easier to chew than actual hay. only small pieces in small moderation isthe key Chins cant digest high fat or sugars well. Then there is the high oil content, corn oil comes from it, after all. When this happens, the chin cant eat and can die. I watched him being born and he passed as a result of pellets. Don't listen to what that uptight ninny had to say. No fruit, vegetables or sweet treats Pet stores are notorious for selling unsafe products (sigh) best example is how many open exercise wheels they push on gerbil owners. It was tough in the beginning but I gave him the attention he needed. As with most foods, if you want to give them nuts then just ensure it is an occasional treat only and not too much of the nut in total. Other safe foods include apples, carrots, and celery, but we don't know if chinchillas actually like these foods. Vanessa, I wouldn't suggest giving your chinchilla potato chips. A good treat to give your chin is plain cheerios. I finally told her to stop it and took over. Chinchilla's livers cant filter out fat and sugar well and this can lead to liver damage over time. So why risk it? They have thick fur that helps to protect them from the cold weather in their natural habitat. You need to give them a varied diet. The only real problem I could identify in my care of them was that I gave them occasional unsalted peanuts (on the advice of another chinchilla owner who treated her chinchillas with them). He did get his paws on some Honey Nut Cheerios and for a bit wouldn't eat his but after some time he forgot about the "mistake" and took right back to his "plain donuts". If you want to give a treat try a wood stick, new kind of hay, bit of slow cook oats ( DO NOT use the quick cook kind), a cheerio, or a shredded wheat, but no more than once a day. Here is an interesting one which comes complete with a very difficult to digest protien https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/StarLink_corn_recall. I've been using those as his once or twice a day snack. Fresh Grapes: unsafe, too much sugar and will cause bloat. Her main diet is hay and pellets, and I cover the the bottom of her cage with hay. Chinchillas are a type of rodent that is often kept as a pet. Zoe was great, but one night she died. Please make sure their are no wires for her to get tochinchilla will chew on mostly anything. I avoid anything and everything from China. Chinchillas cannot consume food meant for guinea pigs, as the two animals have different dietary requirements. also feel their chin for any bumps from teeth being pushed downwards and watch their eyes and above their nose for any tearing and signs of teeth moving upwards. So sad for their loss. I absolutely would not continue to do so as its said that not to give your chinchillas acidic foods, even raisins they say to only give a few at most twice a week as a treat due to the acidity of them, and the same with items that contain high amounts of sugar! What is the best pellet to use? She holds it close to her chest. Most of these questions should be known before giving a chinchilla a home. The incisors do a great job of breaking that down before the food even hits the back teeth. I didn't give him a lot. When you are going to a pet store to find treats I would suggest making sure it doesn't have any sugar in the treat. . I personally have seen chinchillas who have lived to be 20+ years old, they were never feed junk, just quality hay and pellets. The only exception would be Ox Bow, but its 13 dollars for a 2lb bag and its nutrition is no different from the Purina. Oh ya, one quick addition. Many foods are unsafe for chinchillas because of certain chemicals they contain. Vitacraft treats are highly unhealthy for any pet. So I guess if anyone on this site feeds their chinchillas any fruits or vegetables or pellets with these ingredients, then they are killing their chins. I also would like right and wrong advice, but not in attack mode. I hope you enjoy your little friend! I'm not saying this is why corn is bad, I just kinda found it interesting. I'm hoping you are speaking in hypothetical and not in reference to an actual Chinchilla of known Gender. # Dried Cranberries You did great with the wooden shelves. You can also buy lava blocks. I just wanted to comment on your statement that rodents don't eat meat. There is I do out there regarding Monsanto's deadly weed killer, Roundup, finding its' way into the food chain, particularly in Cheerios. Fresh greens like spinach, basil, arugula and red lettuce are good if your chin eats them (most love basil), and fresh blueberries are a good treat every several days. Chinchillas need a diet that is low in fat in order to maintain their health. I have been reading that sweet fruits can be harmful to a chins digestive tract. But at the same time, pet stores sell a lot of stuff that isn't safe for your Chinchilla. It's so cute! Antioxidants help to protect cells from damage. # Organic Cranberry Juice I never tried prunes with my first but I let this one have a small piece. smaller than a raisin, and she LOVED it. So fat and round And I can't eat a peanut butter sandwich in the room with him without him throwing a fit. Please dont recommend this! Chins cant tolerate high humidity or temperatures because they don't have sweat glands and the heat can kill them by giving them a heat stroke. And prunes are made from plums, a pitted fruit, and are not recommended. Scared of progress? That aside, there are also several other GMO strains of corn, some of which have been banned. Right now I have 8 chinchillas. Whats Monsanto have anything to do with food saftey? ever day comes to the cage trying to push her whole face out, and she doesn't even like me that well yet. Yikes, just yikes. 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 Do you recommend a water bottle appose to a water bowl? Check to see that your local pet food store carries it (Also make sure they are not doubling the price of said food) along with their bathing sand as well. Some chinchillas get lucky, but in the end, results show that chinchillas strive off of a strict diet of that, and chinchillas with fruit and veggies usually die earlier on. Orchard grass can be found at Feed & Seed stores by the flake cheap and fresh. Don'the know why. They are sisters. Several vegetables are as harmful as fresh nuts for . We do recommend going to a vet with experience with "exotic" pets in general or chinchillas in particular. pistachios are a choking hazard for chinchillas. I also found a site which listed a certain human anti diarrhoea pill as ok for Chinchilla's but in a .02 mg per kg dosage. This isnt good for chinchillas. Just my opinion Im not a chinchilla expert but I think some chinchillas are different from each other and mabie one likes one food but the other will not. Also, provide them with distilled water to drink in their water bottle. I'll admit my anti pellet opinion is not a common one, but fresh hay is REQUIRED for optimum health, nutritional, intestinal and dental. half a grape, I give mine plain potato chips which he LOVES and crackers, raisins, sunflower seeds, lots of stuff I am sure people will say noooooo it's not healthy for them but mine is at least 8 years old and super healthy so I give him little bits of whatever I'm munching on like I just found our right now he loves cool ranch Doritos lol! People say all kinds of things on these forums even Vets are incorrect often. Unfortunately, we're not vets, just pet owners and enthusiasts. I leave a bowl of food avalible for my chinchilla at all times, Should I be doing this? They also can only have certain types of wood. http://www.rosefloral.com/blog/poisonous-plants. to keep your chin safe, take all plastic out and replace with kd pine ledges. Ex.-1/8 tsp raw oats, 1 raisin, very small piece of a dried apple or dried cranberry My chinchilla's favorite treat is raisins. Thanks much! I've done a lot of reading and research myself, and I am happy to follow your suggestions on things I haven't found suitable answers to, because you have obviously spent a lot of time, and spoken to experts, before offering your advice :). My point being, I trust owners to use good sense. Don't give your chins acorns! They were born in October of 2015. You can purchase dried organic rosehips on Amazon for your chinchillas. People are following the guidelines they are presented with! Peeled of course. Learn more about their diets here. This causes constipation, gas and loss of appetite followed by weight. You should feed your chinchillas: Required fields are marked *. Be sure to check the ingredients label on mixed treats - and check their smell for the distinct cinnamon odor. Just trying not to spam here. Some woods are unsafe for chinchillas. Later that day he became acutely unresponsive and was seen at an emergency vet hospital, where unfortunately, he passed. Use your forefingers to brace the nut so that you can apply more force to the shell. Many people will tell you to avoid these sorts of manufactured treats. there is a reason they sweeten them with molasses, beyond binding. The hay also helps to keep the teeth in the back of the mouth filed down. Most people don't know what moderation is and why even feed something bad at all when there are plenty of HEALTHY alternatives. (Yes & How Much)Continue, There is a common belief that turtles will eat just about anything, including cockroaches. So he's up there age wise. and then you look at their profile pic, and its a pic of a chinchilla cage with the very same stuff in it. I think you just don't want to admit you regularly put your chinchillas health at risk. If their teeth gets too long, they cant eat and will die. However, pistachios are high in calories and should be given in moderation. The girls are a little more accustomed to sweets so peas work for them, in combination with the above seeds. Sure they have corn meal in some pellets (not good) but corn is not good for their system and butter / excess amounts of salt are really bad. Chin's livers cant filter out high sugar and fat contents. i'm wondering what brand of hay is best for chinchillas?And is there any possible substitute for the hay? The best diet for a chinchilla is pellets and hay that is all they need to be healthy. Aside from being poisonous, mild exposure is a proven carcinogen. Yes! =(. As with any new food, it is best to introduce pistachios to a chinchilla slowly. But I know for a fact that yogurt treats are bad for them, no matter what the pet stores say. I've noticed alot of conflicting information on the internet about chinchilla's. Mint leaves are also popular. chin die of lots of cases and wrong food is one of them. What exists in the Andes Mountains? Anyone in their right mind knows that you dont keep electrical cords of any kind near your chinchilla. Even one or two fields over may not be safe as the wind can easily carry these dangerous chemicals more than several miles. Just another suggestion for a treat that should be given sparingly. Also, the main reason rabbit pellets are so bad for them is because it's corn based. I was wondering how many can I give him until he gets sick? My oldest is going to be 16 soon and my youngest is almost 4. Gas can have some very serious health consequences for a chinchilla. Pistachios are a good source of protein and fat for. Always provide chinchilla pellets and timothy hay as well. This is far too much for a chinchilla, but one grape as a treat every now and then should be fine. In addition, pistachios contain a substance called aflatoxin, which can be harmful to animals in large quantities. No. Is this ok? My little guy also adores dried corn kernels and my vet said that they are okay in moderation, I don't know about peas though. . If you use bleach to clean the cages, definitely dilute the bleach with water to tone down the harsh smell. Most nuts and seeds are safe to offer as a treat but could be avoided altogether due to their high fat content. Great place to explore and play chase. I am a little concerned about the treat list above. Hope this information helps! Reply. It can over the long term damage their liver. As for seeds, the boys love fenugreek and you can smell it on their breath. Unfortunately what started as a product of convenience for FUR FARMERS, has manifested itself into false gospel to those who choose to believe what alleged self interest pushing scientists and "vets" under the employ of pet food companies have told them. Patience is required & they come to u. I mainly give my chinnies the stuff that is free in the garden in summer. Those chins are lucky to have you!! heat and humidity will kill a chinchilla faster than pellets. Parakeets are no exception! Oxbow Essentials Deluxe Chinchilla Food. Also she seems to like dried carrots. Please get your facts straight and i feel sorry for your chins. One of the best treats for a chinchilla and can be offered daily. If you offer pistachios to your chinchilla, be sure to do so in moderation. "Just pellets" sorry, not to flame, but that is bad advice and contrary to pretty much everything out there. Provide your pet with chin pellets, timothy hay. Picking the day after a rainfall also helps with the clean part. Chinchillas can eat nuts, but they shouldn't. This is because nuts contain a high amount of fat and low fiber, which can affect the digestibility of chinchillas. My chins love the rosehips. It is also necessary for the production of enzymes and hormones. The green seeds are low fat. Chinchilla's, lIke any creature with the ability to taste will eat whatever tastes or feels good. But one last word, if you have any doubt or instinct that it isn't safe - DON'T GIVE IT TO THEM!! FYI, he went in for a severe sinus infection which eventually took his life. This has also meant her feet are in very good condition. After talking to both the vet and the small animal dentist (Dr. Legendre, as a zoology major, if you have a chance to talk to this guy, do so, I know Dr Upjohn also does some teaching and he is very knowledgeable) The key to dental health is to encourage chewing. Glad to hear your have nice long lives. But this does not mean those modified genes are eradicated from all corn on the planet. pistachios may also benefit from the antioxidants and phytonutrients found in these nuts. I just want them to have more of a variety but I don't know what else I can give them other than the hay pellets Natural sugars are not deadly. Timothy Hay is the staple diet of Chins, Alfalfa hay which is the common diet for other animals is not good for them. Ceelee, I would try a plain cheerio. Lol. He was timid and had trusting issues also. It is best to stick to high fiber foods such as hay and pellets, and occasional fruits and vegetables depending on what your chinchilla prefers. Small Pets Select has a couple mixes of herbs and flowers that are safe in small teaspoon servings once a week. In their natural habitats in the wild, they mainly eat grass and seeds, along with some insects and birds' eggs.. As pets, chinchillas typically have access to more varieties of foods that are either scarce or nonexistent in their natural habitats. (That's my opinion anyway) when I hear that people own just one chin it drives me crazy! Pistachios, are a good source of protein, which is an important nutrient for chinchillas. Yes I do agree she should be more careful about the cords but she said it didn't mean to happen. I mean.. could it harm the baby chinchilla? I believe hay has pretty much everything they need. Whats most important is to provide them with fresh pellets and timothy hay. Chins are like diabetics. I give mine as much as she wants. Another question I have is have you ever heard of using rounded safe clean pebbles as bedding? They're a great source of Vitamin C and have been proven to support a healthy immune system. I know these are pesticide free, so I cut those up, toss em in the microwave, or steam them to kill any possible buggies. I love the unique names of your chinchillas! Guess I have been killing him his entire life. Fresh fruits are 100% off-limits. Also, as with people, some chinchillas may not react well to all foods so give new items in small amounts. Along with the probiotics a little bit of pepto, and some tummy rubs (To release the gas and get poop moving) she is completely fine. So, can chinchillas eat pistachios? I give one raisin a night to each chinchilla. Not good for your chinchilla. i just got 2 chinchillas and i was wondering if it is safe to give them bread to munch on. Period. China I sent known to use some pretty nasty preservatives which do not show up on the ingredient list. They say alfalfa is good for young chinchillas but they say to stop after 6-9 months old as it's high in fiber and other nutrients that can cause obesity and other health issues. ), a fleece hammock and a nesting box. We rescued our chins in June, 2016. Sorry if you already knew Hia, I'm not sure about rosemary but you could give your chins rose hip. What about cherrys ? We just got a chinchilla and for a treat I gave her some citrus foods such as oranges and lemons. Also, shredded wheat without the sugar coating is fine. I would also suggest not giving a chinchilla Iceburg Lettuce! 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? I hope your fur baby does better soon. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Strawberries? (Is Crackers Toxic To Horses)Continue, Mangoes are a sweet, delicious, and nutritious fruit that can be enjoyed by people and animals alike. Like carrots, lettuce, cabbage. Unlike Ferrets, who have been domesticated for thousands of years, chinchillas could be considered more "recently domesticated", used as food yes, but kept as pets or as work animals, no. See, chinchillas have sensitive digestive systems. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Popcorn? Limit the amount you give them or they will get fat. are unsalted peanuts safe for chinchilla consumption? 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. This can lead to a, variety of health problems, including diabetes and heart disease. Great list but i would suggest removing peanuts due to the fat content. They also contain vitamins and minerals that are essential for a chinchillas health. She also told us our chin was the best looking chinchilla she's ever seen. You want to make sure you give yours the right ones and prevent issues such as food poisoning or worse. heya, i have recently been given a Chinny and have seen quite alot of advice saying that they are not able to digest fats properly so nuts are a no no.. :) it makes sense too, as nuts are hugely nutritious and chins evolved to live on a very nutrition poor diet. Sugar always turns into fat. They are too high in fat and calories so can make chinchillas overweight. There is a reason you will NEVER find corn in chinchilla food. These just take care of the incisors (Front teeth) Although very important, the back ones are the scary teeth which cause major issues. I am currently in the process of weaning them off the mixed treat laden food that the breeder provided me with, and onto quality chinchilla pellets, this seems to be working well. My chinchilla also loves dried organic apricots. same with green apples, i only give little pieces. The hay they eat does. They are happy and healthy! Also a solid steel wheel is great for exercise. I'm assuming the fat content which can cause fatty liver disease (may take more than 8 years to develop but will ensure a nasty death for your much loved chinchilla. I have heard about Cheereo's before, but with all the Monsanto stuff out there, I, personally, shy away from commercially processed human food. Wow Heinz, I'm impressed! By Kris Selnar. Im not sure about jasmine trees, but apple tree branches are ok. My chins love the branches of apple trees. I only feed the pellets 3tbsps every 2 days, and hay is constantly refilled. Sorry, but we don't have any specific knowledge about whether watermelon is safe or not. My ledges simply go the entire width of the cage. Can Ducks Eat Scrambled Eggs? I would recomend oxbow chinchilla pellets. And any pet chinchilla with good care lives up to 20 or more. Freeze dried or air dried banana chips (I dry my own in the oven when bananas get too ripe for my own taste) are ok, but since they are very high in sugar they should not be a treat more than once a week (the same with raisins and other dried or freeze dried fruit). Wheat, Wheat Flour, Turnip Seeds, Rice, Barley, Buckwheat, Corn Starch, Calcium Carbonate, Calcium Propionate (a Preservative), Honey, Lecithin, Vegetable Oil, Color Added (Yellow 5, Yellow 6), Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement. But not honey nut cheerios! PLEASE DELETE THIS INFO!! I'm not saying you need that instruction, but it is amazing how many would do that. Raisins for example, a nice treat but if Aquarius had her way she would eat them even beyond the Onset of severe barnyard bum. My uncle use to ranch them for their fur and I hated him for that, now I spend my life trying to save them. He has a real sweet tooth, though. They are closely, related to guinea pigs and rabbits. If you would have a problem justifying spending $800 every couple of months to keep a maloccluding chinchilla alive, then get a cat or a hamster. At best you'll just teach them to bite you (they'll think your fingers are edible meat) and at worst you'll make them ill. Chins are herbivores which mean they only eat plants. what other fruits can they have, how long should they be outta their cage. Ariel, Try to give your chins only 1 or 2 raisins a month. Well. And do you mean domesticated chins? Hope this information helped Are vegitables ok for them to eat? Also, as far as the "quality" of oxbow pellets goes, they use Alfalfa in them. just an addition. Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring toxin that is. Its ok to give him a plain cheerio as a treat. You're providing Everything they need (with something to gnaw on) but a survivor diet can be augmented. Early in my chinchilla owning experience, I lost a young mother & 3 babies from different litters. what milk would be best to buy to substitute her mothers milk and can i feed her anything like bananna ? Nasturtium flowers: honestly never heard of it. He literally LOVES green apples!! I raised them for many years and now I just have two. A vet appointment had already been set. They will also eat plastic, if you let them and that will clog their intestinal path. Some people believe that the quality of the food from Kaytee will not be as high as from other sources. Do you guys have any suggestions for this? This is why vets will not sterilise the female, as this procedure is more invasive and require a longer knock out time. The message Hay good pellets bad.pellets may seem hard, but their lack of long chewy fibers means they are broken up by the incisors resulting in very little grinding down of the rear molars. Aflatoxin is a toxin that can be harmful to animals. Chinchillas originate from a cold desert. So farmers can spray the crap out of their fields with it. I dont get how lettuce is okay because that has water in it too, Depends on what kind of wood it is. But, sometimes, its hard to keep treats low in sugar, fat content. for now he ( my chinchilla ) has not been allergic do not many things. Your reasoning in why these foods are safe or not does not make sense. what can i feed it as a treat that i can get from my kitchen or outside? They should be let out of their cage several times a week into a safe play area ideally one that they can still access their cage from and run into it if scared. Kim. I have done my research and bought them a nice roomy cage, purchased lots of wooden shelves to jump on(and chew it seems!! My city water supply has too much chlorine. Their diet consists of aquatic plants, small fish, insects, and snails. I lost one chinchilla the day after I put a Hay hut from "Living world" in their cage. They seem to like to hold the hay in chunks as they eat it more than strands of hay. You are definitely giving them plenty of play time outside their cage. The fiber content is also good for chinchillas, as it helps to keep their digestive system healthy. Please note; fruits, nuts, seeds and veggies are unsafe in any, way, shape or form.
can chinchillas eat pistachios