Chinchillas are delicate creatures which require proper care. Caring for this type of rodent includes proper diet. When properly taken care of, these animals may live up to more than ten years. In their natural habitat, chinchillas mostly feed on hay and tree barks.
These gentle but active creatures’ diet also includes an ample amount of vegetables such as carrot and leafy greens, and fruits like apples and berries as well as specific kinds of flowers. A balance mix of these foods can be beneficial to chinchillas’ overall dietary nutrition. In the wild, chinchillas even eat several meat like bird eggs and insects.
Due to the rise of households having chinchillas as pets, pellets and other foods formulated specifically for rodents such as chinchillas have been made available in pet shops.
Best Timothy Hay
Majority of a chinchilla’s diet consists hay, specifically, Timothy hay. The pleasant fragrance of Timothy hay stimulates the appetites of chinchillas and keeps them busy. The benefits of hay include fibrousness and richness in protein. It also has a balanced amount of calcium to phosphorus. When it comes to calorie count, Timothy hay generally has low to moderate count appropriate for chinchillas.
Though this type of hay takes time to yield, since it has been commercialized, it has been made accessible and available in majority of pet shops.
Pet owners must replace their chinchillas’ hays at least once a day. Anything later may risk chinchillas of eating moldy and dirty hay causing them gastrointestinal complications.
Timothy hay is most recommended by veterinarians for chinchillas’ gastrointestinal tract and dental hygiene, and is advised to be made available at all times in their cages.
Below are several high rated Timothy hay products available on amazon.com.
(click on image to check price)
Kaytee Timothy Hay for Rabbits & Small Animals, Assorted Flavors, 24 oz Bag | |
Small Pet Select 1St Cutting “High Fiber” Timothy Hay Pet Food |
Other kinds of hay such as orchard hay, alfalfa hay, and meadow hay are also suitable for feeding chinchillas. Also, bite-sized cubed hays for chinchillas have been available in pet shops as an alternative for the traditional hay.
Kaytee Alfalfa Cubes, 15-oz bag |
Vegetables
Pet owners must be very mindful when giving vegetables as treats. As long as vegetables do not exceed about ten percent of chinchillas’ diets, they are usually safe and healthful. When given in small amounts, vegetables such as carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, cucumbers, peas, leafy greens such as lettuce, turnips, dandelion greens, and kale can be good and beneficial treats for these creatures.
Pet owners must ensure freshness of vegetables before feeding them to their little pets and they must make sure to remove uneaten vegetables before the day ends to prevent chinchillas from eating spoiled food which may lead to diarrhea and other stomach problems.
Vegetables such as potatoes, which are high in phosphorus, bell peppers, basil leaves and other herbs which have strong flavor should be avoided.
Fruits
As with vegetables, when given in moderation, fruits can …