Can Chinchillas Eat Apples (Apple Leaves, Wood, Sticks, Chips): The delicious apple is one such fruit containing a lot of antioxidants and vitamins. But can Chinchillas eat apples? Are apples good for them? Even I was puzzled with the same questions a few years back. And here is what I found out.
Apple is a great addition in our Chinchillas diet, but that doesn’t mean that we neglect the other aspects of their food. A stereotypical diet for Chinchillas mostly contains hay in it. Hay is something Chinchilla will chew on for most of their diet. It is also an essential part of its food. But at the same time, Chinchillas do need some extra punch of vitamins and minerals in their diet, which is fulfilled by fruits and vegetables. Can Chinchillas Eat Apples? Let’s settle this.
Can Chinchillas Eat Apples? (Leaves, Sticks and Chips)
Chinchillas can eat a small slice of apple along with their skin. Make sure you remove its seed as it is terrible for the Chinchillas. Serve a small slice of an apple once a week to your Chinchillas. Avoid excessive feeding as it can lead to diarrhea, obesity, and other health issues.
Apple is a fruit that is rich in vitamin c, Fibers, and antioxidants. Apple is also a fruit that is sweet but does not add to the weight much. As its glycemic index is low, which results in lower blood sugar in the body. Apple does contain a significant amount of fiber(2.4 gm). It is really great for the body. It also includes a lot of Vitamin C and antioxidants, which again boosts the immune system of the body.
The calcium and phosphorous are also quite adequate, making it a great fruit to munch. It can be a great addition to the diet considering the vitamins and minerals it has.
Can you give Chinchillas apples?
Yes, we definitely can feed our Chinchillas with apple. Apples are a great source of vitamin C for Chinchilla pets, which is an essential part of their diet. But we must choose the right apple type for them. Not all types of apple can be fed to them. Some apples are more acidic in nature, which makes them a lousy choice for Chinchillas. We can serve them with red ripe apple, which is sweet and tasty. We must be cautious not to feed them unripe or rotten apple as they are definitely bad for their health.
Are apples good for Chinchillas?
Yes, apple area great choice of fruit for your Chinchillas. Apple contains a healthy amount of fiber in it, which is an essential part of a Chinchilla diet.
Chinchillas are prone to diseases like scurvy. Providing them with a supplement of vitamin C in their food is essential. Apples are a great source of vitamin C, so giving them apples every once in a while will help in keeping up with their need for the same. Apples also are filled with antioxidants which are an added bonus for Chinchillas. The antioxidants do help them in keeping their immune system healthy as well as proper growth in their bodies.
Are Apples Bad For Your Chinchilla health?
As the proverb goes; Anything in excess is bad. If you are serving your Chinchilla with the appropriate quantity of apple, then it is beneficial for their health. At the same time if you just toss in a single apple and expect everything to be okay, then it won’t happen so. Although apples are sweet in nature, they do have some acidity in them.
Some Chinchillas can eat the apple with no trouble while others suffer from Diarrhea and mouth sores due to apple. We would recommend to firstly test by giving your Chinchilla pet a small bit and see how they respond to it before you make apples a part of your Chinchilla diet.
But just because your Chinchilla didn’t get sore mouth due to apple doesn’t mean that they can have a lot of apples. Apples do contain a trace amount of sugar content(fructose), which can make your Chinchilla obese.
Obesity is a significant disease in Chinchillas. It often leads to many other diseases too. To conclude, I would say we can feed them apple every once a week or so. Try to feed not more than a slice of apple. You can also use a tablespoon as a measurement and serve them just one tablespoon of raw apple.
How much apple can a Chinchillas have?
A Chinchilla can have a slice of an apple once a week. However, the serving size may vary depending upon the age, lifestyle, and other factors.
For example: Young Chinchillas can have a bigger slice where as old Chinchillas don’t digest sugar that well, so a small slice would be ideal.
Can Chinchillas eat apple skin?
Yes, Chinchillas can eat apple peel. Some Chinchillas just love to nibble on the skins more than the fruit itself.
If your Chinchilla is not eating apples, then you can try giving them apple peels. Although you can be somewhat generous with apple peels but still try not to serve them too much. Apple peels do contain a trace amount of sugar in it although not as much as the fruit but still.
Do make sure you wash out the apple properly unless it’s home-grown. Apples grown commercially are often sprayed with pesticides which are bad for your Chinchilla. Some apples are also coated with wax nowadays.
I have found a great solution to this problem. I often put an apple in a strainer and pour mild hot water slowly for 30 seconds or so. This will wash away any chemical and wax present in the skin of the apple. Some Chinchillas prefer apple with their peel on while others don’t. Do try a different combination with your Chinchilla to find out what works best for you.
How To Prepare Apple For Chinchillas?
- The First step would be to choose the right apple for your Chinchilla pets. Try to choose an apple that is perfectly ripe as unripe apples often are too acidic for your Chinchillas.
- The second step is to wash your Apple properly to ensure you clean out any unwanted chemicals off their skin.
- The third step would be to slice the apple in appropriate sizes. Try not to serve any more than a tablespoon of apple to your Chinchillas.
- Finally, Do remove any uneaten fresh food from your Chinchillas cage within few hours of its introduction. This shall ensure they do not get bacteria bloom.
Can Chinchillas have applesauce?
No, Commercially made apple sauces are a complete No-No for your Chinchillas. Apple sauces do contain approximately 50% sugar in it. It makes apple sauce more like a toxic for your Chinchillas.
However, if you prepare apple sauces at home with no added sugar, it might be a different scenario. If your Chinchilla is ill for some reason and you re feeding them with pellet slurry then you can definitely toss some amount of homemade apple sauce just to make them taste better. But do add only a tiny bit, As cooked food is absolutely No-No for your Chinchillas. For the most part, stick with raw, fresh apple. That is an excellent addition to their diet.
Can Chinchillas Eat Green Apple?
Yes, Chinchillas can surely eat a green apple. Green apples often are less sweet than their counterparts. But they are somewhat tart and acidic. So, just keep a close eye on your Chinchillas while feeding them with green apples.
Can Chinchillas Eat Granny Smith Apple?
Yes, Your Chinchillas can definitely eat Granny Smith apples. These apples are often more acidic than sweet. Granny Smith Apple usually has a bright green color with small but visible white spots(lenticels) all over its body.
These apples have the highest amount of nutrients in it. Keep a watch at your Chinchillas though some Chinchillas get mouth sores with even a little bit acidic food while some don’t. Unless your Chinchillas is getting a mouth sores from this apple, you can definitely serve them Granny Smith apples.
Can Chinchilla pets eat apple cores?
Apple seed(core) contains a trace amount of cyanide in it, which makes it absolutely forbidden for your Chinchillas. Even a few of them can end your Chinchilla life. It can also lead to choking of your Chinchilla.
You need to be very cautious while serving apples to your Chinchillas. Always remember to remove any seed from the apple and then only help it to your Chinchillas.
Can chinchillas have apple wood?
According to many of the chinchilla pet owners Apple sticks should be given as a chinchilla treat and for keeping their teeth strong. So, apple wood is considered as one of the best treat for chinchillas.
Can Chinchillas Have Apple Chips?
As per my experience as a chinchilla pet owner, Dried apple could be safe for a chin, but if you were to feed it, it would have to be maybe once in a 2 weeks and a very moderate amount.
Can Chinchillas Eat Apple Tree Leaves?
Chinchillas are herbivores. They can eat leaves of few trees until and unless it is treated with chemicals and pesticides. Appletree leaves are among one such leaf that Chinchillas can eat. But since there is no additional value in their diet due to leaves, I would say to stay away from it.
I have learned that apple tree leaves contains a chemical which further develops into cyanide during digestion in Chinchillas. So, I am totally keeping my pets away from it.
So, in a nutshell, Can Chinchillas eat apples?
Definitely YES. But do look after the critical points I have mentioned up above before serving them with it.
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