can chinchillas eat cat food

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. Not only that, chinchillas are similar to other animals, such as cats or dogs. It should be bright green and smell fresh, or else it can be harmful to your chinchilla. So what can chinchillas eat? You should also provide them with a dry food that has been specifically designed with chinchillas in mind. | Learn More >> You are shopping: Livonia, MI Livonia. This only happens opportunistically, though. The most important thing is to provide chinchillas with additional water, especially in summer, and monitor their daily water intake. Once again, this boils down to the fact that chinchillas dont need the nutrition from fruits to be healthy so they are only a luxury. Get the Best Price and Selection of Dry Dog Food at Pet Supplies Plus. This is especially vital in the first days when youll be able to closely supervise your cats behavior around the chinchillas cage.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'smallpetshq_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_0',186,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); Here are some steps you need to take when introducing these two pets. Do you see that furry animal? 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. If you want to bring a chinchilla into your home, you could be worried about their diet and general health. By doing this, you can be confident that your chinchilla doesnt suffer any physical harm plus is safe from any stress. Either way, you need to be careful when offering your chin both fruit and dried fruit and always check to see if the fruit is recommended for chinchillas and what quantities it should be offered in. If you ask your chinchilla what their fave treats are, dried cranberries and raisins are at the top of their list. Answer (1 of 2): Why would you want to do that? 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. 2.4 Certain Breakfast Cereals. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Rabbit Food? As you know, chinchillas are very active, so they run around a lot. This doesnt cost you anything additional. And of course too many raisins can cause diarrhea. Oxbow hay (low dust/hypoallergenic) First, rabbit food is not a complete diet for a chinchilla. Tomato Leaves. Yucca. This means it should comprise 35% carbohydrates, 30% fiber, 15% protein, 4% protein, and less than 3.5% fat. 1.1 Understanding The Chinchilla Diet. Earn FREE Grooming, Pet Wash, and Nail Service Rewards. Instead, chinchilla feeds should address the following: Fat: should be between 2% and 5%. If you do this, your chins diet should easily fall into this low calcium and even lower phosphorus model providing you stick to safe and recommended greens and veggies. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. This is usually the case for cats and chinchillas, which can be stressful for you as a pet owner. 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. Occasionally, they will eat insects and bird eggs. The answer to this question is no, Cat foods are not suitable for chinchillas and there are many reasons why you should avoid feeding it to them. Raisins. Dried dandelions. Hamsters vs. Gerbils: Whats the Difference. So, excessive feeding can lead to diarrhea and urinary problems. 3 Human Foods For Chinchillas: Final Thoughts. I would suggest to avoid fruits like Apples. The diet of chinchillas should ideally be high in protein and fiber while containing low moisture and fat content. 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. Dried fruit (apple, banana, and papaya). Every formula uses industry-leading volume of protein, glucosamine, and chondroitin. Remember that treats are only supposed to be offered sparingly and not in large amounts daily. Once this condition occurs, there is nothing that can be done other than to provide pain medication and soft foods. The answer is that chinchillas do need fresh water daily and if they dont have access to water they will become dehydrated and eventually become ill and die. Do take your chinchilla to the vet if it is vomiting or showing any unexplainable symptoms. Fibre - 30-35%. Now, lets talk more about the healthy treats that you should feed these exotic animals. [Top Speeds], Is My Chinchilla Fat? You may be tempted to buy cheap cat food from the supermarket. You can just grab little bits of a few things and make a little sampler jar! Dry foods are made entirely from grains and other similar products. Besides, Read More Are Chinchillas Cuddly? An aggressive cat will attack the chinchilla but with patience, you can train the pets to coexist. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. Just 1 Persian chinchilla left male ( boy ) so playful and friendly and smart, eating dry and wet full trained ,indoor cats living with they parents free all over the house born on new year D.O.B : 01//01/2023 looking for for ever lovely house will b Age Age: 7 weeks; Ready to leave Ready to leave: in 1 week 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. 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. Offering too much or too little of one food group can cause your chin to have digestive and even health issues. Their access to water and hay or grass should be maintained in a way that they never run out. Please talk to your vet for a detailed diet plan that suits the individual needs of your pet. This leads to problems including diarrhea, weight loss, and stomach ulcers. As such, its impossible for chinchillas to eat the same diet as cats. Thats why they need to have toys and accessories in their houses. These flowers should be dried before feeding to ensure that they are crunchy since our little ones love to nibble. If you give the chinchilla time to first get used to you and its surrounding before meeting your cat.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'smallpetshq_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_10',191,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0'); This gives your chinchilla enough time to be comfortable with the surroundings, with this especially crucial as theyre very social creatures. As a pet, chinchillas can eat the same dried herbs and benefit from the nutrients. Chinchillas, for the most part, eat a really basic and simple diet that consists of very few foods. A few hamster owners were concerned that their buddies would have trouble eating it because of its size and shape . Dried fruit is often preferred to regular fruit, this is down to the fact that dried fruit offers much less water (which is considered bad for chinchillas) as well as increased levels of other nutrients such as fibre. Like. For this reason, we have chosen to list the most common greens and veggies that owners often choose to feed their chinchillas and that we can validate are safe using veterinary sources such as the. On the flip side to this, if your chinchillas have more phosphorus than calcium in their diet then this can also cause health problems with muscle development, bones health and growth. The most obvious reason why you shouldn't feed cat food to a chinchilla is because chinchillas are not cats! . Although fruits and nuts are something that can be fed to chinchillas, it is best to avoid them. Dont make sudden changes in their diets as it can upset their stomach. 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. Guide + Chart. 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. After all, it wont cost much and it might even taste good. The stomach, chest, and chin are pure white. Whether you're looking for tips, tools, activities or advice, you've arrived at the consummate guide for everything related to caring for dogs. An overweight chinchilla is susceptible to many illnesses like diabetes, diarrhea, and liver damage. Second, not all rabbit foods are created equal. Dont discourage your pet from eating its own dropping, as it is natural for them to do so. 4. Do have hay constantly as well; keep a rack with hay and replace it routinely before it gets moldy. Chinchillas require a diet that mainly consists of timothy hay with the addition of supplementary chinchilla pellets. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. They are high in sugar, however, so give sparingly. Again, although this is the common amount of food that your pet needs, you need to contact the pet veterinarian to be sure of ample amounts of food that your chinchilla needs. Chewing is good for your chinchillas teeth as they continually grow throughout their lives and chewing safe objects will help to keep their teeth short and healthy. For a healthy domestic animal, you need proper food and a diet plan. Chinchillas should be given 1-2 tablespoons of pellets per day, and Bunk-Hatch recommends Oxbow Essentials. 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. 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. Wet foods are usually made up of milk and water. Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. Bottles water is safe for chinchillas to use but is an expensive way of providing your Chinchilla with water and some would consider this quite wasteful. They eat Royal Canin special Persian cat food and the kittens are eating kitten food. In addition to this, the chinchilla may choose to hide, seeking safety from the cat, thereby making it hard to locate. The popular cereal Cheerios are also seen as a treat that chinchillas can eat due to their dried nature and high amounts of fibre. as their pellets are of a high quality and are fortified with vitamins such as vitamin D3. Behavior & Training Food & Nutrition . Milk and other dairy products are animal products and not appropriate for herbivores. They should be given very small amounts of chinchilla vegetables like carrots and leafy greens as healthy treats. If you feed them the correct diet, chinchillas generally keep themselves at the right weight. For these two pets to live in harmony with each other, patience and constant supervision is necessary. Here is a breakdown of the nutrients your chinchilla needs in their diet and in what percentages. 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. All you need to hope for is that your cat ignores the chinchilla. Purebred Chinchilla's. $1,200. What Owners Must Know! Therefore, its best if you minimized contact between these two pets. The food has to be given in a timely fashion and should have wholesome nutrition that can fulfill your pet chinchillas required dietary requirements. In fact, the hamster food is likely to be harmful to them. 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. Hibiscus is known to be a healthy treat for chinchillas if offered in small quantities and is often used in commercial chinchilla treats. This is a general rule for most small animals such as hedgehogs and even the majority of reptiles. link to How Often Should Chinchillas Have Dust Baths? As rodents, their standard diet tends to follow a more opportunistic model, with chinchillas eating plants, seeds, fruits, and insects that it can get its paws on. Buy Merrick Dog Food online in Canada from Canadian Pet Connection. The foods below are considered unsafe or too unhealthy to feed to your chinchilla and therefore should be avoided. Poison Ivy. Make sure to cut these fruits and vegetables into small tiny pieces of cubes to feed them and know the proper quantity that they can handle through your pets vet. Both critters should be eating a high quality hay as the majority of their diet. This might not sound that bad at first, however, the fact that a chinchillas digestional tract isnt adapted to processing large amounts of sugar means that it can be left to ferment and cause gas. The good thing is that even though chinchillas dont eat a vast selection and variety of foods, they get most if not all of the nutrition they need from this basic diet. It is also coarse enough to keep their teeth short and stop them from overgrowing. Also, as with people, some chinchillas may not react well to all foods so give new items in small amounts. You can add a small amount of commercially available pelleted chinchilla food to your chinchilla's diet. I blog about their care, where to buy them, breeders, and more. You can find out exactly which variety of Cheerios is safe to feed to your chinchilla right here(We researched all popular varieties and only recommend feeding your chinchilla these 2 varieties). On the flip side to this, if your chinchillas have more phosphorus than calcium in their diet then this can also, cause health problems with muscle development, bones health and growth. If you want to know what age baby chinchillas are weaned then head over to our post that shares all you need to know. Alfalfa hay (low dust/hypoallergenic) Blue Grass hay. Reasons Why Theyre Smart. 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. Chinchillas can consume a wide variety of human foods, most notably vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts, and grains. You may also be able to give your chinchilla treats like rose petals, rolled oats, or even non-frosted shredded wheat. Give your chinchilla space from the cat, which sees it as a prey. The Chinchillas are often described as adorable, but they're also Is your chinchilla looking a little too plump? 2.2 Nutritional requirements. Ideally, you want to offer your chinchillas a low to moderate calcium diet that on the whole contains more calcium than phosphorus. So, if you decide to make a purchase through one of the links on this site, I receive a commission for it. They have very different nutritional needs. No, Apples should not be given on regular basis to Chinchillas but Chinchillas can eat Apples but only in moderation. By Laurie Hess, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian Practice). Chinchillas are rodents and behave in pretty much the same way as a squirrel would. djvstock. There is, however, no harm in using this type of water providing they get enough minerals from elsewhere. Chinchillas also require small amounts of fresh greens and can be fed occasional treats such as dried fruit from time to time. So, what exactly do chinchillas eat? Pets are adorable, but having different species in your home might bring about some issues with some of them incompatible. Read More The Best Chinchilla Toys (Review) in 2023Continue, This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Best Hay For Chinchillas 2023 Reviews and Comparison. In this post, we have listed many of the safe fruits for chinchillas although this list isnt conclusive. So, what should you feed a chinchilla? If you dont have at least a basic understanding of chinchillas dietary needs, then there is the potential they could become seriously ill as they have extremely strict dietary requirements. Chinchillas have an extremely sensitive digestive system as we have already mentioned in this article. Fruits and Veggies - Fresh fruits, fresh greens, and other veggies are a healthy part of your chinchilla's diet as well. Alfalfa hay is usually recommended for young, growing chinchillas. Chinchillas dont need a whole lot of greens in their diet but they are still important in the right quantities. Therefore, if you own these two pets, its crucial to have them slowly introduced to each other or else risk your cat attacking the chinchilla. Locust pods. Chinchillas in the wild tend to consume most of their food early in the morning and late at night. Feed them right, and youll have a happy, cuddly pet for many years. link to Are Chinchillas Territorial? Line the cage with a few inches of dye-free paper bedding. This means that feeding too many greens can cause an unbalanced amount of nutrients such as elevated levels of calcium and in turn, cause health issues. 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. 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. Water should be provided in the form of a water bottle rather than a bowl as this is much more hygienic for your chinchilla. This includes plenty of fresh green leaves and hay. Some other healthy treats include rosehips and mountain ash berries. Along with the quality of good that you feed your pet chinchilla, the quantity is just as important. Providing your chinchilla with safe wood for them to chew on is the best and most convenient option. But here is a pretty extensive list of what is safe for chins and most can be found in the bulk section of a health food store for cheap. If you decide to collect your own wood then you need to make sure you do a few things before handing it over to your chinchilla. If you are thinking of becoming a new pet parent, having a chinchilla will be the ultimate solution. Fruit can cause problems to chinchillas such as. Bread and Dairy Products. Chinchillas can eat a wide variety of natural food like hay, vegetables, dried fruits, nuts, berries, dried plants, and herbs. This cage features a plastic and wire mesh construction with a built-in wheel and hideout. Plain Cheerios. In the wild, chinchillas live in cold mountains, crevices of rocks, moving from rock to rock to escape from predators and to find food. If you want to get a pet chinchilla, you should take into consideration some important things before buying them. If you want to give your chinchilla some treats, then these should be carefully selected. It is also built with a speaker for remote interaction with pets. Hay should account for anywhere between 80-90% of your chinchillas food intake so from these numbers alone its clear to see that good quality hay is undoubtedly the most vital part of your chinchillas diet. 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;}. If rabbits were to eat chinchilla . 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. Specific Substrate Needs. Using genetic screening, breeders are now working to try to eradicate the problem - always . For example, if you have horses then you know they're prone to overeating. Special emphasis on nutritional support. We have created a list where we share our recommended timothy hay and orchard hay products to feed your chinchilla as well as the best place to purchase them from and you can access the list right here. Small pets like chinchillas have very specific dietary needs. All Things Dog. C hoosing a pet is not a decision to be taken lightly. As for what kind of water chinchillas solid drink, you cant just give them any old water from the tap. By doing so, youll be giving your cat and chinchilla ample time to get used to each other behaviors and smells. Arrives by Fri, Mar 31 Buy Auto Feeder Water Dispenser Set Rabbit Cat Dog Chinchilla Food Hanging Gravity at Walmart.com Its important to understand that this is a guide only. Chinchillas are herbivores and their diet consists mostly of hay, vegetables, and a small amount of fruit. Chinchillas are herbivorous and do not eat animal-based products. Avoid feeding dried fruits. Feeding your chinchilla excessive amounts of pellets does not supply enough fiber for their gastrointestinal tracts (which require high fiber for fermentation of food) and doesnt provide the roughage to wear down their continuously growing teeth. Pelleted diets are better than a mixture of loose items. If your hamster has consumed any of these items then please seek veterinary advice. hay, fresh vegetables, and pellets should still make up the majority of their diet. They can be offered much variety of good quality and clean hay like timothy hay, orchard grass, alfalfa hay, oat hay, or meadow hay. Answer (1 of 2): It is not so much that they are 'fragile', but have different habitat requirements than we are used to. Chinchillas with these signs should be examined immediately by a veterinarian to have the lodged material extracted. On top of this, wet cat food has a tendency to stick around in the digestive tract for long periods of time. Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. Chinchillas are very friendly animals. The diet of chinchillas should ideally be high in protein and fiber while containing low moisture and fat content. It's important to offer your chinchillas an unlimited amount of fresh hay in their cage daily so they can continually consume the large amounts of fibre they need. 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. Cat with can food. 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. Can Chinchillas Eat Cat Food? They love to play and interact with humans which makes them excellent pets. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Pecans? This is what your chinchillas diet should look like, Hay Unlimited amounts (80-90% of the diet), Pellets Limited amounts to complement hay diet, Fresh Greens Small amounts offered daily, Fruit Very small amounts offered on occasion, Lets now break down the different elements of a chinchillas diet and see exactly what they should be eating to keep them both happy and healthy. Chinchillas can't eat blueberries for a variety of reasons. A chinchilla that is fully grown typically weighs between 1 and 3 pounds. They can also be found in mixed dried dandelion mixtures, which can include dandelion leaves, flower petals, and even roots. They need to have variety in the boring food they eat while also getting all the nutritional requirements met. Chinchillas are among the most intelligent and fun pets to have. Changing the brand of pellets . Its quite possible that if you put cat food down on the floor, your chinchilla will try to eat it. The PDSA also recommends that you bake any wood you offer to your chinchilla for an hour and also give it a thorough wash to ensure its safe and clean. On the other hand, the natural hamster diet is mainly . Chinchillas in the wild will eat a variety of plants, shrubs, and grasses. Alfalfa hay is usually recommended for young, growing chinchillas as it helps them to put on weight quickly but this is usually only offered until the age of around 9 months old. Fresh Apple. Chinchillas need hay between 14% and 16% plant protein. Rhubarb. 1. I'm a pocket pet enthusiast and I love sharing my knowledge and passion for these amazing animals. Below we have listed the most common greens that your chinchillas can safely eat in moderation as part of a healthy and balanced diet. You can either purchase wood sticks from a store or collect your own, Wash The wood Thoroughly (remove all visible dirt), Ensure Sticks Are Totally Dry (should easily snap under pressure), Timothy or Orchard Grass Hay Always Available. As a Chewy & flexoffers affiliate I earn commissions for qualifying purchases. Chinchilla Image Credit: Veera, Shutterstock. Unfortunately, yes. 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? . 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. Chinchillas love dandelion leaves. Dog food is not nutritionally balanced for chinchillas and can make them sick. Feeding adult chinchillas too much alfalfa hay can cause obesity and even calcium stones as the level of calcium and other nutrients is too high and out of balance. Coprophagy helps to maintain the correct balance of intestinal flora within the gut, and also enables the chinchilla to absorb B Vitamins that are produced in the caecum (part of the gut). Chinchilla Sleeping Habits: Are Chinchillas Nocturnal? Filtered water is ideal for use in Chinchilla bottles. Strong expertise in both dogs and cats. Plain Shredded Wheat. You must always do this even after these two pets are acclimatized to each other and coexist peacefully. and always check to see if the fruit is recommended for chinchillas and what quantities it should be offered in. The short answer is no. Hay should be put in the hay rack in the chinchilla's cage. Some common options for food items that every pet chinchilla owner needs to keep their chinchilla safe and healthy are listed below. As long as your chinchillas are eating plenty of their regular food so that they are receiving the right nutrition, there shouldn't be a problem. (Later in this post, we will share the exact brand of timothy hay we recommend you purchase as well as the cheapest place to get it from). This is a question many pet owners ask themselves, and if you fall into this category, youre in luck.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'smallpetshq_com-banner-1','ezslot_11',173,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-banner-1-0'); Heres a detailed article on the compatibility of chinchillas and cats to make you better informed on whether owning these two pets is a good idea. The diet that you choose to feed your chinchilla should mostly contain hay. Fat - 2-5%. If you want to ensure that your chinchilla gets enough calcium, then you should add some eggshells to their diet. All greens and veggies should be offered in limited quantities and in moderation.

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