Cat with can food. For a healthy domestic animal, you need proper food and a diet plan. As for what kind of water chinchillas solid drink, you cant just give them any old water from the tap. Food Options. If you feed them the correct diet, chinchillas generally keep themselves at the right weight. Copyright tagDiv. 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. If a chinchilla were to eat dry cat food, it would likely experience digestive issues and may even die. Poppy. You will only find the best in customer service and pet care at The Wishbone Pet Company . 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. Dont give rabbit pellets as, again, these two animals are quite different. Here is a breakdown of the nutrients your chinchilla needs in their diet and in what percentages. How to feed the chinchilla. Wet foods are usually made up of milk and water. Guide + Chart. Raisins. Therefore, you need to make sure your chinchilla is safe in the cage placed in a different room your cat cant go into. But can rabbits eat chinchilla food safely? Are Chinchillas Cuddly? . These exotic animals need chinchilla food pellets every day, a well but in a much more controlled quantity. Long-tailed chinchillas are primarily herbivorous. 1.1 Rabbit Food; 1.2 Hamster And Gerbil Food; 1.3 Sugary Foods; 1.4 Certain Vegetables; 1.5 Certain Fruits; 1.6 Processed Human Foods; 1.7 Chocolate; 2 What Foods Are Toxic To Chinchillas: Final Thoughts While it depends on your cat's personality, many will seek out to hunt chinchillas. and always check to see if the fruit is recommended for chinchillas and what quantities it should be offered in. Why You Shouldnt Feed Cat Food To A Chinchilla, The Risks Of Feeding Wet Cat Food To A Chinchilla, Can Chinchillas Eat Pretzels? 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. 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. If you want to know what age baby chinchillas are weaned then head over to our post that shares all you need to know. But guinea pigs are actually really good at eating slowly and reading their body. Chinchillas can't eat blueberries for a variety of reasons. . So what can chinchillas eat? The stomach, chest, and chin are pure white. Additionally, chinchillas can be fed a small amount (1-2 tbsp/day) of a commercial pelleted diet formulated for chinchillas. Its quite possible that if you put cat food down on the floor, your chinchilla will try to eat it. This is because cats have an innate hunting instinct. We have two females & two males. Chinchillas can eat a wide variety of natural food like hay, vegetables, dried fruits, nuts, berries, dried plants, and herbs. One of the questions we were asked recently was whether Chinchillas were territorial and we felt compelled to delve into this subject a bit deeper and provide you with some more useful information How Often Should Chinchillas Have Dust Baths? They love to play and interact with humans which makes them excellent pets. Homeopathic and herbal remedies. This is made worse by the fact that chinchillas dont have the ability to pass gas and therefore the situation can become extremely painful and in some cases, it has actually caused death. So, what exactly do chinchillas eat? Chins have a high metabolism and can eat constantlyideally, they shouldn't go without food for more than 12 hours, but 24 hours is doable if absolutely necessary. They will consume stalks, stems, leaves, shoots, fruits, seeds and roots . and how to get rid of it, The Best Chinchilla Toys (Review) in 2023, Are chinchillas Smart? Chinchillas only need to consume around 3-5% fat in their diet which is easily attainable from their base diet so foods such as. Pets are adorable, but having different species in your home might bring about some issues with some of them incompatible. 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. Instead, you should only feed them a healthy, balanced diet that includes lots of fresh green leaves and grass. Poison Ivy. A few hamster owners were concerned that their buddies would have trouble eating it because of its size and shape . 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. Yes, cats do attack chinchillas as their rodents, which they see as prey. Theyve become the subject of fascination for many animal lovers who enjoy their antics. Naturally aloof people might not want to be constantly hounded for canine kisses, just as cuddly types might be affronted by some cat breeds . They also need to have access to fresh water at all times. 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 Both critters should be eating a high quality hay as the majority of their diet. They are extremely high in fibre while offering low amounts of sugar. With all things considered, the best 2 hay choices for your chinchilla are. Just because a green on the list below is labelled safe doesnt mean that you can feed your chinchilla unlimited amounts of that green or vegetable. This will be possible if your cat has a mellow and calm personality and isnt so much interested in hunting, meaning itll most likely ignore the chinchilla. You can barely overlook the significance of animal intelligence. As you know, chinchillas are very active, so they run around a lot. In addition, wet cat food is often too salty for chinchillas. In this post, we have listed many of the safe fruits for chinchillas although this list isnt conclusive. As you can see from everything weve discussed above, you should never feed cat food to a chinchilla. 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;}. This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As we mentioned earlier, hay is the most important part of a chinchillas diet. Chinchillas are also known to love flowers. Hamsters eat more carbohydrates than chinchillas do, but both species need food with plenty of protein and calcium. It will keep them active and give them the appropriate amount of pellets per day, hay, and other food items per day as well. When they are let out of their cage, chinchillas Chinchillas come in a wide variety of colors. Chinchillas will eat plenty of native plants in the wild to give them a good balance of minerals and vitamins essential for optimum health. To try to mimic this rough vegetation, the mainstay of pet chinchillas diets should be hay offered in unlimited quantities. For example, you could offer them a few pieces of fruit, such as apples or pears. 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 they are fed certain foods together frequently, they will become accustomed to them always being served together. Cats are feline predators that are known for hunting rodent prey like chinchillas. Instead, chinchilla feeds should address the following: Fat: should be between 2% and 5%. Laurel. This is the case when you own a cat and chinchilla because cats are natural predators, whereas chinchillas are rodents and are, therefore, prey. The foods below are considered unsafe or too unhealthy to feed to your chinchilla and therefore should be avoided. Remember that treats are only supposed to be offered sparingly and not in large amounts daily. Also note: the initial interaction shall be concise, lasting only a few minutes. On top of this, wet cat food has a tendency to stick around in the digestive tract for long periods of time. Yucca. No, they cant as theyre herbivorous, meaning they eat plenty of grasses or plants. [What Owners Will Want To Know], Can Chinchillas Get Fleas? Orchardgrass. 1 The deluxe chinchilla food is made from high-fiber alfalfa meal to promote gastrointestinal health, with added fiber, protein, and fat derived from soybeans. 2.1 Fresh Vegetables. Humans have food, and chinchillas have hay. Feed them right, and youll have a happy, cuddly pet for many years. Average Chinchilla Lifespan: How Long Do They Live? You may be tempted to buy cheap cat food from the supermarket. Lets now take a look at each of these and see why you need to only offer foods that are high in these nutrients sparingly. Those products can be harmful to your digestive system in large quantities, so keep small portions in hand. Occasionally, they will eat insects and bird eggs. What Do Chinchillas Eat: Diet & Food Guide. Greens and veggies that would usually be considered really healthy choices for most animals can be harmful to chinchillas as nutrients such as calcium can cause unwanted health problems if consumed too often and in large quantities. 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. As with all pets, a proper diet is key to health and long life in chinchillas. Foods to Avoid The hay should be dry and fresh-smelling with no trace of mold. The most obvious reason why you shouldnt feed cat food to a chinchilla is because chinchillas are not cats! Provide a steady supply of hay. In the wild, chinchillas are omnivores, which means that they eat both plants and meat. The quality of the ingredients used by manufacturers to make cat food varies enormously. It is also coarse enough to keep their teeth short and stop them from overgrowing. However, they eat mostly vegetation and seeds. 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. Nicole is the proud mom of 3 rescue fur babies, Baby, a Burmese cat; Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway; and Mac, a Lab/Mastiff. Do you see that furry animal? So, what type of hay do chinchillas eat? This is because wet cat food contains a lot of moisture and, as such, its difficult for chinchillas to digest. Some use only meat products while others include vegetables and grains. Actually, a good portion of their diet is already rabbit food. Anu wood sticks you offer your chin needs to be from non-toxic trees and free from pesticides. These are usually made up of timothy or alfalfa hay, so you will have limited options to choose from. You shouldn't have a chinchilla in the same house or at least keep your chinchilla in a separate room. This will ensure that they look for it, as they had to look for the food in the wild. The body of an average chinchilla grows to about 10 inches long, but it can range from 8 inches to 12 inches, and its tail will typically be about 5 inches in length. This only happens opportunistically, though. You should also provide them with a dry food that has been specifically designed with chinchillas in mind. Thats why they need to have toys and accessories in their houses. Food items that need to be provided to them continuously are hay and clean drinking water. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. Unfortunately, though, this doesnt mean that its going to provide your chinchilla with the nutrients they require. and how to get rid of itContinue. These adorable kittens are loving , caring and very affectionate. Hay that is recommended for your chinchilla. What Nutrients Are Unhealthy If Overfed to Your Chinchilla? The pets need chinchilla vitamins and nutrients like Omega-3 fatty acids, folic acid, nicotinic acid, vitamin C, natural vitamin E, and many more through adequate nutritional content. Not only that, chinchillas are similar to other animals, such as cats or dogs. After all, it wont cost much and it might even taste good. Some common options for food items that every pet chinchilla owner needs to keep their chinchilla safe and healthy are listed below. There are several reasons why you shouldnt feed your chinchillas cat food and, below, well explore each of these in more detail. First off, you should always feed your chinchilla a healthy, balanced diet. Cats are carnivores (meat-eaters) whereas chinchillas are herbivores (plant-eaters). When it comes to pellets for chinchillas, its important that you purchase pellets that are specifically designed for chinchillas. 1 What Foods Are Poisonous To Chinchillas? Buy Merrick Dog Food online in Canada from Canadian Pet Connection. Adult chinchillas are recommended to eat timothy hay as this provides all the nutrients your chinchilla needs and in the correct quantities. 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. Too much calcium can have a negative effect on a chinchillas health as excessive amounts can cause calcium stones. 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. Feeding any type of cat food to your chinchilla is a bad idea, however, feeding them wet cat food is one of the worst things you can do. Please talk to your vet for a detailed diet plan that suits the individual needs of your pet. All you need to hope for is that your cat ignores the chinchilla. Chinchillas require a diet that mainly consists of timothy hay with the addition of supplementary chinchilla pellets. Its important to understand that this is a guide only. Approximately 75% to 80% of your chinchilla's diet should be made up of fresh hay. There are a lot of food items that a chinchilla owner should never feed their pets. The small animals love their leafy snack so much that they can live off it alone. You may also spot tipping on the legs. Monitoring your chinchillas' diet. Can chinchillas eat cat food safely without any issue? So, for a chinchilla to have healthy digestion and be free of illnesses like dental disease and digestion troubles, you need to choose the best chinchilla food that is healthy and appetizing. Chinchillas love treats just like any other animal, but the treats can be deadly for them if you dont know the proper way or amount to feed them. so from these numbers alone its clear to see that good quality hay is undoubtedly the most vital part of your chinchillas diet. Just make sure that they are safe. Or, you could hand out small amounts of peanut butter or cheese. As wet cat food is so soft, itll have absolutely no effect on keeping your chinchillas teeth to a safe length. In this article, we'll answer the above questions by taking an in-depth look at what kind of diet is best for your beloved pet chinchilla. The tipping can come in various colors, including blue, red, cream, and more. You should never feed a chinchilla hamster food, as it is one of the worst blends of ingredients for chinchillas to consume. Chinchillas could be temperate and might be picky eaters, and you should be careful about, Read More Can Chinchillas Eat Cucumbers And Is It Safe?Continue, This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. 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. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Strong expertise in both dogs and cats. Fresh drinking water should be offered daily in a water bowl or bottle. With this being said, as an owner, there is one nutrient that you will notice your chinchilla seems to need more than anything elseand thats fibre. as their pellets are of a high quality and are fortified with vitamins such as vitamin D3. 3. 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. Chinchillas in the wild will eat a variety of plants, shrubs, and grasses. However, in this list are food items that you should absolutely not feed your chinchilla and if you do, then going to a vet is the best course of action. The treats that these exotic animals eat are dried rose hips, dandelion, and hibiscus leaves, basically dried fruits, and root vegetables should be given to them. Finally, since chinchillas cannot vomit, small or hard foods such as dried fruit, nuts, seeds, or raisins can get stuck in the back of the mouth or esophagus leading to salivation, gagging, lack of appetite and possible problems breathing. All Things Dog. Keeping in mind that chinchillas cant eat fatty food, there are some treats that they like that contain fat, but chinchillas love them. Hi, My name is Adam. So the treats that you choose to feed them should be given only occasionally. In the wild, chinchillas live in cold mountains, crevices of rocks, moving from rock to rock to escape from predators and to find food. From allergies to zoomies, we have dogs covered like fur on a sofa. Whether you're looking for tips, tools, activities or advice, you've arrived at the consummate guide for everything related to caring for dogs. Hay should be put in the hay rack in the chinchilla's cage. Feeding greens and vegetables in large quantities can upset the nutritional balance of the hay and pellets you are providing to your chinchilla. Semi-dry foods consist of dried milk and grain. Take a look at this guide that shares the types of water your chinchilla can drink, If you want to know everything you need to know about chinchilla water bottles in less than 3 minutes then check our easy to follow guide here. 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. The Chinchillas are often described as adorable, but they're also Is your chinchilla looking a little too plump? You also need to make sure your cat has a mellow personality to lower the likelihood of it attacking your chinchilla. Consequently, this lowers the stress level of your chinchilla that wont now feel like a target, thereby leading to an environment where these two can live together in harmony.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smallpetshq_com-netboard-2','ezslot_18',185,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-netboard-2-0'); You need to be careful about how you introduce your chinchilla to your cat is you really want there to be any harmonious relationship between these two creatures.