Chinchillas and guinea pigs are two distinct animals with specific cage needs and nutritional requirements that cannot be kept together in one enclosure.
Chinchillas should eat a diet consisting of hay, fresh vegetables and some fruits as well as special pellets formulated for them. Treats that are low in sugar and fat should also be offered occasionally.
Contents
Hay
Chinchilla digestive systems are delicate, so to maintain equilibrium in their microflora and secure adequate vegetable protein intake they require a diet rich in rough vegetation such as Timothy or Orchard hay in excess quantities. To fulfill their nutrient requirements chinchillas require being offered plenty of quality rough vegetation foods like these for maximum benefits.
Relying on hay can promote regular chewing patterns that reduce dental issues while simultaneously providing essential dietary fiber and vitamins.
Pellets should play an essential part of a guinea pig’s diet, yet should never replace grass hay. Be wary of pellets containing seeds, nuts or dried fruits which might pose as potential health threats to their wellbeing.
Chinchillas can enjoy eating both hay and pellets, as well as small amounts of fresh vegetables like carrots, kale and celery prepared fresh with plenty of water. Chinchillas love fresh fruits like kiwis and strawberries but should only consume these occasionally due to high sugar content.
Pellets
Chinchillas can also be fed commercial pellet foods designed specifically to meet their dietary requirements, such as Oxbow’s Chinchilla Deluxe and Mazuri’s Chinchilla diet. When selecting such food products for your pet, be sure to do a full review of its ingredients to ensure it provides all of the essential vitamins and minerals for healthy development of the chinchilla.
As is true of hay, pellet quality is also extremely important. An optimal pellet should contain low calcium and oxalates levels as well as enough fiber to support their digestive health.
As part of their healthy diet, Chinchillas may benefit from fresh low-calcium green vegetables (kale and radicchio), small amounts of fruit such as apples or pineapple and clean Apple Wood sticks to encourage chewing and wear down continuously growing teeth. Be sure to monitor their eating and water consumption, as sudden behavioral changes could indicate nutritional problems which require quick intervention.
Treats
Dried fruits, seeds and nuts should not be fed to animals as they contain too much sugar and fat that may lead to digestive upset and dental issues. As rewards, apple and pear branches may be given; branches from toxic trees such as cherry, cedar or plum should be avoided as rewards.
Always provide your guinea pig or chinchilla with high quality complete pellet or mix food to ensure they receive essential vitamins, minerals and fibre, along with essential fatty acids and proteins to promote skin and coat health.
Chinchillas should consume most of their diet from high quality hay sources such as orchard grass, botanical hay and oat hay with oat stems. Regular access to high quality hay will ensure their teeth remain at an appropriate length and shape throughout their lives.
Water
Chinchillas make adorable pets that require special diets in order to thrive, such as guinea pig food. Although this might provide all of their required nutrients, it’s important to research its suitability with your animal before adding anything new into its daily regimen.
As well as receiving a high-quality pellet diet, chinchillas should have constant access to hay in their environment – this will help ensure their teeth remain at an appropriate length and shape while also ensuring they receive sufficient calcium intake in their diet.
As with humans, it is equally essential that your chinchilla has access to fresh water at all times – be sure to provide him or her with either filtered or distilled water as tap water may contain contaminants which could pose health threats to them.
Chinchillas have several natural defense mechanisms against predators both on land and in the air, such as running quickly away or darting for cover, spraying urine on potential attackers or releasing clumps of fur if they are attacked, running swiftly from them or spraying urine at them if bitten.
