There are some very important factors you need to take into account when feeding chinchillas. For example, sugary foods are not good for them as they can cause a variety of problems including tooth decay, obesity, diarrhoea and gas. Because chinchillas do not have a digestive tract that is adapted to handling large amounts of sugar, feeding them too much can lead to a number of complications, including death.
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Oats
Oats are considered safe foods for chinchillas, but you must know their nutritional value. Although these small rodents are lactose-intolerant, oats are not a good source of fibre for them. Also, oats make a mess in the cage, and are not particularly nutritious. Chinchillas can live without oats but should only be fed in small amounts.
Oats are the safest snack for chinchillas, and are usually safe to feed once or twice a week. Oats are high in calcium and calories, so they can lead to weight gain if you feed them too much. A handful of oats contains 400 calories, and will likely be more than enough for one small animal. Depending on how much you give your chinchilla, it will be safe to feed them up to two times per week.
Banana
As a common fruit, bananas are very popular amongst chinchillas. They’re also easy to prepare and tasty, so many chinchilla owners ask whether bananas are safe for their pets. This article will show you whether bananas are safe for chinchillas, and also provide nutritional information. Read on to learn more! – Bananas Are Safe for Chinchillas
Bananas are a good source of fiber, which is important for your chinchilla’s digestive system. As such, they are excellent sources of Vitamin B-6 and C, two vitamins that are vital for the health and development of a chinchilla’s body. Bananas are also high in phosphorus and generally alkaline, which is helpful for the digestion process. However, bananas are high in sugar, and so your chinchilla may experience stomach pains and constipation after eating a banana.
Shredded wheat
One of the best ways to keep your chinchilla healthy is to avoid giving them too many treats. While some types of treats are natural, most are not. Even those with pictures of chinchillas may not be safe. Fortunately, there are other, safe treats for your chinchilla. Here are some of them. If you’d like to share one of your treats with your chinchilla, here are some ideas.
Besides the timothy hay, chinchillas also enjoy hay. Aside from providing adequate fiber and protection from dental diseases, chinchillas love to gnaw on Timothy grass hay. This kind of grass is high in nutrients and has a mild, sweet taste. Compared to other varieties of hay, chamomile is less likely to cause side effects.
Apples
Although chinchillas do not need treats, apples are a healthy addition to your chinchilla’s diet. Chinchillas love to chew, so providing apples is a natural way to increase their variety in their diet. Just remember not to overfeed, though, and to only feed your chinchilla once or twice a week. You can also offer your chinchilla bananas, which are more nutritious and have higher fiber.
While most chinchilla diets contain no fat, hay and pellets don’t contain enough vitamin C to be beneficial for the animal. So, many chin owners add vitamin C supplements to their chinchilla diets. Vitamin C helps keep the teeth healthy and the immune system strong. Plus, chinchillas love the taste of apples, which can be used as a training tool. Apples are healthy treats for chinchillas, and even bribes them to exercise.
Raisins
Although a chinchilla’s stomach is very small, it can still eat raisins, as they are high in sugar. Because chinchillas’ stomachs are only used to digesting specific types of sugar and fiber, a sudden change in food will upset their stomachs. Also, raisins contain fructose, which is pure fruit sugar. Consequently, they may have diarrhea when they first eat them.
Other types of snacks are safe for chinchillas. Raisins are safe to feed, but should be avoided if you don’t want to give them too much. You can also consider giving your chinchilla lava ledges to wear their teeth down. Most pet stores sell these toys and you can buy them for a chinchilla.
