If you’re trying to find out what can chinchillas eat, you’ve come to the right place. While clover isn’t considered a “food” per se, it is highly regarded by chinchillas. Here’s how to make sure your pet is getting a varied diet and not only restricted to a single variety. It’s also possible to introduce other plant species into your chinchilla’s diet, including Sunflower petals, Dandelion roots, Chamomile flowers, and Rolling oats.
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Dandelion roots
Both dandelion roots and clover are nutritious for small animals. They provide the pet with a wide variety of vitamins and minerals. If your chinchillas are not eating clover, consider introducing dandelion roots as a treat. This will give them extra fun while foraging and will help them wear their teeth. However, be aware of potential dangers if you feed dandelion roots to your pet.
Chamomile flowers
If you’re a chinchilla owner, you’ve probably wondered if your pet can eat Chamomile flowers. After all, it’s a daisy-like flower from the Asteraceae family that chinchillas love. While the flowers have a distinct taste, they are completely safe to feed to chinchillas, and aren’t likely to cause digestive issues or nutritional deficiencies. Luckily, Chinchillas don’t seem to be allergic to the flowers, so you can give them dried Chamomile flowers in small amounts whenever you like.
Sunflower petals
If your chinchilla is a fan of sunflowers, you may be wondering if you can feed it sunflower petals. These flowers are full of nutrients for your pet. Sunflower seeds are one such food. The seeds of the sunflower are called cypsela, and they are classified by the pattern on their husks. Solid black husks indicate black oil sunflower seeds, while striped husks are for dietary purposes. Both types of seeds contain different nutrients, but chinchillas are especially interested in calcium and phosphorus content.
Rolling oats
Rolled oats are a mildly processed cereal made from dehusked oat groats. They are also lightly toasted, making them a stable food. They are sold in grocery stores as porridge oats. They contain acids, phosphorus, calcium, and a slight taste of sugar. Chinchillas can safely eat these grains in moderation.
Grass hay
There are a few different types of grass hay you can give your chinchilla. Timothy is an excellent choice, as it is high in protein and digestible fiber, but it doesn’t have as much calcium as other types of hay. If you’d like to feed your chinchilla a more natural option, alfalfa is an excellent choice as well. Alfalfa hay is also higher in calcium than the other two types of grass hay.
Dried dandelions
Chinchillas love dandelion leaves. Those leaves, while not as pretty as daisies, are a healthy and natural food source for your chinchillas. They can also be found in mixed dried dandelion mixtures, which can include dandelion leaves, flower petals, and even roots. Chinchillas enjoy dandelions because they have an interesting taste similar to arugula.
Cactus fruit
Aside from fresh leaves, chinchillas can also enjoy dried dandelions and dandelion flower buds. These plants have a distinct taste, and while they don’t look as pretty as daisies, they are incredibly nutritious for chinchillas. The flowers are dried, and are perfectly safe to feed to chinchillas without causing any side effects or nutritional deficiencies.
Grass hay is the primary source of chinchilla diseases
Grass hay is an essential part of a chinchilla’s diet, preventing dental disease, obesity and boredom. It also provides the necessary minerals and nutrients. The hay you choose should be clean and free of contaminants. Store it off the ground in a cool, dry place to minimize its risk of catching diseases. Grass hay is best because it is available locally and costs less than other forms of hay.
