If you’re planning to bring a chinchilla home, you’ll have to find out what to feed them. There are several common foods that chinchillas can’t eat, but there are also some things that they absolutely can’t eat. For example, chinchillas can’t eat meat or dairy because they don’t have the enzymes needed to break down these substances. Meats can upset their digestive system and lead to health problems. Other things that chinchillas can’t eat are certain fruits and vegetables.
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Grass hay
Grass hay is essential for your chinchilla’s health, but what types of hay should you use? There are many varieties of hay available, and each type has its own specific nutritional profile. Timothy Hay is particularly popular with chinchillas, as it’s super-soft and easy to chew. However, quality is important when choosing hay for your pet.
Grass hay for chinchins should be free-choice and low-calcium hays are preferred, as these hays are lower in calcium and will not cause bladder stones. Besides hay, you can also offer pelleted diets, but you should only give your chinchilla grass hay as its primary source of food. Grass hay should make up about 80% of the chinchilla’s diet.
Grass hay for chinchinas is important because it provides roughage that helps keep their teeth and digestive tract functioning properly. To ensure the safety of your pet, make sure to clean hay daily. You can give your chinchilla loose hay or pressed cubes that contain long strand fiber. If your chinchilla is particularly picky about their hay, give them a small portion of loose hay every time.
Fresh vegetables
For healthy, wholesome food for your chinchilla, try incorporating some fresh vegetables into their diet. These animals are able to eat just a few types of vegetables, including broccoli leaves, Brussels sprouts, carrot tops, and parsley. They also enjoy fresh fruit, but should be kept away from grapes and bananas. Fresh vegetables are also a great source of fiber. Here are some of the best vegetables for your chinchilla.
As for fruits, chinchillas can enjoy raisins. But fresh vegetables are best avoided for their delicate digestive system, since they can cause excessive gas. Several fruits and vegetables are also toxic for them, including nightshades, ivy, and olives. Even dehydrated fruit still contains sugar. So, it is best to limit your chinchilla’s daily intake of fruit and vegetables to certain days of the week.
Raisins
You may be wondering if you can give your chinchilla raisins. However, chinchillas are extremely sensitive to changes in feeding schedule and diet. They will react badly to low-value foods, such as raisins, which contain only calories. In addition, raisins contain fructose, a pure fruit sugar. Because they contain high levels of fructose, chinchillas may have diarrhea when you first give them raisins.
Though chinchillas can eat raisins, it is important to monitor their intake. Excessive consumption can cause diarrhea, dropsy, and weight gain, as well as other problems. Raisins are a great source of glucose, but too much can cause diarrhea and other digestive problems. If you notice that your chinchilla is experiencing diarrhea, reduce the amount of raisins your chinchilla is eating and consider switching to a different treat.
Dried fruit
Dried fruit is a great food choice for your chinchillas. Dried apricots are low in sugar and contain more fibre than fresh apricots. However, they still contain high levels of sugar and water, which can cause digestive issues for chinchillas. They should be fed a small amount of dried apricots approximately two or three times per week.
Chinchillas should be fed fruit only a few times a week. You should not leave the fruit lying around the cage for long periods of time. If the chinchilla eats rotten fruit, it could potentially be dangerous for its health. Additionally, you should make sure that your chinchilla always has access to water. If you notice a change in your chinchilla’s behavior after receiving fruit, consult your vet immediately.
Dried flower petals are also an excellent food for chinchillas. Dried dandelions are a great source of fiber, but do not worry about the fructose content. They are low in fat and protein and don’t cause digestive problems. Fresh petals are fine as long as they are not left to rot on the cage floor. You can easily find dried rose hips online or at a health food store.
