There are a few different ways you can give your chinchilla treats. Fruits and veggies, un-salted sunflower seeds, and even Applewood sticks and Timothy hay are all great options. If you’re looking for more exotic treats, you can even try out these herbs. Chamomile is an herb from the Asteraceae family that has a unique taste. The flowers are dried before they’re used. Humans can eat the flowers as well, but they’re not harmful to your chinchillas. Neither will they have digestive problems, nutritional deficiencies, or other side effects.
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Fruits and veggies
While some people think of fruits and veggies as the healthiest foods for chinchillas, this is not the best choice. Fruits contain too much fructose and can cause digestive issues in chinchillas. Only a few fruits are safe for chinchillas. Fruits, especially apples and bananas, should be given in moderation. It is important to avoid giving your chinchilla too many apples or bananas because they may become obese.
Many chinchilla owners swear by rose hips. These are not roses, but instead taste tangy, sharp, and astringent, similar to tea. Chinchillas are not likely to get digestive issues from eating rose hips, but they do enjoy eating them. Using only one rose hip per serving is sufficient. Some rose hips, however, contain high amounts of vitamin C and are safe for chinchillas to consume.
Unsalted sunflower seeds
A popular treat for chinchillas is un-salted sunflower seeds. They’re tasty and don’t contain any poison or cyanide. However, they do have a high fat content and should be fed only occasionally. As a rule of thumb, you should only give your chinchilla about two tablespoons of sunflower seeds per week. This amount can be harmful to your pet as it is high in fat and difficult for it to digest.
Another one of chinchilla favorite treats is rolled oats. Don’t use Quaker brand, as this will contain sulfites, so make sure to avoid the oats. Unsalted sunflower seeds are also popular with chinchillas, as they add sheen to their coats. Another favorite treat is spoon-sized shredded wheat. Sunflower seeds are also good for chinchillas, because they don’t contain any salt and are free of preservatives.
Applewood sticks
Chinchillas love to chew on apple wood sticks. These treats help keep their teeth trimmed, and they also enrich your pet’s diet. Chinchilla owners often give their pets an endless supply of these sticks. Some owners buy apple wood sticks from a company called William Craft. The company uses organic practices when growing its products, and the sticks are also safe for your chinchilla.
You can buy these tasty treats for chinchillas at pet stores. Some chinchilla treat stores will sell applewood sticks in fancy packages with a chinchilla image on the front. However, these products may contain the same ingredients as generic treats. Purchasing the latter can save you money. If you don’t want to spend a lot of money, you can get the same product at a lower price.
Timothy hay
Timothy Hay is one of your Chinchilla’s favorite treats. The grass is rich in fiber and moderately high in protein and is harvested from a second cutting. You can purchase it in various cut sizes and keep it in the house in a container that closes easily. Timothy hay is a favorite amongst Chinchillas, and is high in fiber and is the best treat for a picky eater.
You can choose to give Timothy hay as a daily treat or you can give it to your Chinchilla every other day. Timothy hay is rich in fiber and is an excellent supplement to food pellets. Other timothy hay is available in the market, and Oxbow is a high-quality brand that is available at a fair price. Timothy hay has the perfect combination of protein, fat, and moisture content. Timothy hay pellets are available in different flavors, and you can feed your Chinchilla as much as he or she wants.
Chamomile flowers
Chamomile is a daisy-like flower in the Asteraceae family that has a distinctive taste. Dried chamomile flowers can be given to chinchillas as a healthy snack and have no adverse effects on your chinchilla’s health. They are a great source of flavonoids and help your chinchilla absorb iron and support its immune system.
Chamomile flowers are organically grown and packed in the U.S. They last for a long time and are available in convenient resealable bags. You can also purchase timothy hay, which is rich in nutrients and appears to be a favorite treat among chinchillas. These treats are made from the same plants and are suitable for all chinchilla species.
Rose hips
Your chinchillas will love rose hips. Rose hips are high in fiber, and give your chinchilla lots of chewing material, which will help keep their teeth filed down. Although chinchillas are vegetarians, you can add rose hips to your chinchilla’s diet. They do not digest animal protein, and you should avoid processed foods, but they love rose hips!
Dried rose hips are one of the best treats for your chinchilla. Dried rose hips are a high-quality source of dietary fiber and Ascorbic acid. This nutritious treat is great for small animals, but it should never be a substitute for a regular, balanced diet. A 50-50 mix of Blue Seal and Purina pellets is a good option if you only have one or two chinchillas. You can always purchase a smaller bag to maximize the nutritional benefits of fresh pellets.
