How to Prepare Them Chinchillas are small, rodents that are native to the Andes Mountains. Ingredients include food coloring. After a small amount of that every day, she has gotten more regular. The best thing for a chinchilla is pellets, hay, and water. Along with the probiotics a little bit of pepto, and some tummy rubs (To release the gas and get poop moving) she is completely fine. You can give different tipe of fruit every day. Sadly most chinchillas in captivity suffer at the hands of their owners are often neglected and never properly cared for in the environment they actually require. Luckily after an hour or so they revived - and survived. I love these little guys & just trying to do the right thing so they can live safe, happy & to the fullest. What To Feed a Pet Chinchilla | RSPCA Zoe was great, but one night she died. If their teeth gets too long, you must take them to a vet to get their teeth filed down or they could die.Always keep them in a cool environment because heat can cause heat stroke. But is lemon juice safe for chinchillas to eat? Most seeds and nuts, such as sunflower seeds, peanuts, coconut, millet, etc, ar.e actually very high in fats and oils. PLEASE, make sure you keep them cool, at least 74 degress or less in the summer months. They aren't able to properly digest nuts and seeds, and too many of these foods can lead to health issues.. Why would you feed unhealthy treats when there are plenty of healthy options available they they love to eat just as much as the un-healthy ones? He was one of the sons of Aquarius. As long as they are organic and everything there probably isn't an issue. Dried apple, pear, blackberry and raspberry (Thorns removed) also wprk wonders. Heya guys, Chinchillas can eat grass, bark, nuts and dried bananas, carrots, pretty much anything healthy. I swear there are some very stupid indecent people on here like you. He just picks out the seeds from his food. Proper pellets (NOT RABBIT those have introduced hormones that rabbits need while chins, pigs, do not!) Nice dark color too. Thanks you guys hello i do not know if anyone replyed to your answer??? KIm. So far all material I have read in regards to Chinchillas mentions water bottles, not water bowls. If they eat too many pistachios, they could, develop health problems like tooth decay and obesity. as for fruits, while sugars are not ideal, certain fruits can be used in moderation. Some animals just don't like being picked up. Anyone in their right mind knows that you dont keep electrical cords of any kind near your chinchilla. Just got 2 full grown. He may like it, but that does not mean it is healthy over the long term. My 13 year old has never been to the vet and is as youthful as ever. Also, shredded wheat is ok, without the frosting coating on it. Do you think grapenuts cereal would be ok? Early in my chinchilla owning experience, I lost a young mother & 3 babies from different litters. Someone needed to give away her 2 chinchillas and I gladly accepted them Because quaker oats are loose I am not sure on the measurement to give. My family actually has 3 chins but my main one is Chucky (like the Chucky Cheese mouse) and his cage is in my room. The good news is, since introducing Timothy hay, rose hip and giving very minimal pellets, Sidney has now gone 10 weeks with no sign of the malaclusions back just yet:-) so for all you out there who have chinchillas with malaclusions, don't give up hope just yet! This vet said he was familiar with chinchillas, but thought he was a rabbit. Giving them chin pellets and timothy hay is the best way to keep them healthy. My vet said that almonds are fine, my brody gets one a day, and he's completely healthy. This is also true for humans. They can also eat a variety of fruits and nuts, including pistachios. Your pet chinchillas can eat small amounts of some fruits such as apples, blueberries, grapes, raisins, sultanas, strawberries, pears because they have good nutrients and are easy to chew. Won't eat cloth though, so my teddy bear is safe! The answer is yes, chinchillas can safely eat pistachios. This causes constipation, gas and loss of appetite followed by weight. Chinchillas are essentially herbivorous and rely on plant and plant materials for energy. They are mostly active at night so would likely require a cool space away from people sleeping. Yes, chinchillas can eat pistachios. Most vegetables provide too much water causing diarrhea. . My rats are given a varied diet they eat food that's been left over & it's probably better than the commercial stuff I just don't give folk the ammunition to have ago & act self righteous. This person is incorrect. Is it just Apple that has been dried? Is it harmful? I might be misunderstanding what you are saying, but hay alone is not enough. A dehumidifier is also used when necessary. Timothy and orchard hay should be fed daily, alfalfa less as it is already in the pellet, You can give banana chips as a treat 3 chips a day and you can get those from Kroger or Walmart and you need to be feeding Timothy hay from like Petsmart, petco or a pet store caring Timothy hay on a daily basis also the chinchilla food from pet smart or pet store and you need to do some more research on them if you are thinking about it because they are a lot of work but Worth it And they are mess so please do some research thank you. The vitamins and minerals in pistachios are also beneficial for chinchillas. Third, like all nuts. In their natural habitats in the wild, they mainly eat grass and seeds, along with some insects and birds' eggs.. As pets, chinchillas typically have access to more varieties of foods that are either scarce or nonexistent in their natural habitats. within hours he appeared to have inflammation of some sort before we could get him to the vet, he passed. Chinchillas should not be an impulse buy at a pet store. I have those as well. Its also better to give the chins distilled water instead of tap water. Not honey nut cheerios! Kim. Many chins are trainable and the moderate use of treats shouldn't be banned. It is one way to get the classroom quiet is to tell them the chinchilla does not like loud noise. They are hind fermenters and this can cause issues such as fatty liver disease. Now, Jane is using all three legs but her good front leg that was working just fine in the beginning is not working now. Although they would love to get their little paws on them, they do not get them. This usually means pellets are eaten and hay is not. Do you think this is a bad idea? DO NOT feel your cinch Avocado. Has anyone heard of giving Rosemary to them? while I was gone my lovely mother was eating eggs and felt my chinchilla was hungry and gave her some. 2. Despite what the main article says rabbit pellets are okay if using high quality brands and in many cases are better than most of the crap that most people feed. Only you can decide whats good for your chinchilla. thanks a ton for any help!!!:). Shame something they love so much can cause such problems for them. Gizmo was her mate and they had two boys (Scooter and tigger). Tap water has chlorine in it. We're sorry to hear that your chinchilla is having problems. For food though, I would recommend oxbow essentials chinchilla, I've never seen pikachu as happy as he is when he is on that food :), My chinchilla eats corn too and he is eight years now. Chinchillas are not equipped to eat diets that are high in fat and can fall susceptible to illnesses like fatty liver disease. Also, it is really insulting to say people feed pellets out of laziness. Chin's livers cant filter out high sugar and fat contents. the solution seems to be in this powdered probiotic i picked up at the pet store and a little critical care - She loves those and will lick them off the tip of my finger. Kevin, vegetables are not good for chins. Provide them with safe wood such as apple wood for their teeth to chew on. NOTE I AM NOT SUGGESTING ANYONE FEED THEIR CHINCHILLAS LOTUS FLOWER. Another question I have is have you ever heard of using rounded safe clean pebbles as bedding? Kim, My treat preferences are shreddies (unfrosted shredded wheats). These herbs can be offered several times a week in small amounts (1 teaspoon). heat and humidity will kill a chinchilla faster than pellets. Dandilion flowers are poisonous to many animals. Kevin, Im impressed it sounds like you did you research. I have given mine dried rose-hips from local outdoor known pesticide free plants. :) My ledges simply go the entire width of the cage. Though only in small amounts due to the sugar content. Others are simply unhealthy. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Timothy Hay? As does high fructose corn syrup, corn starch and all sorts of nasties. Chinchillas can't properly assimilate fats because of their delicate livers. The hay they eat does. Now before people start saying I am selfish for keeping him alive when he has so many issues, this has been a decision made by both the vet and I and we both agreed that his last operation would be his last unless we see the times between each operation getting longer and longer because it isn't fair on him. *********I strongly recommend TWO WATER SOURCES for your pets. If their teeth get too long, they cant eat and can die. One ounce (28 grams) of pistachios provides the following nutrients: Calories: 159 Protein: 6 grams Fat: 13 grams Carbs: 8 grams, Fiber: 3 grams Vitamin B6: 20% of the Daily Value (DV) Thiamin: 14% of the DV Phosphorus: 10% of the DV Copper: 25% of the DV Manganese: 8% of the DV Pistachios are also a good source of antioxidants. This is because pistachios are high in fat and can cause chinchillas to gain weight quickly. They need to have variety in the boring food they eat while also getting all the nutritional requirements met. :). Yes. I also found a site which listed a certain human anti diarrhoea pill as ok for Chinchilla's but in a .02 mg per kg dosage. have you guys ever heard of this? Your chinchilla will love them because they're sweet like raisins so don't be surprised if they beg for more! Not only are the pellets a problem, in general, I would be skeptical of any food marketed for chinchillas that contains items on the no no naughty list. Don't give your chinchillas nuts, sweetened treats, fruits or vegetables. I took him too our vet. There is a wide variety of options, we have narrowed it down the best and most popular you should have on hand . Period. While ducks in the wild eat a mostly vegetarian diet, those that are raised on farms are often fed a diet that includes corn, wheat, and soybeans. Tap water has chlorine and too many minerals that isn't healthy for your pets. Manna Pro and Nutrena rabbit pellets are safe, mazuri & oxbow pellets are really good as well. Riven, im sorry but you dont know as much as you say. I have a hamster water bottle hung up in her cage. Meagan, all chinchillas love raisins and will keep eating them as long as you keep providing them to your pet. Chinchillas will eat a lot of things but only a few items are ok for them to eat. You can't feed solely on hay. Get a half teaspoon of Old Fashion Oats, put in the palm of your hand. Occasionally unsweetened shredded wheat and unsweetened cheerios, No fruit, vegetables or sweet treats. Safe and Unsafe Food for Chinchillas | Infolific The list of vegetable chinchillas can eat isn't that long. So now I have two water bottles and a small bowl. and I messed up and posted a pic of it. I was wondering if anyone knows anything about these treats, or if this was just an unfortunate coincidence. (Is Crackers Toxic To Horses)Continue, Mangoes are a sweet, delicious, and nutritious fruit that can be enjoyed by people and animals alike. I would not rely on everything in the non poisonous list as being non poisonous as I believe Eucaliptus is (Except to sloths) and California Poppy's do have trace amounts of opium in their latex. I feed my chinchilla the chinchilla pellets from oxbow and also their Timothy hay. Stacy, I wouldn't allow my chin to eat peanut butter sandwichs. Also, provide your pet with chin pellets and timothy hay everyday. At some point during your care of your chinchilla you'll probably wonder whether it's safe to feed your chinchilla a particular food. One of them had chewed through a lamp cord. I know I bitched about those who flame others but everything about that suggestions screams fatty liver disease and digestive upset. if not unsafe, too much sugar. Erica, I wouldn't advise feeding your chinchilla dog biscuits. Note that I said INCLUDED, not sole source. chinchillas. Be sure to check the ingredients label on mixed treats - and check their smell for the distinct cinnamon odor. That is their "safe" zone. Not only do they eat grass, leaves, seeds, nuts, berries and flowers, they also feed on small insects and bird eggs when they have a chance to. It is a long story, but I also have inherited 8 rescue dogs and have a parrot that I rescued in 1979. Some sites can be really nasty as I have experienced my pets won't eat something they dont like? It will damage their liver and they will become too fat. A safe treat for your chin is plain cheerios. Hope this information helped! The hay can help keep the teeth filed down so that the teeth don't get too long. Hope this helped! Timothy Hay is the staple diet of Chins, Alfalfa hay which is the common diet for other animals is not good for them. But also acknowledge that these critters are in Captivity. I've noticed a scary lack of knowledge in some vets. they can handle things that you might not think they can hadle. You can also buy lava blocks. When deciding what is best for their pet they should take into consideration what is actually best for their pet, not necessarily what makes them happy. My sister got a Chin last year, but she did no research and she fed him crappy food and almost never cleaned his cage. We will set on the floor, or prop my feet up on another box. If you are every in doubt about something to feed them, think about what would grow in their original environment. Also, I would try to keep electrical cords out of the room. I think I saw some packaged ones at the pet store for chinchillas. Ps any treat can be given as long as it's only the size of 1 or 2 raisins once per week,Lettuce and kale is bad for chins as well as wood from pitted fruit trees eg-Plum,apricot etc. Pistachios are a type of nut that is commonly found in stores. They should be let out of their cage several times a week into a safe play area ideally one that they can still access their cage from and run into it if scared. Its so easy to make mistakes that can be fatal. If this doesn't seem to work, then you may want to try a tiny piece of kiwi fruit. Second, the shells of pistachios can be sharp and dangerous for chinchillas. They would eat split peas but I found the sugar is abit much for them (not used to treats due to their previous home) so too much gives them the plops. Pistachios, are a good source of protein, which is an important nutrient for chinchillas. There is a reason you will NEVER find corn in chinchilla food. ?, As long as the wood hasnt been treated and doaent have sap it should be fine :) its great to have wood so your chinchilla can file its teeth from time to time. Overall, pistachios can be a healthy and nutritious treat for your chinchilla. So, we must be doing something right! I know, Ive got 3 chins. (Yes & How Much), Can Turtles Eat Roaches? Plain Shredded Wheat: safe, just make sure it is unfrosted, and give in moderation. ever day comes to the cage trying to push her whole face out, and she doesn't even like me that well yet. I harvest my own, wood cooked in oven for an hour or two @ 225 and fresh leaves from same branches, microwaved at 30 second intervals for at least 2 minutes. Also, most banana chips from grocery stores are deep fried and full of oil. You are definitely giving them plenty of play time outside their cage. I give mine the apple horse biscuit they love them - the breeder states they r safe and the love apples. To avoid the extra expense of buying treats from a pet store, go with raisins. I never met a chinchilla that didn't love it and it is metabolism friendly to the chins. Can Chinchillas Eat Raisins? What You Need to Know! In my opinion the banana is better than the apple as apples are high in acid as well and it may course problems to his teeth over a longer periods of time. Should they eat them? I always check on the side of cereal boxes for the fat and sugar content. I was letting our new 1yr old male chinchilla wonder my office as i worked today with the door closed. But not honey nut cheerios! I'm thinking with the sugar not digesting in the liver process, or whatever they were saying above, who knows how its working in their little bodies. They definitely know our voices. I think the best would be to get some water directly from a clean outdoor natural source and boil it to kill any buggies. If they eat too many pistachios, they could gain weight and become obese. If you feel that you need to give a treat chew sticks are good, if you want to do more than that then do on bite sized non-frosted mini wheat, 1-2 plain cheerios, or a tsp of SLOW COOK oatmeal for a treat. 1 or 2 a day, even better is dried fruit. This is most likely the reason that you are not supposed to give them pistachios. I picked up some 2x6 untreated kiln dried pine at a reputable lumber dealer. I try to keep their treats to things I know are healthy for them, I hope this is an ok treat. I think it comes down to Chinchilla's will eat what they like and what is easy and leave the rest. I would occasionally give raisins. (Yes & How Much)Continue, Your email address will not be published. I rescued a female chinchilla last year and he loved her but after over $800.00 in vet bills, she developed an interocular abscess and I had to put her down. (never tried popcorn or crackers.). The white part is simply a fibrous casing, just like the one on a sunflower seed (a big no no, NOT because of the case). It also helps to keep their teeth filed down. Its ok to give him a plain cheerio as a treat. I noticed a picture of a rabbit, hamster, and gerbil are on the box but says its ok for " small animals". Apparently it is poisonous. I wouldn't give your chinchillas any corn products. This was very helpful, I recommend reading it. Guinea pigs have it really bad, their upper teeth curl inwards as they grow. Thanks. Personally I would find an other treat :). i only give my chin a small amount of pellets The worse the hay (Coarse etc) the better. Particle board is VERY bad as it often contains nasty polymers like formaldehyde glues. My question is are palm leaves or banana leaves safe to put in their cage? I used to feed mine slivered almonds, then I saw some people saying they were bad for them. TREATS AREN'T FOR CHINS, THEY ARE FOR PEOPLE TO FEEL IMPORTANT/LOVED. I know I will now be looking at growing a lot of my own. It's ok to give a raisin once or twice a month. He really likes hay Nearly two weeks ago I brought home two adorable 9 week old chinchilla brothers. These are healthy for chins. Plain Cheerios: safe, but in moderation. Even one or two fields over may not be safe as the wind can easily carry these dangerous chemicals more than several miles. I looked up some information about what happened if he ate a small rock from the garden and said that the type of rock it was is safe. At least as best as I can. Try to purchase small wooden sticks from a pet shop such as petsmart for your chin to chew on. # Organic Cranberry Juice Frozen Grapes: unsafe, too much sugar and will cause bloat. This is important! I am located in Vancouver, Canada, and I really need a 'great' home for him. (As we witnessed). Look at their teeth, yellow is good. You can put your chin dust in a small pan for them to roll around in to clean their fur.Sounds like you really love your chins and are a great chin parent! I have heard that treats should be really limited and definitely not given daily. Whats most important is to provide them with fresh pellets and timothy hay.