Hay is low in calories and high in fiber, so even if your chinchilla eats lots of it, it will not gain weight. So, what exactly do chinchillas eat? Can Chinchillas Eat Lettuce? I have an tree in my yard that is losing hundreds of them and the squirrels are having a feast. Even raw, hard broccoli doesn’t pose your chinchilla’s teeth a problem. This means that chinchillas can eat carrots, but only in very small amounts once a week at the most. Yes, chinchillas can eat carrots. The vets told me that Chinchillas can eat vegetables and i was wondering what vegetables they can eat..? But they should only eat these in moderation. Fruit choices include strawberries, pears, bananas and apples. Chinchillas can eat fruits as they are good for their health, but there are some fruits which contain a great amount of water and have high sugar levels that can be harmful to the health of chinchillas. Chinchillas can physically eat both frozen and cooked broccoli without a problem. Also, many fruits and vegetables retain moisture. Their diet consisted of sparse, dry grass. Read On to Learn… Can they eat Carrots? Although there are many fruits and vegetables that you can give to a chinchilla in small amounts once or twice a week, lettuce is not one of them. There are also commercially prepared foods especially for chinchillas such as chinchilla crackers. 1 0. 1 decade ago. What do chinchillas eat in the wild? Can Chinchillas Eat Carrots? Chinchillas can eat carrots, raisins, and sultanas as treats but only in very small amounts! ... From the variety of vegetables dogs can eat, most French bulldogs love the crunchy texture of raw green beans, carrots, celery, pumpkin, spinach, squash, and Brussels sprouts. Chinchillas have fairly delicate stomachs that need to be a particular pH to properly digest their foods. Like many other animals, chinchillas can’t eat chocolate. Treats are non-compulsory, yet oftentimes frowned upon. Chinchillas eat very little at a time, but when they do eat, it is usually special chinchilla pellets. But as we’ll see later on, broccoli’s nutritional content isn’t optimal for chinchillas, and can cause digestive problems. Taking too much water can cause your pet chinchilla to suffer from bloating and diarrhea. When it comes to fruits and vegetables, it is important to be very cautious about introducing these as many chinchillas can’t tolerate them. However, chinchillas only eat certain foods, and some should be avoided as they cause bad reactions. The best kind of diet for your chinchillas is one that’s as natural as possible, packed with plenty of fresh veg and hay. in addition they choose timothy hay as quickly as daily and alfalfa as quickly as weekly. Some people will give a raisin, rosehip, or plain cheerio a few times a week, but do not overdo it. In moderation, fresh vegetables and fruits can be healthful and occasional chinchilla treats -- though no more than 10 percent of his diet. As with all pets, a proper diet is key to health and long life in chinchillas. read more Do not give fruits or vegetables, fruits can cause bloat, and veggies can cause diarrhea. You should avoid the following toxic vegetables in particular: asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, lettuce, peas, rhubarb, and spinach. Consider giving treats between two and four times weekly, for example. He … Fruit and vegetables that chinchillas can eat include: Carrot; Celery; Potato; Pumpkin; Squash; Sweet potato; Strawberries, Pears, Bananas; Apples; Blueberries; Grapes; Raisins; Sultanas. While chins can eat a variety of vegetables, many chin owners have to make sure they aren’t adopting an unhealthy diet. If chinchillas eat too many fruits and vegetables, they might develop diarrhea or other stomach problems. They're more into fruits than veggies, but carrots are one veggie that they do enjoy. Apple chew sticks are a great treat for your chinchilla as it helps trim your chinchilla’s teeth. They need a high fiber intake each day. Their diet can also include hay, pellets, and treats (fruits, nuts, and vegetables) but that should be given in moderate amount. But the right fruit or vegetable can make a tasty treat for a chinchilla. Do not give ANY treats to a chinchilla younger than 6 months. as with every animal, chinchillas choose sparkling nutrition and water daily. It’s important to know what goes in your pet’s food and what the best type of food you can feed them is, so I thought I’d take some time to break down what a Chinchilla should eat. They can both also eat many fruit and vegetables. Learn more about their diets here. It can also make them gain weight and give them other health problems. How Much Do Chinchillas Eat? However, a chinchilla must have smaller quantities. Veterinary Care Fruits and Vegetables. Why Can Chinchillas Not Eat Lettuce? Chinchillas can be very delicate pets when it comes to their diet. If they eat too much of the wrong food, e.g. It is best to avoid giving your chinchilla fruits and vegetables as they are high in natural sugars. Anonymous. Fruits and veggies may alter this pH which may lead to diarrhea or may even bloat. The sensitive digestive system of chinchilla Chinchillas have a delicate and sensitive digestive system that requires a lot of fiber, compacted chinchilla pellets, fresh, clean water and a moderate amount of treat. There are two reasons why you should not feed your chinchilla lettuce. Can Chinchillas Eat Carrots? A high-quality concentrate or mix will contain natural ingredients that chinchillas like to eat, without the addition of sugary syrups which can result in digestive upset or dental disease. You can also give them assorted dried herbs and plantain. As such, their owners are typically older and better at caring for pets than average owners. Also, to the safe list: I feed Ling dried out apples leaves and twigs I get from my two trees. Their digestive systems can’t handle high acidity. When cared for and fed properly, chinchillas can make great pets. Top Tip: Avoid muesli-type food mixes. Fresh food for chinchillas – feed just a handful of leafy green vegetables every day or fresh herbs or dandelions. So what can chinchillas eat? In my adventure, chinchillas are low maintenance, yet their recurring takes some getting used to. With the love that chinchillas have for root vegetables, carrots will be a perfect delicacy for them. They require a very high fiber diet with plenty of roughage. Things can get even more confusing when feeding your chin fruits and vegetables. Over-use of the dust bath can lead to eye and upper respiratory problems for your chinchilla, so we recommend only allowing access to the dust bath for 15-20 minutes once or twice a week. Some suitable veggie options for chinchillas are carrots, kale, parsley, dandelion greens, lettuce, collard greens and turnip greens. Chinchillas come from a place where fresh foods and vegetables are scarce, they evolved eating dry leafs and plants, so their digestive system has adapted to high-fiber foods. Both chinchillas and rabbits can eat certain fruits and vegetables, such as: Kale; Carrots; Celery; Squash; Alfalfa; Sweet potatoes; Apples; Grapes; Blueberries; Raisins; You should be careful about not giving your chinchilla too much fruit, as it tends to contain a lot of sugar. Chinchilla owners need to be wary of overfeeding their pets because obesity can contribute to a wide range of health problems. And yes, these carrots have proven to be nutritious and healthy for the growth of chinchillas. If chinchillas consume too many high-moisture foods, they might experience an uncomfortable buildup of gas. People often mistakenly believe that because rabbits and chinchillas are both small, furry animals, they will have a similar diet. Vegetables – although vegetables seem like they would be healthy for a herbivore, they can cause your chinchilla to bloat. Apples can give your chinchilla a needed boost in vitamins and should […] I was wondering if they were safe for Ling. Wild chinchillas eat everything from wild grass and twigs to root vegetables. Lettuce is food that you should never give to your chinchilla. Feed them right, and you’ll have a happy, cuddly pet for many years. ... Chinchillas can not get fleas; their fur is too dense. Chinchillas evolved in a cold, dry desert. When they aren't eating their pellet feed, another good treat to give them is raisin. Not only does it have too much sugar and fat, it also harms their nervous and digestive systems. So when it comes to what vegetables chinchillas can eat, it is easier to list the ones that they can eat rather than what they cant as there are just too many of them. Chinchillas require a diet that mainly consists of timothy hay with the addition of supplementary chinchilla pellets. Chinchillas will leave the bits containing fibre and only eat the sugary bits. As if that is not enough, these carrots are relatively good for their teeth too. ... Chinchillas should be fed nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables. When fruits and vegetables are fed excessively it can lead to digestion problems. These are not good for their small digestive systems or their little teeth. Source(s): chinchilla 39 eat carrots: https://tr.im/QUTK2. Chinchillas can eat apples and they are healthy for them. Can chinchillas eat acorns? Chinchillas in captivity can live up to 15 to 20 years, according to Animal Diversity Web. Chinchillas are herbivores and as such, only eat plant-based foods like vegetables, fruits, hay, grass, and leaves. Carrots can be a healthy part of a chinchillas diet when given in moderation. How much do chinchillas eat? Watery fruits like watermelon can give a chinchilla diarrhea, while some vegetables like corn can give them bloat. • Chinchillas require a dust bath made from volcanic ash, which can be purchased at pet stores. Avoid nuts and seeds as these are high in fat. Chinchillas should not be allowed to eat after midnight. Why is Feeding Rabbit Food to Your Chinchilla Not a Good Idea? Chinchillas are naturally active. Chinchillas also require small amounts of fresh greens and can be fed occasional treats such as dried fruit from time to time. Chinchillas are exotic pets, not starter pets. Chinchillas naturally eat for long periods of time, mainly during the night. Chinchillas eat hay. You don’t really need to give too many treats to your chinchilla and doing it too often can make them ill. Always chop vegetables and fruits up into very small bites. The amount of food chinchillas consume depends on their age, lifestyle, and healthy. What fruits and vegetables can chinchillas eat? ANSWER: Some suitable veggie options for chinchillas are carrots, kale, parsley, dandelion greens, lettuce, collard greens and turnip greens. Can Chinchillas eat apples? There were no fruits, nuts, vegetables, and very few seeds. Water Odd thing to put on a list for food, but we easily forget how important water is to living organisms. This causes painful, dental disease and can lead to obesity. Chinchillas eat fresh hay, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, grains, and dried herbs. Only give your chinchillas small amounts of dried fruit and root vegetables as treats. Feeding you chinchilla a proper diet can be hard to do with exotic mammals like chinchillas. 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