can chinchillas eat cat food

If your cat does this, theres a high likelihood of it ignoring the chinchilla, which in turn doesnt get so stressed by the cats presence.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'smallpetshq_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_3',181,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); However, if you have an overly active cat, it might not be a good idea to have these two pets live in the same house. Cavies Know Their Body and Can Regulate Their Guinea Pig Food Intake. Just 1 Persian chinchilla left male ( boy ) so playful and friendly and smart, eating dry and wet full trained ,indoor cats living with they parents free all over the house born on new year D.O.B : 01//01/2023 looking for for ever lovely house will b Age Age: 7 weeks; Ready to leave Ready to leave: in 1 week Overconsumption of pellets can also be fattening and can lead to obesity and diarrhea due to excess carbohydrate ingestion. They won't go hunting for insects, but if they see one, they will eat it. 2.2 Dried Fruits And Herbs. Wet foods are usually made up of milk and water. The most obvious reason why you shouldnt feed cat food to a chinchilla is because chinchillas are not cats! Chinchillas in the wild tend to consume most of their food early in the morning and late at night. Can chinchillas eat cat food safely without any issue? You can either purchase wood sticks from a store or collect your own. I would suggest to avoid fruits like Apples. Some comments from a popular forum AGAINST giving raisins include: 1. All you need to hope for is that your cat ignores the chinchilla. Image Credit: Natalis.ph, Shutterstock. Do have hay constantly as well; keep a rack with hay and replace it routinely before it gets moldy. Reasons Why Theyre Smart. They also need to have access to fresh water at all times. Some use only meat products while others include vegetables and grains. Those products can be harmful to your digestive system in large quantities, so keep small portions in hand. Chinchillas only need to consume around 3-5% fat in their diet which is easily attainable from their base diet so foods such as. There is, however, no harm in using this type of water providing they get enough minerals from elsewhere. Finally, since chinchillas cannot vomit, small or hard foods such as dried fruit, nuts, seeds, or raisins can get stuck in the back of the mouth or esophagus leading to salivation, gagging, lack of appetite and possible problems breathing. For example, if you have horses then you know they're prone to overeating. As you know, chinchillas are plant-eating animals. Alfalfa hay is usually recommended for young, growing chinchillas as it helps them to put on weight quickly but this is usually only offered until the age of around 9 months old. These exotic animals need chinchilla food pellets every day, a well but in a much more controlled quantity. You must always do this even after these two pets are acclimatized to each other and coexist peacefully. Specialties: The Wishbone Pet Company has the largest selection of raw diets in Santa Cruz, CA with a strong emphasis on holistic natural care. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. In the wild, chins consume very small amounts of fat in their diet so offering them a high-fat diet that their gastrointestinal tract isnt used to can lead to more digestive problems. Oat grass. If you ask your chinchilla what their fave treats are, dried cranberries and raisins are at the top of their list. The brand that we would recommend using is Oxbow as their pellets are of a high quality and are fortified with vitamins such as vitamin D3. Always offer small amounts of sugar to your chinchillas and seek advice from your vet if you still arent sure. This is because fatty foods are very harmful to their digestive system. Chinchillas and cats can get along just fine, but this depends on your cats personality and demeanor. From their increased curiosity and affection to their unmatched affordability, chinchillas will always be amazing pets. This includes plenty of fresh green leaves and hay. Most tap water is clean, however, dirty water can contain giardia and would not be suitable for use in your Chinchilla Water Bottle. kathson 35oz Hanging Automatic Food Water Dispenser Gravity Pet Auto Feeder Waterer Set for Rabbit Cat Dog Chinchilla Guinea Pig Hedgehog Ferret Rating Required Select Rating 1 star (worst) 2 stars 3 stars (average) 4 stars 5 stars (best) But can rabbits eat chinchilla food safely? However, in this list are food items that you should absolutely not feed your chinchilla and if you do, then going to a vet is the best course of action. Another important thing that they eat is pellets. Please talk to your vet for a detailed diet plan that suits the individual needs of your pet. With all things considered, the best 2 hay choices for your chinchilla are. Because chinchillas teeth grow throughout their lives, when they are not offered enough hay (and consume mainly pellets), the surfaces of their top and bottom teeth collide inside their mouths with such force as they chew that the roots of their teeth become impacted, like a persons impacted wisdom teeth. This cage features a plastic and wire mesh construction with a built-in wheel and hideout. Lets now take a look at each of these and see why you need to only offer foods that are high in these nutrients sparingly. Reasons Why Theyre SmartContinue, This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Chinchillas dont need a whole lot of greens in their diet but they are still important in the right quantities. I'm the main author of Pocket Pets Forever. You should also provide them with a dry food that has been specifically designed with chinchillas in mind. As we mentioned earlier, hay is the most important part of a chinchillas diet. Instead, they prefer to nibble at their hay or grass. There are some things that you should do to have a healthy chinchilla. Here is a breakdown of the nutrients your chinchilla needs in their diet and in what percentages. Its role in highlighting their adaptability to new or specif environments is matchless. What Do Chinchillas Eat: Diet & Food Guide. The body of an average chinchilla grows to about 10 inches long, but it can range from 8 inches to 12 inches, and its tail will typically be about 5 inches in length. For any new chinchillas owner, one of the very first questions you need to ask is what can chinchillas eat?. as it helps them to put on weight quickly but this is usually only offered until the age of around 9 months old. Some other healthy treats include rosehips and mountain ash berries. Dried Cranberries. Never change your chinchillas' diet suddenly, as this could upset their digestive system and make them very ill. Hi, my namesElena Coolidge, and this is my site. Stay on top of the latest news about canine behavior, nutrition and health. Thank you for supporting us on our journey as we continue to publish content with the aim of helping owners care for their pets in the best way possible! This ensures its overall wellbeing is guaranteed, meaning your chinchilla gets to enjoy a peaceful life. It is a rich source of Malic acid that is not essential for your Chinchillas. Protein: should be between 16% and 20%. Using genetic screening, breeders are now working to try to eradicate the problem - always . By doing this, you can be confident that your chinchilla doesnt suffer any physical harm plus is safe from any stress. Chinchillas cannot eat hamster food. Chinchillas are so cute and such intelligent animals that make great pets. The good thing is that even though chinchillas dont eat a vast selection and variety of foods, they get most if not all of the nutrition they need from this basic diet. If you give the chinchilla time to first get used to you and its surrounding before meeting your cat.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'smallpetshq_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_10',191,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0'); This gives your chinchilla enough time to be comfortable with the surroundings, with this especially crucial as theyre very social creatures. The chinchilla's pellets should be put in a food bowl, and they should be given fresh pellets every day. Are Chinchillas Territorial? The diet of chinchillas should ideally be high in protein and fiber while containing low moisture and fat content. Bottles water is safe for chinchillas to use but is an expensive way of providing your Chinchilla with water and some would consider this quite wasteful. If you want to bring a chinchilla into your home, you could be worried about their diet and general health. Later in the post, we will show you how much hay, pellets, greens and fruit your chinchillas should ideally eat per day. This is a general rule for most small animals such as hedgehogs and even the majority of reptiles. hay, fresh vegetables, and pellets should still make up the majority of their diet. Many also contain preservatives and additives which arent suitable for your chinchilla. Chinchilla Diapers: What You Need To Know + Pics, 16+ Different Chinchilla Colors: Pictures + Pricing, How Fast Can Chinchillas Run? Chinchilla's natural environment is the Andes mountains. Here are useful tips you should follow to ensure peaceful coexistence between these two: Whereas your cat and chinchilla might eventually learn to live with each other, dont expect them to be best friends. Chinchilla Sleeping Habits: Are Chinchillas Nocturnal? amongst other things so only a handful are really considered safe enough to eat even in small quantities. You can just grab little bits of a few things and make a little sampler jar! Both chinchillas and hamsters are small rodents, so it's not surprising that they have similar dietary needs. These tend to be expensive but, over time, theyre worth the investment. 1. Its important to know how much food you need to offer your chinchilla each day in order for them to be considered healthy. Instead, offer your cat leafy green vegetables like kale, bok choy, or arugula. Make sure to cut these fruits and vegetables into small tiny pieces of cubes to feed them and know the proper quantity that they can handle through your pets vet. They need to have variety in the boring food they eat while also getting all the nutritional requirements met. Always keep an eye on your cat even after your chinchilla and cat have started getting along. In addition to this, the chinchilla may choose to hide, seeking safety from the cat, thereby making it hard to locate. In conclusion, make sure to feed your chinchilla with care and monitor their diets properly. It is also better to distribute the food all over the cage to make it fun and much healthier for the domestic animal. djvstock. Although cats and chinchillas might not coexist peacefully at first, there are ways of promoting this to happen. Chinchillas require large amounts of fibre in their diet for their digestive system to function correctly. nuts and sunflower seeds need to be avoided. The average pet chinchilla lifespan is 15-20 years Just make sure that they are safe. Fresh greens, such as dark green lettuces, should also be given to provide additional water and fiber. To try to mimic this rough vegetation, the mainstay of pet chinchillas diets should be hay offered in unlimited quantities. Get the Best Price and Selection of Dry Dog Food at Pet Supplies Plus. Answer (1 of 2): Why would you want to do that? Yes, they can, as harmful bacteria can be crossed from your cat to your chinchilla, causing it a severe illness. You should thus monitor it at all times to make sure it doesnt hunt down your chinchilla. Chinchillas have an extremely sensitive digestive system and the large amounts of sugar that are usually present in fruit can be harmful to your chinchilla. Plain Shredded Wheat. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Some of the more common culprits include inflammatory bowel disease, bacterial infections, viral infections, parasites, ulcers, etc. our recommended food products for your chinchilla and the best place to purchase them from. So, what should you feed a chinchilla? Shoot me an emailif you have a question!