Giving them improper treats can cause bloating which can be very dangerous for a chin. Alix, don't feed your chin lettuce! Now, Jane is using all three legs but her good front leg that was working just fine in the beginning is not working now. Pistachios are also a good source of antioxidants and phytonutrients. You can give your chin shredded wheat without the sugar coating, also. I always check on the side of cereal boxes for the fat and sugar content. I'm wondering if they're bad for him? They are supposed to have it if you dont give them hay cubes. Mint leaves are also popular. many stores such as Ronda's Chinchillas sell them but I'd much rather take your advise as a successful chin-parent than a store's thats just trying to make a profit. That does not make any sense to anyone who cares about their pets, or pets as a whole. A dish, on the other hand, is a magnet for all sorts of things meaning you'll have to clean it quite regularly. Occasionally unsweetened shredded wheat and unsweetened cheerios, No fruit, vegetables or sweet treats. I was also wondering if it was safe to give them like plain, healthy, yogurt like strawberry or something. But if you really want to treat him to something fresh, give him herb instead. With chinchilla's, there is a very finite amount of time they can be out. I dont get how lettuce is okay because that has water in it too, Depends on what kind of wood it is. What is the best temp to keep the room? I also give them very tiny, tiny amounts of dried cranberries. We don't know whether these foods are safe or healthy. I know I bitched about those who flame others but everything about that suggestions screams fatty liver disease and digestive upset. He also loves the carrot, corn, & alfalfa slims. I'm asking in case I want to give him a treat or snack, by using stuff at home and not waste money by going to the petshop. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Strawberries? It's probably safe to assume the treat has some nutritional valued specifically for dogs (carnivores), best to not let your chinchilla (herbivore) eat one. For something that is sweet to them and a bit healthier than corn, try dried veggie bits, often sold for people (some places sell them for parrots too)- it usually has green and red pepper, carrot, peas and tomato, and some have jalapeo,which some chins love and some hate- most of mine love the teeny tiny bits of mild ones in the bags of veggies I get. Now Im not arguing or anything, since I totally understand the frustration, but theyre very very sensitive. They are from a cold barren ecosystem where not much grows so their natural diet is grasses, leaves & sticks from what little vegetation survives at that altitude. What you have to keep in mind about chins is to keep the fat contents and sugar and salt contents low. Fresh regular apples or dried apples occasionally are ok, carrots are ok as well-also in small doses occasionally same as apples, Hello, My chi chi i think hissed @ me when I tried to give her lettuce. she gets her chin food,she has a wood chew block plus her special chew stuff she gets throughout the month for a treat and of course her cheerios and shreddies. They were completely groggy and non-responsive to the touch. However, we know that people often wonder what other people have fed their chinchillas and so we've compiled this list. Cat food has meat protein in it and chinchillas are obligate herbivores. I have fed my chinchilla air popped, unflavored and unsalted popcorn. They are a good source of nutrients that are necessary for chinchillas. If you can get untreated wood it's best. You can feed rabbit pellets if they are quality pellets and meet your chinchillas dietary requirements. same with green apples, i only give little pieces. The ones I get are in a see through plastic bag. (As we witnessed). Actually Ox Bow contains more filler which makes you have to spend more on supplements. Not good for your chinchilla. i just got 2 chinchillas and i was wondering if it is safe to give them bread to munch on. Hope this information helped Are vegitables ok for them to eat? On the topic of seed stocks, Millet sprays seem to be quite popular, although I believe there is an oil content, so moderation and variety is key. Once a chinchilla figures out there is an easier way to satisfy their diet the back molars either grow up or sideways and the only solution is to bring them to a dentist on a regular basis to have them knocked out so their back teeth can be ground down or pulled out. My boy is on his own now, his brother died a few months back. half a grape, Required fields are marked *. Unfortunately what started as a product of convenience for FUR FARMERS, has manifested itself into false gospel to those who choose to believe what alleged self interest pushing scientists and "vets" under the employ of pet food companies have told them. Whats Monsanto have anything to do with food saftey? I am not saying no, because I have not done much research, but I would start by looking up sulforaphane and its effect on the digestive system of chinchillas. Chinchillas are popular pets due to their playful and affectionate nature. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. I hope you enjoy your little friend! Plain Cheerios: safe, but in moderation. So like a grain of sand. People say all kinds of things on these forums even Vets are incorrect often. She also has two full sized cages with connecting tubes to herself (48" high) Basically a ferret cage with home made pine ledges (like leaping / sleeping ledges but bigger) I am by no means an expert and would NEVER claim to be or close myself to other ideas with grandiose statements based on nothing but internet hoopla. I have only used distilled when I did not have regular bottled water in the house. Start out petting him/her for a short time during this. We've been in that situation. If it is I would suggest giving them some ice cubes to munch on. As does high fructose corn syrup, corn starch and all sorts of nasties. Please help!! as for fruits, while sugars are not ideal, certain fruits can be used in moderation. You can give your chins an unsweetened shredded wheat as a treat each day. This little guy loves fresh carrots, broccoli, granny Smith apples. This can give him bloat which is a dangerous condition. (Yes & How Much), Can Chickens Eat Cockroaches? Including my own drivel. The answer is yes, chinchillas can safely eat pistachios. What fruits can chinchillas eat? You should never have the temperature hotter than 70. :). They cannot handle being under for any length of time, which is why it is important to get a vet / dentist VERY familiar with Chinchilla's (Make sure they know you are not talking about a chinchilla rabbit). He loves them and the twigs gives him wood to gnaw on too. Something that isn't their everyday food that I can bribe them with? Banana: unsafe, too much sugar and will cause bloat. 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. Provide them with timothy hay, and chinchilla pellets each day. this is a green leafy vegetable. i dont like the stuff They have to keep their teeth filed down or they will not be able to eat. Dried rose petals he freaks over!! As chinchillas can't retain vitamin c, I give my chinchillas these in their diet as they are high in vitamin c. I don't give them it very often as I try and keep their diet to a minimum but they love it and the vet recommended it. 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. Wild chinchillas get their water from dew which is quite different than a bowl or bottle. I read that distilled water does not hydrate properly and is worse to give to chin than plain tap water. Some chinchilla owners prefer never to feed their chinchilla fruit. also, people shouldnt feed their chinchillas alfalfa hay because of the high calcium content. Kim, My treat preferences are shreddies (unfrosted shredded wheats). Luckily this has not been an issue, as I try to stay away from oil seeds. I'm sure am glad that not everyone is like you. Pistachios are a type of nut that is commonly consumed by humans. I don't know if posting it violates any rules, if so the mods can remove it. Ingredients This can cause liver damage in the long run! They are popular pets due to their playful and gentle nature, and their soft and dense fur. Their bodies need high amounts of fiber to remain fit. Im trying to get my new chins to know that Im a friend. I never met a chinchilla that didn't love it and it is metabolism friendly to the chins. Of course he gets his pellets and fresh Timothy hay. I bought mine on Amazon. Yes, everyone has to decide what's best for their pet, I totally agree with this. I have those as well. Unfortunately he died of old age. They are teeny tiny pieces,so they can eat a couple different types in one snack, and a spoonful can be sprinkled in a cage during the day or while you sleep to keep your chin foraging and busy. That can block their intestines and kill them. Overall, pistachios can be a healthy treat for chinchillas, but they should be given in moderation. So obviously once wasn't enough to scare you enough to protect him from exposure to those things? Apparently it is poisonous. Some people don't recommend it because, you must keep the fat and sugar content low for chin treats. Most vets knock them out and almost immediately start the wake up procedure. The reason for these treats is because they don't have a high sugar and fat content. You should probably tell that to my 15 year old chinchilla Chewbacca, he gets dried fruit, seeds, and dried peas and carrots along with his hay and pellets. # Frozen Grapes In other words, there's no such thing as giving them too much hay. Also most vets only know about chinchillas through what they read in a book or treat them the same as cavy or rabbits.