Content
- Chinchilla's basic diet
- The hay for the chinchillas
- Feed or pellets for chinchillas
- Vegetables and fruits for chinchillas
- Goodies for chinchillas
Chinchillas are herbivorous rodents with a high average life expectancy, as they usually live between 10 and 20 years. These animals are very sociable, especially with their species, so it is recommended to have more than one together in the same place. Most of the illnesses you have are due to a balanced diet, so knowing the correct one chinchilla feeding it is essential for these rodents to grow healthy and properly.
In this article by PeritoAnimal, we will explain everything you need to know about chinchilla feeding, in case you already have one or if you are thinking of adopting several as a pet.
Chinchilla's basic diet
the chinchillas are animals only herbivores and not granivores, that is, they do not eat grades or seeds, so their diet is based mainly on 3 components with their corresponding percentages:
- 75% hay
- 20% feed (pellets) and food mix
- 5% vegetables and fruits
In addition, you should bear in mind that the digestive tract of these rodents is very delicate (the intestinal flora), so if you have to introduce a new food into their diet, you will have to do it little by little to get used to it properly. The intestinal mobility of chinchillas must also be continuously active for the correct functioning of their organism.
In general, the correct feeding of chinchillas should consist of the following diet:
- 32% carbohydrates
- 30% fiber
- 15% protein
- 10% wet food
- 6% minerals
- 4% sugar
- 3% healthy fats
In order for the chinchilla to have a balanced diet, the chinchilla's diet should approach these values. However, it should be remembered that in addition to adequate food, these animals must have clean fresh water 24 hours a day and a well-kept and clean cage for living. In addition to a balanced diet, it is necessary to offer the chinchilla proper care if you want it to be happy.
The hay for the chinchillas
Hay is the staple food for these rodents. Its percentage corresponds to 75% of the total feed, due to being composed mainly of fiber and cellulose. These elements cannot be missing from the chinchilla's diet, because they are what these animals' intestines need to be in continuous movement and also for the progressive wear of their teeth because, as with other rodents, the chinchilla's teeth never stop to grow. There are also some calcium supplements like stones or calcium blocks for chinchillas to wear down their teeth, but as a general rule, with the ingestion of hay it is enough.
For the correct feeding of chinchillas, it is recommended to administer different types of hay for chinchillas, such as dandelion, timothy hay, milk thistle, alfalfa, so that our pet acquires all the nutrients it needs in its body and besides, it doesn't get bored eating the same.
Feed or pellets for chinchillas
The feed or pellets (usually green colored bars) are also a main element for feeding chinchillas. The most important thing is that the feed is of quality and suitable for these rodents, and not for other animals like hamsters or guinea pigs. Its percentage corresponds to about 20% in total, which can be divided into 15% of high quality feed or pellets, and 5% of mixtures. The mixes are a mixture of different foods suitable for chinchillas, but we should not feed them as a substitute for food, but rather as a complement that will bring other nutrients to your body. Like pellets, mixtures must be specific for chinchillas.
The recommended amount of daily food for chinchillas is 30 grams a day, that is, a small daily handful. But this value is approximate and should be reconsidered according to the needs of our pet, either because it has a disease or because it is smaller or more adult.
Vegetables and fruits for chinchillas
Vegetables and fruits constitute the smallest percentage of the chinchilla's diet, only about 5%. Despite being very healthy and constituting a great source of vitamins and minerals for these rodents, a moderate intake is recommended, especially of fruits, as they can cause diarrhea and other more serious conditions. A daily serving of fruit or vegetables will be enough to cover our chinchilla's food needs.
The most recommended vegetables are those with a green leaf, which we must clean and dry well to be able to give them to these animals, such as carrot leaves, endive leaves, arugula, chard, spinach, etc. On the other hand, the most recommended fruit is apple, although you can try to give it to eat other fruits that you like, but the best thing is that they are pitted.
Goodies for chinchillas
Dry fruits without salt are the delicacies of chinchillas. Sunflower seeds, hazelnuts, walnuts or almonds are foods that these rodents like, so if you want to reward your pet in some way, give it some dried fruit and you'll see how happy it is. Of course, always in moderation, in very small amounts and being careful with your chinchilla's food, don't just rely on treats and/or prizes.
