Leena Watts
A chinchilla's diet is important for its overall health and well-being. In the wild, chinchillas eat grass, seeds, bird eggs, tree bark, and twigs. Domestic chinchillas should eat a high-fibre, low-energy diet of grasses and hays, with a mix of digestible and indigestible fibre. They also need constant access to fresh drinking water.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diet composition | High-fibre, low-energy, low-fat, low-moisture, and high-protein |
| Fibre type | Digestible and indigestible |
| Food examples | Hay, grass, fresh greens, vegetables, fruits, and chinchilla food pellets |
| Water | Fresh drinking water should be available daily in a bowl or bottle |
| Dietary changes | Should be introduced gradually |
| Pellets | Should not constitute more than a quarter of a chinchilla's daily food intake |
| Veterinary advice | Consult a vet for specific nutritional requirements or concerns |
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What You'll Learn
The importance of hay
Hay is an essential part of a chinchilla's diet. It should be available at all times for them to graze on, and it should make up most of their diet. Hay is a key source of fibre, which is critical to a chinchilla's digestive health and dental health. Without enough fibre, a chinchilla's teeth can become overgrown, leading to fur chewing. A diet low in fibre will also disrupt their digestion.
Chinchillas require two types of fibre: digestible fibre and indigestible fibre. They get this fibre mainly from good-quality hay. Chinchillas cannot get enough nutrition from fibre when it passes through their gut the first time. So, like rabbits, they excrete soft, sticky-type droppings, called caecotrophs, which they then eat for vital nutrition.
Hay is also important because it helps to wear down a chinchilla's growing teeth. If a chinchilla is fed only pellets, their top and bottom teeth can collide, causing tooth impaction. Once this condition occurs, there is nothing that can be done to fix it other than to provide pain medication and soft foods.
Chinchillas should be offered low-calcium grass hay, such as Timothy hay, orchard grass, botanical hay, oat hay, or meadow hay. Hay should be replaced daily with fresh hay to prevent bacteria and mould growth.
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Fresh greens and vegetables
Hay should make up the majority of a chinchilla's diet. It is important to provide fresh, clean hay every day to prevent bacteria and mould growth. Chinchillas also need a constant supply of clean drinking water.
Chinchillas require a high-fibre diet, including both digestible and indigestible fibre. They can get this fibre from good-quality hay, which should be available at all times.
Chinchillas can also eat small amounts of fresh vegetables. Vegetables should be introduced gradually to prevent digestive upsets. Low-calcium vegetables such as celery should make up no more than 1-10% of their total diet.
There are mixed opinions on the inclusion of fresh vegetables in chinchillas' diets. If you are unsure, it is recommended to consult your vet for advice.
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Fibre and dental health
Fibre is essential for a chinchilla's gut and dental health. A chinchilla's diet should be high in fibre and low in fat and moisture. It should consist of approximately 30% fibre. Hay is the best source of fibre for chinchillas and should be available at all times for them to graze on. It is key in aiding digestion and should be replaced with fresh hay daily to prevent bacteria and mould growth.
Chinchillas have continuously growing, open-rooted teeth. Therefore, they need to be worn down by chewing on hay and roughage. If a chinchilla's diet lacks fibre, its teeth may become overgrown, leading to fur chewing. A diet low in fibre will also disrupt their digestion.
Chinchillas need two types of fibre in their diet: digestible fibre and indigestible fibre. They get this fibre mainly from good-quality hay. Chinchillas cannot get enough nutrition from fibre when it passes through their gut the first time. So, they excrete soft, sticky-type droppings, called caecotrophs, which they then eat for vital nutrition.
Chinchillas also need to chew on hard, dry pellets to wear down their teeth. If they are only fed soft food, their top and bottom teeth can collide, causing tooth impaction. Once this condition occurs, there is nothing that can be done aside from providing pain medication and more soft food.
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Pellets and treats
Pellets are a good way to ensure your chinchilla gets all the essential nutrients it needs. However, they should not constitute more than a quarter of its daily food intake. Pellets are especially important for growing, pregnant, and nursing chinchillas, which may be fed larger numbers of pellets or unlimited amounts to provide additional calories, protein, fat, and calcium.
Chinchillas can be fed a small amount (1-2 tbsp/day) of a commercial pelleted diet formulated specifically for chinchillas. Pellets should be supplemented with hay, which should be the main component of your chinchilla's diet. Hay is essential for chinchillas to get enough fibre, and it also helps to wear down their growing teeth. Without enough hay, chinchillas can develop tooth impaction, a condition where the top and bottom teeth collide. This can be very painful and there is no cure beyond providing pain medication and soft foods.
Chinchillas can also be given treats, but these should be limited. Fresh, clean water must always be available for your chinchilla, and it is recommended to use a drinking bottle to prevent spillages. Clean, dried apple wood sticks make great treats, and small fruits such as apples can be offered once a week.
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Water and hydration
Water is essential for chinchillas, and they can become very ill without it. Chinchillas need constant access to clean drinking water to stay hydrated. Dehydration can lead to various health complications.
Fresh, clean water should be available at all times. It is recommended to use a drinking bottle designed for chinchillas, which should be cleaned and refilled daily. Water levels should be checked frequently and changed if necessary, ensuring water is always accessible.
Chinchillas produce two types of droppings. One type is hard, dry pellets, and it is important to monitor these droppings to ensure your chinchilla is eating and drinking enough. If their eating or drinking habits change, or the number or size of droppings gets smaller, it could be a sign of illness, and you should consult your vet.
Chinchillas are herbivores and their diet should be low in moisture. They should not be given too much fruit, as it is high in sugar, and this could impact their hydration levels.
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Frequently asked questions
A chinchilla needs a high-fibre, low-energy diet. This includes good-quality hay, grasses, and small amounts of fresh vegetables and fruit.
A chinchilla should have constant access to hay, with one source recommending between one and two handfuls per day.
Vegetables such as celery should only be 1-10% of a chinchilla's total diet. Small fruits such as apples can be offered once a week.
Foods that are small and hard, such as dried fruit, nuts, and seeds, can get stuck in a chinchilla's throat and cause choking. Fruits are also high in sugar and should only be given as treats.
