can chinchillas eat cat food

Persians (the Chinchilla is in the Persian or Longhair cat family) can carry a gene that leads to kidney failure (called autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease) through the development of cysts in the kidney. Not only that, chinchillas are similar to other animals, such as cats or dogs. Theyve become the subject of fascination for many animal lovers who enjoy their antics. Bread and Dairy Products. You should do this by giving your cat ample time to become used to the new smell while making sure your chinchilla remains in the cage. All you need to hope for is that your cat ignores the chinchilla. It is also coarse enough to keep their teeth short and stop them from overgrowing. Tomato Leaves. Some of the more common culprits include inflammatory bowel disease, bacterial infections, viral infections, parasites, ulcers, etc. Here is a breakdown of the nutrients your chinchilla needs in their diet and in what percentages. As you can see from everything weve discussed above, you should never feed cat food to a chinchilla. Their diets should consist of 30 percent fiber, 14-16 percent protein, 35 percent carbohydrates, 3.5 percent fat/oil, 4 percent sugar, 6 percent minerals and 7 percent moisture/trace elements. On the flip side to this, if your chinchillas have more phosphorus than calcium in their diet then this can also, cause health problems with muscle development, bones health and growth. Locust pods. Some people believe that chinchillas can eat dog food, but this is not a good idea. There are animals who have a harder time controlling their eating (we're not alone humans!). (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Strawberries? Chinchillas have a rounded ears, plump furry bodies, short legs, and long tails. 2.2 Nutritional requirements. Hay should account for anywhere between 80-90% of your chinchillas food intake so from these numbers alone its clear to see that good quality hay is undoubtedly the most vital part of your chinchillas diet. Greens and veggies that would usually be considered really healthy choices for most animals can be harmful to chinchillas as nutrients such as calcium can cause unwanted health problems if consumed too often and in large quantities. Are Chinchillas Territorial? Chinchillas also require small amounts of fresh greens and can be fed occasional treats such as dried fruit from time to time. You can add a small amount of commercially available pelleted chinchilla food to your chinchilla's diet. One of the Pocket Pets Forever is a website for lovers of pocket pets. Special emphasis on nutritional support. Line the cage with a few inches of dye-free paper bedding. It is important to remember the natural chinchilla diet is mainly made up of hay and grass, with some twigs and leaves in between. Good hays include alfalfa hay, timothy hay, orchard grass, and blue grass. Milk and other dairy products are animal products and not appropriate for herbivores. It's important to offer your chinchillas an unlimited amount of fresh hay in their cage daily so they can continually consume the large amounts of fibre they need. As such, it can cause kidney damage and other health problems. They should be given very small amounts of chinchilla vegetables like carrots and leafy greens as healthy treats. For example, if you have horses then you know they're prone to overeating. Second, not all rabbit foods are created equal. Chinchillas can consume a wide variety of human foods, most notably vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts, and grains. Although it is made from flour, bread has very few nutrients for chinchillas. Cat food comes in many different varieties: wet, semi-dry, and dry. They have very different nutritional needs. Chinchillas with these signs should be examined immediately by a veterinarian to have the lodged material extracted. [What Owners Will Want To Know], Can Chinchillas Get Fleas? Hey is extremely high in fibre which is important as the dietary tract of a chinchilla requires constant movement and large amounts of fibre are essential to help with this process. Chinchillas cannot eat hamster food. Can Chinchillas Eat Cat Food? If you ask your chinchilla what their fave treats are, dried cranberries and raisins are at the top of their list. 4. On the other hand, the natural hamster diet is mainly . You have to be very careful with what you feed these animals, so here are some food items that you should never feed your chinchilla. But can rabbits eat chinchilla food safely? Copyright tagDiv. The chinchilla's digestive system is incompatible with these foods due to their high water content, high acidity, high vitamin C content, high fructose content, and low fiber content, as well as their . Pellets should be hay-based and fortified with additional vitamins. The small animals love their leafy snack so much that they can live off it alone. Again, you can head over to our dedicated page herewhere we share all of our recommended food products for your chinchilla and the best place to purchase them from. Cat with can food. Avoid pine and cedar shavings, as they can irritate a chinchilla's respiratory tract. Later in the post, we will share the exact pellets we recommend you feed your chinchilla so head over to that section of the post if you are looking for good quality pellets. Their access to water and hay or grass should be maintained in a way that they never run out. You need to ensure your cat has a comfortable sitting area thats far from the chinchillas cage. This can lead to blockages and other health issues. In addition to this, a lot of fruit can actually be harmful to chinchillas and they certainly cant just eat any and all fruits. Chinchillas in captivity often require a balanced diet of low fat, low moisture, low carbohydrates, and high fiber. So what should you do? 1 What Foods Are Poisonous To Chinchillas? Chinchillas are herbivores and their diet consists mostly of hay, vegetables, and a small amount of fruit. Occasionally, they will eat insects and bird eggs. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. Nonetheless, this can be achieved by only slowly introducing these two pets to each other. This will be possible if your cat has a mellow and calm personality and isnt so much interested in hunting, meaning itll most likely ignore the chinchilla. As you know, chinchillas are plant-eating animals. Made in USA; On Sale; Up to 25% Off: Select . As mentioned earlier, chinchillas' dietary requirements are different from other animals, and therefore, they should not eat guinea pig food or gerbil food. Feeding any type of cat food to your chinchilla is a bad idea, however, feeding them wet cat food is one of the worst things you can do. Both Chinchillas and Hamsters Are Small Rodents. The diet that you choose to feed your chinchilla should mostly contain hay. Dont discourage your pet from eating its own dropping, as it is natural for them to do so. Chinchillas in the wild tend to consume most of their food early in the morning and late at night. It's not safe for rabbits to eat chinchilla food. An aggressive cat will attack the chinchilla but with patience, you can train the pets to coexist. This leads to severe pain as they chew, in addition to drooling and possible eye discharge from upper tooth root pressure on tear ducts. I'm the main author of Pocket Pets Forever. Keeping in mind that chinchillas cant eat fatty food, there are some treats that they like that contain fat, but chinchillas love them. The quality of the ingredients used by manufacturers to make cat food varies enormously. The tipping can come in various colors, including blue, red, cream, and more. Chinchillas love treats just like any other animal, but the treats can be deadly for them if you dont know the proper way or amount to feed them. Chinchilla/Hedgehog; Ferrets; Guinea Pigs; Gerbils/Hamsters; Mice/Rats; Rabbits; Featured Shops. Belmore, NSW. 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. . (Later in this post, we will share the exact brand of timothy hay we recommend you purchase as well as the cheapest place to get it from). As rodents, their standard diet tends to follow a more opportunistic model, with chinchillas eating plants, seeds, fruits, and insects that it can get its paws on. It is not a suitable food for them to have, even in small amounts. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. The most obvious reason why you shouldn't feed cat food to a chinchilla is because chinchillas are not cats! Timothy hay should be offered in unlimited quantities so your chinchilla can graze and feed on it continually throughout the day, again, more on the exact amounts of food to offer your chin each day later in the post. nuts and sunflower seeds need to be avoided. Hay which is sweeter and has more nutrients, should be mostly given to young chinchillas and only occasionally to adult chinchillas. Please talk to your vet for a detailed diet plan that suits the individual needs of your pet. There are several reasons why you shouldnt feed your chinchillas cat food and, below, well explore each of these in more detail. Hay should be put in the hay rack in the chinchilla's cage. The bottom line is, chinchillas dont need treats, but if you feel bad or want your chinchilla to be happy, then you can give them treats occasionally. cute cat; Cat cartoon; cat eat; 1. Just because a green on the list below is labelled safe doesnt mean that you can feed your chinchilla unlimited amounts of that green or vegetable. You may also spot tipping on the legs. Dried fruit (apple, banana, and papaya). Never change your chinchillas' diet suddenly, as this could upset their digestive system and make them very ill. Consequently, this lowers the stress level of your chinchilla that wont now feel like a target, thereby leading to an environment where these two can live together in harmony.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'smallpetshq_com-netboard-2','ezslot_18',185,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-netboard-2-0'); You need to be careful about how you introduce your chinchilla to your cat is you really want there to be any harmonious relationship between these two creatures. The problem is that the majority of fruits are high enough in sugar to cause your chinchilla digestive problems amongst other things so only a handful are really considered safe enough to eat even in small quantities. You'll need to make sure you'll be sharing your home with an animal that suits your lifestyle, available space, and even your personality type. 2.4 Certain Breakfast Cereals. Yucca. Again, although this is the common amount of food that your pet needs, you need to contact the pet veterinarian to be sure of ample amounts of food that your chinchilla needs. This is a general rule for most small animals such as hedgehogs and even the majority of reptiles. The short answer is yes, chinchillas can eat rabbit food. Avoid using wooden toy balls. The stomach, chest, and chin are pure white. Pets are adorable, but having different species in your home might bring about some issues with some of them incompatible. Gastrointestinal Disorders. Answer (1 of 2): Why would you want to do that? Of course, there are some other food items that chinchillas cant eat as well, so it is best to ask a vet if you are unsure about the food item that you could feed your pet. Overfeeding of fresh greens also can lead to soft stool or diarrhea. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Chinchillas are South American rodents that have continuously growing, open-rooted teeth to compensate for the wear that occurs from chewing on very abrasive, high-fiber grass and hay. In fact, when given the choice between dry cat food and fresh grass, chinchillas choose the latter every time! Below we have listed the most common greens that your chinchillas can safely eat in moderation as part of a healthy and balanced diet. A few hamster owners were concerned that their buddies would have trouble eating it because of its size and shape . Purebred Chinchilla's. $1,200. Some use only meat products while others include vegetables and grains. Dried Herbs. 4. Do have hay constantly as well; keep a rack with hay and replace it routinely before it gets moldy. 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 are high in sugar, however, so give sparingly. In addition, wet cat food is often too salty for chinchillas. [Top Speeds], Is My Chinchilla Fat? Please talk to your vet for a detailed diet plan that suits the individual needs of your pet. If this is a problem you were undergoing, reading this insightful article has enlightened you to understand better if cats and chinchillas can get along. Greens especially leafy greens are a food group that you can and should offer to your chinchilla on a regular basis. In addition to that, if you have two or more chinchillas, they can become quite protective of the feeding bowl, which can cause fights between the chinchillas, and also, one might eat more than the other. They are very sensitive animals but can be great friends if you know how to take care of them. As long as your chinchillas are eating plenty of their regular food so that they are receiving the right nutrition, there shouldn't be a problem. Health and welfare issues - other. As well as knowing what foods chinchillas can eat, its also important to understand what common foods your chinchilla should be staying away from too. This ensures its overall wellbeing is guaranteed, meaning your chinchilla gets to enjoy a peaceful life. Chinchillas are very friendly animals. Although fruits and nuts are something that can be fed to chinchillas, it is best to avoid them. ; The long-tailed chinchillas will feed on insects, such as moths and grasshoppers, and bird eggs if the opportunity presents itself. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. These commissions help to keep the rest of my content free, so thank you! 2.6 No Sudden Dietary Changes. We have created a list of common foods that chinchilla owners regularly contemplate feeding their chinchilla. (Benefits/Risks), Can Chinchillas Eat Pecans? A tablespoon or two each day is appropriate for most chinchillas. Dont give rabbit pellets as, again, these two animals are quite different. List Of Safe Greens & Vegetables For Chinchillas: Fruits should only ever be offered as a treat to your chinchilla. Chins have a high metabolism and can eat constantlyideally, they shouldn't go without food for more than 12 hours, but 24 hours is doable if absolutely necessary. As with all pets, a proper diet is key to health and long life in chinchillas. Dried Cranberries. Chinchillas are quite possibly at their happiest when using a dust bath and it is important we provide them with this little delight regularly to keep them content and in good health. Filtered water is ideal for use in Chinchilla bottles. The foods below are considered unsafe or too unhealthy to feed to your chinchilla and therefore should be avoided. Calcium and phosphorus play an important role in your chinchillas diet, albeit a complicated one. You can also feed them a mixture of all these hays. Yes, they can, as harmful bacteria can be crossed from your cat to your chinchilla, causing it a severe illness. Specific Substrate Needs. This is the case even if the chinchilla is caged as your cat might opt to stare down at the chinchilla or reach down the cage.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'smallpetshq_com-narrow-sky-2','ezslot_15',182,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetshq_com-narrow-sky-2-0'); This will be a traumatizing experience for the chinchilla, which your cat views as prey.

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