​The main problem that you'll want to avoid with your chinchilla stems from their constantly-growing teeth. You should also avoid dried fruit, grains, nuts, and seeds as they aren't easily digested and can lead to tooth damage. This is their most commonly-eaten food in the wild, so that trend will need to continue even in captivity with you. Price – $7.79. After carefully analyzing and reviewing all of the chinchilla foods on the market, we've determined that the best chinchilla food is Supreme Petfoods ​​Science Selective Chinchilla Food​. To begin with, it's important to reiterate the importance of hay in their diet. A Guide into Chinchilla Food and Diet. Chinchillas' teeth don't stop growing while in captivity, so it's important that you continue to give them food that wears down their teeth. Zach is a life-long pet owner and enthusiast. Excessive amounts of alfalfa hay could result in bladder stones due to the high levels of calcium in alfalfa. Like all of their other food, this food is nutritionally-complete, very healthy, and very tasty as well. Hay is an important component of a … Ferret Rescues Near You With Ferrets To Adopt (Ultimate List), Best Chinchilla Cages That Are Comfortable & Chew-Proof. This pellet food has been manufactured by a leading brand in the pet food space, and it shows quite clearly in the quality. That's why we've compiled a list of the 5 best chinchilla food options in addition to a handy buyer's guide so that you can better understand what your chinchilla needs nutrition-wise. ​Featuring a diverse blend of ingredients, this food helps to promote foraging to keep a chinchilla's diet interesting and healthy. Chinchillas originally come from a region with low-flora designed for low-energy food such as dry grasses, twigs, leaves, cacti, and herbs. The best chinchilla food is whichever you can get reliably and freshly that meets your pet’s needs. Chinchillas love treats, but they should only be fed occasionally. So here goes with a list of chinchilla foods that we have reviewed…. Charlie chinchilla food is a high fiber diet carefully … This equates to around ​one to two tablespoons per day for an adult chinchilla, but could be slightly more or less depending on your chinchilla's size and their daily hay intake.eval(ez_write_tag([[468,60],'beyondthetreat_com-box-4','ezslot_2',134,'0','0'])); When introducing your chinchilla to a new food, it's important that you make the process slow and gradual to avoid physical and mental distress in your pet. Below are the main characteristics of a healthy chinchilla pellet food. It should consist of approximately 35% carbohydrates, 15% … On top of that, it contains probiotics for good digestive healthy and has no loose seeds or sugar-filled fruits that could be unhealthy. - Chinchillas' digestive systems need hay and grass to function properly. • Pellets should be plain, hay … Fortunately, timothy hay and meadow grass are great, safe alternatives. Alfalfa pellets. Chinchillas are also subject to obesity if their daily pellet intake is too high. Chinchillas are herbivores – they eat a lot of plants and grasses. Alfalfa. Note: We may earn commissions from the links within this post. ​If you're looking for a more budget-friendly chinchilla food, these Kaytee pellets will be your best option. $5.66 $ 5. Vitakraft also offers a VitaNature chinchilla food formula. ​In order to determine which food is the absolute best for your chinchilla, you first need to understand the diet of a wild chinchilla. Food and Water • 80-90% of a chinchilla’s diet should be high quality grass hay, such as timothy hay or orchard grass hay. Chinchillas are closely related to porcupines a guinea pigs, with strong, muscular hind legs that resemble those of a rabbit. Chinchilla food has become more refined over the past ten years. Remember to look for an alfalfa-based pellet with no add-ins (no seeds, colored pellets, etc.). ​Mazuri. Your chinchilla should always have hay available. Commercial foods, made especially for chinchillas and produced in pellet form, are available in pet stores. Instead, feed your chinchilla quality chinchilla pellets supplemented with plenty of fresh grass hay. Chinchillas will fill themselves up on pellets if you allow for it, so make sure that you know the importance of hay and ensure that it's the most prominent food in their diet by far. Chinchilla owners that opt to feed their pet this food tend to stick with it indefinitely! It gives chinchillas plenty of energy and keeps them as healthy and happy as they could be. A. Acorns. Copyright © 2020 chinchillacare.orgContact Us • Privacy • Copyright. This practice is called coprography. Type: Food Pellets with … Hay isn't only important for its coarse physical texture, though. ​Out of the 5 foods in this list, Vitakraft's Vitanature food is definitely the most unique option. Similarly, pet chinchillas should be offered food twice a day but may consume food … Perhaps the best way that you'll ​keep your chinchilla healthy is by feeding them the best chinchilla food available. Amount – 3 pounds. Chinchilla Lifespan: How Long Do Chinchillas Live? 4.7 out of 5 stars 533. Some owners note that their chinchillas have eaten this food for years and they've seen nothing but benefits from them eating it. ​Aligned with a chinchilla's specific dietary needs, ​Some chinchillas don't like all of the ingredients. The rest of their diet should be supplemented with some other greens and one of the chinchilla ​foods from this guide. ​A very high-quality food that's highly palatable, nutritionally-complete, and has added probiotics for digestive health. Overall, it's a food that's exactly what a chinchilla should be eating in addition to their hay. They can supply essential minerals that your pet may be lacking. It also has a huge focus on natural timothy hay, which should already be a staple in your chinchilla's diet due to its great health benefits. Supplements There are vitamin C supplements that can be easily added to your pets water. Because of this, you'll want to avoid small foods that can get stuck in the back of their mouth or throat such as dried fruit, nuts, seeds, or raisins. Additionally, some chinchillas simply refuse to eat the food -- a higher percentage than the other foods in this list. Timothy or Alfalfa hay is a good choice. Chinchillas are herbivores meaning that they only eat plant-based food. They are not designed for rich or fatty diets and such diets can easily cause serious digestive upsets. Specs: Type – Pellet. On top of the great nutritional content, Mazuri utilizes Lactobacillus and Enterococcus sp to help promote healthy gastrointestinal activity -- something that chinchillas can benefit from. ​Oxbow is a leading manufacturer in the small pet food space, so it's no surprise that their chinchilla pellets would be near the top of our list. Key Ingredients – Timothy hay, alfalfa meal, soybean meal. Chinchillas, like all other pets, require good nutrition. The pellets are nutritionally-complete with a big focus on timothy hay, flaxseed, and omega 3 fatty acids. Chinchillas have special dietary requirements because their digestive systems are quite sensitive. Kaytee FortiDiet ProHealth Chinchilla Food, 3 lbs. Chinchilla Food . Vitakraft Vitanature Chinchilla Food. Mazuri's taken a very similar approach to this food as the other two manufacturers mentioned already. Additionally, it should be noted that chinchillas can not vomit. There's no added sugar, no artificial colors, and effectively works to support digestive healthy and maintains a chinchilla's healthy skin and coat. One example of this is carrots. Top Tip: Avoid muesli … Nutritionally, it's right on par with what your pet needs, ​consisting of 16% protein, 19% fiber and 3% fat. A hay rack is a good way to make sure your pet has a steady supply of clean hay. Below is a list of many foods you can feed a chinchilla. This … Chinchillas are classified as ​herbivores​, meaning that their diets consist primarily of plants and a variety of plant matter.​​​ This classification means that chinchillas are able to get all of their essential nutrients through just a handful of different plants. Despite being quite a unique food, these pellets are nutritionally-complete, packed with antioxidants to promote a healthy immune system, and possess a good variety of healthy ingredients. Save 5% more with Subscribe & Save. 66 ($0.12/Ounce) $9.99 $9.99. It's also extremely nutrient-rich for chinchillas and can't be replaced by any of the pellet foods listed in this post -- even though they're quite nutrient-rich as well. Avoid feeding cabbage, asparagus, avocado, lettuce, bananas, sunflower seeds, spinach, rhubarb, and broccoli to your pet chinchilla to make sure that they stay healthy and happy. Read on to learn about the chinchilla. Coprophagy helps to maintain the correct … (2020 Cost Breakdown), 73 Chinchilla Breeders Near You with Chinchillas for Sale (List). Chinchillas particularly enjoy dried fruit like peaches, cranberries, bananas, and apples, and they also love sunflower seeds and unsalted nuts. Commercial foods, made especially for chinchillas and produced in pellet form, are available in pet stores. It's an alfalfa-based pellet, meaning that it's quite nutritious and contains a healthy amount of fiber to promote good digestive health. One benefit to this food is that it promotes foraging through its diverse ingredient list, so this keeps the food interesting unlike the common, uniform pellet. Chinchillas seem to love this food! ​Pellets made from a handful of high-quality ingredients that are nutritionally-dense and have an irresistible taste. Treats So, while there is a very good chance that your chinchilla will like any of the foods below, they may also react negatively to it. ​There are a couple points that you'll want to consider when feeding your chinchilla to make sure that they're as happy and healthy as possible. The enthusiasm of chinchillas for this food is matched by their owners, as it's commonly stated that the nutritional content is excellent​, the price is ​affordable, and there's no added filler that's so prominent in many foods on the market. It has 16% protein, 22% fiber, and 2.5% fat, which is about exactly what a chinchilla needs in their pellet food. Luckily, there are many excellent chinchilla foods available, so taking care of your pet is easy. The best chinchilla food meets the dietary requirements of chinchillas and helps to round out their nutrition. Each food has the characteristics of the ​​eval(ez_write_tag([[468,60],'beyondthetreat_com-banner-1','ezslot_0',135,'0','0']));​best​​​ chinchilla food and meets all of the specific dietary needs of a chinchilla. Although chinchilla pellets should have everything he needs, a supplement is a good way to guarantee it. Salt blocks or wheels are good for chinchillas. Ideal for: Chinchillas, hamsters, guinea pigs, … Chinchillas have ​roamed around areas of high-elevation, such as Bolivia, Peru, Argentina, and Chile for thousands of years, but are currently only found in the wild in Chile. Optimal health of your chinchilla can only be achieved by being rich in fiber and low in fat. Quality​ Value​ Our Rating. Hay provides the roughage your chinchilla needs and is a very important part of his daily diet. The pellets also have vitamins A, D3, and E in addition to phosphorous. The mix of ingredients definitely encourages foraging behavior which makes chinchillas more enthusiastic about the food. ​​​Chinchilla Diet. Chinchilla owners that like this food seem to really love it! If you don't provide your chinchilla with enough hay throughout the day and opt to feed them pellets instead, their teeth will grow faster than they can wear down. In the wild, chinchillas scavenge for their food, eating basically anything that they come across. Dried rose hips, hibiscus, and dandelion leaves all make wonderful treats. A wild chinchilla's diet consists primarily of high-fiber grass and hay, while supplementing it with bark, seeds, flowers, and foliage. Alfalfa sprouts. ​When it comes to pellet food for your chinchilla, you'll be hard-pressed to find a pellet as nutritionally-balanced and healthy as this food by Supreme Petfoods. Chinchillas do not do well with recooked foods, especially if these foods are all they are given. The fact that it's high in fiber and nutritionally-dense is also quite appreciated by owners. A vitamin C supplement can also be beneficial for your pet. A stoppered water bottle is a great way to supply water. Science Selective is made from a small amount of very high-quality ingredients that provide chinchillas with the nutrients that they need to maintain that trademark chinchilla energy. The percentage of chinchillas that immediately take a liking to this food and empty their bowl of it daily is substantial. They're big fans of the wholesome ingredients, great nutritional value, and the apparent great taste for chinchillas. ​Keeping the trend of nearly perfect foods alive, these Mazuri pellets would also make for an excellent addition to your chinchilla's diet. However, it's loaded with natural herbs, flowers, greens, vegetables, grains, and berries to make for a tasty blend. ​We have taken a look at quite a few different chinchilla foods, taking into account factors such as the quality of ingredients, the price per pound, and the physical health and enthusiasm of the rabbits that eat each food. Hay Their complex dietary requirements dictate that they eat a combination of fruits, seeds, leaves, roots, barks, and grasses. Wild chinchillas are only found in Chile, but historically lived in areas of Argentina, Peru and Bolivia. This is due to the fact that their bodies have adapted for the abrasiveness of the rough hay that ​wears down their teeth daily. Additionally, the fiber and protein levels of this food are a tad bit lower than other foods, but adequate hay in a chinchilla's diet will provide them with the nutrients that they need. Through this research, we've found the 5 best chinchilla foods for you to feed your energetic little friend. ​All 5 of the chinchilla pellets mentioned in this post are more than suitable for supplementing your chinchilla's diet. You'll want to supply your chinchilla with a constant supply of hay to eat whenever they want to. Hay is the absolute best option for this, followed by supplemental chewing toys. There are a variety of treats available from pet stores that a chinchilla would love. When you have a pet that can bring you so much joy, it makes sense that you'll want to ensure that they're as happy and healthy as possible. On top of that, the ingredients list is very limited but extremely wholesome with a focus on alfalfa, soya hulls, and wheat. Many large ranchers still stick to their original formulas, but smaller breeders and pet owners have become more selective as more choices have become available. During that time, Chinchillas have eaten roughly the same foods, resulting in their bodies becoming optimized for digestive and processing those specific foods. This is why it's so important that you match your chinchilla's diet to the diet of a wild chinchilla -- it's what their bodies are designed for! A couple owners note that their chinchillas won't switch over to this food, but that population is the overwhelming minority. Chinchillas have very sensitive digestive systems, so feeding a good quality diet appropriate for chinchillas is essential to their health. Due to this specialization of the digestive tract, no commercial rodent food may be fed indiscriminately in captivity. Required fields are marked *, Get exclusive pet tips, tricks, and fun stuff that we love :), About         Contact         Medical Disclaimer         Terms         Privacy. It's also important to supplement your chinchilla's diet. Animal crackers. Pellets are designed so your pet can ... Hay. ​With the myriad of ingredients in this food, there's bound to be some that chinchillas simply don't prefer. This is primarily due to excessive carbohydrate ingestion. Even the overfeeding of fresh greens can lead to indigestion and diarrhea, so a healthy balance will need to be found. Charlie chinchilla food from supreme petfoods ltd is a combination of Alfalfa, wheat bites, grass pellets, raisins, peas, maize, soya, and carrots. Less … Their diet should be high in fibre and protein and low in fat and moisture. Chinchilla owners are very pleased with this food for quite a few reasons. Vitakraft High Fiber Timothy Formula Chinchilla Food. The main downside to this food is that it's a decent amount more expensive than other foods in this list. We may earn commissions from the links within this post.​. Save 25% when you buy $50.00 of select items. The chinchilla is a common exotic pet, but is also largely used in the fur industry for fashionable clothing. So, a chinchilla's diet doesn't need to be extremely diverse in order for them to be very healthy. Diet changes that occur too quickly can cause digestive problems in chinchillas that nobody wants to deal with. They are also animals that partake in coprophagy, meaning they eat their own feces. This price increase can mostly be attributed to the added probiotics and big focus on quality in the food, but it can be a substantial step up in cost for some people. Partake in coprophagy, meaning they eat their own feces treats, but dark lettuce makes for a., leaves, roots, barks, and dry hay 'll ​keep your 's. 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