What Do Chinchillas Eat?
When it comes to chinchilla food, you have to be careful on what you are feeding. The reason behind this is if you provide him or her with the mixed nutritional supplements, he or she will choose his or her favourite pellets and leave the rest behind. Your chinchilla will end up not getting full nutrition.
You want to aim for a chinchilla diet or chinchilla nutrition of:
- Fat: 2% – 5%.
- Protein: 16% – 20%.
- Fiber: 15% – 35% ; the higher the better
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4 Main Components of a Chinchilla Diet
1. CHINCHILLA COMMERCIAL FORTIFIED PELLETS
The recommended brand by most chinchilla owners and experts is Oxbow
Oxbow Animal Health Chinchilla Deluxe Fortified Small Animal Feeds
These pellets cater to your chinchillas’ diet, eliminating choosing and thus your chinchilla gets full nutrition.
Where Do You Get This?
US: Oxbow Animal Health Essentials Deluxe Chinchilla Food, 25-Pound
US: Oxbow Animal Health Chinchilla Fortified Small Animal Feeds, 10-Pound
US: Oxbow Essentials Chinchilla Deluxe Chinchilla Food
US: Oxbow Essentials Chinchilla Food
UK: Oxbow Essentials Chinchilla Food – All Natural Chinchilla Food – 25 lb.
CANADA : OXBOW 1022062500 Animal Health Essentials Deluxe Chinchilla Food, 25-Pound
2. QUALITY GRASS HAY
You can give blue grass or fresh alfalfa, but they are not 100% great as they have different amounts of fat, protein, moisture and fiber. We are not saying they are bad.
Timothy Hay is recommended (It should be taken with the pellets mentioned above).
Farmer Dave Pet Supply Hay in a Box
Where Do I Get Farmer Dave Hay in a box?
Etsy
3 lb ” Early 1st Cut ” Premium Rabbit and Bunny “HAY-IN-A-BOX”
5 lb ” Early 1st Cut ” Premium Rabbit and Bunny “HAY-IN-A-BOX”
10 lb ” Early 1st Cut ” Premium Rabbit and Bunny “HAY-IN-A-BOX”
15 lb ” Early 1st Cut ” Premium Rabbit and Bunny “HAY-IN-A-BOX”
35 lb ” Early 1st Cut ” Premium Rabbit and Bunny “HAY-IN-A-BOX”
Amazon
US: 35 lb Early 1st Cut Premium Rabbit and Bunny Hay
US: 15 lb Early 1st Cut Premium Rabbit and Bunny Hay
US: FarmerDavePetSupply 3 Lb Second Cut Timothy Hay, Bunny, Guinea Pig and Chinchilla Hay
US: 5 Lb Second Cut Timothy Hay, Bunny, Guinea Pig and Chinchilla Hay
US: 10 Lb Second Cut Timothy Hay, Bunny, Guinea Pig and Chinchilla Hay
Kaytee Timothy Hay
Where Do You Get Kaytee Timothy Hay?
US: Kaytee Timothy Hay 12 pounds
US: Kaytee Natural Timothy Hay Small Animal Food
US: Kaytee First Cut Timothy Hay Small Animal Food, 6.5-lb bag
3. FRESH WATER
You always need to make sure your chinchilla has access to clean fresh drinking water in a clean water bottle. Some people have had some problems with various water bottles but these have been found to have the least or no problems at all.
Living World Eco + Water Bottle
Where Do You Get This?
US #1. Living World Eco + Water Bottle, 6-Ounce
UK: Living World Eco Plus Water Bottle, 177 ml
CANADA Living World Eco Plus Water Bottle, 12-Ounce
There is an important read about pet water bottles here that can be very beneficial, especially if you are encountering some problems.
Choco Nose H128 Patented No Drip Small Animal Water Bottle
Where Do You Get This?
In the US, you can get it at Choco Nose H128 Patented No Drip Small Animal Water Bottle. Best Water Bottle for Small Pet/Bunny/ Ferret/Hamster/ Critter. BPA Free. 11.2 Oz. Nozzle Diameter: 10mm (Blue)
4. CHINCHILLA TREATS
Some chinchilla treats include:
- Raisins,
- Rolled oats,
- dried rose hips,
- dandelion leaves and
- Hibiscus
DO NOT overfeed the treats. They are mostly used to reward during TRAINING.
See video on how to train a Chinchilla using treats.
How To Train Your Chinchilla
Iki Kolohe Chinchillas Healthy Chinchilla Treats Starter Pack
Where Do I Get These Treats?
AVOID fruits and vegetables.
How Often Should You Feed Your Chinchilla?
- Ensure that your chinchillas have a handful of Fresh hay available at all times.
- Give 1 or 2 tablespoons of pellets in the morning and evening.
- Ensure that your chinchillas have fresh water available at all times.
Examples of Good Chinchilla Food Bowls
1. Marshall Snap ‘N Fit Small Animal Food Bowl 2 cups
2. Living World Ergonomic Dish
Where Do You Get This?
US #1. Living World Ergonomic Dish, Terracotta, Small
UK #3. RC Hagen 61685 Living World Ergonomic Dish, Pink Large
UK #4. Living World Ergonomic Dish, Blue, Small
UK #5. Living World Ergonomic Dish, Pink, Small by Living World
UK #6. RC Hagen 61685 Living World Ergonomic Dish, Pink Large
3. Petzilla Cat Ceramic Bowl for Food, Heavy Base Feeding Dish, Prevent Tipping or Spill Over
4. Kaytee Paw-Print PetWare Bowl, Colors Vary
