How to feed a chinchilla at home: what you can eat and what

Chinchilla content: permitted and prohibited products

Chinchillas are kept on ready-made pelleted food, but also on grass and grains. Therefore, it is worth noting which products are included in the green sector.

• The following greens would be suitable: salad
• spinach and sorrel
• plantain
• calendula
• coltsfoot
• chicory
• parsley
• jasmine
• blooming Sally
• nettle
• alfalfa
• clover
• mint
• thyme
• chamomile
• Melissa
• goat's rue
• series
• echinacea
• dandelion
• yarrow
• calamus and burdock root

• Legumes are extremely healthy and loved, especially: lentils
• white and red beans
• beans
• peas
• soybeans

Food should be varied

• Don't forget about grain crops: wheat
• corn
• and also buckwheat
• rice
• millet
• oats
• and barley

• Vegetables worth noting: carrots
• pumpkin
• young corn
• Bell pepper
• kohlrabi
• zucchini
• zucchini
• squash
• Jerusalem artichoke

For a treat

• As for fruits, you should choose: apples
• pears (in moderation)
• bananas
• figs
• strawberries
• lingonberries
• rosehip

How to choose hay for a chinchilla

Red sector or what not to give to chinchillas:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Nuts and seeds in large quantities. You should also be careful with almonds and pine nuts - they can be given no more than 1-2 times every 2 weeks!
• Herbs that are poisonous to chinchillas: fern
• horsetail
• buttercup
• rushnik
• black nightshade
• dope
• St. John's wort
• white hellebore
• cornflower
• raven eye

A few words about the benefits of tea

What not to give to a chinchilla

Improper nutrition can greatly affect the health of a chinchilla. Therefore, new fur owners need to know what not to give to their pet. The list of prohibited products is as follows:

• rye is the only prohibited grain crop;
• freshly picked herbs, fruits and vegetables will lead to flatulence, bloating and diarrhea;
• vegetables that cause bloating - turnips, radishes, white cabbage, beets, raw potatoes;
• poisonous herbs - celandine, lily of the valley, St. John's wort, hemlock, datura, cornflower, night blindness, marigold;
• fruits – citrus fruits and persimmons;
• seeds of any fruit;
• meat products.

You also need to exclude any ready-made meals and other human food from the chinchilla’s menu. Strictly prohibited are deli meats, sausages, cheeses, dairy products, fast food, snacks (chips, seasoned croutons, flavored nuts), and lemonade.

It is worth remembering that pets are strictly forbidden to give branches of stone fruit trees (plum, peach, cherry, sweet cherry, apricot). They contain a substance that, when ingested, is converted into hydrocyanic acid, which is dangerous for chinchillas.

Knowing what chinchillas eat in the wild and what to feed them at home, even an inexperienced owner will be able to organize proper nutrition for their pet. Despite the impressive list of permitted and prohibited products, it is quite easy to remember. All it takes is a little attention, and as a result, the fluffy will grow well, develop properly and live a long, healthy life.

Natural treats

The main treat for chinchillas is dried apples. They contain fiber, which promotes proper digestion. Remove toxic waste products and improve overall metabolism in the animal’s body. Like carrots, apples help strengthen fur and the cardiovascular system.

Dried carrots are perfect for constant pampering. It contains vitamins A, B, C, E, a large amount of iron, potassium, calcium. As you know, this is the main supplier of beneficial carotene to the body. Carrots are a natural teeth cleaner. Since it awakens the appetite, you don’t need to give it a lot at once - a pinch a day is enough. Sweet pepper in the same quantity is an excellent vitamin supplement that strengthens teeth, gums and immunity.

Raisins are given to strengthen the heart, as a cure for anemia and weakness. Chinchillas love it very much because raisins contain a lot of sugar. But you should not give more than 1 berry per week. Raspberries can be given fresh or dried, 2-3 berries per week (like hawthorn). It is rich in organic acids and salts of iron, potassium, and copper. Dried hawthorn is more of a medicine than a tasty treat. It helps to calm down, cope with stress, and is also indispensable for intestinal upset. The same amount of pumpkin seeds can be given to improve digestion, skin, and hair follicles.

Chokeberry is also rich in amino acids and rare vitamin P. Together with sweet pepper, they normalize the composition of vitamins and microelements in the chinchilla’s body. In addition to the listed delicacies, you can give nettles, oats, almonds, linden flowers, and fresh (not fried!) sunflower seeds. Chinchillas also love to sip green tea from time to time. It is rich in vitamins B1, B2, K, C, BB, and optimizes the nervous system. Green tea is a powerful antioxidant; it is better not to give more than a teaspoon per week.

Fresh and dried herb

Like rabbits, chinchillas love grass and hay. Dandelion (dried leaves and roots) is useful for nursing mothers, promotes the production of lactose, and contains a large amount of useful substances and vitamins. Dried chicory root helps digestion, contains inulin, vitamins B, C, anti-inflammatory and anthelmintic. It is very useful to add it to the animal’s food during or after illness. Hibiscus is given to strengthen the immune system. It is a tonic for lethargy and apathy, as well as an excellent vitamin supplement.

Flax seeds are beneficial primarily for their omega-3 fatty acids, without which no animal can have beautiful fur or healthy skin. It also contains protein, fiber, and alpha-linolenic acid. Strengthens fur, makes it silky, develops immunity, thanks to the content of vitamins E and F. Lentils also have a beneficial effect on fur; they are rich in zinc. Buckwheat is an essential supplement for chinchillas, containing 18 beneficial amino acids and substances.

These healthy and tasty supplements should be given in very small doses so as not to spoil the animal or cause unpleasant consequences. Dandelion, chicory, flax - no more than a teaspoon per week; buckwheat – half a spoon per day; hibiscus, lentils - a tablespoon per week.

Sometimes it is good for the teeth and general mood to give chinchillas tasty branches of apple, currant, raspberry, birch, willow, and linden. But resin-containing and hard plants (pine, oak, cherry, plum) are strictly prohibited.

It is advisable to cut fresh grass yourself in the summer in parks, forests, and playgrounds, and only then harvest it. It should be rich in color, juicy, and not have an unpleasant odor. Dry leaves, sun-dried grass and other debris are best thrown away when it comes to feeding in the summer. The herb should be dried in a dark place, stirring periodically (once a week).

Contraindications and harm

Among the most common contraindications to the use of seeds, various allergic reactions and inadequate immediate reactions are in first place.

If you suddenly see that after eating seeds, your rabbit has foam at the mouth, it becomes difficult for him to breathe (he coughs, starts sneezing, wheezing, etc.) or massive swelling appears on his body - then know that he seeds are contraindicated.

In general, it is quite difficult to identify general groups of contraindications for all types of seeds. For example, a contraindication to consuming sunflower seeds is animal obesity, while for pumpkin seeds this is, on the contrary, an indication.

Sunflower should also not be eaten by rabbits whose age has passed 5–7 years, who have atherosclerosis or have/had high cholesterol levels.

Pumpkin kernels are not recommended to be given to rabbits that have digestive disorders, have recently suffered acute infectious diseases, or during the period of a full-blown clinical picture of any disease.

Pumpkin seeds should also not be eaten by those furry animals that have problems with the functioning of their senses: hearing, vision and smell, as this can negatively affect them.

Important! If any of the symptoms listed in this section appear, we recommend that you immediately seek help from a professional veterinarian. Among other possible harms from eating seeds, you should also expect the development of: appendicitis, irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea (roasted sunflower), constipation (pumpkin), vomiting, various changes in the lipid spectrum of the blood, obesity (sunflower), loss of hair and claws, and the appearance of irritation on the skin

How to make a blank

Branches for chinchillas are prepared during the growing season of trees.
During the time when they contain the most nutrients. Areas for collecting branches should be chosen with a favorable environmental situation. The branches should be free of mold, as well as pests, lichen and fungal infections.

The branches are cut using pruning shears at a time when buds have appeared on the trees, but the leaves have not yet begun to bloom. The sap that moves along the trunks during this period has the most nutritionally valuable composition.

• Branches for feeding chinchillas should only be alive. Dried, dirty, and with traces of mold are not suitable for animals. If these are raspberry stems, they should not be covered with sharp thorns, otherwise the animal may injure the oral cavity.
• The branches are cut into pieces of 5–6 cm (it is more convenient to use ones that are not too thick: about 1 cm in diameter). If the sticks are more massive, the animal will only gnaw off the bark from them, but thin ones will eat the whole thing.
• The chopped branches are washed well and doused with boiling water. Then place it on a baking sheet in a small layer and place it in the oven to dry.
• The time it takes for the twigs to dry completely will depend on the type of oven. If we are talking about a gas stove, at a temperature of +200C they will reach the required state in 90 minutes. In this case, the door should not be completely closed. Every 30 minutes the sticks are stirred and checked to ensure they do not become charred.
• When the chinchilla branches are completely dry, they are placed in a cardboard box (they can become moldy in a plastic container). If they are dried to the required extent, mold should not appear on them. But still, within 7 - 10 days you need to check their condition. When mold appears, the infected branches are thrown away, and the remaining ones are dried.

Foods that can be given in limited quantities

The list of products that chinchillas are fed at home includes some that can be given to the animals in small quantities.

1. Nuts, sunflower seeds, peas, lentils, corn are highly nutritious food, rich in protein and fat. If the rodent is overfed with these foods, it becomes fat and its digestion may be impaired.
2. Juicy greens (lettuce, dandelion) and vegetables (cucumbers, zucchini) are loved by animals, but these foods weaken them. Each day, one animal is given half a leaf of lettuce or one slice of cucumber 3–4 mm thick.
3. Sweet fruits and berries are a favorite food for chinchillas, but in large quantities they can lead to metabolic failure.
4. It is advisable to give branches of plants such as raspberry, willow, oak, alder and birch no more than once a week.

Each product new to the animal is given in the smallest dose, observing the pet’s behavior. If there is no deterioration in health within 24 hours after the introduction of the food, the product can be offered in an increased volume.

Grain mixtures

Grain mixtures are a very important component of the diet of domestic chinchillas, saturating the animals’ bodies with vitamins, minerals, fats and proteins. It is recommended that furry pets include the following grains and seeds in their diet:

buckwheat is a complex carbohydrate that saturates the animal’s body for a long time, contains iron, protein, vitamins B and P, calcium, phosphorus and iodine;

wheat – is a source of vegetable proteins and carbohydrates with a low content of fats, microelements, B vitamins, fiber, which stimulates intestinal motility

Eating wheat is important for nursing female chinchillas who require increased care and recuperation after childbirth;

barley - made from barley, rich in a huge amount of useful macro- and microelements (potassium, calcium, phosphorus, copper, zinc, manganese, iron, chromium, cobalt) and vitamins A, D, E and group B, necessary for the functioning of the nervous system, maintaining the beauty of chinchilla fur and leather;

corn – contains amino acids and vitamins necessary for the rodent’s body that are involved in the pet’s metabolism;

oats or rolled oats - a healthy nutritious cereal rich in vitamins A, B, E, amino acids and carbohydrates, helps remove toxins from the body of rodents, recommended for pregnant, lactating females and puppies;

flax seed - contains vitamins A, B, E and Omega-3 acid, necessary for the reproductive function of pets and maintaining the immune system, the husk of the seeds is an excellent means for removing toxins from the body;

sunflower and pumpkin seeds - rich in fats, protein and vitamins, used in minimal quantities to prevent pet obesity.. It is advisable to feed chinchillas not just one type of grain, but a grain mixture

It is allowed to prepare porridges from cereals - oatmeal, corn, buckwheat and millet, which are especially useful for feeding young animals

It is advisable to feed chinchillas not just one type of grain, but a grain mixture. It is allowed to prepare porridges from cereals - oatmeal, corn, buckwheat and millet, which are especially useful for feeding young animals.

What you can and cannot feed your chinchilla

Inexperienced chinchilla breeders often make stupid mistakes when treating their favorite animals with pine nuts, chips or tangerines. As a result, completely hairless animals with severe allergies are brought to veterinarians; sometimes errors in nutrition cause the death of the pet. Chinchillas can be given pelleted food, hay and water. All other products must be strictly dosed. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the list of products that can or cannot be used to feed your little friend.

Table of permitted and prohibited products

A balanced diet for a domestic chinchilla is the key to its long healthy life and ability to reproduce. Take care and feed your furry pets properly.

What foods should not be given to a chinchilla?

You should not give meat to rodents

And, although you adore your payday loans animal and want to pamper it, we do not recommend that you give your chinchilla food from your table, treat it with cookies, sweets... Even if the animal likes such human delicacies, this does not mean at all that they will be useful for the chinchilla. As a result of consuming such fatty and high-calorie foods, she may become obese, and this will not only negatively affect her ability to reproduce, but will also shorten the life of your pet, since excess weight will definitely not improve your chinchilla’s health. Therefore, it is better to find another way to express your love and do not give your chinchilla cookies, chocolate, sweets, spicy, salty, smoked foods...

Features of feeding

The chinchilla is a herbivore, so the basis of its diet is plant foods. This is a very picky animal that chooses the most delicious pieces from the food offered. That is why the owner must ensure that the chinchilla eats its entire portion. The feeder is spacious and comfortable. If excess food remains in it, then the amount of feed is reduced.

Chinchillas have a weak digestive system, so it is strictly forbidden to overfeed them, give them low-quality products and treat them from the table. Food must be fresh, without signs of mustiness, rot or mold. Grass, which must be included in the diet, is collected in ecologically clean areas, far from industrial enterprises and roads. Greens, vegetables, fruits are thoroughly washed and dried and only then offered to the animal.

If the chinchilla ate exclusively mixed feed, then you need to accustom it to greens gradually, starting with small portions. If the animal feels well, you can safely introduce juicy food into the diet.

On the day, a chinchilla needs the following list of products:

• compound feed – 1–3 tsp;
• green food - 5 g;
• hay - 30 g;
• additional food (twigs of trees and shrubs) - 6 g;
• water.

This animal has no sense of proportion. It can eat treats in any quantity. Foods such as nuts, dried fruits, vegetables and fruits should be given to chinchillas in strictly defined doses.

Animal food should have the following composition:

Feeding recommendations

When organizing food, it is not enough to know what you can feed a chinchilla and what you cannot feed. Proper feeding also means following a diet, keeping feeders and drinkers clean, as well as understanding the peculiarities of the animal’s digestion. The first and most important rule is that there should always be hay in the cage, as well as drinking water. Feeders and drinkers must be clean. To do this, they must be disinfected regularly (at least twice a week) with boiling water. It is better not to use wooden feeders - they absorb odors and become sources of mold and mildew. Preference should be given to ceramic ones, which attach well to the cage and are easy to clean.

Chlorhexidine can be a disinfectant for the entire cage - it kills germs well and is odorless, but it is better not to use it for drinkers and feeders. Some breeders use regular laundry soap as a disinfectant. You can also wipe the drinking bowls and feeders, as well as the cage, with alcohol. It is also necessary to keep the cage clean because sometimes the animal prefers to eat on the rest area or even in the house. Many owners have noticed how a chinchilla takes a piece of food and runs for cover.

It is also important to ensure that all feed is fresh, clean, and free of dust, rot, and mold. It is recommended to buy ready-made food only from trusted pet stores. All succulent food, as well as lettuce or spinach, must be washed well before being given to the animal. Branches and bark of trees that are offered to your pet must be well dried and free of traces of insect activity.

Vegetables and fruits intended for chinchillas must be washed and cut into convenient small pieces.

It is necessary to feed your pet at the same time, and all leftover food is removed from the feeder the next day. It is most preferable to feed roughage in the evening, and succulent feed in the morning. If the chinchilla is reluctant to eat, you should change the food. The first reason for poor appetite is monotonous food. New types of feed should be introduced gradually and little by little. If you are not sure whether chinchillas can eat this or that type of product, it is better to abandon it altogether and add something that the animal has already tried and eats with pleasure.

Important Principles

The basis of any food is its good quality. That is, he cannot be

• moldy,
• musty,
• stale,
• rancid.

Do not harvest green fodder in contaminated areas:

• on the sides of the roads,
• in industrial areas,
• on fields that have undergone chemical treatment against pests.

You can feed only washed and dried vegetables, fruits and herbs. Green leaves should be dried. Do not feed wet greens, only dry ones.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=xZ7ibGkn6w8

You need to gradually get used to new, especially green food. After each increase in serving size, monitor the condition of your pets.

Follow the feeding schedule.

• Daily.
• One-time.
• Regular.
• Late evening.

Evening feeding is explained by the fact that these animals are active at night. This is written in detail in the article (Farm 27, “Chinchilla at home”).

In the morning you can feed only when everything from yesterday has been eaten. The main evening food should only be poured into an empty and clean feeder.

The chinchilla's body is designed for unfavorable ascetic living conditions. They have a very long intestine, designed to extract maximum benefit from the meager food that they still have to run for. This is what happens in nature. Therefore, by creating conditions that are close to natural, you will save your pet from premature death. And for this you need to pamper him less, feeding him all sorts of goodies.

What does a chinchilla like to eat?

The chinchilla is a herbivore. The basis of the animal’s diet is considered to be food of plant origin.

In the wild, their main food is cereals and legumes, cacti, shrubs, tree bark, small fruits, shoots, mosses and other vegetation.

In a home environment, a person is responsible for the animal’s diet. Food should be varied and balanced to provide all the body’s needs with the necessary components, vitamins, and nutrients.

Chinchillas care about the quality of their food. They eat in small quantities, so animal owners should carefully consider the choice of food

Moreover, luxurious fur and irrepressible energy require a large consumption of nutrients. Chinchillas are picky eaters. They will choose the most delicious morsels from the food offered.

But for full development, the animal needs to receive various microelements and vitamins, so you need to try to ensure that the animal fully consumes its portion.

If your pet starts throwing food out of the feeder, it is necessary to reduce the amount of food given out. You can give your pet food in small portions and reduce treats in the diet.

When choosing food for a rodent, it is worth considering that they, like all herbivores, have sensitive digestion.

Firstly, they have long intestines. Secondly, herbivorous animals process hard-to-digest plant fiber. From it they receive the necessary nutrients.

It is better to underfeed a chinchilla a little than to overfeed it with treats. The food offered must be:

• quality;
• fresh;
• without traces or smell of rot, mold, mustiness.

Green food should be collected away from busy places, roadsides, and factories. Greens, vegetables and fruits should be thoroughly washed and dried before feeding to the rodent. The food offered must be dry.

Young animals and those individuals that did not receive green food during the winter season should gradually become accustomed to it. Initially, you need to offer your pet such food in small portions, gradually increasing the dose.

In this case, it is necessary to carefully monitor the chinchilla’s well-being.

This way the animals get used to the set feeding time, which has a positive effect on the digestibility of food. If all the food is eaten in the morning, then additional feeding is possible.

Before giving your pet a new portion of food, be sure to throw away any uneaten leftovers and rinse the bowls with running water without adding detergents or cleaning agents.

The daily portion of the pet's main food is 1 teaspoon, hay - 20-30 g, treat of choice - 1 piece. There should always be boiled or filtered clean water in the animal's drinking bowl.

Authorized Products

Products approved for chinchilla food can be divided into three main groups.

Concentrated feed

This group includes grain and legume mixtures. Peas, lentils, beans are rich in amino acids and will be very useful for your pet. Barley, millet, corn - have sufficient nutrients and minerals for chinchillas.

Such mixtures are sold in any pet store; when choosing food, be sure to pay attention to its composition; it must contain at least 5 different components. You can prepare the grain mixture yourself, but then you will need to get very high-quality grain

Greens and hay

Chinchillas are herbivores, so for excellent health they need to consume hay and greens year-round. Freshly cut grass must be dried, otherwise it can cause illness and poor digestion for your pet.

Here is an example of what to feed a chinchilla at home:

• young dandelion greens,
• horse sorrel,
• wheat sprouts, oats,
• plantain,
• burdock,
• strawberry leaf,
• nettle,
• timothy grass,
• meadow fescue,
• meadow bluegrass.

Treats

You can please your pet with dried fruits, fresh dried vegetables and nuts.

People often ask, is it possible to give a chinchilla food of animal origin? If we are talking about powdered milk and insects, then such a diet is even recommended for young animals and pregnant females.

Juicy feed

When thinking about what to feed your chinchilla, you must not lose sight of succulent food. They form the basis of the animal’s diet. Juicy food is: various greens and fresh grass, fruits, root vegetables and vegetables.

List of foods allowed for feeding:

• Tomatoes,
• cucumbers,
• Zucchini,
• Pumpkin fruits,
• carrots,
• Sweet potato.

The fruits the animal eats most readily are:

• Figs,
• Sweet pear varieties,
• Apple,
• Banana,
• Red grapes (green - only sweet varieties),
• Various berries.

The most recommended greens are:

• Clover,
• Dandelion leaves and stems,
• Alfalfa,
• Stems and leaves of common nettle,
• Vegetable tops,
• Tree branches.

It is recommended to feed succulent food in the morning and afternoon, and grain food in the evening. The combination of these two types of food can cause digestive upset.

What should you not feed chinchillas?

Rodents should not be given:

• food from the human table with salt, spices, sugar, animal products, fats, etc.;
• pastries, bread;
• fried nuts, grains, seeds;
• rye grain;
• spoiled products.

And finally, we note that for the animal’s well-being, a stable diet is important. There is no need to change the food that your pet is used to very often

It is better to transition your pet to new food gradually, over 1-2 weeks. Don't forget, the chinchilla is a delicate animal. And above all, this concerns feeding. The stomach of a furry pet is very sensitive to dietary disturbances. And mistakes in feeding can lead to serious health problems for your chinchilla.

Is it possible to give pomegranate seeds?

The grains themselves may appeal to rats. But they should not be abused due to the increased level of acidity. A decorative rat can be given 7-10 pomegranate seeds per week.

The septum and peel have a tart taste. Many rodents don't like them. And yet there are individuals who do not mind chewing them. It should be remembered that this should not be given to rats. The composition contains tannins, which will lead to constipation in the rodent.

Decorative rat eats pomegranate

In case of lack of nutritional mixture in pet products

It may happen that the necessary food is not available at the pet store, in which case there is no need to panic. Now we will describe step by step what can be given instead of food at home.

You should make a mixture of 20% oats, 10% buckwheat, 20% wheat groats, 10% barley grains, 55% maize, 8% flaxseeds, 7% peas or chickpeas, add nettle greens to this mixture. A special complex of vitamins, ground calcium and methonine should be added to the resulting consistency.

As a result, you get healthy and high-calorie food. But there is also a drawback to such a mixture: if in the store the food is granulated, then in the home, each grain is separated from each other and the pet can sort through the food.

Chinchilla diet

A complete diet for chinchillas must necessarily include roughage, that is, hay and twig food, bark feeding, fresh herbs, various vegetables and fruits, etc. The menu for rodents should be drawn up taking into account the following factors:

• the daily requirement of chinchillas for a certain amount of nutrients;
• sex and age of the individual;
• the health status of the animal;
• physiological characteristics: pregnancy, lactation;
• time of year.

Rodents are very sensitive to various fungi and bacteria, which often affect wet hay or grains. The necessary products can be prepared in advance in large quantities, taking into account the fact that per year one individual consumes about 10 kg of ready-made combined feed and approximately 7 kg of hay.

There should always be fresh hay in the enclosure

Animals' diets should be dominated by foods high in fiber and protein. In addition, chinchillas need adequate amounts of minerals, vitamins, fluids and fatty acids. Lack of various nutrients leads to increased morbidity in animals and their early mortality. Deficiency of protein and calcium is especially dangerous for pregnant females, as it causes various malformations in the offspring.

What should a chinchilla not eat?!

Good day, dear participants, I looked through many threads on our forum but never saw a separate topic about what chinchillas should not be given to eat. I propose to create a topic where this question will be discussed. I am not the most experienced owner, and it will be extremely interesting for me to read the answers of experienced chinchilla lovers.

I will write about what I know myself and found in other threads; if I write something incorrectly, please correct me and add your own.

To begin with, I will write about the digestion of chinchillas (I found some interesting information).
The structure of the chinchilla's digestive tract
Chinchillas are typical herbivores. This is evidenced by the structure of their digestive system and teeth.

They have 4 incisors, 4 premolars and 12 molars, which contributes to good grinding of plant foods. Further processing of food occurs in the relatively long digestive tract (12 times longer than the body).

The main digestion occurs not in the stomach (with a capacity of about 50 cubic cm and a simple structure), but in the intestines, and the main role is played by the well-functioning rectum. Unlike the cecum of other mammals, it is better adapted for the use of nutrient-poor plant foods and consists of many convexities. Its capacity in adults is about 70 cubic meters. cm, length - 38 cm (27.8-42.9 cm), diameter - 2.4 cm (1.7-2.8 cm). In the cecum, food is digested thanks to a rich bacterial microflora. Absorption of water and food components occurs in the large intestine. Here, also with the participation of microflora, the separation of liquids from solid masses occurs.

The large intestine of chinchillas is very long, 2.5 times longer than the small intestine. Its internal structure promotes the resorption of water, which determines the physiological adaptation of the body to life in conditions of chronic lack of water (high in the mountains).

In their natural environment, chinchillas feed mainly on alpine plants, so in the process of evolution they have learned to extract the maximum from this meager food. Modern research has made it possible to accurately determine the degree of absorption of various feed components by chinchillas. Hay protein is digestible by 60%, oat grains by 65-67%, succulent feeds by 65-70%, complete bulk feeds by about 70%, granulated feeds by 75-77%. Absorption of fats is about 85%, carbohydrates - 80%. Fiber, despite the fact that it is absorbed by only 35-50%, should be present in feed in large quantities (12-16%), helping to improve digestion processes and, as a result, positively influencing the productivity (fertility) of animals. In practice, average digestibility rates are used: for proteins - 75%, fats - 80%, carbohydrates (with fiber) -70%.

How often to feed a chinchilla

Chinchillas eat very carefully

Most chinchilla breeders are inclined to believe that it is better to feed your pet more than once a day, but to divide the daily portion of food - this is approximately 2 tablespoons of dry ready-made food, divided into 2 times.

That is, you pour 1 tablespoon of food into the chinchilla's bowl in the morning, and pour 1 tablespoon in the evening, before bed. It is recommended to remove any leftover food, if any, rather than supplement it with a fresh portion.

By the way, it is better not to overfeed the animal, despite the chinchilla’s good appetite (healthy individuals are almost always ready to chew something), you should not indulge such weaknesses of the rodent, as this can lead to obesity, and in general spoil the character of the chinchilla. Quite often you come across such statements from chinchilla owners that if they overfeed, their rodent begins to row and creates chaos in the cage.

Chinchilla

When choosing foods for herbivorous chinchillas, it is important to remember that they are rodents, so foods of plant origin are their prerogative. Living in their natural environment, chinchillas do not consume too much food, since its quantity is limited by various factors.

Therefore, when keeping these animals at home, you need to make an effort to ensure that their diet is varied and rich in vitamins and various mineral nutrients.

Particular attention should be paid to limiting their consumption of foods that are too high in calories or fatty foods.

The currently available food option for chinchillas is granulated food. This concentrate is easily absorbed by the animal’s body, so the daily dose of this food can be limited to 1-2 tablespoons per day. People who breed chinchillas professionally prefer to give their pets special granules in the form of brownish sticks. This mixture usually consists of wheat bran, yeast, oats, grass flour, and salt, which provides a complete set of nutrients for the animal’s body. Of course, chinchillas must also be provided with minerals such as phosphorus, iron, zinc, calcium, iodine, carotene, as well as vitamins A, B, E, K and others. The ideal option to meet the needs of a fur-bearing animal’s body is raw fiber granules.

Due to the fact that the energy value of one granule of such food is approximately 2500 kilocalories, you need to carefully monitor the dosage of their consumption. Don’t forget about the mixture of grains, which is an important and necessary part of a chinchilla’s diet. The grain mixture should ideally include buckwheat, wheat, flax, oats and milk thistle

If we take the ratio of grain in granular feed, then it should be 6-7% of the total weight. And, naturally, water is an essential component of a chinchilla’s diet. There should always be enough water in the drinking bowl, always fresh and freely available to the pet. Under no circumstances do experts recommend giving boiled water to animals. The opposite is true - it should be cool and filtered.

tasty treats

Almost everyone can eat dried apples. You just need to start with a small piece so as not to irritate your stomach. The chinchilla should gradually get used to the new food. Better give us some apples. Again, it’s better to do it yourself. If you have a personal plot (dacha), that’s good. You wash your own grown apples, cut them, and then dry them slowly in the oven for several days. IMPORTANT! Dry the apples completely so that during storage they do not begin to absorb moisture and form mold.

If you buy dried apples from grandmothers near the metro, it is important to evaluate the quality of the product. Don't be lazy to look into the package. The normal appearance of dried apples is light brown or dark ocher. It is very pleasant to look at and smell, which can also tell a lot. If the smell is a little musty, it means the dried apples were stored in a plastic bag. This means that 90% of this product is not suitable for chinchillas to eat, due to the presence of mold or mildew. If the smell is fragrant and thick, and the color matches those described above, then the product is of good quality and worth taking. It is best to store it at home in cloth bags. If not, buy cotton fabric at a fabric store and sew a handbag. This will take no more than 15 minutes. It is also worth checking the product for the presence of bugs. Even if it is kept at home, the likelihood of them appearing is high. Just turn the apples with your hand. If there are bugs there, they are immediately visible. And one more thing. It is important to ask the seller where the apples were collected. If the seller’s dacha is located near major highways or a toxic waste dump, then, despite the good appearance of the product, it is highly not recommended to buy it.

What do chinchillas eat at home? List of products:

1. Tomatoes, celery, cucumbers, carrots, pumpkin, zucchini.
2. Apples, pear, melon (very little), berries, bananas (very little), rose hips, hawthorn, raisins (very little, because they are sweet). In general, too sweet fruits or berries should either not be given at all, depending on the health of the animal, or their consumption should be significantly limited.
3. Tops of carrots, peas, as well as clover, dandelions, burdock leaves, plantain, strawberry leaves, nettles. And also sprouted cereals. Cereal sprouts are especially relevant in winter, when problems arise with fresh greens.
4. Dried bread, namely crackers or crispbread. A small amount of.
5. Various treats - you need to give them a little, but constantly. It can be dried fruits, berries.

You cannot give a lot of fruits and vegetables, only in the form of a small additive to the main food. Otherwise, the rodent's sensitive digestion will be upset. Fresh leaves should be dried a little before serving, and carrots and other root vegetables must be washed. It is not recommended to give a lot of beets. In nature, of course, animals eat branches and roots unwashed, but domestic animals, which are also bred in captivity and have never lived in the wild, have a more delicate digestion than their wild relatives. Therefore, they are very sensitive to dirty or spoiled food. But even with proper care and hygiene, they live much longer than their wild counterparts.

But this list is far from complete. There are also differences of opinion among experts. So it’s better to check your pet’s diet in advance.

By the way, you need to feed the animal once a day, at a certain time, preferably in the late afternoon. And if it tears the food and scatters it, it’s worth reducing the portion a little. The food must be eaten completely. Water should always be fresh, and experts recommend that it be boiled or distilled.

What can you feed a chinchilla besides food?

Now let’s figure out what else you can feed your chinchilla. For proper development and grinding of teeth, it is necessary to allow the child to chew on twigs, sticks, and driftwood. But there is a whole list of tree species that should never be given! They are poisonous to chinchillas!

These are trees such as:

1. Maple.
2. Cherry.
3. Plum.
4. Elder.
5. Apricot, peach, nectarine.
6. Almond.
7. Oak - good for diarrhea, but can cause constipation in healthy animals.
8. Pine and pine cones.
9. Spruce and fir cones.
10. All citrus fruits.
11. Mango.
12. Sandalwood.
13. Cypress.
14. Such an exotic tree as sequoia, etc.

In general, experts consider the branches of all stone fruits to be poisonous to these rodents! The list is far from complete, so you need to be very careful not to poison your pet. And try to check all tree species in advance before treating the animal with branches.

What to feed a chinchilla to painlessly grind down its teeth? We should also not forget that chinchillas, like all rodents, have teeth that grow throughout their lives. In nature, they grind them down on their own. At home, the owner should take care of this. Beech is highly recommended for grinding teeth - it has hard wood that can replace stone.

If there is no suitable hard wood, then they give it a stone to chew on. Naturally, it should not be taken directly from the ground and dirty. For pets, all food and items should be thoroughly washed before use.

Features and specificity of green food for chinchillas.

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When feeding chinchillas, use the principle that less is more. Adding new food to the diet should be done gradually; new food should be mixed with old food.

Feeding mode

When thinking about the issue of feeding a chinchilla, it is necessary to remember that the activity phase of this animal occurs mainly at night. Therefore, with the arrival of dusk, you can fill the bowl with food. The animal will see the bowl and run up to eat. But you don’t need to expect that your pet will attack the food, basically he will eat a few grains and run around the cage to jump, after a while he will return to the cup and so on all night.

Stability is also important to ensure the animal’s good mood and well-being. It is not recommended to frequently change food to another manufacturer, as this may have a bad effect on your pet’s well-being. If you still need to change the food, you need to do it gradually, dragging out the process for the whole week. A mineral stone must be present in the cell during this process at all times. The pet will chew through it as needed.

Read! Chinchilla in the house: pros and cons

Next, let's take a closer look at the types of feed.

Can chinchillas have walnuts and chestnuts?

Chinchillas are herbivores and it is natural for them to eat vegetation. Their diet should be high in fiber and protein, but low in fat and moisture.

Approximate feed composition:

• 35% carbohydrates;
• 15% protein;
• 30% fiber;
• 4% sugar;
• no more than 3.5% fat.

In their natural environment, chinchillas eat bark. It is the main supplier of fiber. If it is not enough, their teeth become overgrown and digestion is disrupted. Be sure to also provide your pet with hay and grass.

Did you know? From one hair follicle of a chinchilla, up to 60 hairs grow, while in humans

—only one. Therefore, their fur coats are very thick, which allows them to retain body heat even at high altitudes in the mountains.

As for fat, its excess will lead to liver damage. Therefore, giving nuts is not recommended. The table below shows the fat content of some types:

As can be seen from the table, all nuts, without exception, contain many times more fat than a chinchilla can consume. Therefore, such food is more of an exception than a healthy food.

What grains can you give to a chinchilla?

It's good that you can give! Then I will also mix the cereals, only I will put oats and rolled oats in different mixtures.