Can chinchillas have cabbage? Is it possible to feed a chinchilla fresh fruits and vegetables

Chinchillas are rodents with unusually soft and beautiful fur. A distinctive feature of these animals is their cleanliness, shyness, predominantly nocturnal lifestyle, and rather high maintenance requirements (food, cage, sand, air temperature, etc.) indicate that the care and maintenance of a chinchilla is not cheap entertainment, so before how to get a pet at home, you should carefully weigh the pros and cons.

Features of chinchillas

• Height: 22-38 cm, tail length reaches 10-17 cm.
• Weight: 600-800 grams.
• Color: standard chinchillas are gray with a white belly, black, white, brown are also found.
• Lifespan in captivity: at proper care 10-15 years (rarely up to 20 years).

Is it worth buying a chinchilla for a child?	Shusha is a very fragile and exotic animal, so it is not suitable for small children. Of course, it all depends on the consciousness of the child, but it is usually not recommended to buy it for children under 12 years old.
Are chinchillas suitable for allergy sufferers?	Although chinchilla fur is hypoallergenic, experience shows that rodents are not suitable for allergy sufferers and asthmatics. Filler and sand, which are needed on an ongoing basis, can be dangerous for people with lung disease. Their small particles rise into the air, settle in the respiratory tract and cause irritation and severe discomfort.
Why can't a chinchilla walk around the apartment?	Human housing is completely unsuitable for a chinchilla. Dangers await her at every step: vases of water, electrical wires and sockets, unstable furniture. Walking around the apartment is not recommended even in cases where you are sure that you have foreseen all possible problems. Leaving the cage for shushi is the strongest stress, and fast running can cause a rise in temperature. As a result, heat stroke or stroke can occur. Do not worry about the fact that the animal is ill in the cage. Better make his home as comfortable and interesting as possible.
Is it possible to leave Shusha alone for a long time?	They do not get bored in the absence of people, but they need constant care. It is not recommended to leave the animal longer than 1.5 days. For this time, the left food and a portion of water in the drinker will be enough for her. But you need to keep in mind that the fidget can break the drinker and wet the food. Therefore, leaving it for a long time is a bad idea.
Maybe get a couple of females or two males?	Same-sex animals do not coexist well together. They may quarrel and fight. If you still want to take the risk, get two males from the same litter.
Do doctors deal with chinchillas?	Unfortunately, there are specialists in the treatment of rodents only in large cities. Ordinary veterinarians are not qualified enough to work with exotics and can seriously harm shushi. By choosing this animal, you should be prepared to solve most of the possible health problems on your own.
Will the animal be bored alone?	They live well alone, the animal always has something to do.
Is it difficult to breed chinchillas?	Breeding chinchillas is not an easy task. It assumes the presence of 2 cells or a spacious showcase with a maternity unit. The female and male should not live together for six months after giving birth. In addition, many owners note that shushi living in pairs become less tame.

Character, behavior and habits

Each animal has its own character, but there are features that unite this species. All animals are very curious. They will not disregard changes in the environment and new things in the cage. They react violently to the arrival of guests and find a pet among family members.

Shushi are nocturnal animals, they like to sleep during the day. Watching them sleep is very funny. Everyone has their own preferences: some sleep on their side, others curl up into a ring or take another "uncomfortable" position. Usually the animal wakes up at 7-8 pm, and the peak of its activity falls on 10 pm.

Chinchillas make very interesting sounds. Each sound has its own meaning, and with their help you can understand how the animal feels. Lonely shushi often make sounds of searching. So they try to find their relatives. The male paired with the female often sings a courtship song and performs a dance, twisting his tail.

When the animal is angry, it begins to click its teeth and make a crackling sound. If her displeasure is caused by a person or another chinchilla, she may attack the offender. Their attacks are quite funny: the growling rodent stands up on its hind legs, stretches out, lets out a stream of urine and tries to bite. Their bites are harmless. Despite the fact that they have sharp and long teeth, they are not able to bite through the skin.

Relationships with rodents and other animals are usually complex. Shuni do not pay attention to other animals as long as they are not touched. But as soon as a cat or dog becomes interested in the animal, he will begin to experience severe stress. If you want to keep a chinchilla in a house where there are already pets, give her a separate room.

At home, keeping and caring for chinchillas is not particularly difficult. The animal must live in a spacious and comfortable cage, always have access to clean water and fresh food.

They require a strict thermal regime. The air temperature should not exceed 25°C. Higher temperatures are life threatening and can cause heat stroke.

If you live in a hot climate, consider installing an air conditioner. This will help you avoid a lot of problems. If your city only has a few days of heat, use the following ideas.

1. Freeze a few quart bottles of water ahead of time and place them in a cage. Make sure that the shusha does not start to gnaw on them.
2. Place tile in the refrigerator for half an hour. Then give it to the chinchilla.

What not to do:

• do not use a fan, the animal may catch a cold;
• do not install a humidifier, high humidity also undesirable.

Ideal home

The beast is very mobile, so they need a lot of space. When choosing a cage, first of all be guided by its size. Minimum size cages for one animal - 50*50*70 (length*width*height). It is optimal to choose a more spacious dwelling - 60 * 50 * 100.

The higher the cage, the better! Chinchillas love to jump and climb the bars. The cage should have at least 2 shelves.

You can also equip a showcase, since such a house has several advantages. It has closed walls, so the dirt will not fly out. In addition, the showcase looks more stylish, it can be successfully entered into the interior.

Unfortunately, display cases are not sold in pet stores. They can be ordered from the masters or made independently. As a basis, you can take wooden shelves or an old chest of drawers.

Accessories

Chinchillas need:

• feeder;
• drinker;
• house;
• stone for teeth point;
• stones and branches.

Once your home is ready, start furnishing it. First, she needs a drinker and a feeder. It is better to choose hanging options, so the beast will always have clean food and water. It is advisable to purchase metal utensils, as the tree will be quickly worn down.

Be sure to put a house in the cage. It is better that it be wooden. Of course, sooner or later it will be eaten, but animals will get great pleasure from such a shelter.

You can distract the animal from the point of teeth on the cage or house using a special chalk stone. A stone for pointing teeth can be purchased at any pet store and hung on the bars of the cage.

Large stones and branches of permitted trees can be placed in the cage (see section Feeding). The chinchilla will be pleased with the system of manholes and pipes, where she can hide. If the size of the cage allows, hang a hammock in it. You can buy a ferret hammock, or you can make your own from heavy fabric.

Toys

In order for the fidget not to get bored, place a few toys in the cage. Don't be discouraged if your upgrades don't make much of an impression. Chinchillas are absolutely unpredictable. They may be happy with an ordinary branch and not react at all to a new hole or house.

The best toys for chinchillas are wooden cubes and shells from walnuts. Watch how enthusiastically she will drag them around the cage and gnaw.

Standard running wheels for hamsters and guinea pigs have too large distances between the bars. During a fast run, the animal can easily injure its paw. There are solid wood wheels, they are hard to find, but they will work well for the shush. If you are afraid that your pet is not getting enough activity, equip the cage with pipes and hang a few extra shelves.

Grooming basics: feeding, bathing and cleaning the cage

Feeding

The main component of home care for a chinchilla is feeding. Shusha is a herbivore. In the wild, its diet consists of dry grass and tree bark. In captivity, nutrition includes 4 components:

• the main food, it should be 70-80% of the diet
• cereals
• complementary foods (goodies) - no more than 10%.

The animal needs bottled or boiled water. Tap water is not allowed.

Chinchilla should not be given anything raw. Allowed berries, fruits, twigs and leaves must be well dried.

Choosing the main food

The right basic food is a guarantee good health your pet. The main rule of good food is that it should consist entirely of pressed grass pellets. It should not contain any additives, including permitted complementary foods and colored granules.

Quality granulate can be ordered from farmers and professional breeders. It can also be purchased at a pet store. Check out the products from the following companies:

• Vitakraft;
• Versele Laga;
• JR Farm;
• Benelux;
• beaphar.

Carefully study the composition of the feed. Salt, yeast and preservatives are not allowed (see). An adult needs 2 tbsp. feed per day. Any uneaten food should be removed and replaced with fresh food.

How to teach a chinchilla to the right food?

Many acquire chinchillas that have been accustomed to malnutrition. Moving is a strong stress, so it is not recommended to change the animal's diet drastically. It is advisable to ask the seller for some food that the animal was fed or to learn in detail about his usual diet.

Start small:

• Eliminate all fresh foods immediately.
• Use the right food as a base and mix in 1/3 of your normal food.
• Over the course of a week, gradually reduce the amount of the usual food, replacing it with a new one. If you notice that the animal does not eat well, increase the amount of sweets. This process may take a month.

Add cereals and hay

Grains also make up daily diet. Each day, give 1 teaspoon of rolled oats, buckwheat, corn, lentils, or a mixture of 5 grains. Shushi are very fond of flaxseed, but it can be given a little at a time (no more than 1/3 tsp).

Hay should be given once every 3-4 days in small portions. It is better to put it in a hanging sennitsa. Fallen hay must be picked up. Firstly, dirty hay can harm the shush, and secondly, it causes a sharp bad smell. Also make sure that there are no roots and earth in the purchased hay.

Lure

Many people underestimate the importance of complementary foods and consider it a common treat. In fact, the right treats are a great source of the right nutrients. If they are varied, you can not worry about the quality of the fur and the teeth of the pet.

How to pamper your pet? You can buy ready-made chinchilla food. It is available from many food manufacturers. Such a treat should be no more than 10% of the total diet, that is, approximately 1/3 tsp.

If you wish, you can make goodies with your own hands. Just pick and dry berries, fruits or branches. Remember that the collection of herbs can only be done in ecologically clean areas away from the tracks.

Chinchillas can:

• branches, leaves and berries of hawthorn, viburnum, cranberry, gooseberry, sea buckthorn, mountain ash, currant, bearberry, blueberry;
• leaves and berries of cranberries;
• leaves and stems of blackberries;
• blue honeysuckle berries;
• leaves and fruits of strawberries and raspberries;
• branches, leaves and fruits of viburnum,;
• juniper berries;
• branches and leaves of mulberry;
• rose hips and flowers;
• calamus root, ginseng and burdock;
• carrot;
• Bell pepper;
• greens and parsley root;
• root and stems of Jerusalem artichoke;
• stems of a bird's mountaineer;
• leaves, inflorescences and stems of oregano;
• jasmine flowers;
• leaves, stems and flowers of Ivan-tea;
• calendula flowers;
• hibiscus;
• sour;
• clover stalks;
• nettle;
• alfalfa;
• mallow leaves;
• leaves and stems of common cuff;
• leaves, stems and flowers of goat's rue;
• coltsfoot leaves;
• lemon balm;
• mint (great for stress relief!);
• dandelion root and leaves;
• plantain;
• rose buds;
• chamomile;
• root, stems and flowers of chicory;
• thyme stalks and string;
• echinacea leaves;
• branches of acacia, maple;
• branches and leaves of birch, elm, pear, willow, linden, hazel, aspen, poplar, alder, ash;
• willow branches, leaves and buds;
• branches, leaves, fruits and inflorescences of an apple tree;
• pumpkin seeds;
• spikelets and stems of brome, fragrant spikelet, meadow bluegrass, red fescue, couch grass, ryegrass, shaker;
• leaves and vine of grapes;
• green tea leaves.

Prepare 7-10 options and rotate them regularly. So the animal will receive all the necessary vitamins and nutrients.

Do not overfeed the animal with sweets! The chinchilla's liver is not designed to process large amounts of glucose. Improper nutrition greatly shorten their lifespan. On average, a rodent with the wrong diet live up to 3-4 years and get sick regularly.

Fur care

Chinchillas are distinguished by soft fur that covers their entire body. In order for it to remain beautiful, it needs to be regularly looked after. They love to take care of themselves. They bathe and groom their fur regularly, but they need a little help.


Once a week, the animal should be bathed in the sand. Get special sand for chinchillas or volcanic dust (it will give the fur a special gloss). Pour it into a special bathing suit, which often comes with a cage. You can make your own bathing suit from a 5 liter bottle or wood. Open it and let the Zeyer clean his fur coat with joy, tossing and turning in the sand.

Do not leave the swimsuit for more than 30 minutes. Chinchillas love to sleep in it, and prolonged contact with sand dries out the skin. Also, you do not need to succumb to persuasion and put a bathing suit more than 1 time in 4 days.

Wetting the fur is contraindicated. It dries for a long time, and shusha can catch a cold. In addition, during bathing, water can get into the ears, which will end in an inflammatory process. If the fur is heavily soiled, use a damp towel and fine-toothed comb to gently remove the dirt.

Major cleaning is required for the cage every 3-4 days. Quite a short time to get out. To speed up this process, use a small scoop and brush.

Use any unscented wood filler. There are special litters for rodents, but litters for cat litter are also suitable.

It is forbidden to use as bedding:

• sawdust (they are too small and can get into the eyes of a chinchilla);
• newspapers (paint contains toxic lead);
• rags (shusha will eat threads).

Taming

Unfortunately, the chinchilla cannot be tamed like a cat or a dog. She is very independent and prefers solitude. There are happy exceptions - some shushi are happy to go to the hands of the owner, they love affection and attention.

In order for the shunya to become more tame, not afraid of you and feel comfortable, start taming her from the first day at home.

For the first 2 weeks, keep all contact with the chinchilla to a minimum. Let her settle in, get used to new food and unusual smells. To relieve stress, offer her a leaf of dried lemon balm or mint.

After two weeks, start talking to shushi. Come to the cage, open it and stretch your open palms towards it. Most likely, she will become interested and will sniff and lightly bite her fingers. She might even jump into your palm. In this case, try not to make sudden movements and do not try to pull the animal out of the cage. Better let him settle down, and then let him go. Reinforce your success with a treat.

After that, try to scratch it. Favorite places for affection are behind the ear, on the neck and chest. Try not to touch the back, sides and tail, this awakens protective reflexes and a sense of fear. Some shushi don't like being touched at all. If you hear a disgruntled crackling when scratching, leave the animal alone.

Never catch or pick up a chinchilla against her will. This is allowed only in case of illness or the need for an examination. She would react violently to such an intrusion. She may shoot urine at you, bite or scratch you. If you catch it regularly, your hands will become a signal for danger, and the Shusha will be afraid of you.

What Not to Do

Remember that the chinchilla is exotic. She needs special treatment.

• release shushu from the cage;
• take it outside;
• wash in water;
• put in a ball for walking;
• use a harness for ferrets;
• give fresh grass;
• feed houseplants.

Health Diagnostics

What does a healthy chinchilla look like?

• The soles of the feet should be smooth and velvety. If the heels are peeling or bleeding, change the filler and apply a moisturizer.
• Teeth are bright orange and straight. Light teeth indicate a lack of calcium. If the animal is constantly drooling, the teeth have become too long.
• Nose - dry, without any discharge. If the nose is wet and the shusha sneezes, she has caught a cold.
• Ears should be cold. Hot ears indicate that the shush is hot. Lower the ambient temperature immediately! Peeling appears due to prolonged bathing. Dark spots on the ears (they look like freckles) are the norm.
• Eyes are shiny and dry. There are no cloudy spots. If the eye is swollen or swollen, flush it with chlorhexidine. Perhaps it just got a piece of filler or sand.
• Bald patches in fur is a sign of stress. Most likely, the chinchilla gnaws it out on its own. If the problem does not disappear after a month, take a scraping for ticks.
• The weight of the shushi should not change dramatically. If you notice that Shusha has lost weight, start giving her mint regularly. The main culprit for losing weight is stress.
• The urine of the animal is yellow and clear. Blood may appear due to kidney problems.
• Boluses (litter) should have an oblong shape and a smooth, slightly damp surface. A sharp decrease in the number of boluses indicates constipation. Temporarily change the shusha to hay and water. If diarrhea occurs, immediately give the animal an activated charcoal tablet. Mucus and blood in boluses is a reason for an urgent visit to the doctor.
• The genitals should be dry, without swelling and discharge. On the genitals of the male, a hair ring of matted fur may form. Usually the animal removes it on its own, but if swelling has begun, help it.

Perform this inspection regularly so that you can quickly respond to possible problems.

All sweets are in a dry form, they are given infrequently and alternating, with constant feeding, a large amount of sweets begins indigestion, diarrhea or constipation, in the worst case, swelling or prolapse of the rectum.

Hay - the most important component of the diet of chinchillas. It should always be available to the animal.
It must be added in small portions so that the pets do not scatter it around the cage and do not pollute.
If the chinchilla begins to scatter, throw hay around the cage, you need to stop putting it on for a while.
Hay helps chinchillas move food through the intestines, thereby preventing it from stagnating and causing fermentation.
Also, herbal food is a source of vitamins, microelements, fiber and protein for chinchillas. Dried or young green foods (which can be given to chinchillas in limited quantities) are rich in chlorophyll, which chemical composition close to blood hemoglobin.
Chewing hay helps chinchillas grind their teeth evenly and in a timely manner, which prevents the development of dental hooks on the back incisors.
Chinchillas eat well hay from seeded grasses (alfalfa, clover, timothy grass) and soft meadow hay (timothy grass, cocksfoot, meadow fescue, couch grass, bluegrass), mowed during the flowering period of legumes.
Empirically, about 100 species of herbaceous plants were identified, which are most preferred by chinchillas. These species belong to 24 families.
Especially well chinchillas eat legumes (alfalfa, clover, vetch), then cereals (sudanese, wheatgrass, bluegrass, umbrella). They also love hay from the Rosaceae family (cuff, burnet, cinquefoil, rose) and Compositae (thistle, cornflower, wormwood, dandelion, chicory tartar, goat beard).
They do not like plants of the sedge and horsetail families.
As part of the herbs, there are plants such as burnet, cuff, cumin, parsnip, boletus, yarrow, cornflower, kulbaba, dandelion, plantain, cow parsnip, which help to improve the taste of hay and stimulate appetite.
Mountain hay.
Mountain hay contains little fiber, but is rich in protein. It has a high nutritional value and a delicate aroma.
The composition of such hay is very diverse. It includes such cereal crops as: hedgehog, bent grass, timothy grass, fescue, ryegrass, mouse peas and other plants.
Legumes: vetch, clover. Forbs: cuff, bindweed, yarrow.
Alpine mountain hay is better and more nutritious in composition and contains a lot of umbrella and plantain.
Meadow hay.
Meadow hay consists mainly of herbs: vetch, clover, red and meadow fescue, bluegrass, bent grass, pike, sainfoin, astragalus, wheatgrass.
Such hay is rich in cereal and moth grasses. The less coarse grasses such as sedge and horsetail in hay, the better it is.
Meadow hay contains significantly less protein than mountain hay, but it is superior in fiber content. Has a pleasant, fragrant smell.
Forest hay.
Forest hay is mowed in forest lands, on the edges and clearings.
It is inferior in quality to meadow hay. It consists of cereals and legumes, as well as herbs. In it, as a rule, there are woody leaves and pieces of moss.
This hay contains: vetch, clover, forest rank, fragrant spikelet, shaker, pearl barley, forest fescue, bluegrass, pine forest.
Remember, any hay should have a pleasant smell, green color and look appetizing. Hay shouldn't be foreign objects, garbage, sticks, dust. Brown, with mold and musty smell hay should not be given to chinchillas. Also, hay is never used as cage bedding for animals.

BASIC DIET

The organism of animals is adapted to dry plant foods.
In the wild, the diet of chinchillas is poor. It consists of stems and leaves, seeds, roots and bulbs of drought-resistant herbaceous plants - lichens, cacti, moss, as well as fruits, leaves and bark of evergreen shrubs.
Chinchillas quench their thirst with succulent plants and dew.
When keeping chinchillas at home, the issue of nutrition should be approached very carefully.
The composition of the feed must be balanced and adapted to the digestive system of the animals.
Chinchillas are very demanding on the quality of their food.
Perhaps this is due to the very small amount of food they consume, which is a consequence of their habitat in natural conditions, where chinchillas could only eat ephemeral (herbaceous plants with a short life cycle) and other alpine vegetation, which has a very short growing season and due to with this retains a large supply of nutrients.
In this regard, the diet of chinchillas should be dry, balanced and nutritious food. Western and domestic chinchilla breeders prefer to feed their pets with granules, which are small oblong sticks of gray-green or brownish color.
The composition of granulated food for chinchillas, as a rule, includes:
grass flour, wheat bran, crude fat, oats, barley, sunflower meal, wheat, molasses, limestone flour;
feed yeast, fishmeal, salt, lysine, premix with a full range of vitamins and minerals.
For puppies and lactating females, food with a high protein content (up to 25%) is preferable.
For adult chinchillas, granules are used, in which protein makes up 18-20% of the total mass.
Protein plays important role in the development, growth and quality of chinchilla fur. With an insufficient amount of protein in the diet (especially in the diet of puppies), the growth of animals stops, the fur becomes dull, "cotton", dry and brittle.
An important component of the feed is also crude fiber, which should be at least 10-15%.
Digestive system chinchillas need plant fibers to improve peristalsis.
Fiber pushes food through the intestines, making it work.
The percentage of fat in the granulate should be 3-4%.
A balanced mineral and vitamin composition of the feed is of great importance.
The composition of granules for chinchillas contains the following mineral supplements:
calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, sodium;
sulfur, iron, zinc, iodine, selenium, manganese;
vitamins: A, B, D, E, K, PP, biotin, carotene;
various organic acids (malic, folic, ascorbic).
The energy value of one kilogram of feed is 2900 kilocalories.
Every day a chinchilla should eat about 20 grams of food (1-2 tablespoons).
Chinchillas are big picky eaters and will pick the tastiest things out of the bowl first. To receive good nutrition, the animal should eat all the food, not just tidbits. The pet must eat everything that is offered to him.
Do not put a fresh portion in his bowl until he has eaten the previous one.
If your chinchilla has begun to shovel and scatter pellets from the feeder, then you are giving her too much food. Reduce the amount of food, remove treats from the diet, break the daily allowance of pellets into several parts and sprinkle in small portions.
The most harmful animals can be put on a diet: leave the feeder empty for several hours so that the animal gets hungry and natural instincts work - food is not always available, so you need to eat "in reserve".
It is better to underfeed a chinchilla a little than to overfeed it with treats.
A healthy chinchilla will eat any food. Of course, if she has a choice, she will prefer something more appropriate to her tastes, but it is possible and extremely necessary to teach a pet to eat properly.

1 Air - root

2 Astragalus

3 Birch - bark, branches, leaves, catkins

5 Hawthorn - fruits, bark, flowers, leaves

6 Lingonberries - berries, bark, leaves

7 Cornflower - flowers

8 Willow - bark, buds, leaves

9 Vika (mouse peas)

10 Grapes - leaves

12 Hercules

13 Ginkgo Biloba - bark, leaves

14 Highlander bird

15 Buckwheat - grain, flowers

16 Pear - bark, leaves, fruits, flowers

17 Oak - bark

18 Oregano motherboard

19 hedgehog

20 Blackberries - berries, stem (without thorns)

21 Jasmine - flowers

22 Ginseng - root

23 Green oats

24 Green tea

25 Strawberries - strawberries - fruits, leaves

26 Cereal rice

27 Willow - bark, leaves

28 Ivan tea

29 Irga - fruits, bark, leaves

30 Calendula - flowers

31 Kalina - bark, fruits, leaves

32 Hibiscus - Hibiscus

33 Chestnut - leaves, bark, (fruits???)

34 Oxygen

35 Clover

36 Cranberries - fruits, leaves

37 Goat's Rue

38 Spikelet fragrant

39 Rump

40 Nettle - leaves, root

41 Corn

42 Linen

43 Hazel - hazel - bark, leaves

44 Linden - bark, leaves, flowers

45 Lucerne

46 Raspberries - berries, leaves, twigs (without thorns)

47 Mallow

48 Cuff ordinary

49 Mother and stepmother

50 Melisa

51 Juniper

52 Carrot

53 Mouse peas

54 Mint

55 Meadowgrass

56 Sea buckthorn - fruits, leaves, bark (without thorns)

57 Oats - preferably peeled

58 Red fescue

59 Meadow fescue

60 Dandelion - leaf, flower, root

61 Aspen - leaf, bark

62 Bell pepper

63 Parsley - root

64 Plantain

65 Sunflower - flower

66 Polevica

67 Millet

68 Wheat

69 Wheatgrass

70 ryegrass

71 Milk thistle

72 Rye

73 Rose - bud, petals

74 Chamomile

75 Rowan red - leaves, bark, berries

76 Chokeberry - leaves, bark, berries

77 Birch earrings

78 Currant - leaves, twigs, berries

Episode 79

80 Pine - bark (no resin)

81 Soy and soybean meal

82 Sudanese

83 Jerusalem artichoke

84 Meadow timothy grass

85 Poplar - bark, leaves

86 Shaker

87 Yarrow

88 Chicory - root, flowers, stem

89 Thyme

90 Series

91 Blueberries, berries, leaves, branches

92 Lentils

93 Chin

94 Mulberry - bark, leaves

95 Rose hips, berries, flowers

96 Alder cones

97 Hop cones

98 Pike

99 Eleutherococcus

100 Esparcet

101 Echinacea

102 Apple tree - bark, leaves, fruits

103 Barley

Chinchillas should not be fed the following foods:

Any dairy products

Meat;

Any pastries, pasta, noodles, pancakes, bread, cookies, etc.;

Potato, cabbage, lettuce;

Eggs;

confectionery, ice cream, sweets, chocolate, sugar;

Mushrooms;

Popcorn, chips and other fast food;

Any roasted grains (seeds, nuts, cereals).

In the daily diet of chinchillas, it is necessary to include branches, twigs, snags, pieces of wood of various tree species and shrubs. This is done not only to diversify the diet of animals and supplement it natural vitamins and trace elements, but also in connection with the peculiarity of the structure of the dental system of chinchillas.
The pieces of wood also serve as toys that have a positive effect on the behavior of animals and prevent the occurrence of bad habits(for example, gnawing fur).
Dried branches in their properties (nutritional value) are close to meadow hay of medium quality.
From tree feeds, chinchillas prefer to eat shoots, leaves and bark:

hazel, apple, acacia, willow.

raspberries, lindens, wild roses, hibiscus, willows.

You can also include branches and leaves in the diet of animals:

mountain ash, pear, birch, black currant, sea buckthorn.

hawthorn, chestnut, hazel, alder.

Tree greens are rich in vitamins, contain proteins (8-15%), fats (5-8%), fiber, nitrogen-free extractive substances, microelements. On an industrial scale, vitamin flour is obtained from tree greens.
Branches of trees and shrubs cannot be cut in the city, parks, along roads and highways. They should be harvested during the growing season, in ecologically favorable areas.
On the branches there should be no mold, lichens, traces of infection with a fungus, pests. The branches should be washed under hot water and dried well. Do not free the trunk from the bark. It is the bark that is the main source of the nutritional value of tree fodder.

Wood species that are harmful or poisonous to chinchillas:

coniferous, citrus;

plum, cherry, apricot and others with resinous wood;

wild rosemary, wolf's bast, buckthorn, lilac, elderberry, bird cherry, maple.

Mixture - this is an additional complementary food that can be used in the chinchilla's diet as a natural source of vitamins and trace elements, as well as to diversify the pet's diet. It is mixed with the main kibble or given separately.
The composition of such a mixture includes various grains, fruits, vegetables, fruits and nuts.
It should be remembered that all these products are not the main food for chinchillas, but only an additional component to everyday food.
IMPORTANT: product rates for chinchillas are approximate.
The list of feed additives is optional. Do not include in the diet of chinchillas all foods at the same time.
Be aware that the stomach and liver of chinchillas can suffer due to the high content of fat, carbohydrates and other elements that make up some types of food.
________________________________________
From the main components of the nutrient mixture for chinchillas
the following products can be distinguished:

Dried carrots - a wonderful delicacy, safe for the chinchilla's digestive system. Carrots belong to the umbrella family. Contains a large number of carotene (65%), vitamins A, B, C, E, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium. Useful for chinchilla fur, strengthens the heart muscle, stimulates appetite, Phytoncides contained in carrots are a natural antimicrobial agent and help the chinchilla cleanse the oral cavity and teeth from the pathogenic environment.
Carrots also help with anemia and dysbacteriosis in animals.
The daily norm of carrots is no more than half a teaspoon.
Per 100 g of product: proteins - 1.3, fats - 0.1, carbohydrates - 8.9 grams.

dried apples - with a low calorie content, they contain a lot of fiber, which helps chinchillas move food through the intestines. Apples are also rich in pectin, a natural enterosorbent that removes toxic substances from the body of animals. Improve the texture of the fur, strengthen the hair follicle. Apples normalize metabolic processes body and strengthen the cardiovascular system.
Daily allowance: a chinchilla can be given half a slice of a dried apple per day.
Per 100 g of the product there are: proteins - 2.2, fats - 0.1, carbohydrates - 59 grams.

Hawthorn - rich in vitamin C. Strengthens the heart muscle, helps with diarrhea. It has a calming, anti-stress effect on the nervous system of chinchillas.
Daily rate: 1-2 berries.

Dandelion leaves and roots - contain calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, vitamins of groups A, B, C, E, a large amount of protein. Stimulate appetite, normalize bowel function. Increase lactation in lactating females.
Weekly rate: a teaspoon once or twice.

Flax seeds
- rich in alpha-linolenic acid, omega-3 fatty acid (which is a vital biological supplement for animals), protein, fiber. They contain a large amount of vitamins E, A and F. They improve the appearance of chinchilla fur, making it shiny, lively and elastic. Strengthen the immunity of animals, are a natural anti-allergen. They increase potency in males and improve the course of pregnancy and childbirth in females. They have a calming effect, have a slight laxative effect.

Per 100 g of the product there are: proteins - 40, fats - 40, carbohydrates - 22 grams.

Buckwheat
- contains 18 essential amino acids and is similar in composition to plants of the legume family. It is also rich in iron, folic acid, flavonoids, which activate the protective functions of the body of chinchillas. Useful for pregnant females. Stimulates hematopoiesis, increases endurance, helps chinchillas fight diseases.

For 100 g of the product there are: proteins - 11.3, fats - 2.7, carbohydrates - 58.3 grams.

Chicory root
- contains a large amount of inulin (a substance that improves the body's metabolic processes and normalizes the digestive system), vitamins B and C. Increases appetite in chinchillas (especially useful for a weakened, emaciated body, during or after an animal's illness), normalizes blood flow, is an astringent , anti-inflammatory and antihelminthic agent.
Weekly rate: 1 teaspoon.
Per 100 g of the product there are: proteins - 4.0, fats - 0.2, carbohydrates - 81.7 grams.

Karkade (hibiscus, Chinese rose) - in its composition: fruit acids, trace elements, many vitamins, bioflavonoids. Hibiscus is an excellent vitamin supplement to the diet of chinchillas. It improves metabolism, tones and strengthens the protective properties of the body, increases resistance to infectious diseases.

Calendula (flowers)
- contains organic acids, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, calcium. It has a beneficial effect on the body of pregnant females, prevents the threat of miscarriage. It has a pronounced antiviral and antimicrobial property, supports the liver.
Weekly rate: 1 teaspoon.

Nettle
- contains chlorophyll (a substance with which chinchillas produce blood), vitamin C, K, iron, sulfur, potassium, calcium. Useful for anemia, bleeding (increases blood clotting). Increases lactation in lactating females, prevents convulsions, removes water from the body and has a pronounced tonic effect.
Weekly rate: 2 tablespoons.
Per 100 g of the product there are: protein - 24, fat - 2.5, carbohydrates - 5 grams.

Corn
- rich in iron, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, contains ascorbic and folic acid, vitamins B, D, K. Improves peristalsis of the stomach and intestines in chinchillas. Removes "garbage" from the body and is used for constipation.
Weekly rate: 1 teaspoon.

Wheat
- contains vitamins of groups B, E, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, rich in carbohydrates and proteins. Improves the structure of chinchilla fur, evens out the color. Normalizes the intestinal microflora of animals, is a source of energy and vitamins.
Weekly rate: 1 tablespoon.
Per 100 g of the product there are: protein - 13.8, fat - 1.8, carbohydrates - 66.6 grams.

Raspberries - source organic acids- such as lemon, apple, formic, salicylic. Contains salts of iron, magnesium, potassium and copper. Supports the body of chinchillas, helps with bleeding and prolonged diarrhea in animals.
Weekly rate: 2-3 berries.
Per 100 g of product: proteins - 0.8, fats - 0.3, carbohydrates - 14 grams.

Lentils
- seeds contain B vitamins, a lot of iron, folic acid, which improves metabolism. Also, lentils are rich in zinc, this microelement heals the fur and outer cover of chinchillas, regulates appetite.
Weekly rate: 1 tablespoon.
Per 100 g of the product there are: proteins - 9, fats - 0.6, carbohydrates - 22.1 grams.

chokeberry - contain a huge amount of vitamin P, a lot of various micro and macro elements, acids.
Stimulates the appetite of chinchillas, speeds up digestive processes, normalizes the balance of microelements and vitamins in the body of animals.
Weekly rate: 1 teaspoon.
Per 100 g of the product there are: proteins - 1.5, fats - 0.1, carbohydrates - 13.6 grams.

Raisin - contains B vitamins, fiber, iron, magnesium, as well as up to 86% sugar, which is harmful to the body of chinchillas and provokes dental problems. Used for anemia, general weakness in chinchillas. Raisins calm the nervous system, optimize the functioning of the heart and lungs.
Weekly and even monthly norm: 1-2 berries.
Per 100 g of product: proteins - 2.9, fats - 0.6, carbohydrates - 6.6 grams.

Bell pepper
- a source of antioxidants, as it contains vitamins A, C, E. A large amount of vitamin C (up to 350 mg) makes pepper a valuable food product for chinchillas. Strengthens the gums, tooth roots, prevents the appearance of hooks, is a powerful immune stimulant.
Daily allowance: half a teaspoon.
Per 100 g of the product there are: proteins - 1.3, fats - 0, carbohydrates - 7.2 grams.

sunflower seeds
- are a source of calcium, the content of which is superior to dairy products. Magnesium in seeds is five times more than in grains. Affect fat metabolism, support the heart muscle.

Per 100 g of product: proteins - 21, fats - 35, carbohydrates - 4 grams.

oats
- rich in vitamins A, C, E, PP, contains magnesium, phosphorus, chromium, zinc, nickel, calcium, potassium. Oats are rich in vitamins B6 and B12. It is considered a dietary product. Biotin relieves drowsiness and lethargy. Good for the chinchilla's digestive system.
Weekly rate: one teaspoon.
Per 100 g of the product there are: proteins - 3.2, fats - 4, carbohydrates - 14.2 grams.

Linden flowers
- contain bioflavonoids, ascorbic acid, carotene, a complex of biologically active compounds. It has a calming effect on the nervous system of chinchillas, improves digestive processes, has an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial effect.
Weekly rate: 1 tablespoon.

Green tea - rich in vitamins B1, B2, C, PP, K, copper, potassium, iodine. Contains fluoride, which strengthens the teeth of chinchillas, supports the liver. Powerful antioxidant, optimizes and strengthens the nervous system, removes toxins from the body.
Weekly rate: half a teaspoon.
Per 100 g of the product there are: proteins: 0, fats: 0, carbohydrates: 0 grams.

When breeding, you should especially carefully approach the question: what do chinchillas eat, as well as the organization of their diet. Quality food is the key normal development and animal growth. In general, the list of foods that rodents can eat is very limited. Therefore, you should make an approximate diet for a chinchilla in advance.

The natural habitat of chinchillas is the desert highlands. In the wild, rodents consume a minimum of water and food. This is due to the scarcity of vegetation growing in the mountains, and its high calorie content.

1. The diet must be balanced.
2. Enough high-calorie, but not fatty foods should be introduced into the menu.
3. The necessary vitamins and minerals the rodent should receive not only from vitamin mixtures, but also from everyday food.
4. The diet should include at least 5-7 different foods.

Useful substance	Functions	Product
Potassium	Normalizes the functioning of the urinary system, contributes to the regulation of the water-salt balance in the body, provides muscle tone, including cardiac	Dried apricots, beans, raisins, lentils, peanuts
Magnesium	Normalizes the immune system, stimulates the body's defense reactions, tones blood vessels	Oatmeal, greens, nuts
Iron	Needed to transport oxygen to tissues	Apples, greens, cereals
Folic acid	Stimulates lactation in females, improves bowel function	Strawberry leaves, cereals, oatmeal, fruits

Chinchillas often change taste preferences. To some extent, this is due to the ability of animals to independently determine which nutrients they need on their own. this moment. However, it should be noted that rodents are very fond of delicacies: fruits, berries, some herbs. Animals can consume them in large quantities, which is harmful to their health. Therefore, the number of these products should be limited.

Chinchillas are quite picky eaters. In order for the animal not to lose its appetite, it is necessary to make its diet varied. At the same time, every 4-6 months the menu must be changed. In this case, pregnant or sick animals should receive special nutrition.

Features of care

1. An aviary for an adult rodent must have dimensions of at least 100x50x55 cm. This must also be taken into account if several individuals live in one cage.
2. It is necessary to equip the aviary with various houses, stairs and labyrinths. Chinchillas are very mobile, especially during the mating season.
3. Rodents need to clean their fur regularly. To do this, you need to install a sufficiently deep and wide container filled with clean sand in the cage. Chinchillas enjoy bathing in it. The sand bath should be removed from the enclosure when the female is preparing for childbirth.
4. The cage must have a sufficiently voluminous litter of shavings or hay. Do not use animal litter or newspapers for this purpose.
5. Chinchillas are pack animals. Males are especially bad at loneliness: they begin to refuse food, lose their fur, and fall ill. Therefore, it is recommended to have two or more rodents.

Chinchilla daily routine and nutrition

Chinchillas are nocturnal animals. They sleep during the day and become awake after 6-8 pm. This should be taken into account when organizing rodent feeding. The animal must have access to food at night.

Chinchillas need to constantly grind their teeth. Their incisors dull and renew over time. Therefore, the enclosure must have wooden logs made of apple, birch or linden, special chalk or mineral stones, wooden toys, etc.

Chinchilla diet

Complete nutrition of chinchillas must necessarily include roughage, that is, hay and twigs, top dressing from bark, fresh herbs, various vegetables and fruits, etc. The menu for rodents should be made taking into account the following factors:

• the daily requirement of chinchillas for a certain amount of nutrients;
• gender and age of the individual;
• the health status of the animal;
• physiological features: pregnancy, lactation;
• season.

It is necessary to carefully select the products that are included in the diet of animals. Hay, grass and bark must be clean, free of dust, dust and rot. Before giving food to chinchillas, it is necessary to check its smell: it should not smell like rotten or damp.

Rodents are very sensitive to various fungi and bacteria, which often infect wet hay or grains. Required Products can be harvested in advance in large batches, taking into account the fact that in a year one individual consumes about 10 kg of ready-made combined feed and about 7 kg of hay.

The diet of animals should be dominated by foods high in fiber and protein. In addition, chinchillas need a sufficient amount of minerals, vitamins, fluids and fatty acids. The lack of various nutrients leads to increased morbidity of animals and their early mortality. Protein and calcium deficiency is especially dangerous for pregnant females, as it causes various malformations in offspring.

How to feed a chinchilla at home?

On average, an adult eats 50-65 g of food per day. In this case, the quantitative content of the diet is as follows:

diet	grams
Combined feed	20-25
Hay and branch forage	20-25
Vegetables and herbs	5
goodies	3-4

In addition, a healthy animal should consume at least 20 ml of water per day.

The daily diet of a rodent includes basic food, additional feeding and treats, which the animal should receive in unlimited quantities:

• basic nutrition: combined feed, hay and branches, water;
• complementary foods: greens, fruits and vegetables, cereals;
• treats: nuts, berries, special treats for chinchillas;
• vitamins and minerals in the form of granules, tablets or solutions.

Daily diet

Basic daily ration rodent includes combined feed and hay. These foods and fresh clean water should be freely available in the enclosure at all times.

Combined feed

Ready-made foods vary in types, they can be granulated or extruded, that is, compressed under pressure and high temperatures. Preference should be given to products of well-known reliable brands specializing in the production of food for chinchillas.

Do not feed animal formula for guinea pigs, rabbits or other animals. It is also not recommended to purchase such feed by weight or make them yourself.

In the wild, chinchillas consume a strictly limited number of different plants, so a violation of the composition of the feed or its proportions can cause intestinal disorders, liver disease and a number of other pathologies in a rodent.

Mixtures can be either homogeneous in composition or contain particles of vegetables, grains and other food components. If the animal prefers to choose from the feed some of its favorite products, then it is worth purchasing homogeneous mixtures. Otherwise, the chinchilla will not receive the necessary nutrients.

The optimal combination feed for a rodent should include about 20% fibre, 15% protein, 5% fat and about 6% minerals. This balance is necessary to provide the chinchilla's body with sufficient nutrients. The most popular among breeders are Beaphar, Vitakraft, Versele-Laga, etc.

Hay

Hay is the main source of fiber in the diet of chinchillas, and animals should always have free access to it. Before laying in the feeder, you must make sure that there are no sticks, debris and other foreign matter in the feed. To prepare hay, clover, cereals and legumes, buckwheat, etc. should be used. These plants contain sufficient amounts of proteins, phosphorus and various vitamins. Hay should be dry, resilient, without rotten and damp grasses.

Do not replace hay with grass pellets. For their manufacture, dry dust and waste obtained during the packaging of hay are used. Such food does not provide animals with sufficient nutrients and weakly stimulates the peristalsis of the gastrointestinal tract of rodents.

Legumes are high in protein, and cereals are rich in vitamins. Therefore, it is recommended to harvest several different varieties of hay and mix them before feeding the animals. This will allow the chinchillas to get enough nutrients.

A big advantage is the ability to harvest and dry the plants yourself. Timely mowed legumes and cereals contain the necessary normal operation the nervous and vascular systems of rodents vitamins A, E and B. Plants should be dried in dark rooms in drafts: in open sheds, attics or haylofts. This measure will not allow the vitamins to collapse under the action of sunlight.

Water

When organizing an aviary for chinchillas, it is recommended to install a special drip drinker. In cups and other open utensils, water quickly becomes clogged with sawdust and sand. In addition, chinchillas are very active, while jumping around the cage, they can turn over the drinker.

Important! Do not use mineral, carbonated or medicinal water. It is also forbidden to give chinchillas unboiled water from various reservoirs or from the tap.

The composition of tap water includes a huge amount of various substances and impurities, including chlorine, which has a detrimental effect on the body of a rodent.

Lure

Complementary food makes up about 20% of a chinchilla's daily diet. It includes a variety of different herbs and leaves, cereals and oatmeal flakes.

Herbs

Fresh or slightly dried leaves of trees and various herbs allow the chinchilla to receive a huge amount of vitamins necessary for health. The most nutritious are the leaves of legumes and strawberries, dandelions, nettles and rhubarb.

It should be noted that it is impossible to completely replace the usual diet of a chinchilla with green food. An excess of fresh feed is fraught with the development of intestinal dysfunction in rodents.

Most chinchillas are very fond of fresh tree leaves:

Tree	Beneficial features
Birch	Its leaves almost contain vitamin C, fatty acids, antimicrobial substances and other beneficial components.
Oak	It is not recommended to put oak logs in the aviary, as its wood is very resinous. But oak leaves can be used for top dressing. They are nutritious, well digested and have an anti-inflammatory effect on the gastrointestinal tract of rodents.
Aspen	Leaves, shoots and tree bark are suitable as complementary foods for chinchillas. At the same time, it is possible to give aspen leaves to animals throughout the year.
Pine	The needles of this tree contain a huge amount of vitamin C. Young shoots and seeds are suitable for feeding rodents. Before giving chinchilla branches, they must be cleaned of resin.

Leaves of willow, pear, blackberry and sea buckthorn are also used for top dressing. In no case should you offer animals branch food from elderberry, almonds and bird cherry. The bark and shoots of these plants contain poisonous substances.

Other plants

In addition to tree leaves, rodents enjoy tea, rose and rosehip buds, hawthorn fruits, dried fruits and oatmeal flakes. These foods in the diet of chinchillas should be limited, as animals can eat excessive amounts of such complementary foods.

Dried fruits should also be included in the diet of chinchillas. Berries of wild rose and hawthorn are allowed to be given to animals in almost unlimited quantities. The fruits of these shrubs contain many nutrients, which is especially important for growing chinchillas and young animals. Blueberries and pieces of dried fruit can be treated to a rodent once a day. And raisins, which animals love very much, are introduced into the diet no more than once a week.

Rosehip is one of the most useful varieties of complementary food for rodents.

For the full growth and development of chinchillas, herculean flakes and germinated cereals should be added to their diet.

You should check the feed in advance: make sure that the grains are clean, free of mold and fungus. Hercules, sprouted oats or barley can be given to animals one teaspoon per day.

The diet of a sick chinchilla

A sick animal most often refuses to eat. In this case, it is necessary to independently water the rodent with a water-salt solution. In this case, 1 teaspoon of salt should be stirred in 250 ml of water.

If the chinchilla feeds on its own, but loses weight, it is recommended to use various high-calorie supplements, gels and pastes for rodents. Also, these funds can be given to the animal from a syringe or pipette.

If the rodent cannot chew hard food, you can grind the food in a coffee grinder. It is recommended to add crushed vitamin C and a few drops of vitamins A and E to them. This mixture is given to the chinchilla from a syringe, spoon or put in the feeder if the animal is able to eat it on its own.

vitamins

Animals get most of the vitamins and minerals from food. However, in winter time or a period of illness, chinchillas need to receive additional amounts of nutrients. For the normal development of the musculoskeletal and nervous system rodents should receive B vitamins, which are contained in special powder complexes or drops.

In early spring, a lack of vitamin C will help make up ascorbic acid. When purchasing it at a pharmacy, pay attention to the fact that the drug should not contain flavors, glucose and flavorings.

Treats for chinchillas

Chinchillas are very fond of various delicacies. Both various fruits and berries, as well as specially made feed additives, serve as treats for rodents. Animals give the greatest preference to the following products:

• fresh fruits: apples, pears and melons;
• dried fruits: prunes and dried apricots, raisins;
• hawthorn, wild rose.

Fruit is a delicious treat and source of vitamins for rodents

You should alternate the use of different fruits and berries in the chinchilla's diet. As an encouragement or for training purposes, you can also use various cereal or fruit treats that are sold in pet stores. However, it is worth strictly limiting the number of treats that the rodent receives. Otherwise, you can overfeed the animal and harm its health.

Products prohibited for rodents

Some feed additives are not allowed to be used to feed chinchillas. These are not only poisonous plants, but various overly sweet or high-calorie vegetables and fruits.

The following foods should not be included in the diet of rodents:

1. Almonds and pine nuts - they are high in calories and high in fat. In animals, such complementary foods cause disruption of the gastrointestinal tract.
2. Raw vegetables: beets, cabbage, peppers, as they contribute to increased gas formation and indigestion.
3. Any products of animal origin. The digestive system of chinchillas is not able to digest the protein found in meat and dairy products.
4. Poisonous plants: buttercup, fern, St. John's wort, etc. An animal that consumes them can be poisoned and even die. You should carefully study the plants that you harvest for feeding rodents.

Video - Feed and feeding chinchillas

Catering for chinchillas is a responsible event that requires taking into account various species and individual characteristics rodents. Properly selected diet is the key to the health and long life of the animal.

Feeding chinchillas is an important part of caring for these animals. They are herbivores by the nature of their food and in nature they are happy to eat any parts of shrubby, woody or herbaceous plants. At home, the animal needs optimal balanced diet- high-calorie, containing many vitamins and minerals. Chinchilla nutrition consists of concentrated feed, greens and mixtures. There must be a drinking bowl with fresh water in the cage.

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Features of feeding

Chinchilla is a herbivore, so the basis of the diet is plant foods. This is a very fastidious animal that chooses the most delicious pieces of food offered. That is why the owner must ensure that the chinchilla completely eats its portion. The feeder is purchased capacious 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 low-quality products and treat them from the table. Food should be fresh, without signs of mustiness, rot and mold. Grass, which must be included in the diet, is collected in ecologically clean areas, away 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 compound feed, then you need to accustom it to greenery gradually, starting with small portions. If the animal feels good, you can safely introduce juicy food into the diet.

Pet food should be given once a day, preferably in the evening. Before feeding, the bowl is washed with plain water without soap.

On the day of the chinchilla, the following list of products is needed:

• compound feed - 1-3 tsp;
• green fodder - 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 a treat in any quantity. Foods such as nuts, dried fruits, vegetables and fruits should be given to chinchillas in strictly defined doses.

Food for animals should have the following composition:



Main menu

Basic rules for feeding a chinchilla:

• Feed for the animal is poured into a bowl at the same time, preferably at night.
• The drinking bowl should always have clean and fresh water. It is advisable to pour spring, but in no case mineral and not boiled.
• A convenient sennik is placed in the cage, where there will always be hay.
• If the diet of the animal is not completely balanced, then a certain amount of vitamins is added to the feed.
• A mineral or salt stone can be attached to the bars of the cage. The animal will periodically gnaw it, grinding its teeth and at the same time receiving the substances necessary for the body.
• If the pet suffers from a protein deficiency, you need to give some yeast.



Rough and juicy food

Juicy food for a rodent is fruits, vegetables, herbs and tree branches. They contain the necessary vitamins and minerals for the pet. In any seasonit is recommended to feed the chinchilla with twigs and twigs of shrubs and trees. This helps her grind down her ever-growing teeth.

In autumn, the animal should eat vegetables:

• zucchini;
• salad;
• tomatoes;
• cucumbers.

Carrots are given at any time of the year. The animal loves fruit: pomegranate, various varieties of apples, pears, berries. They should be given 2 times a week in a small amount, for example, part of an apple or one berry. Also, due to the weak digestive system, the consumption of vegetables is limited - one piece 2 times a week will be enough.

A new product should be introduced gradually, in small doses, observing the reaction of the pet. If there are no problems with digestion, then juicy food is suitable for him. Chinchillas are very fond of fresh grass: clover, carrot tops, dandelions. Greens are recommended to be given in a dry form.



Combined feed

The basis of the diet of these animals is prepared industrial feed. They are of two types: compressed and granulated. There are foods made specifically for chinchillas, not hamsters or rabbits. Compound feed can be made at home, be sure to follow the recipe, the violation of which leads to negative consequences, for example, poisoning the animal or the development of various pathologies.

• Vitakraft Pellets;
• Chinchilla Complete;
• Chinchilla Duo.

Hay

Fiber is an indispensable product for the work of the gastrointestinal tract of the animal. Most of it is found in hay. In the home of a pet, it should always be in unlimited quantities. Previously, the product is carefully checked for debris, mold, rot and a suspicious smell.

Hay is purchased at a pet store or harvested independently. You can feed the chinchilla with the following herbs:

• bird buckwheat;
• cereals;
• clover;
• bean plants.

Hay must be harvested correctly - in a dry, clean room with good ventilation. It should not include herbs such as rush and St. John's wort. Poisonous plants are very dangerous for chinchillas:

• hellebore white;
• marigold;
• henbane;
• ranunculus is poisonous;
• raven eye.

Hard food

Instead of compound feed, animals can be fed with grain mixtures, which include:

• Oats. Helps eliminate indigestion in rodents. It contains vitamins B1, B2, B6, healthy carbohydrates and fats. Oats are the basis of the grain mixture.
• Millet. Contains carotene, which is necessary for normal metabolism and development of the pet.
• wheat. It is given in the form of bran. It has a lot of nutrients and little fat.
• Corn. It contains a large amount of protein.

Seeds, legumes and nuts are necessarily added to a mixture of various cereals. Sprouted grains should be given to chinchillas as a source of vitamins. They are added to the diet in a limited amount, since digestive problems arise from fresh shoots.

Chinchillas are two species of malt rodents native to the Andean Cordillera in South America. These animals have very soft fur, large hind legs, tiny front legs, large eyes and ears. Previously, these animals lived in Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Chile, but today their colonies in the wild are found only in Chile.

In nature, chinchillas eat dry grass., leaves and bark of fruit bushes and trees. In the Andean highlands, the vegetation is generally dry and for the same reason indoor chinchillas are advised to eat a mostly dry plant diet. Their digestive system is designed to absorb most of the dry food offered in their habitats, so the length of the intestine can reach a length of 2.5–3 m, which is quite a lot, given the size of these rodents.

Today, chinchillas are popular pets, but require special care, so they are best bought by experienced pet owners who know all about the needs of these animals.

Power supply has a very large impact on the health of chinchillas, as dental and intestinal diseases are the leading cause of death for these animals, requiring more dietary consistency than other small mammals. Because the chinchilla's microflora (the microbes that live in the gut and play a critical role in digestion) is delicately balanced, your pet's health can be seriously affected if his daily diet changes dramatically or if you offer him too much food.

These rodents require a lot of roughage, and their diet should mainly consist of good quality hay along with pellets made especially for chinchillas. Any dietary changes should be gradual.

What can you feed a chinchilla at home

Feed prepared specifically for chinchillas should contain 16-20% protein, 2-5% fat and 15-35% fiber. Chinchillas have special dietary requirements that are different from other rodents, and their health will suffer if they are not fed quality, chinchilla-specific food.

Hay is the main food of chinchillas, and the main component of hay is tough and fibrous stalks and grasses. They provide the bulk of the fiber. Without fiber, movement through the long intestines of these rodents can slow down or even stop completely. This dangerous state, known as gastrointestinal stasis, often proves fatal in a very short time.

There are two types of hay designed for chinchillas. These are alfalfa hay and grass hay. The main difference between alfalfa hay and grass hay is that alfalfa is higher in protein and calories. There are other differences, such as the difference in the ratios of phosphorus, calcium and vitamins. Grass hay is better for teeth, and alfalfa hay should be given to young, pregnant, lactating, and sick animals. Both types of hay can be purchased at any pet store.

In the wild, these animals are adapted to eating vegetation with a high content of coarse fibers, so the percentage of food for chinchillas should consist of 80-90% hay, 10% granules and about 2% fruits or vegetables. The granules must contain all the nutrients in the correct percentage.

Remember that pellets must be specific to chinchillas and must be free of grains and seeds, milk and dairy products, eggs, waste products, fruits and vegetables. When buying pellets, even if the packaging shows a chinchilla, always read the listed ingredients. Daily number of granules for adults is about 30 grams (two tablespoons).

Granular diets are better than a mixture of bulk foods. Loose mixes can be balanced, but only if your chinchilla eats all parts of the mix (and chinchillas tend to choose what they like from the mix).

If you decide to feed these animals free formula (with pellets, seeds, corn, etc.), then be aware that there is a concern that feeding corn can cause indigestion and bloating, although many chinchilla foods contain processed corn in as an ingredient. Scientifically, little is known about the ideal diet for chinchillas. Perhaps because corn is starchy and probably largely indigestible for chinchillas, whole corn should be avoided as a major part of the diet.

Some of these vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, parsley, celery and spinach should not be given frequently as they contain high levels calcium. Other than carrots, other vegetables should be given in a dried state.

Fruit can be given as a dessert in small quantities. It can be:

Dried fruits are preferred, as fresh ones can lead to diarrhea. Do not give citrus fruits.

Sticks and branches are a necessary element in any chinchilla diet. For these animals, chewing sticks is not only a pleasure, but also huge help in the fight against the continuous growth of teeth.

Make sure the wood you are using has not been treated with pesticides. In addition, branches of coniferous trees should not be given, as they contain resins. Recommended tree species:

These types of wood do not contain resins and essential oils that are harmful to these animals.

There should always be water in the cage, which should be changed at least once a day, especially in summer.

What not to feed

Do not feed damp, musty-smelling hay.

Do not give acidic fruits and vegetables - lemons, grapefruit, tomatoes, etc. The digestive system of these animals cannot cope with high acidity.

Avoid corn, as it will cause bloating, which is fatal in most cases. Corn is also susceptible to mold and fungi during production and storage.

Chocolate is very dangerous to animals in general and can damage both the digestive and nervous systems.

It is forbidden to give meat and dairy food. Chinchillas are strict vegetarians and they should not be given anything but vegetable food. Otherwise, it will have severe and deadly consequences.

Be very careful when releasing animals from your cage, as many houseplants, are poisonous to this animal, especially azalea, begonia, ivy, ficus, oleander, etc.

Chinchillas are active at dawn and dusk, and although they may gradually change their habits, you need to feed them at about the same time each morning and evening.

These rodents are famous beggars, and you should not indulge their requests, as they can eat almost anything you give them.

When you feed a chinchilla by hand, keep in mind that they rely most on their sense of smell, as their eyes are on the sides of their heads, so sometimes they may have trouble finding food or accidentally bite your finger.

Herbs fresh or dried- you can offer 3-4 times a week a small amount. Fresh or dried fruits are also offered 3-4 times a week.

Vegetables or greens should be cut into very small pieces (1-2 pieces 2-3 times a week).

The diet of chinchillas should not be confused with the diet of rabbits, guinea pigs, and other rodents.

Grains - can be offered 2-3 times a week about 1 teaspoon.

Most foods sold in pet stores are high in sugar, fats and oils. In addition, they contain preservatives.

Since these animals love to eat and gnaw on anything that gets in their way, and they are very curious, make sure that electrical cords, toxic plants, or anything destructible are out of reach.

Things to remember when feeding a chinchilla

fresh hay, wood and water must always be available. The water must be fresh and 100% free of chlorine and heavy metals.

A limited amount of vegetables and fruits can be given daily, but their amount should not exceed 10% of their total food intake.

Vegetables and fruits not eaten within 24 hours should be removed.

Check with your veterinarian if you are unsure if you are feeding your chinchilla properly.