The Chinchilla Food List
Chinchillas are herbivores, and therefore, the best kind of diet for your animals is one that’s as natural as possible, packed with plenty of fresh vegetation and hay, as well as nuggets that can provide additional nutrients, antioxidants and prebiotics for health purposes. Good quality hay should make up the majority of their diet and should be available at all times, whereas nuggets can be used as supplements, and vegetation and fruit fed as occasional treats. However, because some fruits and vegetables can be life-threatening to chinchillas, it’s important to seek advice from your vet before introducing any fresh greens into their diets. As general guidelines, your animals can and can’t eat the following foods:
Fruit and vegetables that chinchillas can eat include: Carrot; Celery; Potato; Pumpkin; Squash; Sweet potato; Strawberries, Pears, Bananas; Apples; Blueberries; Grapes; Raisins; Sultanas.
When it comes to fruits and vegetables, it is important to be very cautious about introducing these as many chinchillas can’t tolerate them. If you do introduce them do so in only very small amounts.
Some fruits and vegetables that aren’t safe for chinchillas to eat, include: Rhubarb and rhubarb leaves; Spinach; Asparagus; Broccoli; Cabbage; Lettuce; Oranges; Melons; Pineapples; Watermelon; Tangerines; Plums.
Other foods that chinchillas should avoid include: Meat; Seeds; Peanuts.
