Sage-Tips

Why do chinchillas need Timothy hay?

Chinchillas, like many small rodent pets, need a steady supply of hay to help keep their teeth in check and to help balance their digestive tract. Up to 75\% of a chinchilla’s diet can be hay, so it’s essential to choose a high-quality brand that’s free of harmful pesticides and preservatives.

Do chinchillas have to eat hay?

Food and Water 80-90\% of a chinchilla’s diet should be high quality grass hay, such as timothy hay or orchard grass hay. Your chinchilla should always have hay available. Pellets should be plain, hay-based pellets, with no seeds, nuts, or dried fruit.

Do chinchillas need unlimited hay?

Your chinchilla should have unlimited access to a variety of quality grass hays. Among many benefits, hay helps prevent obesity, dental disease, diarrhea, and boredom. Since replacing the hay in your chinchilla’s habitat can encourage picky eating, we recommend changing it only when soiled.

Do chinchillas need hay 24 7?

Always ensure that your chinchilla has fresh hay to eat, 24/7. Roughage is important for your pet’s gastrointestinal tract but also for his dental health. Offer your chinchilla brand new fresh hay every day. If you leave it out for any longer than that, you may risk it becoming moldy or otherwise dirty — not good.

What type of hay is best for chinchillas?

Timothy hay
Chinchillas require a high fiber diet and should be offered grass hay (such as Timothy hay or other low calcium hays such as orchard grass, oat hay, or meadow hay) free choice (available 24 hours a day).

Are hay cubes good for chinchillas?

Exotic Nutrition’s Timothy Hay Cubes are a natural, low-fat, low calcium treat. FEATURES: ✔ HEALTHY – High quality hay is an excellent source of fiber and aids the natural digestive process. ✔ SUPPLEMENT – Makes a great supplement to your chinchilla, prairie dog, degu, rabbits, or guinea pig;s regular hay supply.

What can chinchillas not eat?

There are a number of foods that are poisonous to chinchillas so always double check before you feed them. DO NOT FEED your chinchilla with the following: asparagus, avocado, peas, cabbage, corn, lettuce, broccoli, spinach, rhubarb and rhubarb leaves. Other dangerous foods are banana, sunflower seeds and peanuts.

Can chinchillas eat timothy grass?

Chinchillas require a high fiber diet and should be offered grass hay (such as Timothy hay or other low calcium hays such as orchard grass, oat hay, or meadow hay) free choice (available 24 hours a day).

Which cut of Timothy hay is best for chinchillas?

Premium 2nd cut Timothy hay is preferred by most grass eating small animals (Bunnies, Rabbits, Chinchillas, Gerbils, Hamsters, Mice, Rats, and Tortoises). 2nd cutting is called “second” because it is the hay that is harvested after the 1st cutting.

How often do chinchillas need dust baths?

twice a week
Chinchillas will take dust baths a couple times per week. A dust bath can take around 5-10 minutes and is usually best in the evening when they are most active. Dust baths should be available to your chinchilla at least twice a week, but it shouldn’t be available in their habitat during all hours of the day.

What hay is best for chinchillas?

Chinchillas require a high fiber diet and should be offered grass hay (such as Timothy hay or other low calcium hays such as orchard grass, oat hay, or meadow hay) free choice (available 24 hours a day). Hay should be the main component of their diet.

What hay is good for chinchillas?

What kind of hay is good for chinchillas?

The best types of hay for a chinchilla include common prairie grass, timothy, orchard grass, blue grass, alfalfa and alpine grass. Any type of grass, like good alfalfa, that contains 14 to 16 percent protein, will give the chinchilla something to gnaw, and that will keep their teeth healthy.

What can I Feed my Chinchilla?

Chinchillas are herbivores, so they subsist primarily on plant foods – especially hay. A commercial pellet is the best staple diet for your chinchilla, but you should also provide fresh hay. Fresh hay helps keep your chinchilla’s teeth worn down and also supports its digestive system being high in fiber.

Can chinchillas eat alfalfa grass?

Any type of grass, like good alfalfa, that contains 14 to 16 percent protein, will give the chinchilla something to gnaw, and that will keep their teeth healthy. Chinchillas should be given one or two tablespoons of pellets every day.

What do you put in a chinchilla cage?

Hay should be put in the hay rack in the chinchilla’s cage. The hay should be dry and fresh-smelling with no trace of mold. The chinchilla should be given fresh hay every day. The chinchilla’s pellets should be put in a food bowl, and they should be given fresh pellets every day.