What Kinds of Treats Can I Give My Chinchilla?

Chinchillas are typically mild-mannered, playful, nocturnal animals known for their active lifestyle and soft fur. Chinchillas do well in captivity, particularly if they are regularly played with and fed a suitable diet. Chinchilla digestive tracts can be quite sensitive, but they metabolize fats slowly. Chinchillas should be fed a primary diet of commercially produced Chinchilla pellets and alfalfa and timothy hay, but may be given up to 1 tsp. of suitable treats per day.

  1. Chew Treats

    • Many chinchilla treats serve a dual purpose -- to provide a special snack for the animal and to provide much-needed calcium and chewing outlets. Appropriate chew treats for chinchillas include pumice, lava, untreated pine and willow, branch bites, and cuttle bones. Cuttle bones can be found in the bird section of most pet stores.

    Limited Sweet Treats

    • While chinchillas should typically not be fed "people food," they can have up to a teaspoon of selected people treats each day, such as a raisin or a pinch of old-fashioned uncooked oats. If chinchillas are usually fed a regular diet that is heavy on nuts and seeds rather than straight pellets, it is probably already getting enough treats and should be given a limited amount of other goodies. Watch a chinchilla's dropping for a light brown, mushy quality, which could indicate it is getting too many snacks and not enough nutritious food.

    Strawberry Yogurt

    • Chinchilla's teeth and eyes should be a yellow or orange color. If they turn white, it's a sign they could be low on calcium, which can be rectified with a treat of one-half a teaspoon of strawberry yogurt. This is an especially healthy treat for nursing mother chinchillas. Give this treat daily until the normal eye and teeth coloring returns, or as an occasional addition to a daily feeding regime.

    Commercially-Produced Treats

    • Commercially produced carrot cakes and herb cracker sticks are popular chinchilla treats, primarily because they allow an owner to easily hand feed their pet and build trust. Always follow manufacturer's guidelines as to the amount of commercially produced treats to feed a chinchilla, as most recommended serving sizes are based on an animal's age and weight.

    Purified Water

    • Purified, filtered or distilled water is a treat for chinchillas that helps their bodies absorb calcium better. Tap water typically contains chlorine, fluoride, sodium and potassium, all of which can be harmful to a chinchilla over the course of its lifespan.

    Tips for Storing Treats

    • Keep chinchilla food, including hay and treats, in an air-tight container to keep them fresh. Immediately discard any treats that become soggy, brown or have a musty or foul odor.