Chinchilla's Diet

Pellets

• In the wild, chinchillas will eat any vegetation they can find. In captivity, their main source of food is pellets, which are usually alfalfa with vitamins and minerals. These vitamins will be lost if the pellets aren't fed quickly, so only buy enough food to last for about three months to ensure freshness. There are many brands available, and you generally get what you pay for. Some pellets are mixed with treats. If you decide to use this type, make sure your chin is eating mostly pellets to get the right amount of nutrition. Adult chins will eat 2 to 3 tablespoons a day, usually in the evening or at night. Chinchillas may make a mess of their bowls, so watch your "chin" to get a feel for what it is actually eating and adjust the amount accordingly.

Grass and hay

• The high fiber, found in grasses and hay such as alfalfa, Timothy hay and orchard grass, is important for digestion. Hay or grass should be given every day or every other day, about one small to medium handful for each adult. Alfalfa cubes are another option, and they will last two or three days. Feeding both alfalfa and Timothy hay, at the same time or alternating every other day, is a great way to make sure your chinchilla is fed a complete diet. Freshness is also important when selecting a grass or hay, so look for small bags instead of buying in bulk.

Vitamins

• Vitamin C can be given to adult chins to help keep their teeth straight and ensure complete nutrition, especially if pellets are not fresh enough to guarantee the vitamins and minerals will last. The best vitamin C supplements are chewable and taste like treats. If you have more than one chin, feed them separately to make sure each one is getting the supplement. Vitamin drops are also available for water bottles, but may have a bad taste and turn water bottles a different color.

Treats

• Chinchillas love treats, especially raisins. It's tempting to feed chins several treats, but more than one or two a day can cause obesity, diarrhea, kidney failure or liver disease. Chins are like children when it comes to sweets -- if they eat too many, they will lose any appetite for dinner and therefore lose valuable vitamins and minerals. Pet stores typically carry a variety of veggie and fruit treats for chins. Nuts, seeds, apples, grains, oats, berries, carrots and dried fruit blends are popular. Nuts should be fed raw and in moderation, however, because they are high in fat. Wooden treats and toys are also a good idea for maintaining chins' teeth.

Water

• Chinchillas should have an unlimited supply of clean, cold water in a water bottle with a stopper to prevent leaking. Chins will go through small water bottles fairly quickly, but water tends to sit too long in large water bottles. Medium-sized water bottles are best and can be found at most pet stores.

Warnings

• Chinchillas can become obese, so adjust feed amounts if your chin gets too big and make sure they have plenty of room for exercise.
  Keep food out of urine or water and clean up any spills immediately.
  Droppings should be smaller, darker versions of pellets. Sticky droppings or diarrhea mean a chin's diet needs to be adjusted and a veterinarian should be consulted.

Tips

• Slowly introduce any new foods, as too much too soon may cause diarrhea--which can be deadly.
  Clean bowls and water bottles daily and sanitize bottles in a dishwasher to prevent disease.