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- Oxbow Animal Health, with over 30 years of experience, develops species-specific nutrition and care products, including Essentials – Chinchilla Food, guided by expert veterinarians and nutritionists.
- Oxbow’s Essentials – Chinchilla Food is a complete, balanced diet for chinchillas of all ages, featuring Alfalfa hay for energy and essential fiber for healthy digestion, supplemented with vital nutrients.
- The company provides clear feeding instructions for chinchillas, ensuring optimal health and nutrition through different life stages, with free-choice grass hay and alfalfa for young chinchillas, and a controlled intake for adults.
Choosing the right chinchilla food is not such an easy task. It should provide the right balance of nutrients and vitamins. They should be free from toxic chemicals. They should be healthy for them and should not cause any digestive issues.
My favorite chinchilla food
- ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS FOR A HEALTHY, ACTIVE LIFESTYLE: Made with high fiber, protein-rich Oxbow Alfalfa for energy and to support healthy digestion in chinchillas of all ages
- SUPPORTS IMMUNE SYSTEM HEALTH: Made with antioxidants & prebiotics to support the immune system health of your chinchilla
- PERFECT FOR PICKY EATERS: Uniform pellets prevent selective feeding
It should be sufficiently palatable so that they enjoy eating it. Much research has been done on this topic and found that good quality chinchilla food is essential for their health and longevity.
Check out the five best Chinchilla foods below- all available from Amazon.
The 5 Best Chinchilla Foods
1. Oxbow Essentials
- ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS FOR A HEALTHY, ACTIVE LIFESTYLE: Made with high fiber, protein-rich Oxbow Alfalfa for energy and to support healthy digestion in chinchillas of all ages
Oxbow is one of the best foods you can give your chinchilla. It is rich in fiber content suitable for the chinchilla, and the fiber helps maintain digestion. Oxbow is based on the alfalfa pellet formula with various nutrient blends. Some feed nutrients include vitamin C, vitamin B12, vitamin E, fiber, and other healthy nutrients.
Oxbow is formulated to give your chinchilla a naturally balanced diet. It will provide all the essential nutrients needed by the chinchilla. Thanks to its great making, it does not affect the digestive tract of chinchillas. It is from a trusted brand that deals with high-quality pet foods.
Since it is made with prebiotics and antioxidants, it is one of the best chinchilla food. Furthermore, high quality and reliability make it an excellent chinchilla food. It contains 185% protein, 20% fiber, and 2.55% fats, thus providing better health for chinchillas.
Pros
- It is pellet based
- It has a high fiber content
- It does not contain artificial filler
- It has excellent texture and taste
- It comes at a reasonable price
- Its blend contains essential nutrients
- It caters to the required chinchilla dietary needs
Cons
- Some chinchillas don’t like it.
Video Overview
2. Kaytee Fiesta Chinchilla Food
- Shapes and textures support dental health through natural chewing activity
Kaytee Fiesta is your option if you are looking for budget-friendly food for your chinchilla. It is from the Fiesta variety blend and contains a delicious mix for a balanced diet.
Besides, Kaytee Fiesta feed comes in textures and shapes, which helps with the chinchillas’ dental health through chewing activity. Kaytee has alfalfa grass which is vital for digestion. It also contains sunflower seeds, peanuts, carrots, corn, and hay.
Kaytee Fiesta is enriched with omega-3 and DHA, essential for the chinchilla’s eye and heart health. Moreover, the probiotics and prebiotics found in this food aids in digestion. It is a high-quality food containing 16% fats, 22% fiber, and 2.5% fats.
Even though it may contain low protein, it still has the required amount needed in the chinchilla’s food. It does not contain unhealthy nutrients, which makes it the best option for your chinchilla.
Pros
- It is available in a variety of textures and shapes
- It is inexpensive
- It is a great value food
- It has excellent nutrients content
- It has a higher amount of fiber
- It’s focused on the timothy hay
- Includes probiotics and prebiotics
Cons
- Some buyers say it’s better used as an occasional treat
- Some chinchillas may not love it.
Video Overview
3. Supreme Petfoods Chinchilla Food
- A Nutritionally Balanced, Tasty Mix For Chinchillas
This is another fantastic chinchilla food. This selective food for chinchillas contains higher fiber formula, which helps in optimal digestion. Furthermore, fiber also helps in the growth of healthy teeth.
It contains plantain, parsley, and linseeds to offer vital fatty acids to maintain skin and a healthy coat. The best thing about Supreme Petfoods is that it doesn’t have sugar, which may lead to dental and health issues.
Furthermore, it is pellet-based and easy to chew and digest, which is suitable for older chinchillas since they can’t chew hard foods. It is rich in 20% protein, 18% fiber, and 3% fats.
The food is delicious and healthy for your pet chinchilla and meets the essential nutrient composition for the chinchilla food. Supreme Petfoods has some minerals to enhance digestive system activities. Due to Supreme Petfoods’ great taste, many chinchillas have come to love it. People with chinchillas love Supreme Petfoods due to their excellent components.
Pros
- No added sugar
- High fiber content
- Many nutrients
- Greatly palatable
- Very appetizing
Cons
- It’s quite large compared to average pellets
- Pellets are in a kibble form
- It does not encourage foraging
Video Overview
4. Higgins Sunburst Gourmet mix Chinchilla food
If you want to keep the chinchilla happy and healthy, this Higgins Sunburst Gourmet mix is your choice. Your chinchilla will remain healthy and comfortable thanks to its many textures and colors. It is made with various natural components like dried fruits, sun-cured, pre-cooked legumes, flaked vegetables, and other natural health products.
It is one of the best chinchilla food because it gives the foraging instinct, with good flavors. Besides, it contains omega-3 fatty acids and DHA to support the chinchilla’s fur and skin. It has probiotics for immune support and healthy digestion.
You won’t find artificial ingredients or chemical preservatives in this food. Apples, barley, sweet potatoes, timothy hay, and other healthy nutrients are used. This blend contains 14% protein, 22% fiber, and 2 % fats.
Pros
- It comes in various flavors and textures
- Does not have artificial ingredients.
- It contains probiotics
Cons
- It is a non-pellet-based food.
Video Overview
5. Vitakraft’s Vitanature chinchilla food with natural timothy formula
- First ingredient high-fiber timothy hay
Vitakraft’s Vitanature is pellet-based with integrated antioxidants and nutrition- helping your chinchilla’s immune system remain strong. Besides, it has many essential ingredients.
It helps in providing the foraging value to your pets with a diverse selection of ingredients. It is a high-quality food with 16% protein, 15% fiber, and 3% fat. Though it is lower than the oxbow and supreme, it is still suitable for your chinchilla diet.
Vitakraft’s Vitanature contains essential ingredients like natural herbs, greens, berries, grains, flowers, veggies, and other healthy natural ingredients. The taste of this mixture will make your chinchilla love it so much, thus making it love a lot. The good thing is that it provides energy making your chinchilla healthy and happy.
Pros
- It has diverse, healthy ingredients
- Helps in foraging
- It has an appealing taste
- It has a lot of nutrients
- It has antioxidants
Cons
- Have less fiber and protein than other brands
Video Overview
Foods To Avoid Giving Your Chinchilla
There is some food you should avoid giving your chinchilla because it can lead to illness or other complications. Below are the types of food to avoid:
- Large quantity of seeds
- Junk food
- A high amount of fresh fruits
- A high amount of fresh vegetables
- Bread and cereals
Best Chinchilla Foods: Buying Guide
Know that you will have a huge responsibility when buying a chinchilla. Keep in mind that chinchillas are very sensitive compared to other rodents. Giving them too much food can make them chubby; if you provide a small amount, you may starve them. Therefore, you should determine the correct amount of food for your chinchilla.
It is a deal to consider some aspects, such as the right mixture of nutrients and ingredients in the food and other elements before you purchase their food. Here are a few tips to consider when buying chinchilla food.
1. Type of food.
Remember, there are different types of food you must give your chinchilla. Before you purchase any chinchilla food, it will be upon you to determine the kind of food you want your chinchilla to eat. There are other foods that you give your chinchilla once in a while. These are the tasty food that is just given as a reward.
Usually, they come with additional fats and sugars. Giving your chinchilla whole food as daily portion food would be best. This is considered high quality for your chinchilla. Most entire foods contain minerals essential for a healthy diet for your chinchilla. In short, one should select the best food to give your chinchilla a balanced diet.
2. Nutrients and ingredients
It is crucial to consider before buying any food for your chinchilla. It would be best if you find foods that have the right proportion of ingredients and nutrients. Also, you should consider if these nutrients and components are perfect for your chinchilla because they have a susceptible body. It is advisable to avoid foods that do not have the proper nutrients or ingredients proportion. This is because, for example, you go for those with additional or extra ingredients like sugars and fats, which may contribute to other fatal diseases.
3. Food quality
Food quality is another aspect that you should consider while purchasing chinchilla food. The chinchilla needs a traditional food that has a high content of fiber. So you should consider quality rather than quantity. Buy food of high quality to assist the chinchilla in being healthy and happy.
It would be best to choose foods with a natural base with high quality to maintain your chinchilla’s healthy and long life properly. You should avoid foods with additives and other preservatives since they might not suit your chinchilla. You have to take your time and cross-check the label of the food packets well to understand in detail the kind of food before considering buying.
4. Brand
This is also an important aspect to keep in mind when looking for chinchilla food. There is numerous brand in most of the markets. Unfortunately, not all of them are good. You should look for premium brands that are of high quality. Some brands may contain low-quality ingredients, which may affect the chinchilla negatively. The pet may get health issues or even worse problems. Good brands have the best foods rich in natural and high-quality ingredients. Besides, the food does not contain other harmful preservatives.
5. Flavor and packaging
Flavor and packaging also matter when it comes to purchasing chinchilla food. Sometimes the chinchilla becomes nasty and prefers only delicious food only. If you want to buy a new food with a different flavor that the chinchilla hasn’t used before, consider buying j small pack and see if your chinchilla will eat it.
If the chinchilla eats well, you can consider purchasing large packets of the same food. In terms of packaging, you should check those that are resalable after serving the food, and the remaining can be kept for a long time without going bad before serving them again.
Frequently asked questions
Can you serve chinchilla with rabbit food?
No. These two kinds of animals are very different regarding the digestive tract. The chinchilla has a sensitive digestive system, while the rabbit has a typical digestive truck like other animals. If you serve your chinchilla rabbit food, it may lead to serious health issues.
How long can my chinchilla go without food?
The chinchilla cannot survive without food for more than 24 hours. They can go for several hours without food. However, leaving your chinchilla without food for more than 24 hours is not recommended.
Can you serve chinchilla with guinea pig food?
The answer is no. You cannot give your chinchilla guinea pig food. Pig food usually contains a high amount of vitamin C and low calcium. Chinchilla food must have a low vitamin C and high calcium content. So, giving Chinchilla food with high Vitamin C and low calcium is not advisable.
Is there any human food that you can give your chinchilla?
No, it is not advisable to serve your chinchilla with human food. The chinchilla’s digestive system is very different and cannot handle such foods.
What is the composition of a chinchilla-balanced diet?
The recommended chinchilla-balanced diet contains the following component.
- Hay – Hay is one component that should be available to the chinchilla food. It makes up around 75% to 80% of the diets.
- Pellets – It is recommended that the chinchilla diet have a small content of shots. You can give your chinchilla two to three tablespoons of pellets a day.
- Fresh Produce – About 10% of the chinchilla diet is new, such as herbs or leafy greens. You can also give the small chinchilla content of the fresh vegetable.
- Treats and Supplements – Since the chinchilla’s digestive system is not designed to handle different foods, you must give it treats or supplements to take several foods. You should provide your chinchilla with the recommended amount of Treats and Supplements.
- Water – Chinchillas should be provided with water throughout the day, and you should change the water regularly.
What is the guideline for feeding the chinchilla with the best food?
Suppose you have bought one of the best food for the chinchilla. When it is the first time introducing the food, you have to mix it thoroughly with the old diet. You can increase the content of the new food later, about seven to ten days.
It will allow the chinchilla to adjust to the new food and prevent any complications in the digestive system. Depending on the pet’s age, most food content should be 2 to 3 tablespoons. You have to add this amount with an unlimited amount of hay. Observe the amount of food you give your chinchilla. Overfeeding may lead to obesity.
How often can you feed your chinchilla?
Now you know what you can and cannot feed your chinchilla. But another question emerges, how often can you provide your chinchilla? Generally, the chinchilla can be provided with 2 to 3 tablespoons of pellets daily. You can leave this amount of food in their bowl or give them a scoop in the morning, afternoon, and evening. The hay should always be available in their cage.
Are chinchilla herbivores?
Yes, chinchillas are herbivores. Their diet entirely comes from plants. However, the diet should be rich in protein and fiber since they have a different digestive tract that is hard to deal with food with many fats and sugar content.
Takeaway
By now, you are well equipped with information that can help you know what to look for when buying chinchilla food. Making the right decision won’t be hard after going through this guide. Ideally, making an intelligent choice for the food you give your chinchilla would be best. Giving your chinchilla the best food is a great way to maintain their health and growth rate.
Best food will provide your chinchilla with a balanced diet and make him happy and healthy. Since a chinchilla’s digestive system is quite different from other animals, you have to choose the best chinchilla food to avoid some complications. You don’t want that, and giving them the best food is paramount if you wish to the chinchilla to stay healthy.
The foods above are the best you can ever give your chinchilla, providing it with all the required nutrients. These foods contain various plant content, such as vegetables, seeds, grains, fruits, and others. With all those nutrients available, you are sure your chinchilla will be very healthy.
This article was more informative, and by now, hopefully, we have made your selection easier. With the buying guide, everything will likely be less stressful. Choosing what food is good for the chinchilla won’t be arduous.
The foods we have reviewed are the best and high-quality food. You must pay attention to what you buy because Chinchilla is too selective regarding food. If you notice that your chinchilla avoids certain foods, you must stop feeding him that food.
We hope you can choose the best chinchilla food and make this fun and exciting animal healthy.
Hi, my name’s Elena Coolidge, and this is my site. Chinchillas are so cute and such intelligent animals that make great pets. They’ve become the subject of fascination for many animal lovers who enjoy their antics. I blog about their care, where to buy them, breeders, and more. Shoot me an email if you have a question!
