Despite that, many of us don’t like it.
It can also cause digestive issue for people with sensitive stomachs.
But what goes for us does not also go for chinchillas.
Can chinchillas eat broccoli then, or is it another one of many vegetables that are good for us but bad for our pets?
That’s what we are going to cover today.
Keep reading to learn if broccoli is good or bad for chinchillas and if they even enjoy the taste of it. You will want to know this before you feed your pet any amount of broccoli.
Contents
Can Chinchillas Eat Broccoli?
Yes, chinchillas can eat broccoli. But it is best if they don’t. While broccoli isn’t toxic for chinchillas, you should still avoid feeding it, because it can cause significant bloating for your pet.
Let’s take a closer look at this vegetable. It is incredibly healthy for us humans, but is it the same for chinchillas? And do they even like it? Is any amount of broccoli good? Let’s find out!
Do Chinchillas Like Broccoli?
Chinchillas can be quite adventurous with their food and most will probably enjoy eating this cruciferous vegetable, cooked or raw. It has a unique taste and your chinchilla will especially enjoy the density of the trunk when eaten raw. It makes for a great chew option and we all know how much these rodents love to chew!
Is Broccoli Good For Chinchillas?
This may come as a surprise given how healthy it is for us, but broccoli is not a healthy food to feed your chinchilla. The biggest problem is that it has a high amount of water, which can cause some painful bloating for your chinchilla.
It also doesn’t have much in regards to nutritional value. It is low in fiber, fat and protein, which are the primary things essential for the health of a chinchilla.
Chinchillas need their diet to be made up of 15 to 23% fiber and 100 grams of broccoli only has 2.6 grams of fiber. That works out to 2.6%. A chinchilla would have to eat a very large amount of broccoli to reach its daily required amount of fiber!
They also need 16 to 21% of protein and 2 to 4% of fat. Per 100 grams, broccoli is only 2.8% protein and 0.4% fat. Again, they would need to eat an awfully large amount to reach their daily limit.
Due to its poor nutritional value for a chinchilla, I would either keep the broccoli for yourself, or only feed your chinchilla a tiny amount, as an occasional treat every now and then. Just keep it to a small piece the size of your fingernail, if it really is necessary to feed your chinchilla broccoli.
One saving grace of broccoli is that it has a high amount of vitamins and minerals. It contains lots of vitamin C which helps keep your chinchilla’s immune system in check.
But that still does not make broccoli a good treat option, since chinchillas can get all of their necessary nutrients from hay and pellets. Broccoli has that one big problem that makes it just not worth it.
Broccoli Disadvantages
The main issue with broccoli is how badly it can bloat your chinchilla. It can cause excess gas to build up in your pet, which is not only painful, but can sometimes even be fatal.
Chinchillas have a sensitive digestive system. If they ingest too much water then they are not able to digest their food properly. This is what creates gas. Broccoli makes your pet gassy, because it has a high water content.
There are many issues that come with bloating such as a hardened stomach, your chinchilla not being able to go to the toilet, and grinding its teeth due to the pain. If your chinchilla’s bloating doesn’t go down quickly, you should book an emergency appointment with your vet.
What Vegetables Can Chinchillas Eat?
There’s a wide variety of vegetables that chinchillas can eat, so there is most likely something in your vegetable draw in the fridge that you can feed your chinchilla.
These adorable rodents enjoy eating carrots, kale, spinach, sweet potatoes and squash. Root vegetables are particularly good to feed to your chinchilla raw, because they are dense.
The hardness will act as a chew toy for your chinchilla and help it to wear down its teeth. This is vital, because a chinchilla’s teeth are constantly growing. If they do not grind down their teeth, it can lead to serious dental problems.
You should only feed your chinchilla a small amount of root vegetables or leafy greens, since they all have a high water content. Keep any vegetable as an occasional treat for your chinchilla, and not a regular part of its diet. Only feed a fingernail-sized amount once or twice a week.
Can Chinchillas Have Broccoli: Final Thoughts
Chinchillas can eat broccoli, but it is better if they don’t. This vegetable will not poison them, but the high water content can cause issues with a chinchilla’s sensitive digestive system if they eat too much broccoli.
For that reason, we recommend just avoiding it. But if you do want to feed broccoli to your chinchilla, make sure you only do so once or twice a week and only a small piece the size of a fingernail. It should never be more than an occasional treat.
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