Can Chinchillas Eat Chocolate? (You Need To Know This!)

Chocolate is delicious.

But most of it is also unhealthy.

And dog or cat owners know that is extra harmful to their pets.

But is that true of all animals or is it specific to some?

Can chinchillas eat chocolate or is it just as bad for them as for dogs?

That is exactly what we are going to discuss today.

Keep reading to learn if chinchillas can have chocolate and, if so, how much they can have. We will cover everything you need to know about feeding chocolate to a chinchilla.

 

Can Chinchillas Eat Chocolate?

No, chinchillas can not eat chocolate. It is toxic for them and can cause serious harm. You should not feed your chinchilla any amount of chocolate, no matter how small. Or any type of chocolate.

Let’s dive in a bit closer and see exactly what makes chocolate so bad for chinchillas and what happens when they eat some. We will also take a look at some other toxic foods for chins and see if there are any sweets a chinchilla can have.

 

Why Is Chocolate Toxic For Chinchillas?

Chocolate is toxic for chinchillas because it contains theobromine. This ingredient is a stimulant and can cause heart problems in chinchillas. It is something chinchillas can not eat at all.

Chocolate also contains caffeine which is another stimulant that can also dehydrate your chinchilla and cause further health problems.

 

Symptoms To Look Out For

You can look for various symptoms if you suspect your chinchilla has eaten some chocolate. These include diarrhea, shaking and seizures. These symptoms can quickly deteriorate and result in death before you know it. If you spot any of them, take your pet to the vet as soon as possible.

 

How To Keep Chocolate Away From Chinchillas

The easiest and most simple way to ensure you keep any and all chocolate far away from your chinchilla is by keeping it hidden in a cupboard or drawer. This is especially important if you have let your chinchilla out of its cage to roam freely (not a good idea, usually).

The last thing you want is for your pet to come across a bar of chocolate while it is out playing. Chinchillas are very curious creatures and they will eat just about anything.

You should also make sure that anyone else living in your household knows that chinchillas can not eat chocolate and just how dangerous it is. Everyone needs to understand that they can never leave any chocolate lying around, especially where your adventurous chinchilla may come across it.

It probably goes without saying, but you should never feed your chinchilla even the smallest amount of chocolate. You never know the effects even a small amount could have on them.

Plus, even if you give your chinchilla a small amount and it does no harm, it could make you pet think that it is ok to eat chocolate. Then, the next time it comes across a bar of it, you pet might gorge itself and end up dead. Best policy? No chocolate, ever!

 

Other Foods That Are Toxic For Your Chinchilla

Commercial treat mixes can be incredibly bad for your chinchilla and you should certainly avoid feeding them any of these. They are usually full of chemicals and harmful ingredients that won’t do your chinchilla any good. It is especially bad, because chinchillas can’t vomit.

Chinchillas have sensitive digestive systems and feeding them treat mixes can cause numerous digestive issues such as bloating or diarrhea. These treat mixes are also high in sugar, which can rot your chinchilla’s teeth, causing numerous dental conditions. Not to mention obesity and diabetes.

Fresh fruit and vegetables can also be toxic to your chinchilla, if you feed more than a tiny amount. They are high in water and sugar, which can cause your chinchilla to suffer from sickness, bloating or diarrhea.

Your chinchilla should not eat watery foods, because these little rodents have evolved to survive in an arid region of the world. They need minimal amounts of water and can’t handle much more than that. Giving your chinchilla too much will affect its digestive system.

Foods high in sugar will cause your chinchilla bloating and stomach pains and, over time, it can also cause obesity. That then leads to other underlying issues, in addition to possible dental conditions.

 

What Sweets Can Chinchillas Have?

It’s not just chocolate that is bad. Ideally, you should keep any sweeps far away from your chinchilla. Not only are they high in sugar, but most are also packed full of other toxic ingredients that are to our little pets (and to us humans, too).

If you want to feed your chinchilla sweet treats, your best bet are dried fruits, like raisins and sultanas. Those are still high in sugar, but they’re a natural food and have little water in them. Just make sure to feed a tiny amount only (about the size of your fingernail), due to the sugar content.

Chinchillas also love sweet dried flowers and buds, like rosehip. They love the unique taste and with lower amounts of sugar or water, rose hips make the perfect treat for your chinchilla.

 

Can Chinchillas Have Chocolate: Final Thoughts

No, chinchillas can not eat chocolate. Not only is it too high in sugar, but it actually contains elements that can make you pet extremely sick. A chinchilla can even die from eating chocolate. And fairly quickly, too!

If you suspect that your pet has eaten some chocolate and you are starting to see symptoms of illness, get it to a vet right away. Every minute counts!