Can Chinchillas Eat Green Beans? (Read Before You Feed!)

You may already know this.

Chinchillas have sensitive digestive systems.

As a result, they have a hard time with many foods that are healthy for us human.

This includes almost all fruits and vegetables.

They can usually eat them in tiny amounts, but any more than that will cause problems.

How is it with beans? Can chinchillas eat green beans, at least in tiny amounts?

Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about feeding your chinchilla green beans.

 

Can Chinchillas Eat Green Beans?

Chinchillas can eat green beans in very small amounts. But it is best to just not feed them any green beans at all. They have high acidity levels, which can cause issues with your chinchilla’s sensitive stomach and digestive system.

Like so many vegetables that are good for us, green beans are not great for your chinchilla. That is why it is best to avoid feeding most vegetables and just stick to leafy greens. And even those should only be an occasional small treat. The main chinchilla diet should be vey plain.

 

The Chinchilla Diet

When it comes to your chinchilla’s diet, I recommend keeping it as basic as possible. If you want to give your pet some treats, only do so every now and then and keep the amounts small.

Chinchillas have sensitive digestive systems. Any new food could have a bad effect on their insides such as bloating, stomach pains and even diarrhoea. And many foods that are good for us will cause your pet similar problems.

A basic chinchilla diet should be made up almost exclusively of specially formulated pellets and hay. This simple diet ensures they get all of their required nutrients to ensure they stay healthy.

Feeding your chinchilla hay is also a great way to keep their teeth ground down. Gnawing on hay helps ensure their teeth don’t grow too long. Like all rodents, a chinchilla’s teeth never stop growing. Unless you give your pet plenty of opportunity to chew and grind down those teeth, it can lead end up suffering from a variety of dental issues.

If you choose to give your chinchilla treats in addition to the pellets and hay, you should do so no more than a couple of times a week. And you should stick to healthy foods that agree with your chinchilla’s stomach. This article covers some of the best treats for chinchillas.

 

Green Bean Alternatives

Even though green beans aren’t the best treat to feed your chinchilla, there are still plenty of healthy green bean alternatives that your chinchilla will enjoy.

Green vegetables you can safely give to your chinchilla include kale, celery, and parsley. Chinchillas also love root vegetables. You can even chop up small chunks of carrot, potato, sweet potato and squash.

However, with all of these treats you need to make sure you only feed small amounts (around the size of a fingernail) and only once or twice a week. Any more than this can seriously affect your pet’s health, not only in the short term but also in the long term, with health conditions such as obesity.

You can also purchase chinchilla-friendly treats from your local pet store. These usually come in the form of dried herbs or small gnaw sticks, like the ones featured in the article I linked to above

There are usually different herb options to choose from such as garden herbs like dried basil or flower petals or mountain herbs. These types of snacks are similar to things chinchillas eat in their natural habitat in the Andes mountains.

You can also purchase gnaw sticks which usually consist of dried willow, apple or hazel. These not only keep your chinchilla entertained, but also help wear down its teeth.

 

What Vegetables Can Chinchillas Not Eat?

Other vegetables chinchillas can’t eat include asparagus, avocado, cabbage, corn, broccoli and rhubarb. These foods are especially dangerous for chinchillas and can even become poisonous if eaten in high quantities.

If your chinchilla eats any of these foods and you notice any concerning symptoms such as vomiting, pain or diarrhea, make sure you take your pet straight to the vet, just to be safe. These foods can be fatal for your chinchilla, so the quicker you get medical help, the better.

 

Can Chinchillas Eat Green Peas?

Chinchillas should not eat green peas, because they are considered poisonous. Even though chinchillas are classed as herbivores and live off a plant-based diet, that doesn’t mean they can eat any type of plant, fruit or vegetable.

Because chinchillas have sensitive digestive systems, eating most vegetable and fruits can cause them to suffer from bloating, sickness, loose stools and other symptoms such as tiredness and pain. Peas can be especially problematic.

 

Can Chinchillas Have Green Beans: Final Thoughts

Like most vegetables, chinchillas can eat green beans in tiny amounts. But they are actually more dangerous than some other vegetables, so it is best to just avoid feeding them altogether.

If you want to give your pet the occasional treat, in addition to its primary diet of hay and pellets, choose a treat that is healthier for chinchillas. Rose hips are a good choice, or something like oats.