Can Chinchillas Eat Tomatoes? (Read Before You Feed!)

Chinchillas have issues with many fruits.

Of course, some prefer to classify the tomato as a vegetable.

See below for a discussion on this.

But most vegetables can present a problem for these sensitive rodents, too!

Can chinchillas eat tomatoes then, or are they another in a long list of foods that are healthy for us, but bad for our pets?

Keep reading to find out. We will cover everything you need to know about feeding your chinchilla tomatoes. Make sure you read this, before you consider giving your pet any of this fruit. Or vegetable.

 

Can Chinchillas Eat Tomatoes?

No, chinchillas can not eat tomatoes. You should not feed your chinchillas tomatoes, because they are too acidic. They also have high amounts of water, sugar and phosphorus.

All of these components can cause problems in your chinchilla’s stomach and even neurological issues and brittle bones. A tiny amount of tomato might be fine, but why even risk it? There are plenty of great treats for chinchillas that do not have such a high potential to cause harm.

 

What Can Happen If Your Chinchilla Eats Tomato

Tomatoes are considered poisonous for chinchillas. There are many potential negative effects your chinchilla could suffer after eating some of this fruit.

Because tomatoes are high in sugar, they can cause digestive issues for your chinchilla. Your pet may bloat, suffer from diarrhea and be in a lot of pain. The acidity of tomatoes will also wreak havoc on your chinchilla’s insides.

Phosphorus is the big issue. It is what is toxic to a chinchilla. If your chinchilla consumes too much phosphorus, it could suffer from brittle bones.

In addition, the speed with which chinchillas digest their food, combined with the high levels of phosphorus in tomatoes, can also lead to your chinchilla developing kidney or bladder stones. If you leave these issues untreated, they could even be fatal for your chinchilla.

Acidic foods can also cause neurological issues in chinchillas. And tomatoes definitely sit in the acidic food category.

And it isn’t just the flesh and skin of the tomato fruit either. You should not feed your chinchilla tomato leaves, vines or any other parts of the plants. They are all poisonous.

If you feel the need to feed your chinchilla tomatoes for whatever reason, make sure you only do so on a very rare occasion, due to the health risks involved. And only feed a tiny amount.

But the best option is to remove it completely from your pet’s diet. Tomatoes are a food chinchillas can not eat, plain and simple.

 

Other Treat Options For Chinchillas

If you want to mix up your chinchilla’s diet by giving it a treat, you need to make sure you give it the right treat for its digestive system. And only in moderation. One of the best treats you can give your chinchilla are dried rose hips, because they are full of vitamin C and fiber.

Dried fruit is another option you can feed your chinchilla, but you should only do so once or twice a week, due to the high sugar levels found in fruit. And only small amounts.

Chinchillas’ favorite dried fruits are cranberries and raisins but you can also feed them dried apples, bananas and papaya.

Remember to feed them only small pea-size portions. A chinchilla’s daily food intake should not contain any more than 4%, sugar due to the negative health risks on their digestive system.

 

Other Treats To Avoid

Along with tomatoes, I also suggest not feeding your chinchilla any other acidic foods, such as citrus fruits like oranges and lemons. Avoid watermelon due to its high water content.

Corn and chocolate are both toxic. Dairy can cause issues, because lactose can upset your chinchilla’s digestive system. Vitamin tablets are not a good idea, because they can contain high levels of nutrients that your chinchilla may not be able to digest.

If you are struggling with what you can safely feed your chinchilla, then you can always speak to your vet for advice.

 

Is The Tomato A Fruit Or A Vegetable?

Even though tomatoes are widely known as a fruit, you can actually define them as both fruit and vegetable, depending on how you look at it. That is why we included the tomato in both our article on fruits chinchillas can eat, and the one on what vegetables chinchillas can eat.

Botanically, a tomato is a fruit, because it has a ripened flower ovary with seeds inside. Nutritionally, a tomato can be seen as a vegetable, because it does not contain high levels of fructose and you can use it as a part of a main meal when eating. Fruits are not usually used as a part of a main meal. They are generally used as a dessert instead.

 

Can Chinchillas Have Tomatoes: Final Thoughts

Chinchillas can not eat tomatoes. The phosphorous they contain is toxic to chinchillas and can cause brittle bones. Moreover, tomatoes also contain a lot of acid, water, and sugar, all of which will cause digestive problems.

If your pet eats a tiny amount of tomato on very rare occasions, it will probably be fine. But it is still best just to avoid the fruit altogether. There are plenty of other treats to feed you pet that won’t cause issues and they they prefer to eat anyway.