Diet And Nutrition

Chinchillas have difficulty digesting many types of food. Even foods you'd think are healthy, like fruits and vegetable, are often bad for these furry little critters. As chinchilla owners, it is our responsibility to know which foods are safe for chinchillas and which we need to avoid. This can seem like a daunting task. But it doesn't have to be. Just stick to … [Read more...] about Can Chinchillas Eat Cheese? (The Results Can Be Disastrous)

Chinchillas have a unique need. Chinchillas have teeth that grow continuously, and they need the ability to file down their teeth daily. This can help to prevent dental issues, overgrown teeth, pain, and more severe infections. Many new chinchillas’ owners understand this or have been informed by a local breeder, but still aren’t quite sure which woods would be … [Read more...] about Which Woods Are Toxic For Chinchillas (+Safe Woods To Use)

All living things need water. Chinchillas are no exception. While your furry little pet may not use water to clean itself, it does use it to quench its thirst. But will any water do? Can chinchillas drink tap water, or should you give them only bottled or filtered water? It turns out, most chinchilla owners get this wrong. And that could potentially have … [Read more...] about Can Chinchillas Drink Tap Water? (What Most Owners Get Wrong)

Chinchillas are small and they have sensitive digestive systems. As a result, they can't handle many treats, including many that seem healthy like certain fruits and vegetables. You also need to limit how many treats you give. Only small quantities and not every day. Your chinchilla should eat primarily Timothy hay and pellets. Treats should be just that: a treat. … [Read more...] about Best Chinchilla Treats: Safe Snack Options

We all want to do what we can to keep our pets as happy and healthy as possible. But knowing how to accomplish that can be tough. If you're like me, you probably spend a lot of time reading forums or FB groups on chinchilla care. Unfortunately, those can sometimes make things more confusing. The various answers you see to the question "Do chinchillas need a salt … [Read more...] about Do Chinchillas Need A Salt Lick? (Read Before Trying!)

It's a common problem for chinchilla owners. In some areas, food made specifically for chinchillas just isn't readily available. But rabbit food is. Or maybe you already own a rabbit and were hoping you could use the same pellets for a chinchilla, too. Whatever the reason, many owners find themselves wondering if chinchillas can eat rabbit food. Well, we have the … [Read more...] about Can Chinchillas Eat Rabbit Food? (Avoid These Mistakes With Pellets)

There is a reason this question is so common. If you've done any research on owning a chinchilla, you've likely come a across a few horror stories involving chinchillas and chewing. Perhaps you've heard of one chewing up a valuable possession. Or of one that chewed through an electrical wire. Both of those happen. But how common are instances like this? Do all … [Read more...] about Do Chinchillas Chew? (A Lot: You’ll Need These Tips)