Chinchillas are two species of malt rodents native to the Andean Cordillera in South America. These animals have very soft fur, large hind legs, tiny front legs, big eyes and ears. Previously, these animals lived in Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Chile, but today their colonies in the wild are found only in Chile.

In nature, chinchillas eat dry grass., leaves and bark of fruit bushes and trees. In the high mountainous regions of the Andes, the vegetation is usually dry and for the same reason, chinchillas living at home are recommended mainly to eat a diet of dry plants. Their digestive system designed to absorb most of the dry food offered in their habitats, so the length of the intestines can reach a length of 2.5–3 m, which is quite a lot considering the size of these rodents.

Today, chinchillas are popular pets, but require special care, so they are best bought by experienced pet owners who know all about the needs of these animals.

Power supply has a very large impact on the health of chinchillas, since dental and intestinal diseases are the leading cause of death for these animals, which require more consistency in their diet than other small mammals. Because a chinchilla's microflora (the microbes that live in the intestines and play a critical role in digestion) are delicately balanced, your pet's health can be seriously compromised if it daily diet will change dramatically or you will offer him too much food.

These rodents require a lot of roughage, and their diet should mainly consist of good quality hay along with pellets made specifically for chinchillas. Any diet changes should be gradual.

What can you feed a chinchilla at home?

Food prepared specifically for chinchillas should contain 16–20% protein, 2–5% fat and 15–35% fiber. Chinchillas have special dietary requirements that differ from other rodents, and their health will suffer if they are not fed a high-quality, chinchilla-specific food.

Hay is the staple diet of chinchillas, and the main components of hay are tough, fibrous stems and grasses. They provide the bulk of the fiber. Without fiber, movement through the long intestines of these rodents can slow down or even stop completely. This dangerous condition, known as gastrointestinal stagnation, often proves fatal in a very short time.

There are two types of hay intended for chinchillas. These are alfalfa hay and grass hay. The main difference between alfalfa hay and grass hay is that in alfalfa more protein and calories. There are other differences, such as differences in the ratios of phosphorus, calcium and vitamins. Grass hay is better for teeth, and alfalfa hay should be given to young animals, pregnant, lactating, and sick animals. Both types of hay can be purchased at any pet store.

In the wild, these animals are adapted to eating vegetation with high content coarse fiber, so in percentage terms, chinchilla food should consist of 80-90% hay, 10% pellets and about 2% fruits or vegetables. The pellets must contain all the nutrients in the correct percentage.

Remember that the granules must be specific for chinchillas and should not contain grains and seeds, milk and dairy products, eggs, waste products, fruits and vegetables. When purchasing pellets, even if the packaging shows a chinchilla, always read the ingredients listed. Daily amount of granules for adults it is about 30 grams (two tablespoons).

Pelleted diets are better than bulk food mixtures. Bulk formulas can be balanced, but only if your chinchilla eats all parts of the mixture (and chinchillas tend to choose what they like from the mixture).

If you choose to feed these animals a free-form formula (with pellets, seeds, corn, etc.), be aware that there is a concern that feeding corn may cause digestive upset and bloating, although many chinchilla foods contain processed corn in them. as an ingredient. WITH scientific point vision, little is known regarding ideal diet for chinchillas. Perhaps because corn is starchy and likely largely indigestible for chinchillas, whole corn should be avoided as a major part of the diet.

Some of these vegetables - such as Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, parsley, celery and spinach should not be given frequently as they contain high levels calcium. Apart from carrots, other vegetables should be given in a dried state.

Fruits can be given as dessert in not large quantities. These could be:

Dried fruits are preferable as fresh ones can cause diarrhea. Citrus fruits should not be given.

Sticks and branches are a necessary element in any chinchilla diet. For these animals, gnawing on sticks is not only a pleasure, but also a huge help in combating the continuous growth of teeth.

Make sure the wood you use has not been treated with pesticides. In addition, you cannot give branches coniferous trees, since they contain resins. The following tree species are recommended:

These wood species do not contain resins and essential oils, which are harmful to these animals.

There should always be water in the cage, which should be changed at least once a day, especially in summer.

What not to feed

Do not feed wet, musty-smelling hay.

Do not give acidic fruits and vegetables - lemons, grapefruit, tomatoes, etc. The digestive system of these animals Does not cope with high acidity.

Avoid corn as it will cause bloating, which is fatal in most cases. Corn is also susceptible to mold and fungi during production and storage.

Chocolate is very dangerous for animals in general and can cause damage to both the digestive and nervous systems.

It is forbidden to give meat and dairy foods. Chinchillas are strict vegetarians, and they should not be given anything other than plant food. Otherwise, it will have serious and deadly consequences.

Be very careful when releasing animals from your cage, as many indoor plants, are poisonous to this animal, especially azalea, begonia, ivy, ficus, oleander, etc.

Chinchillas are active at dawn and dusk, and although they can change their habits gradually, you should feed them at around the same time each morning and evening.

These rodents are famous beggars, and you cannot indulge their requests, since they can eat almost anything you give them.

When you hand feed your chinchilla, keep in mind that they rely most on their sense of smell as their eyes are on the sides of their head, so sometimes they may have trouble finding food or may accidentally bite your finger.

Herbs fresh or dried- You can offer a small amount 3-4 times a week. Fruits, fresh or dried, are also offered 3–4 times a week.

Vegetables or herbs should be cut into very small pieces (1-2 pieces 2-3 times a week).

The diet of chinchillas should not be confused with the diet of rabbits, guinea pigs and other rodents.

Grains - can be offered 2-3 times a week, about 1 teaspoon.

Most foods sold in pet stores are high in sugar, fats and oils. In addition, they contain preservatives.

Because these animals love to eat and chew anything in their path and are very curious, make sure electrical cords, toxic plants, or anything breakable are kept out of reach.

What to remember when feeding a chinchilla

Fresh hay Wood and water must always be available. The water must be fresh and 100% free of chlorine and heavy metals.

A limited amount of vegetables and fruits can be given daily, but their amount should not exceed 10% of their total food.

Vegetables and fruits not eaten within 24 hours should be removed.

Consult your veterinarian if you are unsure whether you are feeding your chinchilla correctly.

Fur-bearing animals, such as chinchillas, have not yet been fully studied by scientists. If an animal is sick, not every veterinarian can determine the cause of the disease and cure it. It is known that the most weak point chinchillas are theirs gastrointestinal tract. When they start having diarrhea, it is necessary to take urgent measures, minutes count down. If the animal is not treated in time, it will most likely die.

A little about caring for chinchillas

Based on the above, it becomes clear that feeding chinchillas is of great importance in caring for the animals. In general terms, keeping them at home is not difficult, the main thing is to create the proper conditions and feed them correctly, taking into account the age, gender and health status of these beautiful creatures.

Before getting down to the issue of feeding chinchillas at home, let’s consider what care the furry animals need and what conditions are needed after they appear in your home. The list of care rules is in front of you:

• For one individual you need a room of 100x50x50cm;
• The cage should have different shelves and ladders. These nimble fluffies need gymnastics;
• When keeping at home, it is necessary to equip a place for bathing for fur-bearing beauties. It is better to use zeolite as a filler for such baths. Such “bath” procedures help animals maintain their “coats” in excellent condition;
• For bathing you will need a container that is not small;
• It is better to make the bedding in the cage from sawdust. At the same time, the owner of the furry beauty must ensure that the pet does not injure its paws on the bars of the cage.

The main thing in caring for chinchillas is to do everything to make them comfortable, so that improper maintenance does not lead to deterioration of health or injury. Particular attention should be paid to females during pregnancy and after childbirth, when they are nursing babies.

What is the most important thing in feeding chinchillas?

IN natural environment, in the wild, chinchillas consume very little food, and even less water. This is due to the high calorie content of the products. Animals in the wild can choose for themselves everything they need for life. When kept at home, these rodents can get sick due to an incorrectly selected diet and even die. Let's take a closer look at the main points regarding feeding beautiful critters when kept in captivity:

• Balanced diet;
• Availability of minerals and vitamins;
• High calorie foods;
• A minimum of 5 components that provide a variety of food for pets kept at home.

Remember that the life and health of pets depends on what they eat and what food they receive from your hands. Take the issue of chinchilla nutrition seriously so that you don’t have to regret your mistakes later.

What is the most important part of the diet?

Concentrated food is undoubtedly considered the most important component in the menu of fur-bearing animals, after which your pets are active and cheerful. Such foods have two undeniable advantages, which is why they are added to the diet: nutritional value and ease of digestibility. Let’s figure out why this food is valuable for fluffies, what benefits it contains:

• Grain feed (corn, wheat, etc.) contains: vitamins, starch, minerals, fats, lipids;
• Legumes (peas, beans, etc.) store: carbohydrates, proteins, potassium, calcium, vitamins;
• Not roasted pumpkin and sunflower seeds: nutritional value, “sea” of vitamins.

Many, of course, buy ready-made food. If food is purchased from reliable, trusted outlets and has not expired, it contains all the substances necessary for the body, so balanced diet guaranteed for your pets. It is especially important to observe this condition of care during the female’s pregnancy and after childbirth.

Vegetable part of the menu

The list of rodent menus should include hay and greens. Let us now consider what kind of greens are allowed to pamper toothy pets and in what form they can be placed in feeders:

1. Young dandelion greens, oat and wheat sprouts. Such food “gives” the animals precious fiber and other benefits for the body;
2. Herbs: plantain, nettle, strawberry leaves, burdock, etc.

Freshly picked green plants cannot be given to fur-bearing animals; they are fed only after they have been thoroughly dried. Damp or waterlogged grass will cause an upset stomach for your chinchilla. It is recommended that females be given completely dried grass before giving birth during pregnancy; you should also be careful with green food after childbirth. At this time, animals are very susceptible to poor nutrition and may react to green grass with miscarriage or diarrhea. It is very difficult to save an animal that has weakened while carrying babies.

The presence of hay in the cells is vital for these animals (at least 25g per day), it takes part in the process of assimilation nutrients. Now let's talk about what kind of hay is suitable for rodents:

1. Hay from legumes and meadow grasses;
2. Hay from cereal plants.

If these animals do not receive every day daily norm hay, they may die. But when feeding this part of the diet, you need to take into account the fact that moldy or wet hay also leads to the death of a chinchilla. It must be of high quality, well dried; only after careful inspection is this food allowed into the feeders.

Nuts and vegetables

We have already discussed the main menu, now we can talk about useful additions to the chinchilla’s diet. The following products rank first in this category:

1. Vegetables: potatoes, beets, carrots. It is recommended to add a small piece to the main food 1-2 times a week, no more often and no more. The stomach of fur-bearing animals is not able to digest many vegetables at one time;
2. Nuts: hazelnuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, peanuts. It is strictly forbidden to treat chinchillas with pine nuts. In animals, due to the fat content of these nuts, stomach function may be disrupted.

Both vegetables and nuts are best given to rodents in dried form, raw foods have a negative effect on digestion.

Do chinchillas eat animal food?

Plant food is inherent and familiar to all rodents; it is the main part of the chinchilla’s entire diet. But we must not forget about the variety of menus for cute toothies, because they enjoy eating animal products. The owner of a handsome furry cat should know that his pet needs the following supplements: meat and bone meal, fish meal, and milk powder.

“Candy” for a furry pet

Every living creature loves different delicacies, chinchillas are no exception. Their favorite delicacies are:

1. Fruits: apple, melon, pear, banana;
2. Dried fruits: dried apricots, prunes, dried cherries, dried apples, raisins, pears;
3. Fruit medicinal plants: hawthorn, rose hips.

You can’t overdo it with treats; you need to treat the animals according to the following schedule:

• 3 times every 7-8 days 1 fruit, for example, one fresh or dried apple;
• 2 times every 7-8 days 1 rose hip or hawthorn berry.

Naturally, your furry pet will beg for more and more treats, but you should not follow his lead, so as not to harm the voracious animal.

Necessary additions

Vitamin supplements are a very important addition to rodent food. They are recommended to be given to fur-bearing pets for normal height and development.

A chinchilla is a rodent, which means that by its nature it must grind its incisors down on something. To do this, you need to place twigs in the animal's cage. different types trees. Just under no circumstances should chinchillas chew coniferous tree branches. This is because they contain toxic resins. The easiest way is to buy a whetstone designed for rodents.

Feeding a pregnant female

Special attention must be given to a pregnant female. Regarding her feeding there are certain rules and practical advice:

1. Enhanced feeding and overweight unacceptable;
2. It is necessary to increase the volume of mineral and vitamin supplements;
3. Calendula flowers and flax seeds help preserve the fruit;
4. It is recommended to add sweet clover, alfalfa and vetch to the food; these plants have sufficient protein content, which is necessary during pregnancy;
5. Can be increased daily norm hay, expectant mothers - chinchillas are partial to dry grass;
6. After a month and a half of pregnancy, the female needs a mineral salt stone. From now on you need to add it to the menu more calcium. If the future parent is not provided with calcium, the babies in the womb will “take” it from the mother’s teeth and bones, this can lead to eclampsia;
7. In order for the female to have sufficient milk, shortly before giving birth she needs to be fed nettles (leaves);
8. While bearing offspring, the chinchilla drinks a lot of water, so there should be clean, cool water in the drinking bowl at all times;
9. Before giving birth, it is recommended to treat the animal with a raisin, sugar maintains strength and prevents complicated childbirth;
10. After giving birth, it is advisable to treat the new chinchilla mother with almonds or hazelnuts. This delicacy contributes to the nutritional value of milk.

If you are the happy owner of a pair of chinchillas and want your furry pets to give you full-fledged, healthy offspring, take the above recommendations into account.

Feeding newborn puppies

A chinchilla has only 3 pairs of nipples, but the fact is that the third pair is rarely and weakly filled with milk. If more than 2 puppies are born, then most likely there will not be enough milk for full feeding. For the first time after birth, babies feed exclusively on mother's milk.

8-11 days after birth, small chinchillas leave the nest and actively explore the entire cage, trying out what is intended for adult rodents. Therefore, during this period, it is necessary to exclude fresh grass and legumes from the menu of the animal family, and ensure that there is a sufficient amount of vitamins and nutritional value of food.

The female has a lactation period of 40-60 days; after this period, the babies must be taken away from the mother and placed separately. By this time, the puppies are already eating regular food, but they must be introduced to new food carefully and gradually.

Artificial feeding

Newborn critters must be closely monitored. It often happens that a chinchilla does not have enough milk, especially if there are more than two puppies in the litter. You can tell that babies are malnourished by their behavior. Hungry animals are inactive, react poorly to their surroundings, and their tails are lowered to the bottom.

If you notice such symptoms, you need to take immediate action. The easiest way is to place the hungry puppies with another lactating female, who, for example, only has one cub of her own, or to feed the poor puppies yourself. Options for artificial feeding of newborn chinchillas are in front of you:

1. Fresh cow or goat milk. Stir 2 tablespoons of oatmeal broth in one glass of milk;
2. Condensed milk mixed with water (proportion 1:2).

When feeding your baby for the first time, half a pipette of milk formula is enough. After a few days, the puppy will happily drink several droppers. Gradually, he needs to be taught to drink the mixture on his own from a cup.

What should you not feed chinchillas?

Chinchilla owners should definitely know what not to feed furry pets. See the list of prohibited products below:

• Poisonous plants: spurge, buttercup, horsetail, St. John's wort, datura, etc.;
• Nuts: Brazil, pine;
• Raw cabbage and potatoes;
• Meat, fish;
• Dairy products.

If you feed chinchillas according to all the rules, carefully select foods, and avoid overeating and poisoning, the animals will delight you with their healthy looking and a beautiful soft fur coat.

1. You can’t just bathe a chinchilla in water.

No good water treatments they won't bring you. Not only can a gorgeous fur coat suffer, but the animal can simply catch a cold and become seriously ill. It is impossible to wet the fur of chinchillas, only in the most extreme cases. Every chinchilla should have the opportunity to take sand baths 2-3 times a week. Moreover, the sand for such baths should not be quartz (it is too rough for a chinchilla’s delicate coat), but special (the so-called “volcanic dust”).

2. You cannot keep a chinchilla in a small cage.

Chinchillas love to move and jump. At the same time, freedom of movement vertically (jumping from shelf to shelf) is very important for them. Therefore, cages for pigs or rabbits, in which the space is not vertical, but horizontal, are completely unsuitable for chinchillas.

It is not advisable to keep a chinchilla in a cage without a house. Lack of opportunity to hide in a suitable wooden house - severe stress For her, the chinchilla loves minks and tunnels and needs the opportunity to retire in a calm, dark place. Minimum dimensions cages for one chinchilla: width 60cm, height 50cm, depth 40cm. Availability of shelves: minimum 1 shelf. A chinchilla can jump while sitting in place to a height of 20 cm. The arrangement of the shelves should be Z-shaped and so that the chinchilla does not hit his nose. High cages (displays) are divided into 2 floors so that the chinchilla does not have the opportunity to jump higher than 30-50 cm, in order to avoid fractures. If a chinchilla lives in a rabbit cage for a long time, this will have a bad effect on its digestion, psychological state and for development in general...

3. Chinchillas should not be allowed to roam around the apartment unattended.

Chinchillas are rodents that love to taste very sharp tooth whatever catches their attention. They are easy to crush or step on.

And it’s not so bad if the animal simply ruins your wallpaper, coffee table or favorite book. Chinchilla has no idea of ​​danger electric current and will not stop in front of wires connected to the network. If you are not careful during a walk, they can damage furniture or equipment with their teeth, they will gnaw on everything that is not lying well and try to crawl into any crack... It is better to allow walks in only one room: a living room or a bedroom. There are a lot of smells in the kitchen, and in the hallway we change shoes and there is a possibility of infecting the chinchilla with protozoa...

4. You should not give your chinchilla nuts (this is not a squirrel) or a lot of fresh food (this is not a pig).

The main food for chinchillas in captivity is high-quality granulated food and good hay. Nuts and also excess fresh vegetables or fruit can cause harm to the animal’s delicate digestive system and internal organs. You cannot feed chinchillas only treats, although they themselves do not refuse them. After all, you won’t feed small child just candy. Treats should remain treats, that is, something that the animal receives occasionally, for example, as a reward for completing a command. Chinchilla is a herbivore, and their liver is not designed for nuts and seeds in large quantities,

It’s better to exclude them from the diet altogether. It is also not advisable for a person to eat once a week fried potatoes, especially those with a weak liver.

The owner of the chinchilla decides what his chinchilla will eat and what not.

5. You cannot interbreed relatives. This point applies to any animals.

Why is inbreeding dangerous? In offspring obtained from close relatives, negative characteristics (defects, predisposition to diseases) are enhanced. Sometimes breeders take risks to secure a certain quality (for example, color, body shape, etc.). But this is precisely a risk, often a very serious one. After all, the desired quality may not appear at all, and the defects that appear will darken the lives of both the animals and their owners.

6. You cannot place a female with a male (especially if he is older) if the female is less than six months old.

For each species of animal, there is a period when the individual seems to be ready for the birth of offspring, but childbirth is not yet desirable, since the female’s body is still growing and developing. Early labor can lead to illness (or even death) of both the offspring and the female. If you want to have a pair at once, you will have to raise the animals in separate cages until they grow, get stronger and gain the required weight, by about 7-8 months, or even longer. A female must weigh more than 500 grams in order to be placed with a male.

7. You cannot expect a chinchilla to be tame like a cat.

Chinchillas are quite independent. They do not tolerate a “familiar” attitude even from the owner. But with skillful taming, they sit quietly on your hands. You can’t take a chinchilla with you like you would a Yorkshire dog; for these animals, any travel is extra stress.

8. You can’t let chinchillas at your dacha outside to walk on the grass.

There is a lot in the earth that is attractive to the animal, which it absolutely cannot eat. For the same reason, you should not let them nibble on house flowers. They will taste the soil from the pot and the flowers themselves. Many house flowers are poisonous even in small quantities.

9. You should not keep chinchillas in the cold (below 14 degrees) or in drafts.

Although the chinchilla has a luxurious fur coat, it does not save the animal from the cold. But you can’t overdo it with heat. If the room temperature is too high (+25 and above), the animal may get heatstroke. You also need to avoid direct contact with the chinchilla cage. sun rays. In winter, keep it away from the battery (you can cover it with a blanket) to avoid overheating.

10. You cannot expect a chinchilla to go to the toilet in a special tray.

It is worth remembering that these animals poop involuntarily. You can train a chinchilla to pee in a litter tray, but there is no guarantee that your animal will be so neat.

11. You should not leave your chinchilla in a room where it is very noisy.

For example, if you wanted to throw a house party, make sure that the roar of the home stereo system is as far away from their ears as possible.

12. It is undesirable to leave chinchillas, even in a cage, unattended with other larger pets (cats, dogs), even if they get along well.

A cat or dog may begin to show aggression towards the chinchilla, which can frighten it very much. Fear is stress, which leads to a decrease or loss of appetite, decreased immunity and timidity even towards the hands of the owner.

13. You can’t suddenly change your diet.

The chinchilla's intestinal microflora is very sensitive to changes in food. If it is necessary to switch to another food, it must be added to the old one, starting with a small amount and gradually increasing. Usually the transition to a new food takes 7-14 days.

14. You cannot catch chinchillas and suddenly grab them!

This makes them very stressed. Frequent stress leads to a stroke or cardiac arrest in a chinchilla.

If a chinchilla is let out around the room while walking, it is better to tuck cracks under the sofa, behind cabinets, so that the chinchilla can run around in plain sight and not sit under the sofa and possibly scream from stress.

15. You cannot use oak shavings as bedding, because the animal becomes stiff, which can lead to death (constipation).

It is undesirable to use litter with odors; chinchillas are allergic. It is undesirable to use sawdust with dust and dust, because... sawdust may be scattered and the animal’s coat will not be well-groomed. Be careful not to eat granular litter; sand can also be used by a chinchilla as an opportunity to take a bath.

16. You cannot intentionally wake up a chinchilla during the day when it is supposed to sleep.

For a chinchilla this is stress and decreased immunity. Humans sleep at night, and chinchillas sleep during the day. How does absence affect the body? good sleep??? Bad... If there are children at home, raise them to respect and consider the needs of animals.

17. You cannot leave things around the apartment that are dangerous for the chinchilla., she tries everything with her teeth and may not gnaw it, but swallow it. Absolutely without a second thought, she can eat food that is real poison for her. For example: chocolate, indoor flowers, foil, beads, polyethylene, varnished wood, thread, paper (napkins, newspaper, magazines), etc.

This is when a chinchilla is released from its cage to run around in the room.

18. You cannot walk a chinchilla on a leash on the street!!!

The chinchilla is a nocturnal animal, and even if you walk it at night, it still will not behave like an obedient dog. Maybe he will eat something he doesn’t need (a cigarette butt, chew a bag), or cut his paws on the glass. A chinchilla eats with its paws, so it is advisable that the floor in the apartment be clean, but on the street, especially in cities, there is no place for them. Chinchillas get protozoa and can die from it. Chinchillas have very fragile bones and pulling them with a harness is dangerous!

19. You can’t put a chinchilla in a sphere (walking ball).

The ball is actually torture for them, you can’t even jump normally... and it’s very easy to get injured with it, they don’t have time to slow down, and BANG happens... It quickly becomes stuffy in the sphere, so the chinchilla may overheat any minute. Most often, such walks are stressful for the animal. The person thinks that the animal likes to be there, but in fact the chinchilla is trying to find a way out and run out. Best option- a spacious cage, and while cleaning the cage, transfer the chinchilla to an acceptable carrier (sufficient air access, stable and not too cramped). It is important for a chinchilla to jump and not walk like a hamster.

20. You can’t have fresh apples.

There are chinchillas that have softening boluses from fresh apples and have digestive problems from a couple of chinchilla bites. Dried apples cause significantly fewer problems, so general recommendation Dried ones are recommended. Fresh apples contain a lot of organic compounds (which increase acidity gastric juice) and high sugar content, which has a bad effect on the health of shunshas.

In small quantities (no more than a slice) they can be used as a source of water. For example, on the road, when the fish is transferred from one city to another, but there is no way to install a drinking bowl. Or if you suspect constipation (when the boluses are dry, hard, there are few of them and the chinchilla is lethargic), you can also use a little fresh apple to help you stool...

22. Do not give twigs of stone fruit trees, such as: plum, cherry, apricot, peach, lemon, cherry, etc. where is one bone. be in them more content hydrocyanic acid, which can eventually cause poisoning in the chinchilla. It is better to give branches of apple, mulberry, and willow.

23. You cannot give your chinchilla water from the tap that has not been settled, this can cause gastrointestinal upset. Better - filtered or bottled water WITHOUT GAS!!! You cannot give tea, coffee, or milk to your chinchilla. Milk is digested in nursing chinchillas, i.e. up to 2 months.

24. Babies under the age of at least 3 months cannot be separated. If you pick up a chinchilla in 2 one month old, this will lead to problems: the chinchilla will feel bad (it’s like sending a child to school at 3 years old), perhaps eat poorly, scream and cry at night and day, she will need a MAXIMUM of your attention, will not be able to swim in the sand and take care of yourself. Chinchillas are separated from their mother at 3-4 months from the date of birth.

25. You can’t take pictures of a chinchilla with a flash often!!! This blinds them and causes them stress. It is better to photograph in daylight, or in the light of a bright light bulb with a shade (so that it does not blind the eyes when the chinchilla looks up).

26. You can’t shout at a chinchilla. This frightens them very much; they understand a person’s intonation very well. Screaming/noise causes stress in a chinchilla, and stress shortens its life.

Chinchillas can make a lot of noise in their cage at night, this depends on the nature of the chinchilla and the existing cage and the presence of objects in it. There are quiet chinchillas who don’t like to make noise on their own, but some do the opposite. You should never yell at your chinchilla, especially when he is sleeping. By nature, she is curious (she tries everything) and nimble (she moves quickly and loves minks), almost like a child.

27. You can’t chase a chinchilla, she definitely needs to sit a little and catch her breath. Thick fur quickly warms them during intense running.

28. You cannot add a new chinchilla to the one already living with you on the very first day. Otherwise, this leads to stress for both chinchillas, possible injuries and illnesses. It is advisable to quarantine for 30 days. Each chinchilla is in its own cage, the new “tenant” settles in and gets used to the changes, and the already living animal gets used to the “guest” by smell. There is no guarantee that they will get along after quarantine. Two chinchillas = two cages, in case they fight among themselves or someone gets sick. It is advisable to examine chinchillas for the presence of protozoa in the body, and at least once a year have boluses tested in a good laboratory. Coccidiosis is common in chinchillas and rabbits. If there are a lot of coccidia in the body, this leads to constipation/diarrhea if followed proper nutrition and cell hygiene. Methods of infection: hay contaminated with rodents from the “wild”, sick cagemate, intrauterine infection from mother, etc. Helminths also enter the body in approximately the same way, and it is also possible from other pets (if you have them), and you could simply bring home some kind of crap from the street on your shoes, and on a walk the dog could eat it (this is in that case , if you practice free walks around the house).

29. It is undesirable to keep a chinchilla in a cage with other animals., such as: mice, hamsters, rats, rabbits, guinea pigs, reptiles.

...this is something, for example, racism among people, i.e. will lead to little good. Each of these animals has its own smells and behavioral characteristics, nutritional needs, as well as character. Yes, guinea pigs and rabbits get along normally, but are there so few chinchillas that they can’t get a fellow chinchilla???)))

30. You should not allow your chinchilla to lick medications that are not intended for use. internal use and neglect dosages during treatment or prevention. Find out more information about the drug that was prescribed to you. If there is a need to lubricate a bruise or wound, carefully hold the chinchilla in your hands so that it is comfortable and it cannot lick off the ointment (wipe off the remainder with a bandage). Take care of the life of the chinchilla, their weight is small (it is important to know the exact weight and weigh the chinchilla at least once a week or month), so a couple of drops of any medication can be critical for them when you need to give them something to drink or inject. You need to clearly calculate the dosage of the drug, it is advisable to use one that has already been tested on other chinchillas and know their well-being, but taking into account the situation of your chinchilla. Prevention and treatment - that’s the difference in dosage, but any treatment must be taken responsibly!!!

Special thanks to the chinchilla

When breeding, you should be especially careful about what chinchillas eat, as well as the organization of their diet. High-quality food is the key to the normal development and growth of animals. In general, the list of foods that rodents can eat is very limited. Therefore, you should prepare in advance approximate diet for chinchilla.

The natural habitat of chinchillas is desert highlands. In the wild, rodents consume a minimum of water and food. This is due to the scarcity of vegetation growing in the mountains and its high calorie content.

1. The diet should be balanced.
2. You should include sufficiently high-calorie, but not fatty foods in the menu.
3. The rodent should receive the necessary vitamins and minerals not only from vitamin mixtures, but also from everyday food.
4. Your diet should include at least 5-7 different foods.

Useful substance	Functions	Product
Potassium	Normalizes the functioning of the urinary system, promotes the regulation of water-salt balance in the body, ensures muscle tone, including the heart	Dried apricots, beans, raisins, lentils, peanuts
Magnesium	Normalizes work immune system, stimulates defensive reactions body, tones blood vessels	Oatmeal, greens, nuts
Iron	Necessary for transporting oxygen to tissues	Apples, greens, cereals
Folic acid	Stimulates lactation in females, improves intestinal function	Strawberry leaves, cereals, oat flakes, fruits

Chinchillas change their taste preferences quite often. To some extent, this is due to the ability of animals to independently determine which beneficial substances they need to survive. at the moment. However, it should be taken into account that rodents are very fond of treats: fruits, berries, some herbs. Animals can consume them in large quantities, which is harmful to their health. Therefore, the quantity of these products should be limited.

Chinchillas are quite picky eaters. To prevent the animal from losing its appetite, it is necessary to make its diet varied. At the same time, the menu must be changed every 4-6 months. In this case, pregnant or sick animals must receive special nutrition.

Features of care

1. An enclosure for an adult rodent must have dimensions of at least 100x50x55 cm. This must also be taken into account if several individuals live in one cage.
2. It is necessary to equip the enclosure with various houses, stairs and labyrinths. Chinchillas are very active, especially during the mating period.
3. Rodents need to have their fur cleaned regularly. To do this, you need to install a sufficiently deep and wide container filled with clean sand in the cage. Chinchillas enjoy bathing in it. The sand bath should be removed from the enclosure when the female is preparing to give birth.
4. The cage must have a sufficiently voluminous bedding of shavings or hay. Do not use animal litter or newspapers for these purposes.
5. Chinchillas are pack animals. Males tolerate loneliness especially poorly: they begin to refuse food, lose their fur, and get sick. Therefore, it is recommended to have two or more rodents.

Chinchilla's daily routine and diet

Chinchillas are nocturnal animals. They sleep during the day and begin to be awake after 6-8 pm. This should be taken into account when organizing the feeding of the rodent. The animal must have access to food at night.

Chinchillas need to constantly have their teeth ground down. Their incisors become dull and renewed over time. Therefore, the enclosure must have wooden logs made from apple, birch or linden, special chalk or mineral stones, wooden toys, etc.

Chinchilla diet

A complete diet for chinchillas must necessarily include roughage, that is, hay and twig food, bark feeding, fresh herbs, various vegetables and fruits, etc. The menu for rodents should be drawn up taking into account the following factors:

• the daily requirement of chinchillas for a certain amount of nutrients;
• sex and age of the individual;
• the health status of the animal;
• physiological characteristics: pregnancy, lactation;
• time of year.

It is necessary to carefully select the products that are included in the diet of animals. Hay, grass and bark must be clean, free from dust, rot and rot. Before giving food to chinchillas, you need to check its smell: it should not smell rotten or damp.

Rodents are very sensitive to various fungi and bacteria, which often infect wet hay or grains. Required Products can be prepared in advance in large quantities, taking into account the fact that per year one individual consumes about 10 kg of ready-made combined feed and approximately 7 kg of hay.

Animals' diets should be dominated by foods high in fiber and protein. In addition, chinchillas need adequate amounts of minerals, vitamins, fluids and fatty acids. Lack of various nutrients leads to increased morbidity in animals and their early mortality. Deficiency of protein and calcium is especially dangerous for pregnant females, as it causes various malformations in the offspring.

What to feed a chinchilla at home?

On average, an adult eats 50-65 g of food per day. In this case, the quantitative content of the diet is as follows:

Diet	Grams
Combined feed	20-25
Hay and twig food	20-25
Vegetables and herbs	5
Treats	3-4

In addition, a healthy animal should consume at least 20 ml of water per day.

The daily diet of a rodent includes basic food, additional feeding and treats, which the animal should receive in unlimited quantities:

• main food: combined feed, hay and branches, water;
• complementary foods: greens, fruits and vegetables, grains;
• treats: nuts, berries, special treats for chinchillas;
• vitamins and minerals in the form of granules, tablets or solutions.

Daily diet

Basic daily ration rodent includes a combination of food and hay. These products and fresh clean water must be freely available in the enclosure at all times.

Combined feeds

Ready-made feeds vary in type; they can be granulated or extruded, that is, compressed under pressure and high temperatures. Preference should be given to products from well-known, reliable brands specializing in the production of food for chinchillas.

Do not feed formula for guinea pigs, rabbits or other animals. It is also not recommended to purchase such food in bulk or make it yourself.

In the wild, chinchillas consume a strictly limited amount of different plants, so a violation of the composition of the food or its proportions can cause intestinal dysfunction, liver disease and a number of other pathologies in the rodent.

Mixtures can be either homogeneous in composition or containing particles of vegetables, grains and other food components. If the animal prefers to choose some of its favorite products from the food, then it is worth purchasing homogeneous mixtures. Otherwise, the chinchilla will not receive the necessary nutrients.

An optimal combination food for a rodent should contain about 20% fiber, 15% protein, 5% fat and about 6% minerals. This balance is necessary to provide the chinchilla with sufficient nutrients. The most popular foods among breeders are Beaphar, Vitakraft, Versele-Laga, etc.

Hay

Hay is the main source of fiber in a chinchilla's diet, and animals should always have free access to it. Before placing it in the feeder, you must make sure that there are no sticks, debris or other foreign matter in the feed. To make hay, you should use clover, cereals and legumes, buckwheat, etc. These plants contain sufficient amounts of proteins, phosphorus and various vitamins. The hay should be dry, elastic, without rotten or damp grass.

Grass pellets should not be substituted for hay. For their production, dry dust and waste obtained from packaging hay are used. This food does not provide animals with a sufficient amount of nutrients and weakly stimulates the peristalsis of the gastrointestinal tract of rodents.

Legumes are high in protein, and cereals are rich in all kinds of vitamins. Therefore, it is recommended to prepare several different types of hay and mix them before feeding the animals. This will allow the chinchillas to get enough nutrients.

A big advantage is the ability to harvest and dry plants yourself. Timely mowed legumes and cereals contain the necessary for normal operation nervous and vascular system rodents vitamins A, E and B. Plants should be dried in darkened, drafty rooms: in open sheds, attics or haylofts. This measure will prevent vitamins from being destroyed by sunlight.

Water

When organizing an enclosure for chinchillas, it is recommended to install a special drip drinker. In cups and other open containers, water quickly becomes clogged with sawdust and sand. In addition, chinchillas are very active; while jumping around the cage, they can overturn the drinking bowl.

Important! Do not use mineral, carbonated or medicinal water. It is also prohibited to give chinchillas unboiled water from various reservoirs or from the tap.

Tap water contains a huge number of different substances and impurities, including chlorine, which has a detrimental effect on the rodent’s body.

Lure

Supplementary food makes up about 20% of a chinchilla's daily diet. It includes a variety of different herbs and leaves, grains and rolled oats flakes.

Herbs

Fresh or slightly dried tree leaves and various herbs allow the chinchilla to receive a huge amount of vitamins necessary for health. Leaves are the most nutritious legumes and strawberries, dandelions, nettles and rhubarb.

Please note that you cannot completely replace your chinchilla’s regular diet with green food. Excess of fresh food is fraught with the development of intestinal dysfunction in rodents.

Most chinchillas love fresh leaves trees:

Tree	Useful properties
Birch	Its leaves almost contain vitamin C, fatty acids, substances with antimicrobial effect and other useful components.
Oak	It is not recommended to place oak wood in the enclosure, since its wood is very resinous. But oak leaves can be used for feeding. They are nutritious, easily digestible, and have an anti-inflammatory effect on the gastrointestinal tract of rodents.
Aspen	Leaves, shoots and tree bark are suitable as complementary foods for chinchillas. At the same time, you can give aspen leaves to animals throughout the year.
Pine	The needles of this tree contain a huge amount of vitamin C. Young shoots and seeds are suitable for feeding rodents. Before giving the chinchilla branches, they must be cleared of resin.

Leaves of willow, pear, blackberry and sea buckthorn are also used for feeding. Under no circumstances should you offer animals branch feed made from elderberry, almonds and bird cherry. The bark and shoots of these plants contain toxic substances.

Other plants

In addition to tree leaves, rodents enjoy drinking tea, rose and rose hip buds, hawthorn fruits, dried fruits and rolled oats. These foods should be limited in the chinchillas' diet, as animals can eat excess amounts of such complementary foods.

Dried fruits should also be included in the diet of chinchillas. Rosehip and hawthorn berries can be given to animals in almost unlimited quantities. The fruits of these bushes contain many nutrients, which is especially important for growing chinchillas and young animals. You can treat your rodent to blueberries and pieces of dried fruit once a day. And raisins, which animals love very much, are introduced into the diet no more than once a week.

Rosehip is one of the most useful varieties complementary food for rodents

For the full growth and development of chinchillas, rolled oats and sprouted cereals should be added to their diet.

You should check the food in advance: make sure that the grains are clean and free of mold and mildew. Hercules, sprouted oats or barley can be given to animals one teaspoon per day.

Diet of a sick chinchilla

A sick animal most often refuses to eat. In this case, you need to independently feed the rodent with a water-salt solution. In this case, 1 teaspoon of salt should be stirred in 250 ml of water.

If a chinchilla feeds on its own but is losing weight, it is recommended to use various high-calorie feeds, gels and pastes for rodents. These products can also be given to the animal from a syringe or pipette.

If the rodent cannot chew hard food, you can grind the food in a coffee grinder. It is recommended to add crushed vitamin C and a few drops of vitamins A and E. This mixture is given to the chinchilla from a syringe, spoon, or placed in a feeder if the animal is able to eat it on its own.

Vitamins

Animals obtain most of their vitamins and minerals from food. However, in winter time or a period of illness, chinchillas need to receive additional amounts useful substances. For normal development of musculoskeletal and nervous system Rodents should receive B vitamins, which are contained in special powder complexes or drops.

In early spring, ascorbic acid will help compensate for the lack of vitamin C. When purchasing it at a pharmacy, please note that the drug should not contain flavorings, glucose or flavoring additives.

Treats for chinchillas

Chinchillas are very fond of various treats. Treats for rodents include all kinds of fruits and berries, as well as specially made feed additives. Animals give the greatest preference to the following products:

• fresh fruits: apples, pears and melons;
• dried fruits: prunes and dried apricots, raisins;
• hawthorn, rosehip.

Fruits are a tasty treat and a source of vitamins for rodents

You should alternate the use of different fruits and berries in your chinchilla’s diet. As a reward or for training purposes, you can also use various cereal or fruit treats that are sold in pet stores. However, you should strictly limit the number of treats your rodent receives. Otherwise, you can overfeed the animal and harm its health.

Products prohibited for rodents

Some feed additives are prohibited for use in chinchillas. These are not only poisonous plants, but also various overly sweet or high-calorie vegetables and fruits.

The diet of rodents should not include the following products:

1. Almonds and pine nuts– they are high in calories and have a high percentage of fat. In animals, such complementary feeding causes disruption of the gastrointestinal tract.
2. Raw vegetables: beets, cabbage, peppers, as they contribute increased gas formation and indigestion.
3. Any products of animal origin. The chinchilla's digestive system is not able to digest the protein contained in meat and dairy products.
4. Poisonous plants: buttercup, fern, St. John's wort, etc. An animal that consumes them can become poisoned and even die. You should carefully study the plants that you prepare for rodent food.

Video - Food and feeding chinchillas

Catering for chinchillas is a responsible undertaking that requires taking into account various species and individual characteristics rodents A properly selected diet is the key to the health and long life of an animal.

Chinchillas belong to the rodent family. These cute and funny animals are becoming increasingly popular among pet lovers. A small animal can add variety to dull everyday life.

This article is intended for persons over 18 years of age

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What to feed a chinchilla at home?

Today anyone can raise chinchillas at home. These cute little gray animals are actually very friendly, welcoming and beautiful. Children are especially delighted with chinchillas, because pets quickly get used to their new environment and become tame. These rodents are known for their unusually soft and thick silver-gray fur.

If you become the owner of this cute pet, then you definitely need to find out how many times a day and what kind of food you can feed the animal. Chinchillas themselves do not require much care or much of your time. The main thing is to make sure that they have necessary conditions for survival in a specific room, always fresh water and food. Animals need a spacious cage; it is best to place it in a darkened corner of the apartment, where it is always cool.

As soon as you buy a chinchilla, ask the seller to provide it with food for the first time. It would be very correct not to suddenly switch the animal to another food. It may be that changing the diet will have a bad effect on the pet’s health, and sometimes it can end in the death of the baby.

In addition to food, chinchillas eat a lot of different foods. It could be:

• hay;
• dried fruits;
• herbs.

There is no specific treat that all rodents of this genus adore. What your chinchilla is delighted with may not please your neighbor's pet at all. Therefore, the longer this little bundle of joy lives with you, you will be able to independently determine what the animal likes to eat the most and what it swallows with great difficulty.

In any case, food should be clean, washed, without additives or impurities! Pay attention to the expiration dates of dry food; a spoiled product can have a bad effect on your pet’s health.

Remember that stomach upset can be caused by a change in diet. If you have previously fed your chinchilla hay, you should not immediately switch it to fresh herbs.

So that the animal constantly feels healthy, full of energy, leads active image life, you must ensure that all the necessary elements, vitamins and minerals are included in your daily diet. For example, cellulose, vegetable fiber, as well as various dietary fibers. In addition to concentrated grain feed, be sure to have oilseed seeds in the house. The process of feeding the animal itself deserves your attention, because if you give food incorrectly, the chinchilla will begin to get sick and weaken. Various nuances You need to know the nutrition in advance, so that when the pet settles in your home, you already know all the features of its existence.

Chinchillas themselves do not overeat. In their natural habitat, these animals are completely herbivorous. They eat any part of the plant. And at home, they can get used to ready-made dry food without any problems. But it will be great if you have the opportunity to feed the animal with greens from your garden.

The most popular and healthy foods for these rodents are grain foods (oats and corn). Oats are not capable of harm at all, but only promote fruitful work digestive system. Corn should be introduced into the diet carefully, crumbled into small pieces, and soaked in water before serving, because it is already a fairly solid food. It is best to simply include it in various mixtures.

Surely, you have heard and met the British chinchilla or Persian. This beautiful breeds animals that are often kept at home. But feeding these chinchillas should also be approached very responsibly. Try not to give dry and natural food at the same time, this is a big trauma for digestive tract. Cats of these breeds boast thick, soft and very beautiful wool. But the color may change depending on the food consumed. For animals you need to buy ready-made feed only premium and super premium class.

What can and cannot be fed to a chinchilla? (List of products)

On average, an adult chinchilla needs 25-30 g of combined food per day. And there should always be a lot of hay. But it is recommended to always take into account the individual characteristics of your pet.

It is best to fill the feeder with a certain amount of food once a day, and the animal will decide what and when to eat. Fill the feeder in the late afternoon; if the food disappears in the morning, then think about a little feeding.

You must know exactly what you should not feed these animals. Because their health, coat condition and lifespan depend on nutrition.

So, what can you safely give to chinchillas? First of all, these are succulent foods (fruits, vegetables, herbs, tree branches):

• tomatoes;
• cucumbers;
• carrot;
• pumpkin;
• lettuce leaves;
• celery;
• berries;
• pears;
• bananas;
• apples;
• melons;
• dried fruits;
• clover, carrot tops, dandelion.

Everything should be finely chopped and clean! If you cut branches or collect grass, do it away from highways, factories, and roads. Wash and dry the plants thoroughly.

Don't give your chinchillas treats too often. Several times a week, one treat, then another.

We consider hay to be dry and roughage; it is an essential component of nutrition. Hay is rich in various beneficial microelements, helps digest food and promotes good absorption body. If possible, use forb hay.

You are mistaken if you think that an animal can eat any herbs. Not at all, there is a certain list of prohibited foods that are poisonous and can kill your pet. Remember the prohibited names: fern, rush, horsetail, cornflower, datura.

You can buy nutritional mixtures in granules at pet stores. These are seeds, cereals, bread and legumes.

Grains are also very healthy and nutritious (wheat, oats, barley, corn), but avoid buying rye forever.

If you want your pet to always feel good and live happily ever after, then under no circumstances should you give him the following foods:

• food from the human table (salted, fried);
• mushrooms;
• roasted nuts and seeds;
• meat;
• sweet buns, bread, confectionery;
• potatoes, cabbage, eggs;
• products that have expired;
• milk and fermented milk products.

Keep an eye on your chinchilla, pay attention if she falls in love junk food, animals do not think about what is good for them and what is not. For this they have owners.

Now let's talk about how to feed chinchillas after giving birth. During this period, the animal is weakened, tired, and exhausted. During pregnancy and immediately after birth, rodents may need large quantities clean drinking water. Therefore, always make sure that the drinking bowl is full. A chinchilla that has given birth should be fed in the same way as during pregnancy. You can buy ready-made vitamin supplements; your diet should always have enough hay, protein, calcium, sprouted grains, and some apples.

Baby chinchillas sometimes have to be fed with a syringe. In general, babies are born with sharp teeth, but they require mother's milk already in the first hours of life. It happens that the female produces milk only after a few days, or it is not available in sufficient quantities. You can notice that babies are malnourished by their behavior. They will constantly attack their mother, thereby causing her irritation and aggression.

If necessary, newborn chinchillas can be fed with milk powder, which is diluted in special proportions (read on the packaging). Agusha baby food is often used from the first days of life. Feed every two to three hours. It is convenient to feed babies with a pipette, half a pipette at one meal. Give a couple of drops of Espumisan as a supplement, because the chinchilla’s digestive system is very delicate, and the drops will prevent stomach upset. After about two months, chinchillas can be gradually transferred to full-fledged adult food.

May your pets always be well-fed, healthy, happy with life, and may they certainly delight you with their presence.