Chinchilla Food, Feeding Hay & Treats

Chinchillas should have access to unlimited, fresh, and high-quality hay 24/7. In terms of pellets, an adult chinchilla should have 1-2 tablespoons per day, and if you’re feeding them treats, they should be given in very tiny amounts (pea-sized or smaller) and only a few times a week at most.

According to the PDSA, the ideal chinchilla diet consists of: 

• As much high-quality hay as they want to eat
• Nuggets, which can add nutritional value. For Burgess nuggets, please follow the feeding guidelines on the packet
• Fresh greens (around a teaspoon a day, per pet)
• Constant access to fresh, clean drinking water from a suitable water bottle with a metal spout 

Chinchillas should not eat the following: cabbage, sweetcorn, nuts, sunflower seeds, lettuce, asparagus, avocado, rhubarb, rhubarb leaves, broccoli, and spinach. If you’re ever unsure about a particular food item, always check with your vet for more information. 

Providing your chinchilla with the wrong fruit or wrong quantities can cause significant stomach issues and even potentially death. As a pet owner, it’s your duty to ensure the welfare and safety of your furry friends.

Chinchillas have very strict, high-fibre diets. However, a very small amount of certain human foods can be given as occasional treats, and in small quantities. Fruit and vegetables that your chinchilla can eat include: carrot, celery, potato, pumpkin, squash, sweet potato, strawberries, pears, apples, blueberries, grapes, raisins, and sultanas. However, please take every precaution and introduce them slowly to your pet to ensure they can tolerate them

A few hours without food isn’t a concern. However, if your chinchilla goes 24 hours without food, then it can be extremely dangerous and sometimes even fatal. Chinchillas’ bodies aren’t equipped to handle starvation, and their systems can quickly shut down. If you suspect that your chinchilla isn’t eating, seek immediate veterinary attention.