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Thursday, January 13, 2011

Chinchillas Staying Healthy With Pellets and Hay

Chinchillas Staying Healthy With Pellets and Hay

The chinchilla's process of consuming food is quite different than other animals.  They should have a lot of roughage and fewer nutrients.  One of the things that they must have enough of is pellets.  Zupremm Chinchilla Pellets promotes healthy skin and coat in your small pet. Each bag contains a mix of fresh grass and vegetables for a fresh taste chinchillas can't resist.
Zupreem Chinchilla Pellets - 3 lb. - 1.36 kg

Chinchilla pellets can be purchased from a breeder or a pet store.  Not all brands contain the same ingredients.  When your purchase them, be sure that the basic ingredients are in the mix.  This would include alfalfa meal, wheat germ, molasses, oats, soybean oil meal, corn, and added vitamins and minerals.  The chinchilla pellets are long because the animals eat with their hands and they must be able to grasp them.

The chinchillas consume the pellets until they feel full.  When they get to that point, they will stop and refrain from overeating.  You can either feed them once or twice a day.  You'll want to figure out which feeding regimen is best for them.  Stick with whatever works best and be consistent.  If you're not, the chinchilla will know and the inconsistency will cause them to be stressed.

A chinchilla's livelihood is based on routines.  You can feed the pellets to them either from a hopper feeder or a ceramic bowl.  The hopper feeder is good to use because you don't have to concern yourself about it falling over.  Ceramic bowls are good because they are heavy and the chinchilla can't chew it, like they would a plastic bowl. 

Chinchilla pellets are one of the best things they can eat; but if for some reason you can't locate them, you can substitute rabbit or guinea pig pellets for them.  These are fine to consume as long as they contain plenty of fiber and are low in fat.  If for some reason you do have to switch their pellets, do it gradually.  Once they get used to a system, it's difficult for them to change suddenly.  They will adapt, but they get stressed if it happens all at once.  Your Chinchilla will definitely not get bored with Kaytee's Fiesta Chinchilla Food. A fiesta of flavors including wholesome grains and seeds, plus delectable chunks of raisins, bananas, papaya, sweet potatoes, and much more. There is a party in every bag of Fiesta food.
 Kaytee Fiesta Chinchilla Food - 2.5 lb.
Hay is good for them because it also provides fiber for their system.  You can choose from two kinds:  alfalfa or timothy.  They can be purchased in loose or small compressed blocks with a measurement of 1" X 1" X 2".  The animals will eat both kinds and it must be chemical and mold free.  Because of their sensitive digestive system, chinchillas can only consume fresh hay.  To remain fresh, it must be stored in a dry place.

Fifty-pound bags may be too much for a chinchilla owner, so cubes can be purchased in smaller amounts.  It's better if the cubes are broken into smaller pieces.  This way, they can handle them easier as opposed to being one cumbersome piece.  One pressed cube or a handful of hay is all an adult chinchilla usually eats. 

An alternative to hay would be Kaytee's Smal Pet Bermuda Grass. Encourage your pet's natural foraging instincts with a uniquely different source of fiber. Bermuda grass gives your pet a new taste with the fiber that aids their digestive system in a compressed, easily fed bale. Give them the variety they enjoy with the fiber they need!    
 Kaytee Small Pets Bermuda Grass - 16 oz.
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