Can Chinchillas Eat Grass? Is There Any Limitation?
These tiny rodents covered in thick fur eat a lot of different things in their natural habitats. But when in captivity, they can’t select what to eat and entirely depend on the owner. As an owner, it is your duty to provide them with a balanced diet. To do that, you need to know what they can eat and what not.
Yes, chinchillas usually eat grass, hay, twigs, roots, etc., in the wilderness. They should be fed enough grass as it contains a lot of necessary nutrients for them. But there are some risks associated with feeding grass to chinchillas.
Let’s discuss them and see how to feed grass to your pet chinchillas.
Can You Feed Grass To Chinchillas?
Though chinchillas are known as omnivores, they mostly like to eat grass, hay, leaves, vegetables, roots, and fresh fruits. The digestive system of chinchillas requires a lot of fiber to work properly. This is why they highly depend on foods with high fiber, such as grass or hay.
Another vital thing to mention here is the growth of their teeth. Chinchillas’ teeth grow throughout their life, and it is crucial to trim them up regularly. Chewing grass or hay helps chinchillas keep their teeth in good shape and prevent dental problems.
According to research, the amount of grass in chinchillas’ diet should be at least 2-3% of their body weight. Before going into how you should pick and process the grass, let’s see how beneficial it is for chinchillas.
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Benefits of Grass for Chinchillas
As we have already mentioned, grass is vital for chinchillas to maintain a healthy life. Grass contains a lot of nutrients to keep your pet rodent healthy and happy. Here is what chinchillas get from grass hay.
Grass Hay
Calcium
This nutrient is super important for chinchillas. It helps them strengthen their bones and teeth.
Iron
Iron is necessary to keep chinchillas healthy and active. Grass contains a good amount of iron.
Zinc
Besides ensuring healthy growth, this mineral helps improve sperm count in chinchillas.
Fiber
Grass hay is rich in fiber, which helps maintain a healthy digestive system in chinchillas. Besides helping them keep their teeth trimmed, it ensures chinchilla poop is normal.
Omega-3
This fatty acid is extremely important for brain development in chinchillas. And grass contains a good amount of Omega-3.
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Risks of Eating Grass for Chinchillas
Though the grass is a very important element in chinchillas’ diet, it can sometimes be harmful to them too. Before you ask if can chinchillas eat garden grass, read the following.
The source of grass is important to consider before adding grass to chinchillas’ diet. If you grow grass in an organic way in your garden, it should be completely safe for pet chinchillas. But sometimes, the grass gets toxic after the use of pesticides or other chemicals. If you feed this grass to chinchillas, chances are they will suffer from a variety of problems.
Another risk associated with feeding grass to chinchillas is choking. If you give long grass to chinchillas, they will most probably choke while eating too much. So, it is important to keep an eye on the amount of grass you give to your chinchillas.
Can Chinchillas Eat Fresh Grass?
Though fresh, organic grass is good for chinchillas, the grass should not contain much moisture. If the grass is wet, it might discourage the rodent from eating grass. Also, if the chinchilla eats wet grass, it will suffer from bloating. Dry grass is suitable for these pets.
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How Much Grass Go I Feed My Chinchilla?
The amount of grass you feed your chinchilla might vary depending on its age, size, activity level, etc. In general, chinchillas need 2-3% grass of their body weight in their adulthood. But you shouldn’t overwhelm them with grass from the beginning.
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Make them familiar with the grass by giving them one handful of grass each day. And when they are used to eating grass from the bowl, you can provide them with a maximum of two handfuls every day. If they aren’t interested in eating the same grass, you can change the type and try again.
What Type of Grass Do Pet Chinchillas Eat?
Chinchillas will eat whatever grass you give them. But not all grasses are equally good for them. Timothy hay, oat hay, or meadow hay is rich in fiber and low in calcium. So, you can give these grasses frequently to your pet.
Timothy Hay
Alfalfa hay is also very rich in fiber and selenium but has a high calcium content. If you give this grass to your chinchilla regularly, it can develop stones in the bladder. So, provide it with timothy hay or meadow hay often and sometimes treat it with alfalfa hay.
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How to Feed Grass to Chinchillas?
Once you have selected the right grass for your pet, you should prepare the grass properly. Here is a short guide on how you can do that.
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- Make sure the grass you choose is grown explicitly for chinchillas. And there should be no pesticide or chemical residue in the grass.
- The grass should be clean and dry. If there is too much moisture in the grass, it will cause digestive issues in your pet.
- Cut the grass hay into small bits so that the furry rodent can chew them properly. If you give long hay, they might choke easily.
- Keep the food bowl clean and provide enough water for your pets.
Related Questions
Do you have more questions about feeding grass to chinchillas? Check this section.
Can chinchilla eat clover in the grass?
Chinchillas usually eat flowers, leaves, roots, etc., in the wild. So, if there is any clover in the grass you prepare for them, they will eat that without any problems.
Which cut of hay is best for chinchillas?
Second-cut hay is the most suitable for chinchillas. It means you need to collect the hay after cutting it for the first time.
Do chinchillas need grass hay every day?
Grass hay is an important part of chinchillas’ diet. So, it should be fed enough hay every day to keep it healthy.
Parting Wisdom
Before leaving the discussion, let us recap everything once again. Grass is an essential element in chinchillas’ diet. So, chinchillas can eat as much grass as they like. But the grass should not contain any toxic chemicals to keep pet chinchillas healthy. And you should carefully choose the type of grass based on its nutritional values so that your chinchilla gets enough fiber. Cut grasses into bite-sized pieces so that your pet doesn’t choke on them.
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