What nuts can be given to chinchillas: walnuts and peanuts, hazelnuts and pine nuts, almonds and cashews, is it possible to give seeds instead of nuts?

Can chinchillas have walnuts?

When starting to understand the information about what nuts chinchillas can eat, the first thing that comes to mind is walnuts. They are very useful for humans, are actively used in cooking, and are found in most homes.

On the question of whether a chinchilla needs walnuts in its diet, veterinarians have differing opinions.

The opinions of experts on this issue are divided: some argue that the kernels are unnecessary excesses, others, on the contrary, believe that chinchillas eat walnuts with great pleasure. However, you need to know that any fruit contains a significant amount of fat. The norm is a small piece of kernel once a week.

Can chinchillas have sunflower seeds?

In general, it is possible, the main thing is not to overdo it with their quantity. Chinchillas love sunflower seeds and would happily eat them all day long. Their danger is that they are very fatty and contain a lot of calories, 600 kcal per 100 grams of product.

Give the seeds only in dry form. Do not give raw, fried or salted.

It is best to give seeds 1-2 times a week, 2-3 pieces. You don’t need to feed them every day, otherwise liver problems will definitely begin.

Benefits of seeds:

The oils they contain give the fur shine and thickness.
Is the chinchilla happy?

Harmful to the liver. A very difficult product for chinchillas to digest.

The debate about whether it is possible to chinchilla seeds continues to this day. Some categorically refuse to give even occasional seeds, while others feed their chinchillas throughout their lives. Those who breed chinchillas, especially for exhibitions, always give a small portion of seeds to their pet, because they will make his fur shiny and thick.

Peanuts for rodents

It is acceptable to give peanuts to chinchillas, however, it puts excessive strain on the liver. In order to maintain the functioning of the organ, it is necessary to offer peanuts to chinchillas, guided by a number of rules:

put a supplement in the feeder once a week;
a single serving should not exceed a nut;
It is necessary to avoid heat treatment and additives in the form of salt, sugar or spices.

Giving your chinchilla peanuts is recommended to stimulate the digestive system and improve reproductive functions.

Almonds for a snack

Despite the fact that some owners occasionally indulge their pets with this delicacy, veterinarians still insist on avoiding almonds, as well as cedar fruits. Increased calorie content and fat content lead to numerous dysfunctions of the digestive organs, which are difficult to treat.

According to the position of other experts, almonds provide chinchillas with enhanced natural immune defense and increased resistance to infections. Therefore, the owner is recommended to consult with a veterinarian, and if the rodent’s digestive organs are completely healthy, sometimes treat the pet with a small amount.

Sweetish cashews

Cashews provide the animal’s body with energy, so it can also act as a treat once every 2 weeks. Also, the high nutritional value of the kernels contributes to the enrichment of systems and organs with useful substances.

Therefore, you can and should pamper your pets with such “goodies”, but carefully following the instructions of specialists. Please note that some brands of chinchilla food already contain nuts, do not forget to take this amount into account.

We also recommend that you read the articles on the influence of herbs and seeds on the health of your pet in the articles “Herbs and plants in chinchilla nutrition” and “Which seeds can be given to chinchillas and which cannot.”

Source

Treats

Treats for chinchillas are used not only as something rewarding, but also as an additional source of minerals and vitamins. Most often, treats are given separately from the main food.

As a treat you can give:

Hawthorn fruits,
Dog-rose fruit,
Rowan berries,
Black currant berries,
cranberries,
Apples,
carrots,
Hibiscus inflorescence,
Common calendula flowers,
Linden flowers,
Bell pepper,
parsley roots,
Dandelion roots.

But what the breeder loves - sweets, cakes, pastries, candies - are unacceptable for feeding chinchillas as treats.

However, many novice breeders try to feed their pets with these harmful products and end up with poisoning, severe diarrhea and even death.

Prohibited Products

Persimmons are prohibited for feeding. This fruit, useful for humans, is rich in iodine, which is contraindicated for animals. In addition to iodine, persimmons contain a lot of sugar and astringents, which will lead to constipation.

It is not recommended to give chinchillas and beets.

The root vegetable is healthy, but has a laxative effect. In rare cases, small pieces of beets can be given for constipation. Any type of cabbage leads to severe gas formation. Chinchillas love to feast on tea rose petals - they taste pleasant and have an attractive aroma. If flowers are grown in your own garden, there is no danger, but it is better not to give store-bought ones. They contain a lot of pesticides and chemicals that can cause serious poisoning.

When preparing tree branches for the winter, it is worth remembering which species are dangerous and unsuitable for feeding. Branches of which trees cannot be harvested:

Apricot,
white acacia,
Beech,
Ash leaf maple,
Common buckthorn
Cedar,
Chestnut,
Branches of any citrus species,
Cypress,
Elderberries,
Cherries,
Cherries,
Branches of any coniferous species,
Holly,
Hydrangeas,
Juniper,
Common maple
Myrta,
Oleander,
Plums.

Oak bark and twigs can only be given to animals suffering from diarrhea. In healthy animals they cause severe constipation.

Branches of stone fruit trees (cherry, cherry, plum, and so on) are dangerous because they contain a dangerous cyanide compound, as a result of the breakdown of which hydrocyanic acid is formed in the chinchilla’s body. If you feed an animal with such twigs, you can get not only severe poisoning, but also the rapid death of your pet.

List of "Do's and Don'ts"

Re: List of "Do's and Don'ts"

Message number: #161 Ivanovna » Sat Jun 25, 2011 13:13

If you do not want to see this block, register or log in under your name.

Re: List of "Do's and Don'ts"

Message number: #162 Marina Lepel » Sat Jun 25, 2011 14:25

Re: List of "Do's and Don'ts"

Message number: #163 Ivanovna » Sat Jun 25, 2011 14:36

Re: List of "Do's and Don'ts"

Message number: #164 lavina » Sun Jun 26, 2011 15:56

vice versa! Thank you very much for your complete and detailed answer!

By the way, the other day I bought additional food (I don’t even know how to translate it correctly) for chinchillas, it’s called “flower field”. So it contains sunflower petals and marigolds. Moreover, marigolds are already just boxes with seeds. mine just attacked them first

Re: List of "Do's and Don'ts"

Message number: #165 Love » Tue Jul 05, 2011 18:56

Re: List of "Do's and Don'ts"

Message number: #166 koda » Tue Jul 05, 2011 20:46

Re: List of "Do's and Don'ts"

Message number: #167 Passerby » Tue Jul 05, 2011 22:42

I’ve never given them one yet (I just can’t get around to buying them especially for Nyusha), but for myself (as a result of scouring various chinchilla sites) I came to the same conclusion as koda - no more than two medium or one large sunflower seeds per week. I think that (despite the undeniable abundance of useful substances) they should not be abused due to the significant amount of oil they contain.

By the way, I wanted to ask one more question in connection with pumpkin seeds. It is generally accepted that they are a good prophylactic anthelmintic (anthelminthic) agent. But then I came across an indication that pumpkin seeds are used “against various tapeworms” [emphasis added]. This is where the question came to me. I know that, in general, the variety of helminths is not limited only to tapeworms, but what kind of helminths are found in hornets and can hornworms have tapeworms? Or maybe the anthelmintic properties of these seeds are no more important for our jokers than a strong lock on the display case doors?

Foods that can be given in limited quantities

Many breeders argue about the need or possibility of feeding these types of products to the animal. However, in small quantities they bring more benefits.

The first such product is nuts. Chinchillas simply love them. Nuts contain many useful microelements, vitamins, acids and amino acids. The danger is that nuts can cause allergies, diarrhea and provoke the development of obesity. However, once a week you can offer your pet a tasty treat - walnuts, almonds, peanuts or hazelnuts. The main thing is that there should only be one nut.

A lot of controversy arises about seeds. They contain a large amount of fatty acids, and those who are involved in breeding and exhibitions know what a positive effect the seeds have on the condition of the fur and the appearance of the animal. However, an excess of seeds in the diet can lead to obesity and problems with the stomach. Chinchillas can be given some pumpkin or watermelon, sunflower or flax seeds. It is very important to remember that the seeds must be fresh. Roasted pumpkin or sunflower seeds will cause constipation and poisoning.

Dried fruits are most often used as a treat. If you really want to treat your animal to a piece of raisins or dried apricots, give it no more than once a week and only in small quantities.

Any type of dried fruit has a number of very useful substances for humans, but they are not entirely suitable for chinchillas. Raisins are too sweet and can cause problems with your sugar levels. Most often, raisins are given to sick animals that refuse to eat or to a female who has just given birth. Prunes have a strong laxative effect and you can only give a small piece if you are constipated.

It is better not to give candied fruits and berries - animals eat them with great joy, but such products contain too much sugar and too few useful components. You can treat your pet with canned pineapples or papaya. However, it is better to avoid such experiments. The chinchilla's intestines are very delicate and no one can predict in advance about the reaction to a new type of treat.

Breeders also argue about the acceptability of feeding crackers. It is not recommended to give fresh bread to animals - it often leads to the formation of gases, but fresh crackers, especially from yeast-free bread, can be a good treat.

Sunflower seeds

In conditions of artificial breeding, the chinchilla is entirely dependent on humans, especially in matters of nutrition. A big mistake is made by owners who rely on the fact that animals can distinguish healthy food from harmful food. The animals are guided solely by the smell and taste of the food offered to them.

Raw sunflower seeds contain a lot of fatty acids. It is useful for maintaining fur in good condition - the main advantage of the rodent. Just give chinchillas sunflower seeds raw, in very small portions - no more than 2-3 per meal. Otherwise, there is a high risk of indigestion, constipation, obesity and liver problems.

Any fried seeds are not food for chinchillas. These animals are raw foodists; they do not find such food in the natural environment, so their digestive system is not adapted to such food. Even if the animal eats them with pleasure, resist the urge to feed them food that is “delicious” from your point of view.

Authorized Products

The list of foods that can be given to chinchillas is quite large. Animals can be fed fruits:

Bananas,
Apples,
Pears,
Figs
Vegetables:
Pumpkin,
Milk corn,
Bell pepper,
Kohlrabi,
Zucchini,
Zucchini,
Kohlrabi,
Patissons,
Ripe red tomatoes.

Lettuce leaves,
spinach leaves,
Clover,
Alfalfa,
sorrel leaves,
Dandelion leaves and stems,
Celery,
Chicory,
Cornflowers,
Vika,
Common nettle,
Sagebrush,
Raspberry leaves and stems
Strawberry leaves and stems
Plant tops,
Twigs with leaves of apple, pear,
Birch and linden branches,
Hazelnut sprigs.

Corn (corn grains are part of the feed mixture and are given in ground form),
Barley (given in ground form),
Wheat (grains and bran),
Oats (grains, bran, flakes),
Millet,
Buckwheat,
Rice.

Apples, pears, as well as carrots, pumpkins, zucchini, berries can be given to animals both fresh and dried.

Some chinchillas are more willing to eat dried foods, and they are also safer for the digestive tract.

It is recommended to collect fresh grass for furry pets in places far from roads and landfills, walking pets and industrial enterprises. It is not recommended to feed grass that is wet from dew or rain. And also carefully monitor that there are no poisonous plants among other weeds.

Useful properties and contraindications

The vegetable has a number of useful substances for humans, what can we say about rabbits - for them it is a whole treasure trove of vitamins. Pumpkin contains a huge amount of vitamins B, A, C, it is rich in microelements, sugars, it has a lot of fiber and few calories. For rabbits, this is an excellent anthelmintic food, an excellent way to increase the quantity and quality of milk. When animals consume pulp, seeds and tops, their fur becomes softer and more tender, and the meat acquires a unique delicate taste. Orange varieties dye the skin of rabbits with red fur - this is especially important for skin-loving animals.

Of the contraindications:

Baby rabbits are up to 4 months old,
Increased dosage of pulp,
Increased dosage of seeds,
Individual intolerance,
Unwashed, rotten, contaminated vegetable.

This is a fairly large vegetable and rabbits (especially young animals) do not always eat it raw with pleasure. In order not to translate the product, observe who is interested in eating raw vegetables. And bake or boil the rest immediately before feeding, so that the puree does not spoil and the product is not transferred.

Melons can and should be given to rabbits. Diversify your diet with zucchini and squash. With a balanced diet, rabbits will delight you with their health and mutual dedication.

Feeding recommendations

When organizing food, it is not enough to know what you can feed a chinchilla and what you cannot feed. Proper feeding also means following a diet, keeping feeders and drinkers clean, as well as understanding the peculiarities of the animal’s digestion. The first and most important rule is that there should always be hay in the cage, as well as drinking water. Feeders and drinkers must be clean. To do this, they must be disinfected regularly (at least twice a week) with boiling water. It is better not to use wooden feeders - they absorb odors and become sources of mold and mildew. Preference should be given to ceramic ones, which attach well to the cage and are easy to clean.

What else can you feed rabbits?

These fluffies are extremely picky eaters and will often eat almost anything you put in their feeders. Here is a small list of products that are suitable for consumption by both indoor and ornamental animals, and those that live on farms:

succulent food: silage, melons, carrots, potatoes, turnips, turnips, beets, cabbage;
roughage: hay from a variety of cereals and legumes, straw, branches and needles of various conifers, birch bark;
green food: field dandelions, young nettles, alfalfa, knotweed, lizard;
concentrated food: crushed corn and oats grains soaked in liquid, various legumes, cake (not sunflower), various mixed feeds (except for those intended for birds);
animal feed: bone meal, fish oil, skim milk, whey, buttermilk;
human food waste: dry bread (not moldy), pasta, leftover cereals and soups, peelings and potato peels (not green).

So, we hope that this article answered all your questions regarding rabbits eating seeds. Carefully monitor your charges and, most likely, you yourself will understand over time whether they need the introduction of such a supplement, and if you have already introduced it into the diet, then how healthy and tasty it turned out to be for them. >Can rabbits have seeds: video

What nuts can you give chinchillas?

If you have purchased a chinchilla, then the main question that any owner of this animal asks is: “What to feed your beloved pet so that it is healthy?”

The chinchilla is a representative of animals living in the South American Andes. Despite its exotic origin, its food, like the majority of rodents, does not cause difficulties. Chinchillas are mainly herbivores. But, if possible, they can also snack on a small insect, and even a small frog.

Modern zoological stores sell special balanced nutrition for these furry animals. Pelleted food is a mixture of compressed grass pellets, grains, dried fruits, vegetables, pumpkin and sunflower seeds.

Chinchilla looks menacingly at the nut

Granulated food for chinchillas makes up 70-80% of the total diet. From 20 to 30% is additional feeding.

Its health and life expectancy will depend on the correct nutrition of a chinchilla. These animals have a very sensitive gastrointestinal tract.

Giving fresh herbs or fruits rather than dried ones can cause an upset stomach and, as a result, diarrhea. Sweet and fatty foods cause problems with the liver and pancreas. Overfeeding with fatty foods can cause pancreatitis, which is difficult to treat.

Daily servings for your pets should not exceed one, or maximum two tablespoons of food. More than this norm will be overfeeding for your pet: as a result, there is a risk of obesity and problems with the cardiovascular system.

How long can a chinchilla live if you feed it correctly? More than will survive in the wild. And in the wild they live up to 12 years, at home easily up to 20 years. Your child can introduce this chinchilla to their children - this is how many years chinchillas can live with proper care

Food for chinchillas is, first of all, hay, which is the main dish. Cereal mixtures: oats, buckwheat, wheat. You can give cereal, but it is better to stick to whole grains. Chinchillas also eat 1-2 kernels of corn per day. Legumes – soybeans, lentils, peas – are needed to replenish the supply of protein in the chinchillas’ body.

Dried vegetables. You can also introduce thin slices of carrots, pumpkin, Jerusalem artichoke, squash, zucchini, zucchini, kohlrabi, cucumbers and tomatoes into your diet. Chinchillas eat thinly sliced vegetables with pleasure.

Treats are dried fruits and berries. But, since they contain a high percentage of sugar, they must be introduced into the diet with caution. You can give dried pears, apples, figs, rose hips, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, currants, strawberries. Citrus fruits are not recommended for the menu, as they cause allergic reactions. You can include dried apricots and prunes in your diet. But they need to be washed and dried well.

You can treat them with white bread croutons. Chinchillas love this treat. You just need to give them very little.

Chinchillas are also given branches of trees and bushes. Since rodents constantly grow teeth, they need to scratch and grind them down. Dry twigs of birch, apple, pear, raspberry, linden, rowan, and mulberry are suitable for your pet's diet. All coniferous trees are prohibited as they contain resin.

What are the benefits of wood for chinchillas?

It is worth familiarizing yourself not only with information about what branches can be given to chinchillas, but also finding out what the benefits of wood are for the chinchilla’s body.

Tree greens typically contain a high percentage of protein, ranging from 8% to 15%. Protein for furry animals is necessary for the development of muscle mass and the growth of the pet’s body as a whole. Tree greens also contain fats and fiber, which are necessary for the stable functioning of the chinchilla’s intestines.

Is it possible to feed chinchillas nuts?

Chinchillas love nuts, like sunflower and pumpkin seeds. But they are given exclusively as a treat. This could be a reward for following commands during training or for good behavior while walking around the apartment.

Since such food contains a lot of fat, it should not be a constant treat for your pet. The maximum percentage of fat per day, if you care about the health of your pet, should not exceed 6%.

Nuts come in a variety of different types. They are an integral part of the chinchilla menu. And well-chosen types of nuts will only benefit your pet.

Walnuts for chinchillas

The very first thing that comes to mind is the common walnut. It is very useful in the human diet, but what about the diet of chinchillas?

Veterinarians have different opinions on this matter. Some consider them an unnecessary excess delicacy, while others, on the contrary, say that they are a healthy and necessary food product.

The choice is yours. Chinchillas love walnuts, but there is no need to overeat them. Walnuts, like other nuts, are quite high in fat. Therefore, you can treat your pet no more than once a week, and no more than one kernel.

Peanuts for chinchilla

Yes, yes, we know: it is not considered a nut. However, this legume is most often associated with nuts, and peanuts are sold on the same shelf as hazelnuts and walnuts. So let's look at that too. Peanuts, like any other nut, contain a large amount of fat. Therefore, an excess of it in the body can greatly overload the functioning of the rodent’s liver.

This nut is useful for activating the digestive system. This product also stimulates and improves the reproductive functions of chinchillas.

Give me the nut, I'm a Chinchilla and I love nuts!

By following simple rules, you will not harm your pet’s health:

feed your pet peanuts no more than once a week;
give your chinchilla no more than one nut as a treat;
Peanuts should not be cooked. It should not contain salt, sugar or other spices.

Pine nuts for your chinchilla

Pine nuts are very fatty. Analogy: feeding a person only lard. Therefore, pine nuts are excluded from your pets’ diet, since they are equated, in this case, with a deadly poison that will damage the digestive system irrevocably.

Hazelnuts for chinchillas

Hazelnut kernels are believed to be beneficial for furry pets. Hazelnuts contain elements necessary for the rodent body: folic acid and vitamin E. This helps strengthen muscle and bone tissue. But everything must be dosed to the maximum, since the same fat can harm your pet.

A portion of the treat should not exceed a quarter of the kernel of one hazelnut. It should be included in the diet no more than once every two weeks.

Almonds on the chinchilla menu

The opinion of veterinarians about this type of nut is also ambiguous. Some equate their effects to pine nuts - very fatty, high-calorie nuts that disrupt the digestion process and lead to intestinal dysfunction.

Other experts allow their pets to be pampered with them, but very rarely and, as always, in doses. They believe that almonds strengthen the animal’s natural immune defense and increase its resistance to infections.

You may need to consult your veterinarian before introducing this treat to your menu. If your furry baby is healthy, then you should occasionally pamper him with his favorite treat.

Chinchilla nutrition in nature

First you need to find out what chinchillas prefer to eat in their normal environment. Most wild rodents live in the mountainous regions of South America, so they eat what they can find. These are flowers, branches of bushes that grow in the mountains. Mountain greens are much more nutritious than those that grow on the plains. For most breeders, finding mountain grass is a real challenge. Therefore, you need to make every effort to make your homemade diet as nutritious as possible for your pet.

Wild chinchilla