Chinchilla is a friendly animal, it has a fairly high intelligence. This animal needs to be provided with good conditions and properly fed. Therefore, the owner of the pet, coming to the pet store, must acquire good food for their pet. And yet, before you choose food, you need to take into account the characteristics of your pet.
Features
Under natural conditions, the chinchilla does not have a huge selection of food, but she wants to try the sweet products. If she offers an assortment of food, she will choose sweet foods. These animals like fruits and berries, they can eat fresh fruit or raisins. If you keep a chinchilla at home, it will be difficult to feed her. But still animals need to eat such food, which will contain a lot of useful trace elements. The main thing is to have your pet eat at one time its entire portion and not leave any leftovers.
A feature of these animals is a weak intestine. According to physiological data, the intestine has a long size, because of this, the time from digestion of food and release of intestines increases. The intestines take food of plant origin, so any other food can cause constipation.. For this reason, pets are prohibited from giving food waste, meat products, mushrooms, potatoes, candy, dairy products, roasted nuts. All of these foods are fatty and will be difficult to digest in the intestines of animals.
A pet should not eat too much food at once, it should be given a small portion. Do not overfeed too much. If the pet is poorly fed, it will fall out of wool. If the chinchilla gives sweet foods, then because of them the rodent teeth deteriorate. Food should be given dry. If the owner of the animal wants to make food himself, then all products need to be dried and cut into small pieces.
Animals like foods such as carrots, dogrose, apples, Jerusalem artichoke, and carob. These ingredients must be given to a pet only 2 times in 7 days. If a new food is purchased, it should be given slowly, otherwise the animal will be allergic. If any new, unlawful food to give the chinchilla, then you need to follow the reaction of the animal. If the rodent feels good, then the portion of this feed should be gradually increased.
It is necessary to give fresh, unspoiled and rotten food. Dried fruits are a favorite delicacy of these animals.
Since the chinchilla is a herbivore, for it you can independently collect grass, only away from the road. It is worth noting that pets who were born in the winter, hard go on the grass in the summer. There is fiber in the grass, which is not good for winter pets to digest. But if the fiber is not present, the chinchilla will develop defective. Thanks to fiber, nutrients enter the body of the rodent. For this reason, grass for animals should be offered carefully so as not to cause an upset pet stomach. These little animals always like to chew something.
Kinds
Choosing food for your pet needs to be careful, because the pet's digestive system is vulnerable.
If you choose a factory feed, it will consist of the elements necessary for the normal operation of the body of the animal. Factory feed is represented by the following varieties:
- concentrated - has cereals, beans, nuts, dried fruits, nuts;
- hay - dried stalks of cereals;
- green food - plant sprouts.
The main food is concentrated, and hay and green fodder are used as an additive. The main thing - to know that food that is intended for other rodents, absolutely can not be given chinchilla. Such food will contain ingredients that do not fit the chinchilla.
Grain food - food, which includes crops that contain the nutritional properties necessary for the body of the pet. These substances are perfectly absorbed in the digestive system of the animal. The main ingredients are cereals and beans. Additive can serve as dried grass. In such feeds, bran, wheat, oilcake, oil crops and meat and bone meal can also be present.
Freshness of the product can be determined by smell.
When there is a sharp and stale smell from feed, it is better not to acquire it. Such food will cause serious diseases of the digestive system.
There are two types of grains - it is whole and granular. The difference between these two species is their form. To save on feed, you need to use a granular form. Chinchilla loves to choose only certain elements and leaves some of the food uneaten; because of this, food debris will be scattered throughout the pet's home. Granulated animal feed will eat entirely. But some chinchillas are fastidious and do not eat granulated food, so you need to purchase and grain mixture.
Before you buy pet food, you need to get acquainted with the date of its release and shelf life.
If the shelf life exceeds 90 days, then this feed contains preservative elements to add to the shelf life. Such elements can lead to animal disease. Food elements that are contained in the granule, can vary the nutrition of the chinchilla. And also the animal receives various vitamins that are necessary for its body. Rodent food should be purchased in special stores or else be made independently at home.
Feed manufacturers can compress the grass in pellets. They need to be given to a pet 3 times in 7 days. If supplements are made on their own, then you need to carefully collect the grass so that the pet could not get poisoned. It is necessary to collect herbs in a clean space, away from the transport road. After the grass has been harvested, it must be thoroughly cleaned and dried. Moisture-containing product can not be given.
Rating of the best manufacturers
There is a huge range of feed with different compositions. To understand which brand is the best, you need to get acquainted with the rating of the best feed mixtures. This rating is based on feedback from the owners of these animals.
Beaphar XtraVital Chinchilla
Beaphar XtraVital Chinchilla is produced in the Netherlands. It is the best feed, therefore, ranks first among the rest. The mixture contains protein, fiber, proteins and carbohydrates. These substances provide the animal with energy, the chinchilla is active. The granules of the correct form and texture allow rodents to grind their teeth well. This feed can be used for all chinchillas.
Padovan GrandMix Cavie
The manufacturer of this feed is Italy. The composition of the food consists of granules, grains, dried fruits, vitamin C, substances that support the body in good condition. The mixture is the basic ration, and it can also be served with hay.
Versele-Laga Complete Chinchilla & Degu
Manufacturer - Belgium. The granules are compressed and dense, they ensure the normal grinding of teeth in chinchillas. Food contains prebiotics, vitamins, minerals that provide good functionality of the body. And also it contains carbohydrates and fiber, with which food is well absorbed in the pet's stomach. With the help of fatty acids, the coat becomes smooth and bright.
JR Farm Classic Feast
This feed was produced in Germany.If the owner opens the package, then this food should be stored in a dark, cold place, as the rays of the sun can spoil the composition of the ingredients. Products include substances such as dried herbs, fruits, vegetables. And also the product contains inulin, which contributes to the normal digestion of the animal.
Versele-laga nature chinchilla
The manufacturer of this feed is Belgium. The product was developed in accordance with the needs of the chinchilla. The composition of this product includes cereals, various herbs, vegetables, fruits, amino acids, vitamins. All these substances help the animal to keep in shape. Food can be both a basic ration and an additional mixture.
Vitakraft Pellets
The manufacturer of this feed is Germany. Granulated mixture is used as the main food. Granules have the necessary vitamins and fiber, they do not contain sugar, they support the good functionality of the animal's body. Food suitable for chinchilla with a different age.
Little one chinchillas
This is a domestic producer's feed. It consists of cereals, vegetables, peas, carrots, cornflakes, oats, apples, barley, sunflower seeds, nuts, dried fruits. This feedstuff should be given to the chinchilla as an additive, it is not the main food. Products are organic, as it does not contain artificial substances. The main thing - this feed should be given gradually.
Baka High Quality
This product also produces a domestic manufacturer. The product has high quality and reasonable price. The composition includes granules, pieces of vegetables and fruits. Thanks to such a balanced diet, the animal will feel well. This option is suitable for both small and large chinchilla as the main power. Cereals, dried vegetables, fruits and herbs can serve as components. But this food has a minus - a chinchilla can eat the ingredients that she likes: fruits and vegetables.
"Animals" from the company "Zoomir"
Producer is Russia. If you buy one box, then it will be enough for 30 days. Packages come in various sizes. The food has a specific smell, but this does not harm the animal, just the owner needs to get used to this smell. Such food is suitable for young and old animals. Ingredients include cereals, herbs, vegetables, vitamins, minerals. This feed can be the main ration. Dense granules have a small amount of fiber, which does not harm digestion.
"Standard"
This feed is the most budget, produced it in the domestic market. The box is small, so it will not last long. Food is inexpensive, it includes a set of nutrients. This feed mixture is the basis of the diet, it contains products such as corn kernels, oatmeal flakes, carrots, rosehip, dried apple, dried grass pellets. Ingredients are natural. Chinchillas will gladly eat such food, while this feed mixture can be mixed with another. It is important to count fats and carbohydrates well so that the digestion of the animal works well. On the day of the chinchilla you need to give 42 grams of this mixture.
What to consider when choosing?
It is worth paying attention to the following recommendations:
- well, if the food consists of granules, because they have all the necessary elements;
- The package should contain recommendations for use, but still need to take into account the characteristics of the animal itself;
- if the food is cheap, and it includes corn, sunflower, peanut kernels, then the pet may have diseases with the digestive system;
- carbohydrates should be included in the ration - 51%, proteins - 24%, fiber - 21%, fats - 4%;
- the basis of the feed includes cereals and crushed dry herbs, and also must contain vitamins and minerals;
- in the manufacture of feed you need to use grass meal or corn grits and millet; You can mix them with powdered milk, and add berries on top;
- in winter, you must add ground, dried rosehip; This ingredient enhances chinchilla immunity.
Review the feed for chinchillas in the next video.