Chinchilla diet — hay-based feeding ratio and treats
Source: RSPCA pet care advice (rspca.org.uk), a copyrighted animal-welfare organisation. Per COPYRIGHT_POLICY §3, the points below are paraphrased derived fact summaries: numerical values and proper nouns are preserved from the source, but sentences are rewritten and not quoted verbatim.
Claims
- *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* Good-quality hay makes up the majority of a chinchilla's diet and should be available at all times; a hay rack is a good way to offer it.
- *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* Grass-based chinchilla pellets: a small amount (1-2 tablespoons per chinchilla) every day.
- *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* Treats: only small amounts of dried fruit and root vegetables, plus assorted dried herbs and plantain.
- *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* Chinchillas need constant access to clean drinking water from a drinking bottle, checked twice a day.
- *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* Avoid nuts and seeds, as these are high in fat.
- *[Paraphrased derived summary — non-Open-Access source.]* Never change a chinchilla's diet suddenly, as this could upset the digestive system and make them very ill.