Chinchillas are playful, friendly and VERY intelligent. They’re creatures of habit and like their daily routine to be as normal as possible!

Chinchillas are nocturnal but, because they’re sociable, they will adapt their routine so you can play with them, but they’d be grateful if you would do it at the same time every day!

What to Feed Your Chinchilla

Your Chinchilla will need a balanced diet and fresh hay every day to provide the fibre, vitamins and minerals it requires for good health. It will may also need a gnawing block and safe twigs to chew to help wear down its teeth.

A Chinchilla diet must be very low in fat and they should never have sunflower seeds or peanuts in their diet. They can easily become overweight if they have too much fat and over the long term, it can actually be fatal.

Chinchillas need feeding every day (in the morning and in the evening). A good quality, heavy, earthenware bowl keeps food dry and clean and prevents the Chinchilla from tipping the food. Bowls must be cleaned after every use.

As you will want to play with and handle your Chinchilla you can treat your pet with an occassional piece of apple or carrot.

If you’re changing your Chinchilla’s diet, its vital that you introduce the new food gradually. Mix about one quarter of the new food with three quarters of the old food on the first day and then gradually increase the new food and decrease the old food over a 10-day period. This should make sure that your Chinchilla has no tummy upsets.

Some natural treats for your Chinchilla are fresh grass (but NOT grass clippings), carrot and parsley. However, too much green food can cause diarrhoea.