The chinchilla is a medium-sized rodent whose original habitat included the semi-arid, rocky slopes of the Andes in present day Peru , Bolivia , Chile and Argentina . Chinchillas are known for their thick lustrous fur coat, which enables them to thrive at the cooler mountain elevations of 10,000 - 15,000 feet.

By studying chinchillas in their natural environment, we know that they eagerly seek out berries, herbs and cactus fruits as well as high-fiber foods such as grasses and the bark of small shrubs and bushes. In order for nutrients to be extracted, this diet requires a large volume of food intake and prolonged chewing, both of which are important factors in maintaining the chinchilla's gastrointestinal and dental health. In captivity it has been shown that chinchillas ingest most of their food at night and are selective feeders; when given the choice, they will select the most tender, succulent plant parts first. If not controlled this high energy, lower fiber intake will lead to obesity.

Based on our dietary knowledge of the wild chinchilla, together with studies measuring the nutritional intake of the pet chinchilla it has been determined that the pet chinchilla does best on a diet composed of free-choice (available all-the-time) hay and a small daily ration of pellets. This diet meets the chinchilla's fiber and energy needs without causing obesity. These nutritional requirements can be fulfilled by feeding your pet chinchilla a mixture unlimited quantities of grass hay (timothy, oat, orchard or b rome ) and a legume hay (alfalfa) along with a daily ration of 1-2 tablespoons of Oxbow Pet Products Chinchilla Deluxe. By providing extra energy, protein, vitamins and minerals, Chinchilla Deluxe pellets play an important role in ensuring the nutritional balance of your chinchilla's diet.

Variety is the spice of life and that includes the hay you feed your chinchilla. As a general rule we recommend you feed a mixture of alfalfa and timothy hay in unlimited quantities for your pet chinchilla. Oxbow Pet Products offers a variety of grass hays and Pet Care Veterinary Hospital recommends any of the following be mixed with the alfalfa hay for your chinchilla; timothy, orchard grass, oat or botanical hays. Botantical hay, Oxbow's newest variety, is a timothy hay with added dried herbs.

In addition to meeting nutritional requirements, the high-roughage diet of the chinchilla is critical in helping to prevent two of the most common health disorders seen in these animals: dental disease and gastrointestinal disease. We can mimic the chinchilla's natural high-roughage diet by feeding hay as the primary food source. Like the rabbit and guinea pig, the chinchilla is a hindgut fermentor, meaning it digests much of its food in the cecum and colon (large intestine), which make up the end of the digestive tract. In the chinchilla, the cecum (“appendix” in humans) is a large blind-ended sac located at the junction of the small and large intestine. Inside the chinchilla's cecum, specific bacterial and protozoal populations aid digestion of foods. Fiber is necessary for the populations of these bacteria and protozoa to stay in balance and function properly. Fiber also stimulates gastrointestinal motility, which allows ingested food to move along properly for normal digestion. Without fiber, the gastrointestinal tract slows down, resulting in changes in cecal pH, fermentation capabilities and microorganism populations. Over time, these disruptive changes can result in various forms of chinchilla indigestion: gastrointestinal stasis, constipation or diarrhea. The chinchilla with gastrointestinal stasis will be anorexic or have a reduced appetite and will produce very small stools or none at all. The chinchilla with constipation will strain to defecate, and the few fecal pellets passed are thin, short, round and occasionally blood-stained. The chinchilla with diarrhea may or may not have a reduced appetite and will pass soft stools that frequently mat the fur around the anus. Again, these forms of chinchilla gastrointestinal upset are commonly associated with inappropriate diets – that is, diets that contain excess amounts of grains, seeds and / or fresh greens without sufficient roughage or fiber

This chinchilla is sick. Notice the depressed look; head down and hunched over. This is the typical appearance of a chinchilla with gastrointestinal (GI) stasis. GI stasis is more likely to occur when a chinchilla is fed an inappropriate diet, especially one too high in simple carbohydrate snacks, seeds and nuts. Affected chins stop eating and pass very few small poops or none at all. A chinchilla that looks like this needs to be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible.

Dental problems, such as malocclusion, molar root overgrowth and molar spurs, are also common in chinchillas. As in the rabbit and guinea pig, all of the chinchilla's teeth grow continuously. Improper wearing of teeth secondary to a diet low in fiber and the lack of suitable chewing materials can result in sharp points on the upper and /or lower molars, resulting in painful ulcers on the cheek and / or tongue. The chinchilla with dental problems often has a depressed appetite, and you may observe food dropping from its mouths as it attempts to chew. Irritation from the molar spurs may also cause increased salivation, which results in a wet matted chin (a syndrome also known as “slobbers”). Providing plenty of free-choice hay ensures a normal chewing pattern, thus encouraging normal dental wear.

This open mouth view of an anesthetized chinchilla with dental problems shows what overgrown lower right molars (arrow) look like. They have disrupted the natural movement of the tongue and are causing mouth discomfort. Chinchilla's with dental problems will decrease the quantity of food they ingest and eventually become sick. Other signs to look for include wet fur on the chin as a result of increased salivation and picking up and dropping food in awkward attempts to eat.

X-rays of the skull are often recommended in the diagnosis of chinchilla dental disease. This radiograph (x-ray) is taken of a normal chinchilla skull with the chinchilla laying on its side (a lateral projection). The veterinarian is looking for molars that are straight and flat (white arrow). Of interest and unique to the chinchilla is the very large inner ear area known as the tympanic bulla (red arrow).

When it comes to feeding a concentrated ration, we recommend alfalfa-based pellets that contain more than 18% fiber and a minimum of 10% protein. Oxbow Pet Products Chinchilla Deluxe provides a good balance of fiber, protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals and is the pellet diet of choice for your pet chinchilla. As a general rule, we recommend feeding 2 tablespoons of Chinchilla Deluxe to each adult chinchilla on a daily basis. The quantity of Chinchilla Deluxe fed to growing and pregnant or lactating chinchillas should be increased to approximately ½ cup or more per day. Conversion from a seed/pellet mixture to this highly palatable pellet is usually simple, but a gradual conversion over a period of one to two weeks is recommended in order to prevent digestive upset.

The Drs. at Pet Care Veterinary Hospital recommend feeding the adult chinchilla 1/8-1/4 cup of Oxbow Pet Product's Chinchilla Deluxe pellets along with unlimited quantities of a mixture of alfalfa and timothy hay. See the accompanying article “Feeding your chinchilla” on our website for more detailed information on chinchilla nutrition.

Treats such as fresh vegetables or herbs can be offered but should be fed in limited quantities. A diet containing too many vegetables can result in diarrhea and gastrointestinal upset. Therefore, we recommend a daily regimen of no more than 1/2 cup of herbs (mint, basil, oregano, cilantro or thyme) or leafy green vegetables (romaine, butter crunch or red leaf lettuce, carrot tops or dandelion greens) for your chinchilla. Feed the same foods consistently in order to prevent digestive upset, and avoid gas-forming vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower.

Water is, of course, a fundamental necessity for the domestic chinchilla. Although city drinking water is adequate for chinchillas, excessive chlorine can be very dangerous. If tap water has a strong disinfectant smell, it should be aired in a wide receptacle for 24 hours, or filtered water should be offered. Water from natural sources is preferable to chlorinated drinking water.

It is obvious that nutrition plays a key role in keeping your pet chinchilla healthy. Fiber is of utmost importance in preventing gastrointestinal upset and dental problems, two of the most common health issues plaguing the pet chinchilla. Offering your chinchilla a continuous supply of Oxbow Pet Products timothy hay, mixed with alfalfa hay if desired, is one of the best ways to ensure adequate fiber intake. Be consistent with the amount of Chinchilla Deluxe fed and the type and quantity of treats offered. Your chinchilla's digestive tract thrives on consistency, and your reward will be a pet that is active, bright, alert and healthy.

References:

Donnelly TM, Schaeffer DO: Disease problems of guinea pigs and chinchillas. In : Hillyer EV and Quesenberry KQ, eds. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery.
Philadelphia, WB Saunders, p 270-281, 1997.

Hoefer HL, Crossley DA: Chinchillas. In : Meredith A and Redrobe S, eds. BSAVA Manual of Exotic Pets, fourth edition. Gloucester , England , British Small Animal Veterinary Association, p66-75, 2001.

Wolf P, et al: The Nutrition of the Chinchilla as a Companion Animal-basic data, influences and dependences. Journal of Animal Physiology a. Animal Nutrition (87) p129-133, 2003.

Grau J. The chinchilla – breeding in various climates [in Spanish]. Infochin. Available at: http:// www.infochin.com.ar/grau/r.html . Accessed July 28, 2002 .