Treats ...
Caution: When changing to or trying different treats, try each new treat for a week (unless he has a bad reaction from it) before introducing a new treat he has not had before ... this will allow you plenty of time to know what he likes and/or has only good reactions to, before trying the next new treat. Make note of those treats he should not be given again and post the list near the cage.
Acceptable treats:
raisins, cranraisins (dried cranberries), dried papaya, dried rosehips, small piece of fresh papaya, a few nibbles from a fresh banana, (I don't use dried banana chips, unless I make, them because most that are 'ready made' in stores have to many preservatives added), 1/2 of a bite size mini wheat (not frosted), an animal cracker, a Cheerios, a kernel or two of fresh steamed corn (pet grade corn is not good for chinchillas), dried or toasted bread (about 1/8 of a slice)
No-No Never treats:
No nuts, of any kind ... their system is not made to digest the natural oils in nuts and it will, usually, eventually cause a fatty liver that can kill your chin.
No meat or meat byproducts (such as rawhide bones) ... their system can not digest these and will usually kill a chin within 36 to 48 hours. Chinchillas are vegetarians!
No high acid fruits or veggies (such as lemons, limes, tomatoes)
No fruit or veggie that is grown with a pit in it (such as a peach)
No fried foods of any kind
No high sugar content foods ... chinchillas can be/become diabetic
*** No large amounts of anything ... keep in mind the size of a chinchilla in comparison with your size ... to you a raisin is small, in comparison, a raisin to a chinchilla is about what would be the size of a baseball to a human. ***
There are many others treats, I am sure others could list some
good treats and "no-no" treats.
Chinchillas do not have to have treats. The best diet for a chinchilla is a good, high-quality chinchilla pellet and hay on a daily basis.
A chinchilla will often consider anything a treat that is hand-fed to them by their human parent, even just a piece of hay or an individual chinchilla pellet.
A treat is something
special, regardless of what it is ... who is giving it, why it is being given, and how it is given, is what makes it a 'treat'. Example: Hand-feeding your dog with it's regular food is a treat to the dog just because you are taking the time to do it ... same with a chinchilla.
The time spent with your chin is not only a treat for you, but also for your chinchilla. A chinchilla appreciates every thing you do for/with them ... un-like most humans.
Jo Ann
