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Q & A / Feeding questions
« on: May 28, 2016, 04:12:07 PM »
After reading lots of questions and answers on this forum, it's made me wonder about some of the things I give to my chins to eat.
I had been giving them the plain pellets and Timothy hay for the first few years, with an occasional almond or raisin for a treat. I read somewhere that the nuts should be given only in very small quantities, and the same with sugary treat s or fruits, so I cut way, way back on the almonds and raisins. Looking for other options at the pet store, they had little yogurt covered dandelion treats I bought that the chins really liked. After buying them a few times I took a look at the list of ingredients and sugar was the first item. I called the company to ask why they would do that, and they didn't really have a good answer, so I stopped buying them. I started picking fresh dandelion leaves to give to them instead. I don't use any chemicals in my yard, so I know they are safe that way, but I just read in another part of the forum that green (fresh) foods may not be healthy for them? I also started drying dandelion leaves last summer, and had enough to give my guys each a couple of dried leaves every day. They LOVE them, so I hope they're healthy!
I also give them dried branches from apple trees I trim for neighbors, they love to eat the bark. I've used thicker pieces of a branch to put into corners of the cage bars for my guys to perch on.
Lastly, I have used a scoopable cat litter that is made from wheat enzymes (Swheat Scoop is the brand name, made here in Minnesota). It is biodegradable & chemical-free and neutralizes odors naturally. I put the used litter in my compost bin with my coffee grounds, fruit and veggie peels, leaves & grass clippings, etc. It decomposes into a rich compost that I can use to amend my garden soil or potting mixes with. I have the entire bottom of their cage covered an inch or two deep with it, and scoop it every day or so. No odors whatsoever! Would someone please tell me if they think any of my ideas could be harmful in some way I've not considered?
If drying the dandelion leaves is okay or actually good, what about other plants from the yard (all grown organically, of course)? Curly mint? Clover leaves or flowers?
What about apple cores or seeds, or little pieces of banana? Trader Joe's sells dehydrated apple rings that don't have any sugar added, they're still chewy though, not completely dry...
Sorry this is so very long but one last food question: I've been giving them a VitaNature "natural chinchilla formula" (from Vitakraft) that says it's a Balanced High Forage Diet for All Life Stages. They do seem to really like it, but don't bother much with the timothy hay anymore. Is that a problem?
I had been giving them the plain pellets and Timothy hay for the first few years, with an occasional almond or raisin for a treat. I read somewhere that the nuts should be given only in very small quantities, and the same with sugary treat s or fruits, so I cut way, way back on the almonds and raisins. Looking for other options at the pet store, they had little yogurt covered dandelion treats I bought that the chins really liked. After buying them a few times I took a look at the list of ingredients and sugar was the first item. I called the company to ask why they would do that, and they didn't really have a good answer, so I stopped buying them. I started picking fresh dandelion leaves to give to them instead. I don't use any chemicals in my yard, so I know they are safe that way, but I just read in another part of the forum that green (fresh) foods may not be healthy for them? I also started drying dandelion leaves last summer, and had enough to give my guys each a couple of dried leaves every day. They LOVE them, so I hope they're healthy!
I also give them dried branches from apple trees I trim for neighbors, they love to eat the bark. I've used thicker pieces of a branch to put into corners of the cage bars for my guys to perch on.
Lastly, I have used a scoopable cat litter that is made from wheat enzymes (Swheat Scoop is the brand name, made here in Minnesota). It is biodegradable & chemical-free and neutralizes odors naturally. I put the used litter in my compost bin with my coffee grounds, fruit and veggie peels, leaves & grass clippings, etc. It decomposes into a rich compost that I can use to amend my garden soil or potting mixes with. I have the entire bottom of their cage covered an inch or two deep with it, and scoop it every day or so. No odors whatsoever! Would someone please tell me if they think any of my ideas could be harmful in some way I've not considered?
If drying the dandelion leaves is okay or actually good, what about other plants from the yard (all grown organically, of course)? Curly mint? Clover leaves or flowers?
What about apple cores or seeds, or little pieces of banana? Trader Joe's sells dehydrated apple rings that don't have any sugar added, they're still chewy though, not completely dry...
Sorry this is so very long but one last food question: I've been giving them a VitaNature "natural chinchilla formula" (from Vitakraft) that says it's a Balanced High Forage Diet for All Life Stages. They do seem to really like it, but don't bother much with the timothy hay anymore. Is that a problem?