Merck Veterinary Manual - Chinchillas - Nutrition

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alpayton

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Copied from http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/in.../bc/171503.htm

Nutrition:
In the wild, herbivorous chinchillas eat a diet high in fiber. Commercial pelleted diets formulated for chinchillas or guinea pigs provide adequate nutrition alone or may be supplemented by small amounts of high-quality hay. New ingredients in the diet should be introduced gradually to help prevent GI disorders. Chinchillas do not regurgitate and thus cannot quickly expel contaminated or spoiled food. Hay should be stored in a well-ventilated, dry area and fed to chinchillas fresh daily. Inadequate nutrition may result in higher mortality rates or developmental problems in young kits, decreased lactation in nursing females, or disturbances in normal GI flora. Chinchilla feces are typically dry, and coprophagia is normal. Watering systems should be sanitized regularly to prevent contamination by opportunistic bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
 
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