Eating too much?

[TiffyChin]

Hi, sorry to keep asking stuff but I have my chinchillas for a week now and they both eat a lot! One of them all the hay so I have to fill it atleast once a day. The other one eats some hay but a lot of food. I was just wondering if thats ok.

 

[Basket_of_Chinchillas]

I would say it's ok I free feed my boys both hay and pellets so that they are never without food. Some people restrict pellets for adult chins, but never restrict their access to loose hay.

 

[Zoaea]

If he/she is a baby remember they keep growing till at least a year, some don't finish till 2!

The only way they would get fat from hay/pellets is if you feed them the terrible stuff with treats that come mixed in it. They love to munch on hay to keep their teeth trim too. =)

 

[Jenn]

As long as you are feeding a healthy brand of pellets, they won't overeat and become fat. I free feed my pellets and a lot of other members do, too. I also free feed the hay. I have never had any issues with weight.

 

[AZChins]

Unless they are newly weaned little babies I wouldn't worry. Adults generally won't overeat unless they have been starved or are malnourished or, very rarely, are being switched to a new pellet that they like better. Babies will sometimes overeat, you can tell because they will give themselves squishy droppings that usually resolve in a few days to a week. This is right after they are weaned most of the time.