Fresh Food

[luke]

I have read a ton of books and researched online, yet I have not gotten an absolute answer. What fresh foods can I give my chinchillas? Grapes and apples seem to be the only answer. I want to know what you all give your Chins.

 

[Airyn]

None. Chins can't have fruits or veggies. They have incredibly sensitive digestive systems and can't process the sugar. Unfortunately, most of the information on chins that's available online and in books is dead wrong. I hope you'll stick around and read some more. I'm sure you'll learn a lot... we all do. )

 

[GorillaJTA]

I have read a ton of books and researched online, yet I have not gotten an absolute answer. What fresh foods can I give my chinchillas? Grapes and apples seem to be the only answer. I want to know what you all give your Chins.

No fruits.
No vegetables.
No dried fruits (Same sugar, just concentrated).

A good quality pellet, a good hay, and if you want to treat, treat with: wood from the list of approved woods, rosehips, the occasional goji berry, unfrosted shredded wheat, and treats are just that- a treat- something occasional, not a part of their diet.

For instance, my chin get Oxbow Chinchilla feed, Oxbow timothy hay (sometimes some meadow grass), applewood sticks, and the occasional shreddie.

 

[Jenn]

There is a lot of conflicting information out there from books, petstores, and even vets, but the answer is no fruit or veggies of any kind.

 

[Chinbutt]

There is a lot of conflicting information out there from books, petstores, and even vets, but the answer is no fruit or veggies of any kind.

Would this include herbs such as cilantro, basil, etc?

I've always given my chins stuff like papaya, unfrosted mini shredded wheat, and those green cheerios things.

After visiting the vet, she said that stuff is all wrong and they don't need it. She encouraged me to offer them some fresh herbs like those mentioned above, as well as that fresh organic wheat grass you'll find in the grocery stores. They definitely seem to love the grass, but won't touch anything else.

 

[jess32247]

Would this include herbs such as cilantro, basil, etc?

I've always given my chins stuff like papaya, unfrosted mini shredded wheat, and those green cheerios things.

After visiting the vet, she said that stuff is all wrong and they don't need it. She encouraged me to offer them some fresh herbs like those mentioned above, as well as that fresh organic wheat grass you'll find in the grocery stores. They definitely seem to love the grass, but won't touch anything else.

Papaya shouldn't be given as a treat because it's so sugary, like mentioned above with other dried fruits. I would stay away from them, but the occasional bite size peice is fine (like once every few months, or even less).

Here's a list of safe herbs, just scroll down a bit: http://www.chins-n-hedgies.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32046

With any treats, they should be given only once and a while. I've also heard that if you want to start giving your chin herbal mixes, you need to start slowly. Herbs are fine to give "raw" if they are washed off, or can be dried in a dehydrator. Putting them in the oven to dry doesn't work very well (I tried and they turned out a wet gooey mess) and because as oven drying is likely to destroy enzymes and will remove more essential oils.

 

[ticklechin]

I have fed wheat grass at playtime pretty much as long as I have had chins, 12 years and all have liked it and none had any problems.

 

[Chinbutt]

Papaya shouldn't be given as a treat because it's so sugary, like mentioned above with other dried fruits. I would stay away from them, but the occasional bite size peice is fine (like once every few months, or even less).

Here's a list of safe herbs, just scroll down a bit: http://www.chins-n-hedgies.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32046

With any treats, they should be given only once and a while. I've also heard that if you want to start giving your chin herbal mixes, you need to start slowly. Herbs are fine to give "raw" if they are washed off, or can be dried in a dehydrator. Putting them in the oven to dry doesn't work very well (I tried and they turned out a wet gooey mess) and because as oven drying is likely to destroy enzymes and will remove more essential oils.

I have fed wheat grass at playtime pretty much as long as I have had chins, 12 years and all have liked it and none had any problems.

Thanks a bunch. Mine are loving the wheat grass, they tear into it. The fresh herbs are of no interest whatsoever.

Jess I only do bite size pieces of papaya once in awhile.

What do you ladies think of dried carrots? Like the little bite sized slices kind?

 

[ChinnyMom]

dried fruits and veggies have the sugar of the fruit or veggie concentrated in it, and should not be given to chins.

with carrots being one of the sweeter veggies, the sugars would be higher than others. i would not feed dried carrots to my chins.

 

[Chinbutt]

dried fruits and veggies have the sugar of the fruit or veggie concentrated in it, and should not be given to chins.

with carrots being one of the sweeter veggies, the sugars would be higher than others. i would not feed dried carrots to my chins.

Okay good to know. Thanks!

 

[Lillybabe]

Papaya shouldn't be given as a treat because it's so sugary, like mentioned above with other dried fruits. I would stay away from them, but the occasional bite size peice is fine (like once every few months, or even less).

Here's a list of safe herbs, just scroll down a bit: http://www.chins-n-hedgies.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32046

With any treats, they should be given only once and a while. I've also heard that if you want to start giving your chin herbal mixes, you need to start slowly. Herbs are fine to give "raw" if they are washed off, or can be dried in a dehydrator. Putting them in the oven to dry doesn't work very well (I tried and they turned out a wet gooey mess) and because as oven drying is likely to destroy enzymes and will remove more essential oils.

I have not heard much about feeding fresh herbs but as long as they're not overly moist and they are herbs that are safe I don't see a real issue with them. I feed my girls Tanya's supplement and they enjoy it as well as it being good for them. This supplement however is completely dried. I would be wary of just selecting herbs for your chinchillas without doing a lot of research on which ones have been used successfully for years.

As for papaya and other dried fruits I would argue that even a bite sized piece occasionally is too much. There's too much risk of stasis, etc. with that large amount of sugar. Especially with raisins which seem to be the common fruit go to.