Chinchillas have a more sensitive digestive system than rabbits or guinea pigs, so their diet needs a bit more care — high fibre, low fat, and new foods introduced slowly and in small amounts. Get the basics right and chinchillas are genuinely low-maintenance pets.
Hay first, always
Fresh grass hay should make up the bulk of a chinchilla’s diet, available at all times. Beyond supporting digestion and dental wear the same way it does for rabbits and guinea pigs, hay’s high fibre content is especially important for chinchillas given how easily their digestion can be upset by richer foods.
Pellets: measured, and chinchilla-specific
A plain, chinchilla-formulated pellet — low in fat, no added seeds, nuts, or dried fruit — should make up a small, measured portion of the daily diet, not the main event. Avoid pellet mixes designed for other small animals; a chinchilla’s dietary fat tolerance is lower than a rabbit’s or guinea pig’s.
Treats: sparingly, and chinchilla-safe
Chinchillas are prone to digestive upset from rich, sugary, or fatty treats far more easily than other small pets, so treats need to be both chinchilla-safe and given genuinely sparingly — a small piece, occasionally, rather than a daily routine. Fresh fruit and vegetables, which are perfectly fine for rabbits and guinea pigs in moderation, are best kept minimal or avoided for chinchillas given their sensitivity to excess moisture and sugar.
Common feeding mistakes
The biggest one: treating a chinchilla’s diet like a rabbit’s or guinea pig’s, since fresh produce and treats that those animals handle fine can upset a chinchilla’s stomach. Introducing anything new gradually, in small amounts, and watching for any change in appetite or droppings is the safest approach.
Every pet is different — if your rabbit, guinea pig or chinchilla has a specific health condition, is a picky eater, or you’re changing their diet, it’s worth checking with an exotic-animal-savvy vet for guidance tailored to them.
Shop the essentials
Browse our chinchilla-safe food, hay and treats — including hay suited to chinchillas — with fast islandwide delivery, or check whether it’s in stock at one of our pet vending machines near you.