A chinchilla’s digestion is the most sensitive of the three small pets we cover — richer or unfamiliar food can upset it quickly, so consistency matters more here than variety.
Choosing a pellet
A plain, high-fibre, chinchilla-specific pellet is worth sticking to rather than swapping brands or mixing in a rabbit or guinea pig pellet — even a “similar enough” pellet formulated for a different animal can be a bit too rich for a chinchilla’s gut.
How much pellet
A modest, measured daily portion (chinchillas generally need less pellet by volume than a rabbit or guinea pig of similar size) alongside unlimited hay, which should still make up the bulk of what they eat.
Introducing anything new, slowly
If you do need to change pellet brands, doing it gradually — mixing old and new over a week or two — gives a chinchilla’s digestion time to adjust, rather than risking upset from an abrupt switch.
Every chinchilla is different — for anything specific to yours, an exotic-animal-savvy vet is the right source, not a general guide like this one.
Shop the range
See our chinchilla hay, chinchilla treats, or read the Chinchilla Care Guide for the full diet picture.