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She is cute, Smartt. What do they eat?
A chinchilla will select a diet far too rich for him. They love pizza crust, chetos, raisins, apple and the like. However these items given more than occasionally will soon lead to digestive upsets and loose stools. These upsets can be fatal. The Chinchilla’s primary diet (90%) should consist of chinchilla or guinea pig chow (Mazuri 5M01, ZuPreem, Purina or equivalent). This can be supplemented with coarse alfalfa and timothy hay, endive, escarole and spinach. Do not feed beans, corn, sweet potato apples and carrots. They are too rich in carbohydrates and sugars. These ingredients poison the normal intestinal flora (bacteria yeasts and molds) of the chinchilla. Raisins, bits of fruit and fruit roll-ups should be reserved as occasional treats and training aids.
Keep a mineral/salt block from a feed store or chinchilla supply in the cage.
I have never read that chinchillas needed vitamin C, however many feed rose hips. These should be OK in minute quantities (no more than 10 iu ascorbic acid per day).
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