In the Wild, chinchilla forage a complex range of nutrients from a variety of grasses, barks, and flowers to support optimal health. The Types of Wild Food Grass and leaves 21. - Chinchillas' digestive systems need hay and grass to function properly. If your chinchilla is healthy and eating a balanced diet, they shouldn’t need supplements. Without water chinchillas can become seriously ill. Good quality hay which should make up the majority of their diet and should be available at all times. Now that you know what kind of foods chinchillas eat in the wild, therefore make sure to stick to these foods and make sure that your pet chinchilla stays healthy. Chinchilla Behaviour. As herbivores, chinchillas require a diet high in fiber to provide essential nutrients, maintain proper bacteria levels in the gut, and promote digestive health. A wild chinchilla’s diet is quite different from that of a domesticated chinchilla’s, but the nutritional needs remain the same for both. Understanding What Chinchillas Eat in The Wild. According to Jiménez (1990), wild chinchillas feed on up to 24 plant species, mainly herbs, and their diet changes substantially between sites and during the year.” “The dietary analysis of chinchilla based on the contents of feces indicates that the different plant life forms eaten varied markedly among seasons and between years. If this applies to your chinchilla, you can supplement their diet using probiotic powder, multivitamin and mineral mixes, thiamine, calcium, and vitamin C. Chinchillas are primarily nocturnal animals with activity peaking at dusk and dawn. In the wild, chinchillas eat bark off trees to obtain fiber, which is essential in the diet. Chinchillas are not particularly fond of consuming meats but they will do so in harsh times. They need high fiber, low sugar, low carb and low fat foods. In the Wild, chinchilla forage a complex range of nutrients from a variety of grasses, barks, and flowers to support optimal health. Chinchilla Diet Variations. Chinchillas Don’t Need a Lot of Food. Chinchillas have very sensitive digestive systems, so feeding a good quality diet appropriate for chinchillas is essential to their health.In the wild, chinchillas are naturally adapted to eating a diet of vegetation that is high in roughage. However, there are a few differences between the diet of a wild chinchilla and a pet chinchilla which you must know. They are not designed for rich or fatty diets and such diets can easily cause serious digestive upsets. While eating, chinchillas sit upright on their hind legs and hold the food in their front paws. A hay rack is a good way of offering hay. Chinchillas typically consume most of their diet in the early mornings or later at night due to being crepuscular. As herbivores, chinchillas require a diet high in fiber to provide essential nutrients, maintain proper bacteria levels in the gut, and promote digestive health. Chinchillas naturally eat … This section isn’t necessarily about discussing all the food a chinchilla eats in the wild but giving a brief overview of how they consume food compared to other rodents. The exception is made for pregnant chinchillas and during times of stress or illness. Lets take a closer look at what’s on the menu for a wild chinchilla. Chinchillas are happy to eat seeds and nuts. I wrote a longer article about what is an acceptable Chinchilla diet, however, it’s good to know that Chinchillas don’t actually need to eat much of it. A wild chinchilla's diet consists primarily of high-fiber grass and hay, while supplementing it with bark, seeds, flowers, and foliage. 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