Can Chinchillas Eat Guinea Pig Food
Chinchillas and guinea pigs have quite a number of similarities. One of the most prominent similarities between these two animals is the fact that they are both herbivores. In addition to being both herbivores, these two animals have teeth that never stop growing. Due to this, they sometimes have similar dental challenges.
The fact that chinchilla and guinea pig are both herbivores has made a lot of people wonder if chinchillas can eat the foods guinea pigs are fed with.
One might be tempted to provide an answer to the question, “can chinchillas eat guinea pig food?” It, however, is vital to put certain factors into consideration, as well as find out what guinea pigs feed on before being able to provide an answer to this question.
What do Guinea Pigs Feed On?
Guinea pigs feed on timothy hay, Vitamin C pellets, vegetables, and fruits. Vitamin C pellets are great for guinea pigs because guinea pigs cannot make their own vitamin C. Also, timothy hay makes it possible for guinea pigs to have something that they can chew on.
With this in mind, it becomes a lot easier to provide an answer to the question, “can chinchillas eat guinea pig food?”
The truth is chinchillas can eat some of the foods that guinea pig feed on. But they can’t eat foods that are made for guinea pigs specifically. An example of a food that is made for guinea pigs that chinchillas cannot feed on is Vitamin C pellets. Chinchillas cannot feed on vitamin C pellets because these pellets are explicitly meant for guinea pig due to their inability to produce their vitamin C. Although chinchilla cannot feed on vitamin C pellets, they can feed on timothy hay. This is because timothy hay makes it possible for chinchillas to have something to chew just the same way it provides something for guinea pigs to chew.
Because chinchilla can feed comfortably on certain foods that guinea pigs can feed on and cannot feed on some of the foods that guinea pigs can feed on, there is no straight answer to the question “can chinchillas eat guinea pig food?” The answer to this question is dependent on what the food in question is.
Now that you know that chinchillas can feed on certain foods that guinea pigs can feed on, it is vital to know the foods that are perfectly suitable for chinchillas. This is even more important if you already have a chinchilla or are planning to buy one.
Whatever food you are giving your chinchilla should make provisions for fiber, fat, and protein. The protein content of the food you intend to give your chinchilla should not be less than 16% and should not be more than 20%. The fat content should not be more than 5% and should not be less than 2%. And finally, the fiber content of whatever food you intend to give your chinchilla should be between 15% and 35%.
