7311 E. Thomas Rd. / Scottsdale, AZ 85251                                   Dr. William J. Langhofer, DVM
Phone: 480-945-8484 / Fax: 480-945-8766                                 Dr. Rowena D’Monte, DVM
Hours: 7:00 A.M. – 11:00 P.M. / 7 Days a Week                           Dr. David Gosche, DVM
Website: www.tsvcpets.com                                                                  Dr. Samantha Lieberman, DVM

Chinchilla Toys, Treats, and Chews
Chinchillas love to eat, especially sugary treats, but they also very easily gain weight. For this reason it is very imporant to not give too many treats to your chinchillas, no matter how much they beg for them (and they will beg!).

Despite what your local petstores say, foods with a lot of seeds and nuts are NOT good for chinchillas. They contain too many carbohydrates, which can severely mess up a chinchilla’s gastrointestinal tract. They will get diarrhea and this can lead to death. The best treats to give chinchillas are green leafy vegetables, which they love, and occasional fruits. You should always give organic fruits and vegetables, as pesticides are even more detrimental to their health than ours.

Below is a list of fruits you can give to chinchillas in small amounts as occasional treats. Give only 1 level tablespoon per 1 kg (2.2 lb) of body weight daily. Do not forget to wash them first!

Peaches Strawberries Apples (no seeds) Nectarines
Plums Blueberries Raspberries Raisins
Blackberries Carrots Apricots Oranges
Papaya Green and red bell peppers

Below is a list of safe chews and toys for your chinchilla. It is very important that they have something to chew on as their teeth grow continuously and need to be worn down. Toys are also important to prevent boredom, provide exercise and mental stimulation, and keep your chinchilla from destroying your home.

Straw and hay mats Timothy Hay (or other grass hay)
Dried cholla Dried gourds Mineral licks Paper bags for hiding
Busy Bunny Toys (www.busybunny.com) Toilet paper/paper towel rolls
Phone books for shredding Cat toys (roll or toss) Napkin holders (wooden or ceramic) Cardboard boxes
Wooden bird toys that hang from cage

Bad for Chinchillas
The following list of foods greens you should never give to a chinchilla. Also, keep all poisonous plants and chemicals out of reach. They hop high and get into mischief when you’re not around!

Iceberg lettuce Cereal Potatoes Radishes Chocolate Meat Bananas Cabbage Rhubarb Onions/garlic Rice Nuts/Seeds Sugary foods Bread Wood with tarnish, sealant, or paint on it.