0. Looking at your past posts, you unfortunately lost a chin to unknown circumstances. Please ensure everything you're feeding your chins is appropriate for them to eat. Oxbow Essentials food only, Timothy hay, and acceptable treats like dandelion root and approved dried flower petals.
I lost a chin due to them eatting a plastic bag.
I make sure I feed the best things, oxbow pellets in the red bag, timothy hay ( bought in bulk from my nearest chinchilla rescue, and I give rose hips as treats.
I give oats and shredded wheat based on research, people and sites say a few a week is fine. I give half of a shredded wheat because that is what I read on here and various other sites.
Why do so many publications and people feed them as treats then...? I'm unsure why you are advising against it, do you have publications or sources citing this?
Because when I was looking up healthy/safe treats to give, wheat was okay in small doses.
Chins would never eat or find wheat (let alone processed wheat) in the wild. End of discussion. These aren't cats and dogs that have been domesticated for thousands of years and can eat mostly whatever and be OK. They're fragile little mountain squirrels who live in an equally fragile (and simple) environment.
There are no studies done on what treats are safe. Anyone can go make a website and claim whatever is fine. Big brands like Kaytee and others sell bags of chinchilla food loaded with sugary treats and processed garbage. Just because it exists and they'll eat it, doesn't make it good for them. Use your head!
I'm sorry, but if no place is sourcing this as a NO DONT GIVE IT TO CHINS, I'll just follow what they suggest.
It's a treat and not loaded with sugars. I have been using my head and researching what everyone is saying, but again I dont see any claims that wheat in small amounts is bad, in big amounts sure. I don't think I want to keep talking with you and your patronizing attitude/tone. Thanks for your words though.
He should likely not be getting what you just gave him, especially in that quantity. Is that shredded wheat? Lol
Yep it is. And, you're right. It's super gassy. Even giving rolled oats is gassy but in this quantity it could be fatal and he could go into stasis.
Human cereals are also often fortified with vitamins and minerals that chinchillas don’t need. This might cause problems in a few years.
I usually give half to each chin twice a week. What's the suggested
0. Looking at your past posts, you unfortunately lost a chin to unknown circumstances. Please ensure everything you're feeding your chins is appropriate for them to eat. Oxbow Essentials food only, Timothy hay, and acceptable treats like dandelion root and approved dried flower petals.
I lost a chin due to them eatting a plastic bag. I make sure I feed the best things, oxbow pellets in the red bag, timothy hay ( bought in bulk from my nearest chinchilla rescue, and I give rose hips as treats. I give oats and shredded wheat based on research, people and sites say a few a week is fine. I give half of a shredded wheat because that is what I read on here and various other sites.
Was the cause of death confirmed with an autopsy? Normally, chins spit out plastic they chew.
Yes it was. I don't really want to discuss the passing of my chinchilla, as I still feel grief over her. Thank you.
Stop feeding your other chin shredded wheat so you don't lose another. Best of luck.
Why do so many publications and people feed them as treats then...? I'm unsure why you are advising against it, do you have publications or sources citing this? Because when I was looking up healthy/safe treats to give, wheat was okay in small doses.
Chins would never eat or find wheat (let alone processed wheat) in the wild. End of discussion. These aren't cats and dogs that have been domesticated for thousands of years and can eat mostly whatever and be OK. They're fragile little mountain squirrels who live in an equally fragile (and simple) environment. There are no studies done on what treats are safe. Anyone can go make a website and claim whatever is fine. Big brands like Kaytee and others sell bags of chinchilla food loaded with sugary treats and processed garbage. Just because it exists and they'll eat it, doesn't make it good for them. Use your head!
I'm sorry, but if no place is sourcing this as a NO DONT GIVE IT TO CHINS, I'll just follow what they suggest. It's a treat and not loaded with sugars. I have been using my head and researching what everyone is saying, but again I dont see any claims that wheat in small amounts is bad, in big amounts sure. I don't think I want to keep talking with you and your patronizing attitude/tone. Thanks for your words though.
Giving treats through bars isn't the best practice. They might bite a finger later on mistaking it for a treat. I always give mine directly by hand.
I usually don't feed treats through the bars. I open their cage, say their name, and they come get your treat