How much food do I give my chinchilla?

Question

I just got a chinchilla today, and the food package says to give them 2 tablespoons. but its food dish is so big, and 2 tablespoons is so little, it looks like its barely full, and my chinchilla would have to climb into the food dish to get it. So I gave it 2/3 of a cup... is that okay? The food dish is about halfway full now, and I also put some hay in there. Does anyone know how much I should give her daily? I don't think I would need to feed her everyday if I'm giving her this much... what do you think? And please don't say get a smaller food dish because theres a hole in her cage where it's supposed to go, and I can't buy another one (I'm like broke now).

Thanks in advance! 10 points for the best answer! :-)

Answer 1

I have two chinchillas and i had the same problem. (not the hole in the cage, just the "giant bowl" situation.) I did end up buying two little bowls for them but in the mean time I just put two Table spoons in the big dishes. They are quite agile/active and didn't have trouble climbing into the dish to eat. One was a couple years old when i got her and she was and still is overweight, so try not to overfeed as it is extremely difficult to get them back to a healthy weight. Try putting her hay in the bowl with the food. They are smart and enjoy a challenge. That way you won't feel weird about leaving the food dish practically empty and she will get some mental stimulation foraging ig the hay for her food.

Hope that helps!

Answer 2

I have 3 chinchillas and when i give them the pebbles they suppose to eat they don't really eat it so what i give them is 2 raisins a day or 2 cheerios  , they love them but only give them 2 a day .

Answer 3

I had the same experience when I got my first chinchilla. With such a big bowl 2 tablespoons looks like nothing. But trust me your chinchilla will only eat about 1- 1 1/2 tablespoons of pellets. Just make sure you are feeding him or her a high quality pellet diet. I recommend Oxbow, Mazuri  or zupreem diets. Just as long as you stay away from diets with lots of treats in them. Also supply your chin with unlimited amounts of timothy hay. ( not alfalfa its too fatty for chins) I also add 1/2 tsp of oats to my chins diet not only do they love them but the oats are really good for them . For treats I recommend a couple raisins or a banana chip. Vitakraft also make a treat called dandelion drops which my chins love. Also make sure you refill the dish daily with new food. Hope this helps Good luck!

Answer 4

I give my chinchilla a hand full when he runs out. I have never measured there food out and they do just fine, but i suggest giving them the 2 tablespoons if its recommended on the package and once you get to know your chinchilla you can change it if you think he needs more. Make sure he allways has water and keep him or her at a constant regular temp. not to hot not to cold. You can join Chins-n-Quills the website for spicific questions on chinchillas too. Good luck :)