Chinchillas are desert animals that live in the Andes Mountains of South America. They are also popular as pets in some parts of the world. But if you choose to keep one, it’s important to keep it healthy. how? Give them a large cage with plenty of room to run and play and ensure they are fed a healthy diet.
A chinchilla’s diet is primarily grass, but it also eats small amounts of insects, fruits, and vegetables. But there may be something you don’t know about these adorable creatures. They enjoy chewing wood. Even when insects and fruits are plentiful, they can still nibble on pieces of wood. but why?
The idea that chinchillas eat trees may raise some eyebrows. Because trees are never a delicacy, at least for humans. But there are several reasons why these furry creatures do so.
First, wood is a reliable source of fiber that aids in proper digestion of food. Second, chewing wood helps keep your teeth healthy. Third, it’s mentally stimulating and helps keep your brain sharp.
Chinchillas eat wood for dental health
Perhaps the most important reason chinchillas eat wood is to keep their teeth healthy. They have teeth that continue to grow into adulthood. The upper incisors grow at a rate of about 3 mm per month, and the lower incisors grow at a rate of about 2 mm per month.
In the wild, this is beneficial as chinchillas can scrape through tough vegetation with their teeth. However, in captivity they often do not have access to the same type of abrasive vegetation, and their teeth may grow too long.
Overgrown teeth can cause a lot of pain and even death for your chinchilla if not properly cared for.
Chinchillas have sharp teeth that they use to bite into their food. This constant biting habit compensates for the teeth to wear down and continue to grow.
Wood is an excellent source of hard material for chinchillas to chew on to keep their teeth from overextending. So you should get hay, wood, or some other hard substance to keep the teeth from getting too long.
Helps with mental stimulation
In the wild, chinchillas live in burrows and nests made of sticks and twigs. This natural chewing action helps keep your teeth healthy and sharp. In captivity, they may chew wood not only for mental stimulation, but also to satisfy their instinctive desire to chew.
Providing your chinchilla with a safe, chew toy or wooden object can satisfy their natural chewing habits and provide much-needed mental stimulation.
Chinchillas are sensitive to chemicals and other harmful substances, so be sure to choose chews that are free of them. With a little creativity, you can provide a fun and enriching environment for children that meets all their mental and physical needs.
Chinchillas can benefit from chewing toys
If you notice your chinchilla chewing on wood, try giving him other chew toys to satisfy his need or desire to use his teeth. You can also give it a small piece of untreated wood to nibble on. Be sure to keep an eye on your chinchilla to avoid swallowing large debris as it can cause injury.
Wood is also a source of fiber
Wood has a high fiber content and is an excellent source of roughage, which is important for chinchilla digestive health. Although wood has no direct nutritional benefits, it contains fiber, which makes it an important part of a healthy chinchilla diet. Wood provides a source of roughage in their diet, which aids intestinal health.
final thoughts
There are several reasons why chinchillas chew wood. The most important thing is to grind the teeth and prevent them from getting too long. The second reason is that fiberwood is fed to chinchillas.
If you are giving your chinchilla wood, be careful not to give it wood from trees such as plums, sequoias, cedars and cherries, which can be toxic to small animals. Make sure they have access to water at all times.
References
- “What Do Chinchillas Eat? | PetMD” June 13, 2016 https://www.petmd.com/exotic/nutrition/what-do-chinchillas-eat.
- “Chinchilla – Exotic and Laboratory Animals – Merck Veterinary Manual”. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/exotic-and-laboratory-animals/rodents/chinchilla.
- Crossley DA. Dental disease in British chinchillas. J Small animation practice. 2001 Jan;42(1):12-9. Doi: 10.1111/j.1748-5827.2001.tb01977.x. PMID: 11219817.
- Mans C, Jekl V. Oral anatomy and disorders of chinchillas and degus. Veterinarian Clinic North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2016 Sep;19(3):843-69. Doi: 10.1016/j.cvex.2016.04.007. PMID: 27497209.
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not a substitute for formal, individualized advice from a qualified professional.