Chinchilla Community Forums
Chinchillas => Q & A => Topic started by: kneesaa on May 30, 2007, 03:19:18 PM
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There is fresh clover growning around our place and I was wondering if the chin's can eat some? Thank you.
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Hmmmm ::think::
I'm not quite sure, but you'd want to be very careful of what could be on it.
I know they like dandelion, and as long as it's washed they can eat it.
Little amounts, wouldn't want to have them cut back on their regular feed.
One reason to keep what you feed your chin to the basics.
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::think:: I would not chance it.
If a stray cat that is sick, with feline distemper, has walked through it ... it is highly contagious ... you would be feeding your chin pneumonia ... feline distemper for a chinchilla is a death sentence.
If field mice have run through it, or another animal has urinated on it ... you would be feeding your chins their germs, bacteria and parasites.
If it was grown in the house and you have no other pets, I might ::think:: about it, but would probably still not do it. ::) That would just be taking to many chances with a chin, for me.
You might want to research the plants that grow in the Andes Mountains that chinchillas are known to eat and make them a little inside garden, so they could have it fresh. Just, please, do not use plant food or an insecticide on it. ::)
You could grow some alfalfa or meadow grass in a pot indors for your chin ... they would love it ... and we know for sure that it is safe for them. ::nod::
::wave:: Jo Ann
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I've got a rope made out of cactus twine... not that Cheech ever chews it, he just perches on it like a bird and nibbles other things. ::nod::
I love the idea of the inside garden, I think I might do a little research on that. I know I read somewhere that experiments when chinchillas were first domesticated did not go well feeding them their natural diet. Apparently they couldn't survive on it. However, all that means to me is that people did not know the full extent of the diet and that some important mineral or vitamin was missed. I know it consists of a lot of dry cactus and grasses. When I find out more I'll post it up. Great idea. :)