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Humans have food, and chinchillas have hay.
The small animals love their leafy snack so much that they can live off it alone.
Therefore, you’ll want to choose the hay wisely if you don’t want to face a chinchilla’s wrath.
Choosing the best hay for chinchillas shouldn’t be that hard, as long as you know what to look for. Read on to find out all about it.
The 6 Best Hays For Chinchillas
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What To Look For In Hay For Chinchillas
If you want to get your chinchilla the hay he deserves, you’ll want to consider a bunch of things.
Read to find out the three most essential specifications that you should consider.
- Type
The most common types of hay are Timothy And Alfalfa. Timothy hay is ideal for older chinchillas.
It’s rich in fiber and low on calcium and protein. This nutritional ratio promotes the urinary system’s health and enhances chewing.
Meanwhile, alfalfa hay is more suited for young chinchillas.
It’s perfect for chinchillas with sensitive stomachs because it stimulates the digestive system.
Besides, it has a soft texture, which makes it easier to chew.
- Texture
Different brands of hay have substantial variations in Textures. Some packs will have more leaves than twigs; others will mostly consist of seeds.
You’ll have to choose between 1st, 2nd, and 3rd cutting positions.
1st cut hay has the softest texture out of the three. It consists majorly of green leaves with subtle amounts of seeds and stems.
Meanwhile, 2nd cut hay will have a harmonious ratio of stems and leaves, which gives a moderate texture.
As for 3rd cut hay, it’s the roughest texture of them all. It’s only suitable for older chinchillas because the crunchiness can bother the sensitive stomachs of young chinchillas.
- Natural Ingredients
When choosing hay for your chinchilla, the most vital thing to consider is the ingredients.
Natural ingredients are more than enough to provide your pet with the nutrients he needs.
Choose a pack that contains no GMOs, synthetic additives, or Pesticides. You never know how these can harm your beloved pet.
Also, make sure that the hay you chose is manually packed. Machines won’t be effective in removing dust and impurities, which will likely end up in your chinchilla’s stomach.
Why You Should Feed Your Chinchilla Hay
Hay is Essential For Chinchillas to function properly. Their digestive systems need it to keep working because of its high fiber content.
Additionally, it plays a major role in the development of their chewing abilities. Chinchillas need to eat hay regularly to keep their teeth healthy.
If you’ll be raising a chinchilla, get ready for hay to be a part of your life. Otherwise, you’ll have to provide the same nutritional value through other food, which won’t be easy.
How Much Hay Should I Give My Chinchilla?
Your chinchilla should have access to unlimited amounts of hay.
They do eat a lot for their tiny bodies. So, you should store a considerable amount of the hay, unless you want to do constant refilling.
If your hay of choice is free of sugary flavors, you can give your chinchilla 3-4 tablespoons daily.
Meanwhile, fruits and Treats should be given in fewer amounts, and only on an occasional basis.
Keep in mind that chinchillas differ from each other, even if they’re the same age.
Therefore, the amount of hay they should eat will depend on their metabolism.
If your chinchilla only eats 1-2 tablespoons per day, don’t push him to eat more.
How To Keep Chinchilla Hay Fresh?
You don’t want to feed your chinchilla brown hay.
That’s why you should take care of the hay you buy and keep it fresh.
Here are three tips that’ll keep it cool.
- Store It In A Dry Place
Moisture is never good news for hay. It’ll let mold thrive, making it completely inedible in the long run. Try to keep your hay in a kitchen closet or anywhere where moisture can’t get in.
- Let It Breathe
Keeping your hay in a dry place doesn’t mean you should trap it inside for god knows how long. You should let the hay out every once in a while to keep it fresh.
- Don’t Expose It To Heat
Keeping the hay in a hot place can cause it to rot in a short time. Plus, it encourages the growth of bacteria and mold. Keep it in a cool place to preserve it for longer.
The 6 Best Hays For Chinchillas: reviewd
Here, we’ll shed some light on the best hay brands for chinchillas.
We handpicked them in terms of affordability, safety, and nutritional value.
Scroll through the options to find your match.
- 100% All-natural Hay
- Veterinarian Recommended
- Hand-sorted and hand-packed with care
Oxbow is a reputable pet health company that’s been giving other brands a run for their money, and it’s easy to see why.
This pack of timothy hay from Oxbow is full of nutrients that’ll improve your chinchilla’s health significantly.
It’s also rich in fiber which is known for stimulating the digestive system.
Furthermore, it’s 100% natural without any additives, which reduces the health risks associated with synthetic materials.
It also contains a variety of grass to match all tastes. Not to mention that it has a sweet smell that’ll appeal to your chinchilla or your small pet.
The Oxbow hay is collected and packaged manually for maximum precision. That way, you can be sure that you’ll be getting a high-quality product.
- Meets Specific Nutritional Requirements
- Irresistible Flavor
- 100% All-natural Hay
This Orchard Grass Hay from Oxbow is ideal for small chinchillas.
It’s soft enough for them to chew on. Additionally, it promotes dental health, thanks to its high fiber content.
The hay is also free of additives and synthetic materials, which means it’d be safe for regular consumption.
The Oxbow grass hay is full of essential nutrients, making it a vital part of your pet’s balanced diet.
It also has a sweet aroma that’ll stimulate your chinchilla’s appetite and tempt him to devour it.
The wide variety of grass and hay used in this pack will fit different tastes.
If your chinchilla is a fussy eater, you’ll face no problems feeding him this Oxbow hay.
Despite this, the pack comes with a moderate price tag.
- This 1st cutting hay provides your small pet with a high-fiber hay source
- Features high-quality, fresh hay from the current crop year
- Made in the USA
The timothy hay pack from Small Pet Select has a 2nd cut texture.
This means it contains balanced amounts of leaves, stems, and seed heads.
It’s considered the best of both worlds because it’s soft enough for small animals, yet it has all the needed nutrients for all ages — the Perfect Blend is rich in fiber, protein, and fats.
You won’t have to worry about freshness with the Perfect Blend hay.
It comes in a well-ventilated box that allows the hay to breathe. That way, you won’t have to find special storage for your pet’s food.
Unlike most brands, Small Pet Select offers hay packages as large as 25 lbs.
This should be more than ideal for folks who are raising more than 4 chinchillas.
- All-natural and chemical free
- Grass is sun cured and is an excellent appetite stimulant
- Hay helps to wear down and clean teeth for good oral health
If you can’t decide on the best hay for your chinchilla, you may want to take a look at this Kaytee pack.
When it comes to diversity, it’s hard to match. It comes in five different bags, each with a different flavor to fit all tastes.
The flavors are cranberry, mango, carrot, mint, and marigold.
Aside from the wide variety, the Kaytee is also rich in all the nutrients that your chinchilla needs. It promotes dental health and stimulates the digestive system.
Plus, it’s low on calcium and protein to maintain urinary health. It shouldn’t leave any side effects upon regular use.
The Kaytee hay has a suitable ratio of twigs and leaves to offer a fine texture. The variety also improves chewing for younger chinchillas.
Moreover, the packaging is of high quality to keep the hay preserved for the longest time possible
- Features only Timothy Grass Forage
- Made in the USA
- All-natural forage that gives your chinchilla a meal close to what he would eat in nature
The Standlee pack of hay is ideal for mature chinchillas.
It’s also a perfect choice for chinchillas with sensitive stomachs because it’s free of additives and synthetic preservatives.
Not only that, but it also doesn’t contain nuts or fruits, which may impair the digestion to some extent.
This hay has a rough texture, which will promote chewing abilities for older chinchillas.
Plus, it’ll help your pet gain weight if he needs to, thanks to the rich content of stem fiber.
That being said, it’s not suitable for young chinchillas because they may find it hard to chew and digest it.
The Standlee is available in alfalfa hay and orchard grass. All the products are packed manually to ensure top quality.
- Harvested without additives
- Packed with fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals
- This hay has multiple weed-free certifications
If your chinchilla prefers alfalfa hay to the good old timothy, the Viking farmer pack is a nice option to consider.
It’s made of 100% natural ingredients, and it’s harvested without the use of any pesticides or preservatives.
It’s one of the safest hay packs you’ll find on the market.
The Viking Farmer undergoes lab tests that ensure that your pet gets premium quality.
Add that to the high content of nutrients, and you’ll get a healthy pack of chinchilla snacks.
This hay is full of protein, vitamins, fiber, and minerals. It stimulates the digestive system and improves dental health. Additionally, it keeps the coat shiny and healthy.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re still confused about buying hay for your chinchilla, check these frequently asked questions — you’ll likely find the answers you need.
- What Should I Do If My Chinchilla Refuses To Eat Hay?
The first thing you should do is switch types; your chinchilla might be simply bored with how the current hay tastes.
Alternatively, you can add some carrots or apples to the hay to add an interesting flavor.
You can also reduce the amounts of other foods you’re serving, which will leave him no choice but to eat the hay.
- What Is The Difference Between “First Cut” And “Second Cut”?
First cut hay is the softest type because it consists mainly of green leaves.
It’s suitable for baby chinchillas because it’s easier to chew.
On the other hand, the second cut hay has equal proportions of leaves and stems, so it has a moderate texture.
- Can I Use Feeding Hay For Bedding?
You can, but straw is more convenient, and it costs less. Using hay as bedding is only a good idea if you ran out of straw, or if you have leftover hay that you’ll throw out.
- Should I Use A Hay Feeder?
Yes, you should. Chinchillas are generally messy; they can leave a lot of hay behind, which will be hard to clean. A hay feeder will help you keep The Cage Nice And Clean.
The Final Verdict
In our opinion, the best hay for chinchillas is the Kaytee All Natural Timothy Hay.
It offers a considerate nutritional value. And it’s available in a bunch of sweet flavors, unlike most of the commercially famous packs that only come with one flavor.
Your chinchilla will love the variety of hay in this pack. It’s also free of preservatives, and its texture is suitable for all ages.
If you want an alternative, you can go for the Oxbow Animal Health Timothy Hay. It’s 100% natural, affordable, and it comes with a sweet smell.
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