Chinchilla stomachs were not designed to process meat as it provides few essential nutrients; rather, chinchillas require lower-calorie food sources like vegetables and fruits for nutrition.
Additionally, eating meat can lead to gas, bloat and nutritional deficiencies; thus it should not be fed to chinchillas. Instead they should opt for pellets and fresh vegetables, dried fruits seeds and nuts and leafy flowers like Hibiscus as sources of sustenance. https://chinchillas.cyou/
Raw Meat
Chinchillas in the wild are omnivorous animals, feeding both on plants and meat. Their diet includes grass, seeds, fruit and insects as well as bird eggs; all held between their front paws until nibbled upon.
Chinchillas should avoid feeding themselves foods high in cellulose content such as avocado, cabbage, peas and corn as these can lead to digestive issues. Other items to stay clear of include broccoli, lettuce and rhubarb leaves as they contain too much moisture content for them.
Hay is an ideal source of fiber to ensure dental health and digestive needs are being met.
While hay should form the mainstay of your pet's diet, vegetables and fruits that are low in cellulose content and high in vitamins and minerals can also be offered occasionally as additional treats - although do not make these snacks their main meal as this could lead to nutritional deficiencies in their system.
Cooked Meat
Chinchillas typically eat grass, other plants and insects when found in their natural environments; when kept as pets they typically benefit from an altered diet with plenty of hay, fruits and vegetables as well as extra nutritional sources like pellets. To mimic their wild diet in captivity it's easiest to offer ample hay as well as fruits and vegetables with additional protein sources added like pellets for optimal care.
A proper chinchilla diet should include some high-quality treats in addition to its plant-based diet, such as dried fruits or root vegetables - even some nuts or seeds may be welcome as long as these don't become overly fatty or sugary - this will prevent digestive issues in chinchillas.
Cheese can also be difficult on chinchilla stomachs; being lactose intolerant means eating too much dairy can cause serious digestive issues that could prove fatal for them, so it's wise to avoid cheese altogether. Furthermore, raw meat poses health concerns due to too much fat content.
Meat Treats
Chinchillas are herbivorous by nature; however, many owners provide their pet with supplement food, such as vegetables, fruits and herbs. Such treats should only be given occasionally as too much fruit can lead to diarrhea while too many seeds and nuts could lead to calcium deficiency in your chinchilla's diet.
Chinchillas should avoid foods that aren't part of their natural diet, like corn, chocolate, dairy and meat - these could potentially be harmful or even toxic to them.
Instead of feeding your chinchilla the same old food every day, try giving him or her different kinds of grass supplements like alfalfa hay, meadow hay and botanical hay to add variety and keep their teeth and digestive system functioning normally. Pellets provide additional nutrition - just be sure you get one made specifically for chinchillas; otherwise consult your veterinarian.
Meat Supplements
While chinchillas in the wild may occasionally consume animal proteins such as insects and bird eggs, it is not advisable to feed them meat supplements in captivity. Meat contains high levels of fat and sugars whereas their small body size requires only modest amounts. Instead, try offering your chinchilla healthy treats like nuts, seeds and dried fruits like hibiscus flowers; or non-toxic grasses and vegetables found in nature such as dandelion leaves, oats or rose hips.
No matter if it's beef, chicken, or pork meats - especially when fed regularly - they simply are not suitable for chinchillas as their digestive systems require low in fatty foods, high-carb foods, and fiber content in their diet to function optimally. A diet consisting of predominantly meat may result in gas and bloating leading to stomach or intestinal lining rupture and ultimately be fatal - so if your pet has consumed meat please speak to a vet as soon as possible if you suspect anything has eaten by their pet as this may result in fatal outcomes if left unchecked!