Believe it or not, chinchillas have a reputation for being pretty fussy about what they eat and their discerning appetites mean that they like snacking on a few different things throughout the week. But can chinchillas eat almonds?
The answer is yes, chinchillas can eat almonds! In fact, almonds are one of the chinchilla’s favorite snacks. So, regardless of how fussy your pet chinchilla is, there’s a good chance they’ll take an offering of almonds whenever offered.
Below, we’ll go into more detail on feeding almonds to a chinchilla. We’ll look at the nutritional benefits, how to feed almonds to your chinchilla, and some things you need to keep in mind before you do!
What Nutritional Benefits Do Almonds Give To Chinchillas?
Almonds are one of the most nutritious nuts out there. They’re extremely high in protein and contain essential fatty acids such as omega-3s and omega-6s. This means that almonds will help with your chinchilla’s overall health by providing them with nutrients that they need to stay healthy.
In addition to this, almonds also contain antioxidants which may be beneficial to your chinchilla’s immune system. These antioxidants include Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and beta carotene. The antioxidant properties of these vitamins may help protect against diseases such as cancer and heart disease.
Finally, almonds can help your chinchilla’s teeth and gums because they contain calcium. Calcium helps strengthen bones and teeth so that they don’t break down too quickly. If your chinchilla has weak teeth or gums, then they won’t get enough nutrition from their food.
How Can I Feed My Chinchilla Almonds?
If you’d like to feed your chinchilla almonds, then you should start by making sure that you choose the right type of almond. You want to make sure that you buy raw almonds because they’re much better than roasted almonds when it comes to nutrition. Raw almonds provide your chinchilla with all of the same benefits as other types of nuts but without any of the added calories.
Once you’ve purchased your almonds, you’ll want to make sure that they’re stored properly so that they don’t spoil. To store your almonds, place them in a cool, dry area away from sunlight. If you live somewhere where temperatures get particularly hot, you might consider placing your almonds inside a paper bag instead.
Once you’ve made sure that your almonds are safe to consume, you’ll want to give them to your chinchilla in small quantities. A handful of almonds per day is usually enough for a chinchilla. However, if your chinchilla tends to overeat, you might want to decrease the amount that you offer them.
You’ll also want to make sure that your chinchilla has access to fresh water while eating their almonds. Almonds are very rich in fiber, so your chinchilla could potentially choke on them if they aren’t given enough time to digest them first.
Things To Keep In Mind When Feeding Almonds To Your Chinchilla
As mentioned above, almonds are great for your chinchilla’s health. However, there are a few things that you should keep in mind when giving your chinchilla almonds.
First off, you’ll want to avoid giving your chinchilla large amounts of almonds at once. If given the opportunity, a chinchilla will happily eat up to 30 almonds per day. But this isn’t something that you should allow them to do.
The main reason for this is because they’re quite fattening and, despite their nutritional benefits, they have quite a high fat and calorie content. They contain about 15 grams of protein and more than 100 milligrams of cholesterol per ounce. This means that a single serving of almonds contains around 200 calories and 12 grams of fat.
With this in mind, you should only offer your chinchilla just 1 or 2 almonds every couple of days.
You’ll also want to keep an eye out for signs of diarrhea after feeding your chinchilla almonds. Diarrhea is one of the most common side effects that occur when chinchillas have been fed a diet containing too many almonds. This occurs because almonds can be quite hard to digest, and some chinchillas may experience stomach upset as a result.
If you’ve never fed almonds to your chinchilla before, monitor them closely after they’ve eaten their daily allotment of almonds. If you notice that they seem to be having trouble keeping their bowels moving healthily, you should take them to a veterinarian immediately.
Can Chinchillas Eat Almond Butter?
Yes! Almond butter is another nut-based product that you can feed to your chinchilla. Just like whole almonds, almond butter provides your chinchilla with plenty of nutrients and healthy fats. It also makes a fantastic treat for your chinchilla.
It’s also really easy to make your own almond butter. Simply blend together raw almonds and honey until it forms a smooth paste. You can use any type of honey that you’d like, but we recommend using organic honey since it’s much healthier than regular varieties.
One of the benefits of making your own almond butter is that you’ll know exactly what’s gone into it. No more scanning the ingredients label for nasty chemicals additives or preservatives. Just pure, delicious, healthy almond butter that chinchilla will love.
Conclusion
Almonds are a wonderful food source for your chinchilla, providing them with lots of vitamins and minerals. However, as with all types of food, you’ll need to exercise moderation when feeding almonds to your chinchilla. Stick to just 1-2 almonds every couple of days. Any more than this and your chinchilla could quickly gain weight or suffer from some painful digestive issues!
