Chinchillas shouldn’t eat oranges as they contain high amounts of Vitamin C, which is bad for chinchillas.
Chinchillas don’t have a gall bladder or a urinary tract. The liver takes care of the detoxifying functions and the extra vitamins and minerals will be stored in it.
This means that an excess of some minerals can lead to serious problems for chinchillas, such as bladder stones, liver damage, or even death.
The following are the specific details about how oranges can harm chinchillas:
- Vitamin C is rapidly excreted through urine and the rest is deposited in the liver where it accumulates without being used up. If more vitamin C than what is needed by the animal is consumed, this will result in serious health problems.
- Vitamin C is stored in large quantities in chinchillas’ livers where it can be potentially toxic. If a chinchilla eats too many oranges this results in diarrhea and eventually, you will lose your pet because of liver damage or poisoning.
- Large amounts of dietary Vitamin C, which is not needed, can cause bladder stones and kidney damage.
- A chemical called furanocoumarin in citrus fruits binds to vitamin B which limits its absorption by the body. This results in a deficiency of vitamin B, so chinchillas have to take supplements for this reason too.
- Can react with certain medications which makes them potentially toxic.
- Oranges are high in sugar content, which can make chinchillas obese.
- Oranges are acidic and the sugars cause dental problems because they stick to the teeth. Chinchillas’ teeth grow continuously throughout their lives, so you must take good care of your pet’s teeth by providing chew toys and sticks.
Can chinchillas eat oranges in small quantities?
Yes, if you only let them have a bite or two because of the high vitamin C content. You can do this if you want to give your pet a treat, but for regular feeding, it is not recommended.
Are chinchillas allowed to eat fruit?
Chinchillas are herbivores. They should not be fed any fruit because it is not part of their natural diet. Furthermore, fruits are high in sugar which can lead to obesity or diabetes for your pet.
Chinchillas need a specialized pellet diet, hay, and water to keep them healthy. Fruits have no nutritional value so you should not provide anything beyond the essentials for good health. If you want to give your chinchilla a treat, let it have some fruit, but you must never let it replace its regular meals.
If your chinchilla has an upset stomach because of the oranges, it should be taken to a vet for care. He can give your pet fluids and medication to help ease the condition until the problem subsides.
What fruits can chinchillas eat?
Chinchillas should only have the pellet diet, hay, and water.
Alternatives to oranges are kale, apple, or a piece of carrot. Since these have much less vitamin C than lemons and oranges, your chinchilla can have them in moderation as a treat from time to time.
Conclusion
In summary, chinchillas should not eat oranges because they contain high amounts of Vitamin C and can cause serious health problems including vitamin B deficiency, bladder stones, liver damage, and kidney damage.
