When you think of an animal eating a carrot, your mind more than likely goes straight to a rabbit! But what about chipmunks? Can chipmunks eat carrots? Yes, chipmunks can eat carrots. In fact, they contain quite a few vitamins and minerals that a chipmunk needs to stay healthy.
Below, we’ll take a closer look at everything there is to know about feeding carrots to a chipmunk. We’ll explore the nutrients carrots will provide a chipmunk with, and look at how to feed a chipmunk some carrots.
The Benefits of Feeding a Chipmunk Carrots
We all know that carrots are one of the healthiest foods a human can eat. But carrots are also one of the best foods for chipmunks!
This is because they’re high in Vitamin A, which helps keep eyesight strong. Now, while that age-old tale of eating carrots making it possible to see in the dark isn’t entirely true, it does help to maintain a clear corona (which is the external covering of a mammal’s eye).
Since chipmunks go about much of their business at nighttime, a healthy dose of Vitamin A is essential for them to be able to navigate their way safely through darkness. It also helps them spot any potential dangers, which is crucial for wild chipmunks trying to avoid becoming some other animal’s prey!
Carrots also contain lots of fiber, which keeps digestive systems running smoothly. In turn, this reduces the chances of your pet chipmunk suffering from digestive issues such as stomach cramps and diarrhea.
Finally, carrots have loads of potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure and heart health. This is always a good thing and, put simply, helps to ensure that your chipmunk lives a happy, healthy life.
So if you want to give your chipmunk a nutritious snack, consider giving them some carrots!
How Many Carrots Should You Feed a Chipmunk?
Now that we’ve covered why you should feed a chipmunk carrots, let’s talk about how many carrots you should actually offer them.
As mentioned above, carrots are great for chipmunks. They’re loaded with vitamin A, fiber, and potassium. However, not every chipmunk will benefit from having these particular nutrients.
For example, a pet chipmunk that has been living indoors may already be getting enough Vitamin A by consuming food like chicken or fish. If this is the case, then you don’t need to worry too much about adding too many extra carrots to their diet.
However, a wild chipmunk that spends most of its time outside will benefit greatly from a steady offering of delicious, nutritious carrots left out for them. After all, they won’t be able to find enough natural sources of Vitamin A when they’re out in the wild.
If you do decide to add carrots to your chipmunk’s diet, then aim to feed them around 2 per week. This amount will ensure that they receive all the benefits of carrots without overloading on calories.
For humans, carrots are relatively low in calories. However, for a chipmunk, the naturally occurring sugar content can be as bad as eating candy! With this in mind, it’s important to beware of your chipmunk’s daily calorie intake.
How to Prepare Carrots for a Chipmunk
When preparing carrots for a chipmunk, you’ll first need to wash them thoroughly. Doing so will remove dirt and debris that could otherwise cause your chipmunk to choke on them.
Next, cut off the tops and tails. These parts are edible, but they can get caught in your chipmunk’s throat if they eat them whole. However, if you’ve managed to source some carrots that still have the leaves attached, chop these off and keep them to one side. These are also safe for chipmunks to eat and are almost as full of nutrients as the vegetable itself.
Finally, slice each carrot into two pieces. This will allow your chipmunk to enjoy more of the carrot’s goodness. They’ll also enjoy holding the carrot between their paws, and you’ll get a great kick out of watching them drag the prepared halves down into their underground store.
You can, if you prefer, also cut the carrots into thick rounds. However, be aware that when carrots are prepared like this they dry out at a faster rate. When this happens, they’ll be less appealing to your chipmunk and they’ll also lose their valuable nutrients much faster.
It’s also important that you check the food stores that your chipmunk has created in their cage for any old carrots they’ve stashed away. Unlike the underground food stores found in the wild, your pet chipmunk’s hoard will be much warmer. This can speed up the biodegradation process and cause the carrots to go moldy.
If you do find any moldy or spoiled carrots buried deep in your chipmunk’s cage, throw them away and put some fresh cut carrots in their food bowl for them.
Do Chipmunks Eat Carrot Tops?
Yes, chipmunks do eat carrots tops! However, when we say “carrot tops”, we’re referring to leaves rather than the very top of the vegetable. These leaves contain almost as many nutrients and minerals as carrots themselves. They’re also an excellent source of Vitamin C.
In the wild, chipmunks have been known to nibble quite happily on carrot tops they find growing on farms. And, since they aren’t the best at digging up and dragging whole carrots away, carrot tops are the closest that most wild chipmunks get to eating carrots!
Final Thoughts
Carrots are a delicious, nutritious treat for your chipmunk. They’re also a great way for them to stay fit and healthy. Just remember that, like all other foods, carrots should only be given to your chipmunk in moderation. If you give your chipmunk too many carrots, they may become overweight.
