Have you entered our competition to win £1000 of Burgess Excel? If so, and you’re a CVS practice, you can also receive a free copy of the Burgess Excel Veterinary Guide to rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas. Terms and conditions apply- while stocks last.
CLICK HERE to enter the competition and get your free copy.
Did you know that similar to a cow your fibrevore (rabbit, guinea pig or chinchilla) ferments fibre to get its required daily nutrients? But of course your tiny little friend does not have the stomach capacity of a cow and so needs to operate a different system. This system is based on eating LITTLE and OFTEN, consuming sufficient quantities of fibre for good, healthy nutrition. But as with all living creatures, what goes in must come out…
Keeping your fibrevore’s digestive system moving is VITAL!
Fibrevores require 2 different types of fibre, which we call digestible and indigestible. Digestive fibre offers essential nutrients and the indigestible fibre keeps the digestive system moving. However, fibrevores cannot get all the nutrition they need from the fibre they eat as it passes through their gut. They therefore need to consume it again.
Have you ever noticed that your fibrevore has 2 types of dropping? The sticky droppings, often found in sticky clumps, are called caecotrophs. Your pet will actually eat these caecotrophs, from which they extract essential nutrition as the digestible fibre passes through their body for the second time. You have perhaps noticed that this happens mostly at night?
This behaviour evolved in the wild, where fibrevores eat little and often throughout the day, re-processing their caecotrophs when hidden away at night in their burrow.
The Burgess Excel range of rabbit food, guinea pig food and chinchilla food ensures that your fibrevore maintains good digestive health as it contains the optimum balance of vitamins, minerals, nutrients and added prebiotics whilst being high in beneficial fibre.
Did you know that there are currently no scheduled vaccinations that a chinchilla is supposed to have and that they are less attractive to flies, fleas and mites than other pets? This is great news, but it does not mean that you can be less alert to their health needs. There are still some health problems which your chinchillas might have if their diet and living conditions are not sufficient. Here is a brief guide:
Dental Problems
As with rabbits, a chinchilla’s teeth will continue to grow throughout his life. They can become overgrown and this can be fatal. A good, coarse fibre filled diet, including Excel Herbage, will help to keep teeth in good shape in addition to wooden chew objects for gnawing.
If you spot that your chinchilla is drooling excessively or is not eating his food then this could be a sign of dental problems. Consult with your vet straight away.
If you are searching for Chinchilla food then Burgess Excel offers the complete range. The Excel Feeding Plan has been designed to offer your chinchilla a diet that is packed full of fibre. This is a five step plan, which includes Hay/Forage, Excel Nuggets, Excel Nature Snacks, Fresh Veg and Water.
Respiratory Problems
You should keep a close eye on your chinchilla’s breathing. Look out for wheezing because this is a sign of chest infection or pneumonia. A mucusy nose is linked to the common cold and chinchillas can also be susceptible to ear infections so check ears are clean. Chinchillas can be sensitive to draughty and damp conditions, leading to colds and infections so make sure they are protected.
Constipation
Chinchillas can suffer with constipation so be on the lookout for signs such as a boated tummy, fewer droppings than usual and smaller and thinner droppings. Constipation is usually caused by stress, pain and a lack of fibre in the diet.
Diarrhoea
This can be a common problem with chinchillas and is often a sign that he is eating too much. An excessive amount of vegetables or treats can also cause this problem. Another cause can be stress, lack of fibre or a simple reaction to some bad food. Avoid feeding any treats if your chinchilla has diarrhoea.
Bumblefoot
Bumblefoot, also called ulcerative pododermatis, can be identified by ulcers on the feet and can be incredibly painful if the ulcers become infected. Check the chinchilla’s feet regularly to make sure they are not cracked or flaky. If they do look to be cracked or flaky contact your vey urgently.