Chinchilla hay
Chinchillas are grazing animals whose teeth grow continuously throughout their life, and hay is the single most important part of their diet for managing both that tooth growth and normal digestion. A chinchilla should have access to good-quality hay at all times, not as an occasional extra alongside pellets — pellets are a supplement to hay, not the other way round.
Why hay matters more than pellets
Constant, low-level chewing on long-strand hay is what naturally wears down a chinchilla's teeth, which never stop growing. Without enough of it, teeth can overgrow and cause genuine pain and eating difficulties, which is one of the more common preventable health problems in pet chinchillas and one of the clearest reasons hay isn't optional.
Hay is also high in the indigestible fibre a chinchilla's gut needs to keep moving properly. A diet too heavy in pellets and too light on hay is a common contributor to digestive upset in chinchillas, since pellets alone don't provide the same fibre structure that long-strand hay does.
What good hay looks and smells like
Good quality hay should smell fresh and slightly sweet rather than musty or dusty, and should be a pale green to golden colour rather than grey or heavily browned, which suggests age or poor storage. Burgess Excel's Long Stem Feeding Hay with Marigold is one example of a long-strand hay aimed specifically at small herbivores, with marigold flowers mixed through mainly for variety and enrichment.
Avoid hay that's excessively dusty, since chinchillas are prone to respiratory irritation, and store any hay somewhere dry and well-ventilated — damp storage encourages mould, which is a genuine health risk if eaten. Buy in quantities you'll get through in a reasonable time rather than a large amount that sits and degrades before it's used.
Timothy hay versus other types
Timothy hay is the most commonly recommended type for adult chinchillas because it's relatively low in calcium and protein compared with alfalfa, which suits an adult's needs better long-term. Alfalfa is higher in both and is generally reserved for young, growing or pregnant chinchillas rather than fed as a staple to adults.
A mix of hay types, or occasional variety alongside a Timothy-based staple, is fine and can help keep a fussier chinchilla interested, but the bulk of the diet should stay on a consistent, good-quality hay rather than switching types constantly, which can unsettle digestion in a small herbivore.
What we stock
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Adjustable Tortoise Harness and Lead
An adjustable harness and lead set sized for tortoises and turtles, for safe garden adventures.
£7.99
Four Flags Quick Ferret Muzzle — Grooming & Handling Aid
A temporary, reliable muzzle designed specifically for ferrets — useful for grooming, medicating, and routine handling.
£14.99
Hamster Exercise Ball
A clear rolling exercise ball that lets your hamster roam and stay active safely around the home, with ventilation slots and a secure lid. Supplied in a random colour.
£7.99
Rabbit No-Rinse Dry-Cleaning Foam
A no-rinse foam that gently cleans and freshens your rabbit's coat between full washes, no water needed.
£7.99
PawHut 12-Panel Small Animal Playpen for Guinea Pigs, 105cm, White
Twelve 45 x 35cm panels and multi-angle connectors that build a 105 x 105cm open pen at 45cm high, for evening floor time with guinea pigs or hedgehogs.
£35.99
Poultry Nappy Harness for Chickens, Ducks & Geese
A washable fabric nappy harness for house poultry, catching droppings to keep your home clean.
From£7.99
Hanging Cage Hammock for Small Pets
A soft sherpa-lined cage hammock that gives small pets a warm, lofted spot to curl up.
From£8.99
Selective Timothy Hay
UK-grown Timothy hay for rabbits and other small animals, for unlimited daily feeding
£9.99
Small Pet Carrier Shoulder Bag with Bubble Window
A ventilated travel carrier bag for hamsters, guinea pigs and other small pets, with a clear bubble window and breathable mesh panels. The adjustable shoulder strap makes outings and vet trips easy.
£13.99
Selective Naturals Woodland Loops
Dandelion and rosehip flavoured loop treats for rabbits, guinea pigs, degus and chinchillas
£3.99
Selective Naturals Orchard Loops
Apple-flavoured loop treats for rabbits, guinea pigs, degus and chinchillas
£3.99
Selective Naturals Meadow Loops
Pea-flavoured loop treats for rabbits, guinea pigs, degus and chinchillas
£3.99
Common questions
- How much hay does a chinchilla need each day?
- Access to hay should be constant rather than measured out — a chinchilla should always have hay available to graze on throughout the day, since it's the main part of their diet rather than a supplement to pellets.
- Can chinchillas eat alfalfa hay?
- In moderation, and it's better suited to young, growing or pregnant chinchillas than to adults, since it's higher in calcium and protein than Timothy hay. For an adult chinchilla's everyday diet, a Timothy-based hay is generally the better staple.
- Why does my chinchilla need constant hay rather than just pellets?
- Chinchillas' teeth grow continuously, and the constant chewing action of eating long-strand hay is what wears them down naturally. Pellets don't provide the same chewing action or fibre structure, so hay needs to be the main part of the diet rather than an extra.
- How do I know if hay has gone off?
- Fresh hay should smell mildly sweet and look pale green to golden. Musty smells, grey or heavily browned colour, or visible mould are all signs it's past its best and shouldn't be fed — store hay somewhere dry and well-ventilated to avoid this.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.