Chinchilla and degu food
Chinchillas and degus both need a diet built around hay first and pellets second, with very little sugar — degus in particular are prone to diabetes if fed the wrong extras. Food made specifically for them reflects that, rather than treating them like a general small pet.
Why their diet is different from a typical small pet's
Hay should make up the bulk of what a chinchilla or degu eats, providing the fibre their digestive system depends on and the constant chewing that keeps their continuously growing teeth worn down. Pellets are a supplement to that, not the main event.
Degus are genuinely prone to diabetes, which makes sugary treats and fruit-heavy mixes a real risk rather than an occasional indulgence in the way they might be for other small pets. Chinchillas do better on a similarly low-sugar approach for their digestion.
Choosing the right food
Look for a pellet specifically formulated for chinchillas or degus rather than a generic small animal mix, since the balance of fibre to sugar and fat differs from what suits a hamster or rabbit.
Introduce any new food gradually alongside what your pet already eats, and keep a constant supply of good-quality hay available regardless of which pellet or mix you choose — it is the part of the diet doing the most work.
Common questions
- Why can't degus have the same treats as other small pets?
- Degus are prone to diabetes, so sugary treats and fruit that would be an occasional indulgence for another small pet carry a real health risk for them. Stick to food formulated with that in mind.
- How much hay does a chinchilla need each day?
- Hay should be available to a chinchilla essentially all the time, not measured out as an occasional extra, since it forms the bulk of a healthy diet and keeps their digestion and teeth in good order.
- Can chinchillas and degus eat the same food?
- Their needs are similar — both do best on a hay-heavy, low-sugar diet — but check a specific product's labelling, since some pellets are formulated with one species in mind.
- My degu seems overweight — should I change their diet?
- Speak to your vet before making changes, since weight gain in a degu can be linked to diabetes risk and is worth checking properly rather than adjusting the diet based on appearance alone.
- Can chinchillas and degus eat fresh vegetables?
- Small amounts of the right vegetables can be offered occasionally, but they should never replace hay as the main part of the diet, and anything sugary is best avoided given how sensitive degus in particular are to it.
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.