Chinchilla pellets can be found at most pet stores and feed stores. Make sure you are feeding a good quality pellet and that it is fresh. Chinchilla pellets look very much like rabbit pellets, but are much different. Feeding any other pellet besides those specifically made for chinchillas, will result in serious health problems over a period of time. Some recommended feeds are Mazuri, Kline Diet, Oxbow, Tradition, and American Pet Diner. For more information, and links to where you can buy these feeds,
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Hay is very important in a chinchilla's diet. It helps to grind down their teeth and also acts as roughage to keep things moving through the digestive system. Hay should be free fed, either loose or in cubes. If you feed loose hay, be sure to remove any soiled hay each day. Also check your hay to make sure that it is not moldy as this will cause serious health problems.

Chinchillas love treats! A little too much! If we gave them as many treats as they would like to have, however, we would make them sick. Treats should be limited to 1 or 2 each day. Raisens are of course their usual favorite, but here are some other treats they also love: Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, peanuts, almonds, dried rose hips, pasta, cheerios, dried fruit such as apples, papaya, cranberries, and bananas, as well as fresh carrots and apples. Try each treat one at a time and make sure that your chin does not develop diarrhea or anything else before feeding more of this treat. Only one fruit treat is recommended per day, and possibly one other type of treat.

It may be necissary to supplement your chins diet if they have lost weight, are pregnant, or nursing. Some examples of these supplements are: Chewable Vitamin C tablets, rolled oats, nutrical, kiwi fruit, Calf Manna, and Equine Senior. All of these things will help with health problems by adding nutrients and protein they may otherwise not be getting.

Water should be givin from a bottle not from a dish, and should be kept fresh, and the bottle kept clean of algae or buildup of any kind.

Anything new to the chin's diet should be offered in moderation until you know that it isn't going to cause any problems with health. If you are changing foods (such as pellets or hay) you will need to mix the foods for about 2 weeks to slowly adjust your chin's digestive system to the new diet.