Chinchillas and Calcium

Chinchillas and Calcium
Sarah Hamilton, Grandeur Chinchillas

Something I want to cover briefly in the beginning of this is Calcium with Fits and Seizures.  These are not necessarily because they need Calcium, in the Health section I will go over the types and causes.  In fact, if you are over doing the Calcium or if it is not correct for chinchillas they may have them (depending on the Chinchilla), also hereditary or genetic issues may be there, something you will have to look into strictly.  I will go over briefly how Calcium is absorbed in this section.

In order for a Chinchilla to have Healthy teeth and bones, the Calcium to Phosphorous in their diet needs to be either 2:1, or equal parts.

You do not have to give extra Calcium if your Chinchilla is healthy, it is a choice BUT a choice you should have much thought in, as there are guide lines and points to follow and to understand before attempting to give a Chinchilla extra Calcium.

Proper dedicated commercial Chinchilla pellets are designed for these specific needs also, they are nutritionally balanced and along with Hay which is already naturally calcium to phosphorous balanced, is enough for a healthy chinchilla.  A healthy chinchilla on this diet does not need extra Calcium/supplements unless breeding, nursing, growth, sickness, recovery etc, then they may need a little extra once to twice a week supplementation.

If Calcium is just given alone i.e. in the form of a Calcium block, Tablets etc, some still find their Chinchillas are still getting teeth problems.  Again, if the calcium to phosphorous is not right, or to much calcium is given (done very easily by giving supplements and calcium 3 or more times a week and giving a wrong balance i.e. blocks), it will just be expelled by the body (magnesium imbalances cause calcium excretion also), if to much Calcium is absorbed then allot of Calcium is removed, so you are in fact doing the opposite of what you are trying to achieve!  A common sign of excretion is Calcified Urine, the shelves or litter, dried Urine will appear ‘white’.

Things like cuttlefish are a very low dose of calcium and phosphorous, next to nothing in it so you are safe with leaving that in the cage all the time, not only that it is perfect for the teeth and back molars as it does not splinter like wood.

How Calcium is absorbed
In basic, Calcium needs to be ingested in an ionic form and also have phosphorous, vitamin D and D3 present so it can be fully absorbed.  Vitamin D and D3 assists with absorbing Calcium through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream, then to the bones.  That is why you have to be careful what kind of Calcium is given and how.  Just because a product or reputable Pet Shop says it is fine, does not mean it is, look into it and if you are unsure leave it.

Bones cannot hold onto extra Calcium, so daily calcium supplementation of any kind will confuse the body’s system, again if lots of calcium is absorbed then lots is removed and can cause a number of problems, with or without you knowing. 

Salt is a must to avoid but it is also essential.  It is already in your chinchilla pellets and everything else you feed them, good quality Chinchilla pellets already have enough salt so there is no need to add Salt and Licks/Blocks of any kind.  The down side and risk of adding salt is it also causes calcium excretion (as explained above and over), leading to loss of bone density, cramps and other related calcium deficiency problems.

To make sure your Chinchilla will benefit from the calcium it is given:

1. Stay away from phosphorus in phytate form, i.e. Cereal products, Peanuts.

2. Ensure that a chinchillas diet is correctly calcium to phosphorus balanced, in the CORRECT BALANCE TOGETHER with Vitamin D, D3, C and A and magnesium, very easily and simply done by sticking to Hay and proper commercial dedicated Chinchilla Pellets, NOT mixed Chinchilla food, rabbit or guinea pig pellets.

3. Give calcium supplement ONLY once to twice a week (at the most) and ONLY if needed i.e. pregnancy, nursing, growth, and DO NOT give any Calcium every day unless there is a medical reason in which then should only be advised by a Vet.

4. Ensure any supplements are CORRECTLY balanced for a chinchilla, not things that are for other animals i.e. Birds, Rats, Rabbits, even check supplements that say are for chinchillas, make sure they are also not made/put together by a Pet Shop regardless.

5. Keep the diet basic and watch treats, supplements and other things (be strict as above) and keep the Salt to a minimum avoiding Salt Licks/Blocks, your chinchilla may love these, but remember salt is already in and added in EVERYTHING you feed to your chinchilla, to much, it can cause loss of bone density and other related calcium deficiency problems.

6. Make sure you replace the Pellets and Hay Daily with FRESH, and that the Pellets are well within the expiry date, are not expired.

Copyright © Sarah Hamilton