Best Chinchilla Foods UK: Hay, Pellets and Nuggets

Picks were chosen by product type, covering feeding hay, Timothy hay, pellets, nuggets and herbal mixes. We compared the formats and ingredients stated in each listing, with no stock, review or testing claims.

What Should a Chinchilla Food Diet Include?

A healthy chinchilla food diet is built on unlimited fresh hay, topped up with a small daily portion of plain pellets or nuggets and fresh water at all times. UK welfare groups such as the RSPCA and PDSA advise that hay should make up the vast majority of what a chinchilla eats, as the long fibres keep the gut moving and wear down teeth that grow throughout life. Pellets and nuggets add vitamins and minerals, but they should be a measured extra rather than the main meal. Avoid muesli style mixes, as chinchillas tend to pick out the tasty bits and leave the rest. A practical comparison tip is to read the fibre figure on each pellet bag and pick one with a high fibre level and low sugar, then compare the daily feeding amount stated on the pack with your chinchilla’s weight. If you are unsure what your chinchilla needs, ask your vet.

How Do These Chinchilla Foods Compare?

The table shows who each chinchilla food suits and the type stated in its listing, such as hay, pellets or nuggets. Check whether it is a hay or a pellet first, then the bag weight.

Which Hay Is Ideal for Chinchillas?

Timothy hay and good quality meadow or feeding hay are the usual choices for chinchillas, as they are high in fibre and lower in calcium and protein than legume hays such as alfalfa. Alfalfa is richer and is usually kept for young, growing chinchillas or as an occasional extra, unless your vet says otherwise. Good hay should smell sweet, look green to pale gold and feel dry, with long strands rather than dusty, crumbly pieces. Mouldy, damp or very dusty hay should be thrown away. Many owners mix two types of hay to keep interest high and encourage chewing. To compare bags, look at the weight in kg and work out roughly how long it will last: an adult chinchilla can easily get through a pile of hay about the size of its own body each day, so a larger bag is often better value.

How Do You Switch to a New Chinchilla Food?

Switch to a new chinchilla food slowly, mixing it with the old food over about two to four weeks so the gut has time to adjust. Chinchillas have sensitive digestive systems, and a sudden change can upset the balance of bacteria in the gut. Start by replacing about a quarter of the old pellets with the new ones for a week, then move to half and half, then three quarters, before using only the new food. Keep hay the same throughout, as it is the most important part of the diet and helps steady things during the change. Watch droppings daily: they should stay firm, dry and evenly sized. If you notice small, soft or fewer droppings, or your chinchilla eats less, slow down and ask your vet. A useful comparison tip is to weigh out the daily pellet portion on kitchen scales so each mix uses the same total amount.

How Should You Store Chinchilla Food and Hay?

Chinchilla food and hay should be stored somewhere cool, dry and well ventilated, away from damp, direct sunlight and pests, so they stay fresh and safe to eat. Hay needs air around it, so keep it in its original bag with the top loosely open, in a cardboard box or a breathable sack rather than a sealed plastic tub, where moisture can build up and lead to mould. Pellets and nuggets keep best in an airtight container, which stops them going stale and keeps out insects and mice. Write the date you opened each bag on the lid and use pellets within the time stated on the pack, usually a few months once opened. Always check hay before feeding: it should smell sweet and look clean, with no dark patches, dampness or musty smell. Throw away anything that looks or smells off. Buying the right size bag helps too, as a huge bag of pellets may go stale before one chinchilla finishes it, while hay is used so quickly that larger bags often make sense. Keep everything out of reach of other pets, and wash food bowls regularly. If you keep chinchilla foods in a garage or shed, raise bags off the floor on a shelf or pallet to keep them dry.

We cover the rest of the setup in our guide to chinchilla dust baths and the chinchilla cages guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last reviewed: 23 October 2026.