Chinchilla (& degu & other herbivores) pellets

[randomname]

Anyone used these? (with a positive effect hopefully)


www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small_pets/snacks_supplements/vitamins/14598?gclid=CjwKEAjwnebABRCjpvr13dHL8DsSJABB-ILJQKhafrwOZGmy6S9sRW6ukUzKGy3nU4ksPvqiNP-RyBoCZqzw_wcB

They are making BIG claims about it  :    


Blood sugar balance: Inulin helps to regulate blood sugar levels
Balanced digestion: Inulin & cammomile have a positive, calming influence, whilst promoting healthy gut flora and supporting a stressed digestive tract
Hair balance: Brewer’s yeast and brewer’s grain promote healthy skin, fur and claws
Vitamin balance: the precise vitamin content can help to strengthen the immune system
Can help in stressful situations and support the body through times of change such as a new environment, socialisation with unfamiliar cage-mates, shedding and changes in the weather
Helps replace breast milk for young animals when going over to a solid diet
Efficiently absorbed


Am hoping to use it to calm Sir Ian McKellen who still cage guards excessively & is still very wary of me, & to help with introducing BB & the baby degus to each other.

Anyone think it will work or am I a sucker?!  

[polly]

Please DO NOT feed this to your chinchillas!!!!! Each of the pets this food is marketed for has a unique set of dietary requirements. A food that claims to be suitable for all these pets should ring warning bells.

[randomname]

It's not food polly , it's a supplement for herbivores, like say, critical care (which is also suitable for all herbivores) (probably confused the issue by calling them pellets, that's just the shape of them)

Should say, they're similar size to Versele Laga pellets, & feeding guides say half a teaspoon for rabbits, less for smaller animals. Works out about 3 sticks per degu, or 5 per chinchilla per day.

[polly]

Your chinchillas cage guarding behaviour will not change by feeding this type of supplement. It's simply time, and letting your chin adjust in his own time. Stick to good quality pellets and hay with the occasional treat. Your chin does not require this sort of supplement as he is not ill.

[randomname]

It's primarily for gut mobilisation as their poop is rubbish & their previous diet was awful, meaning they won't touch hay or forage (yet, I WILL persuade them) everything else is a bonus

[natnat899]

Chinchillas, degus, guinea pigs and rabbits have similar digestive systems, saying that I personally would rather stick to the websites I know and trust like chinchilla2shop and galensgarden. One of the ingredients in the supplement is Carrot pomace; carrots are fairly high in sugar and it conveniently leaves out the sugar content. There are also quite a few grains and yeast. I would much rather go for something such as the link I have posted - completely natural.

galensgarden.co.uk/shop/organic-agrimony


EDIT

galensgarden.co.uk/shop/parsley-coriander-cookie-mix

galensgarden.co.uk/shop/marshmallow-inula-cookie-mix

[moletteuk]

Some of it at least sounds logical, but I have no idea what the overall effect might be. Bunny are a comparatively good brand.

I think some of the effects would work better in the natural or dried herb, like the inulin in the chicory or the chamomile for calmness. Have you tried dried chamomile, or is there no chance of him eating it right now? Rabbit keepers seem quite into paying attention to medicinal properties of herbs and favour the herbs if they want a certain effect on a particular animal.

Brewers yeast does have large quantities of B vitamins and minerals, but I think it can cause gas, it did in me anyway, so watch out for that!

Linseed is good for skin and hair, but again can be fed by itself - the oils in linseed go off quickly after the shell has been pierced, so its effects may be quickly lost in a pellet.

Bran is very high in phosphorus, locust bean is high in calcium, but they have still needed to add calcium carbonate and the calcium phosphorus ratio is still low.


I would avoid for degus due to the sugar content from the locust bean and fruit pulp.