Can chinchillas eat alfalfa hay?
Better not: chinchillas shouldn’t eat alfalfa hay. PDSA says alfalfa hay is only for chinchillas that are pregnant, nursing or still growing, because it’s much richer in protein and calcium. NC State says much the same, and Purdue prefers timothy and other grasses. Merck advises avoiding it altogether. Woodgreen allows small amounts now and then for adults, and its day-to-day guide lists alfalfa among the hay varieties that should make up around 80% of the diet, so we err on the side of caution.
Good to know: PDSA, NC State and Woodgreen specifically name alfalfa hay for growing youngsters and nursing females, and PDSA and Woodgreen for pregnant ones too.
Better choices, for example
Sources
- PDSA – Your chinchilla’s diet
- NC State Veterinary Hospital – Caring for Your Pet Chinchilla
- Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine – Feeding the Pet Chinchilla
- Merck Veterinary Manual (Pet Owner Version) – Diet for a Chinchilla
- Woodgreen Pets Charity – Chinchilla diet: what to feed your chinchillas
- Woodgreen Pets Charity – Chinchillas: your day-to-day guide
Last checked: November 2026