Can chinchillas eat carrots?

Better not: chinchillas shouldn’t eat carrots. PDSA says no to carrots because they’re likely to upset a chinchilla’s stomach. Merck notes they’re high in sugar and should be given only rarely, and NC State allows them only as a treat of less than a teaspoon a day. Germany’s Veterinary Association for Animal Welfare (TVT) rules out fresh vegetables entirely. Blue Cross, on the other hand, says some chinchillas like a little slice of carrot, but not too much because it may cause diarrhea. Purdue lists carrots among common treats, and the University of Minnesota allows them very occasionally, so we err on the side of caution.

Good to know: Merck lists carrot tops among everyday vegetables, but they’re fresh greens too, which the TVT rules out.