Can chinchillas eat nuts?

Better not: chinchillas shouldn’t eat nuts. Germany’s Veterinary Association for Animal Welfare (TVT) says chinchillas don’t tolerate nuts. The Swiss animal welfare society (STS), Merck, Woodgreen and the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) advise against them too, the RVC because they’re too high in fat and sugar. Purdue, on the other hand, calls nuts an excellent treat, and NC State allows them occasionally in very small amounts, so we err on the side of caution.

Good to know: Hazel branches for gnawing are fine, though (TVT).