Oxbow Essentials Chinchilla Food
Oxbow Essentials is a timothy-based, high-fiber pellet formulated specifically for adult chinchillas and is widely recommended by veterinarians for maintenance feeding; its focus on high fiber and limited protein helps prevent digestive and dental issues common in chinchillas. Compared with the other products on this list it offers a strong balance of price and proven, species-specific formulation — typically less calorie-dense than Mazuri and more tailored to chinchillas than general small‑animal pellets such as Martin Little Friends.
High-fiber formula
Vet-developed recipe
High-fiber formula
Vet-developed recipe
Review Summary
"Widely praised for its high-fiber, consistent formulation that most chinchillas readily accept; users report improved digestion and coat health but occasionally note higher price and minor packaging issues."
Hay-loft aroma
Timothy-based pelleted formula designed to provide high fiber for healthy gut function.
Hay-loft aroma
Timothy-based pelleted formula designed to provide high fiber for healthy gut function.
Increased Safety & Security
Recreational Enjoyment
Time-Saving Convenience
Oxbow Essentials is a timothy-based, high-fiber pellet formulated specifically for adult chinchillas and is widely recommended by veterinarians for maintenance feeding; its focus on high fiber and limited protein helps prevent digestive and dental issues common in chinchillas. Compared with the other products on this list it offers a strong balance of price and proven, species-specific formulation — typically less calorie-dense than Mazuri and more tailored to chinchillas than general small‑animal pellets such as Martin Little Friends.
High-fiber formula
Vet-developed recipe
Hay-loft aroma
Timothy-based pelleted formula designed to provide high fiber for healthy gut function.
No seeds, nuts, or dried fruit—formulated as a complete diet to prevent selective feeding.
High-fiber formula
Vet-developed recipe
Hay-loft aroma
Timothy-based pelleted formula designed to provide high fiber for healthy gut function.
No seeds, nuts, or dried fruit—formulated as a complete diet to prevent selective feeding.
$18-40 CAD
Mazuri Chinchilla Diet
Mazuri's chinchilla diet is an extruded, nutrient-dense pellet designed for consistent delivery of vitamins and minerals and is often used where precise nutritional control is desired (for breeding, growth phases or research). Financially it is usually positioned at a premium versus simple timothy-based pellets because of its fortified, uniform formula and tighter manufacturing controls, making it technically advantageous for intensive care compared with more maintenance-focused options like Oxbow or the broader-market Versele‑Laga.
Balanced fiber blend
Zoo-grade formula
Balanced fiber blend
Zoo-grade formula
Review Summary
"Trusted commercial pelleted diet with stable nutrition and durable pellets that many owners report keeps chinchillas in good condition; some reviewers mention it is slightly higher in protein/fat than other options."
Even pellet size
Veterinary-grade, extruded pellets formulated for stable nutrients and controlled protein.
Even pellet size
Veterinary-grade, extruded pellets formulated for stable nutrients and controlled protein.
Increased Safety & Security
Time-Saving Convenience
Mazuri's chinchilla diet is an extruded, nutrient-dense pellet designed for consistent delivery of vitamins and minerals and is often used where precise nutritional control is desired (for breeding, growth phases or research). Financially it is usually positioned at a premium versus simple timothy-based pellets because of its fortified, uniform formula and tighter manufacturing controls, making it technically advantageous for intensive care compared with more maintenance-focused options like Oxbow or the broader-market Versele‑Laga.
Balanced fiber blend
Zoo-grade formula
Even pellet size
Veterinary-grade, extruded pellets formulated for stable nutrients and controlled protein.
Designed for long-term feeding in breeding and institutional settings with consistent fiber.
Balanced fiber blend
Zoo-grade formula
Even pellet size
Veterinary-grade, extruded pellets formulated for stable nutrients and controlled protein.
Designed for long-term feeding in breeding and institutional settings with consistent fiber.
Science Selective Chinchilla Food
Science Selective offers a science-driven, high-fiber maintenance pellet aimed at adult chinchillas that emphasizes controlled protein and fat with a strong fiber profile to support gut motility and dental wear. It competes technically by focusing on research-backed nutrient ratios and often sits between Oxbow and Mazuri in terms of nutrient fortification and price, providing a middle ground for owners seeking more than a basic timothy pellet but less caloric density than some performance diets.
Ultra high-fiber
Low-starch mix
Ultra high-fiber
Low-starch mix
Review Summary
"Premium selective formula focused on fiber and quality ingredients, with many users seeing good coat and digestive results; criticisms center on cost and variable availability."
Lab-refined nibble
Premium pelleted diet focused on optimal fiber and lower fat to support delicate digestion.
Lab-refined nibble
Premium pelleted diet focused on optimal fiber and lower fat to support delicate digestion.
Increased Safety & Security
Recreational Enjoyment
Science Selective offers a science-driven, high-fiber maintenance pellet aimed at adult chinchillas that emphasizes controlled protein and fat with a strong fiber profile to support gut motility and dental wear. It competes technically by focusing on research-backed nutrient ratios and often sits between Oxbow and Mazuri in terms of nutrient fortification and price, providing a middle ground for owners seeking more than a basic timothy pellet but less caloric density than some performance diets.
Ultra high-fiber
Low-starch mix
Lab-refined nibble
Premium pelleted diet focused on optimal fiber and lower fat to support delicate digestion.
Balanced vitamins and minerals tailored to chinchilla nutritional needs.
Ultra high-fiber
Low-starch mix
Lab-refined nibble
Premium pelleted diet focused on optimal fiber and lower fat to support delicate digestion.
Balanced vitamins and minerals tailored to chinchilla nutritional needs.
Versele-Laga Complete Chinchilla & Degu
Versele-Laga supplies a European-formulated complete pellet for chinchillas and degus that prioritizes high fiber from grass and timothy sources and broad availability across European markets. Its market strength is cost-effectiveness and wide distribution — offering a lower-cost, high-fiber alternative to premium fortified diets like Mazuri while being more species-specific than generic small-animal blends such as Martin Little Friends.
Herb-infused pellets
Complete nutrients
Herb-infused pellets
Complete nutrients
Review Summary
"Popular European complete pellet noted for palatability and fiber content; reviews are generally positive but some owners report small pellet size and occasional picky acceptance."
Degu-friendly twist
Complete pellet formulated for chinchillas and degus with an emphasis on high fiber.
Degu-friendly twist
Complete pellet formulated for chinchillas and degus with an emphasis on high fiber.
Increased Safety & Security
Recreational Enjoyment
Time-Saving Convenience
Versele-Laga supplies a European-formulated complete pellet for chinchillas and degus that prioritizes high fiber from grass and timothy sources and broad availability across European markets. Its market strength is cost-effectiveness and wide distribution — offering a lower-cost, high-fiber alternative to premium fortified diets like Mazuri while being more species-specific than generic small-animal blends such as Martin Little Friends.
Herb-infused pellets
Complete nutrients
Degu-friendly twist
Complete pellet formulated for chinchillas and degus with an emphasis on high fiber.
Small extruded pellets suitable for selective eaters and foraging behavior.
Herb-infused pellets
Complete nutrients
Degu-friendly twist
Complete pellet formulated for chinchillas and degus with an emphasis on high fiber.
Small extruded pellets suitable for selective eaters and foraging behavior.
Martin Little Friends Timothy Adult Rabbit Food
Martin Little Friends Timothy Adult Rabbit Food is a straight timothy-based pellet made for adult rabbits and is notable here as an affordable, very high-fiber option sometimes used as an occasional substitute for chinchillas in a pinch. Financially it is often the least expensive choice on this list, but technically it lacks chinchilla-specific nutrient adjustments (micronutrient balance, copper control and vitamin levels), so it is best used only as a temporary or supplemental option rather than a long-term complete diet for chinchillas.
Timothy-rich fiber
Pellet convenience
Timothy-rich fiber
Pellet convenience
Review Summary
"Affordable timothy-based rabbit pellet that some owners use as a supplement or short-term substitute; while many chinchillas eat it fine, reviewers warn it is formulated for rabbits and may not be ideal for long-term chinchilla nutrition."
Bunny-approved crunch
100% timothy-based pelleted rabbit food providing very high fiber and low protein.
Bunny-approved crunch
100% timothy-based pelleted rabbit food providing very high fiber and low protein.
Time-Saving Convenience
Increased Safety & Security
Martin Little Friends Timothy Adult Rabbit Food is a straight timothy-based pellet made for adult rabbits and is notable here as an affordable, very high-fiber option sometimes used as an occasional substitute for chinchillas in a pinch. Financially it is often the least expensive choice on this list, but technically it lacks chinchilla-specific nutrient adjustments (micronutrient balance, copper control and vitamin levels), so it is best used only as a temporary or supplemental option rather than a long-term complete diet for chinchillas.
Timothy-rich fiber
Pellet convenience
Bunny-approved crunch
100% timothy-based pelleted rabbit food providing very high fiber and low protein.
Can be used as a budget-friendly supplement or occasional alternative to chinchilla pellets.
Timothy-rich fiber
Pellet convenience
Bunny-approved crunch
100% timothy-based pelleted rabbit food providing very high fiber and low protein.
Can be used as a budget-friendly supplement or occasional alternative to chinchilla pellets.
$10-22 CAD