Versele-Laga Nature Chinchilla, 700 g is a grain-free, complete super-premium food for chinchillas from the Belgian company Versele-Laga. It's based on timothy and other grasses grown specially for the Nature range, with no alfalfa. According to the manufacturer, the updated formula has 20% more fibre and 20% less starch than before. Instead of pressed pellets it has crunchy extruded fibrous pellets made from over 10 herbs, plus timothy hay and pieces of dried vegetables and fruit. There's no added sugar, grain, artificial colours, flavourings, preservatives or GMOs.
Why chinchillas need grain-free food
In the wild, chinchillas eat dry grasses, bark and roots — coarse food high in fibre and low in starch. Too much grain and sugar upsets their gut and can lead to bloating and digestive problems. The manufacturer also notes that chinchillas are sensitive to sugar. So chinchilla food should be as grass-based as possible. More on diet in chinchilla care and feeding.
Key specs
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | main food |
| For | chinchillas |
| Base | timothy and 10+ herbs |
| Grain | grain-free |
| Alfalfa | none |
| Sugar | no added sugar |
| Additives | FOS, MOS, seaweed, yucca, vitamins and minerals |
| Weight | 700 g |
| Brand | Versele-Laga, Belgium |
Pros
- Grain-free. Less starch for a sensitive gut.
- High in fibre. 20% more than the previous formula.
- Good for teeth. Long, silica-rich timothy fibres.
- No added sugar. Important for chinchillas.
- Prebiotics. FOS and MOS for gut flora.
- No colourings. Naturally coloured pellets.
Cons
- Contains dried fruit. Natural sugar — watch droppings and weight.
- No analysis table on the site. Check the pack.
- Doesn't replace hay. Hay is the core of the diet.
- Selective feeding. Chinchillas may pick out the tasty bits.
The herbs inside
The extruded pellets are made from timothy hay, which is rich in phytoliths — natural silica particles that help wear down ever-growing teeth. Alongside timothy, the pellets contain cocksfoot, perennial ryegrass, meadow grass, meadow and tall fescue, white and red clover, meadow foxtail, plantain, dandelion and yarrow. A little whole timothy hay is also added.
Additives
The food contains vitamins and minerals for skin, coat and immunity, plus fructooligosaccharides and mannan-oligosaccharides that support gut flora. The manufacturer notes a balanced calcium-to-phosphorus ratio for urinary health. Seaweed provides trace elements, and Yucca schidigera extract helps reduce the smell of droppings.
How to feed
The core of a chinchilla's diet is unlimited good-quality hay, for example from our hay for rodents collection. Give the food as a small portion once a day, following the amount on the pack. Fresh water should always be available. Give treats, especially sweet ones, very rarely. So your chinchilla eats everything rather than picking favourites, don't top up until the previous portion is finished.
Switching foods
Change food gradually over 1–2 weeks, mixing it with the old one and increasing the new share. A sudden diet change can upset rodents with sensitive digestion. Watch appetite and droppings, which should stay dry and well formed. If droppings become soft or fewer, slow the transition and consult a vet.
Compared with other chinchilla foods
We also stock other chinchilla foods: Versele-Laga Complete Chinchilla & Degu, a uniform pellet, and Beaphar Care+ Chinchilla. Nature Chinchilla stands out for its varied textures and grain-free herbal base. All foods are in the food for ferrets and rodents section.
Verdict
Versele-Laga Nature Chinchilla is a grain-free chinchilla food based on timothy and over 10 herbs, with no alfalfa or added sugar, plus hay, prebiotics and yucca. It works as a main food alongside unlimited hay. The downsides are the dried fruit with natural sugar and the chance your chinchilla will pick out its favourite pieces.
FAQ
Does it contain grain?
No, it's grain-free.
Does it contain alfalfa?
No, it's based on timothy and other grasses.
Is sugar added?
No, there's no added sugar.
Why is it good for teeth?
Timothy is rich in phytoliths — silica particles that help wear teeth down.
Can I feed only this food?
No, unlimited hay is the core of the diet.
How much does the pack weigh?
700 g.
Does it contain colourings?
No, the pellets are naturally coloured.
