| Basic Chinchilla Care |
| A Chinchilla�s lifespan is approximately 10 to 15 years. They are affectionate, intelligent animals, and prefer human interaction. They can be fragile, so small children should be supervised when handling them. Once you have established trust, Chinchillas make very entertaining and loving pets. A pet Chinchilla should be kept in a well-ventilated, yet not drafty, room, away from direct sunlight. The room�s temperature should not exceed 80 degrees Farenheit. Since a Chinchilla has an extremely warm coat and no way to perspire, it is very easy for a Chinchilla to expire from heat stroke. So if you live in a warm climate and want to keep a Chinchilla, you will need air conditioning or a swamp cooler. Generally, a Chinchilla that has been handled from birth is more comfortable with human contact, and therefore makes a more suitable pet. Its teeth should be orange (a healthy sign). If possible, examine the Chinchilla�s droppings, which should appear firm and dry. Generally, healthy droppings are elongated rather than pea shaped like a Rabbits droppings. Use pine shavings for the bottom of their cages and change approximately once a week. Never use Cedar or Redwood shavings since they are TOXIC to Chinchillas. They should be given a dust bath twice a week. Provide with food (hay, Chinchilla pellets) and hanging water bottle. Chinchillas love toys, ladders, exercise wheels, tubes, and other things to keep them entertained. They do not tolerate heat very well. Any room that contains a Chinchilla cage should be adequately ventilated and not stifling. The basic Chinchilla diet is fairly simple: It should consist of Chinchilla pellets, hay and fresh water. Plain pellets are best because a chinchilla�s digestive tract is rather delicate. Ingredients other than pellets might cause digestive and dental problems. Alfalfa or Timothy hay is best for Chinchillas. You can find suppliers for grain supplements for Chinchillas via the internet (one site to check out is Long Star Chinchilla, at www.lonestarchinchilla.com). You can also offer one 250-mg. of chewable Vitamin C tablet to each Chinchilla every few days. It is beneficial for their dental health, and any excess is excreted into their urine. Wire cages are easy to clean, fairly lightweight and mobile, and they provide good air circulation and easy visibility. If you are considering breeding your Chinchilla in the future, go with � by 1-inch wire because newborn kits can fit through larger widths. If you build your own cage, use only pine or melamine (plastic-coated press-board). Most other woods (especially Redwood or Cedar) are toxic to Chinchillas. A good place to let your pet play is in a bathroom or kitchen, where you can easily sweep up after playtime is over. Make sure to Chinchilla-proof your pet�s play area; Chinchillas will chew on anything and everything, so make sure nothing that can be toxic or harmful to them (such as electrical cords) is within their reach. Should you buy a male or a female? Each animal is an individual with unique needs, disposition, and temperment.Females are more territorial about their cages than males (a rule of thumb only). Males tend to be more docile and even-tempered than females (another rule of thumb). If you notice hair loss around your Chinchilla's nose and eyes, along with scaly dry skin on your pet�s ears or feet, you Chinchilla may be experiencing a case of Ringworm. Be sure to consult a veterinarian for diagnosis. |
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