Toys: Chinchillas love their toys. Wooden boxes, or parrot bells are perfect for them to play with. They also love hammocks. Exercise wheels are a great toy but be careful to purchase the right kind.
Teeth: since a chinchilla is a rodent their teeth are constantly growing! They need solid things to chew on. A regular piece of a 2X4 is perfect, just be sure it isn't treated with anything. Apple branches are wonderful as well. Just be sure there is something in your chinnies cage for them to chew on.
Cages: When you are purchasing a cage for your new pet, please avoid cages with wire flooring! The chins can develop sores on their feet. Plastic cages aren't bad, but the chin might chew them a little bit. However, if he/she has enough toys, they should leave the cage alone.
If you have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to e-mail me!
Diet: Chinchillas eat a pelleted diet. Many breeders feed different feeds; we have had great luck with Mazuri chinchilla chow. Never get food with treats mixed in, as the chins will pick out the treats and will therefore have an unhealthy diet. Chinchillas should have access to a long stem timothy hay at all times. Their digestive systems are similar to ruminants so they need the ruffage in their diet. Avoid alfalfa, it can be used sparingly as treats, but never as their main source of hay.
Dust: chinchillas need to have a dust bath at least once or twice a week, more is perfectly fine! You can purchase dust bath houses on-line or at your local pet store. The dust they use can also be purchased at a pet store. This dust helps keep their coat soft and gets the oils from our hands off of their coats. They are very fun to watch, as the chins will go through very funny contortions while rolling in the dust!
Water: Water should be offered at all times from a water bottle.