What to expect from your Chinchilla?

Chinchillas are intelligent, charming creatures that quickly become bonded to their owners.  They are easy to care for and have little odor.  Basically nocturnal, chinchillas can be active during the day.  They are fast, agile climbers, and they love to investigate everything, chewing up bits of paper, cardboard, or untreated wood along the way.

Although chinchilla tend to urinate in their cage or litter box, they are difficult to litter train with respect to their small, hard, dry fecal pellets, which are produced in abundance.  However, the fecal pellets are easy to remove and have little odor.

One peculiarity of chinchillas is their need to bathe in fine dust.  Bath dust is commercially available, and at least once or twice a week, the chinchilla should be allowed to roll (bathe) in the dust.

When chinchilla are stressed, they will chew their fur off, a process referred to as “fur-barbering.”  Diarrhea (soft droppings) may also occur in an unhappy chinchilla.

Are Chinchillas tame?

Chinchillas are one of the most affectionate rodents.  They rarely bite and prefer to be cuddled and carried.  Only if they feel trapped or are restrained against their will, will they bite aggressively.  However, a cornered or angry chinchilla will rear up on its hind legs and spray urine at the aggressor.

A chinchilla that is trying to escape can release clumps of fur from its body, leaving a large bald patch.  The fur will grow back with time.

What do I feed my chinchilla?

A commercial pelleted  diet formulated for chinchillas and unlimited timothy hay provides an adequate diet for chinchillas.  Adults require 1 to 2 tablespoons of pellets daily.  Small amounts of alfalfa (loose or cubed) may also be provided.  Treats such as raisins, fresh carrots or green vegetables may be offered sparingly, but sunflower seeds, peanuts, and other fatty foods should be avoided to prevent obesity.

A sipper tube of water bottle is the best way to provide a clean, plentiful supply of water.

What is good housing for my chinchilla?

Chinchillas are very active, and are able to leap 3 feet straight up in the air.  The larger the cage, the better.  One that is 3 ft * 2 ft is a good starting point.  Welded wire mesh is acceptable, with solid flooring in one area.  Multiple levels should be provided in the cage for jumping and climbing- wooden perches or non-pesticide laden tree branches work well.

How to keep your chinchilla healthy, happy and safe!

·      Allow chinchillas to sleep in the daytime

·      Schedule a daily exercise /play time with direct contact for 30 to 60 minutes

·      Take special care to keep them cool and dry

·      Provide dust baths only, not water baths

·      Supervise fully when the chinchilla is out of its enclosure

·      Offer a consistent diet to prevent gastrointestinal upset

·      Provide safe wood objects or branches for gnawing as their teeth grow continuously throughout life

·      Restrain gently to avoid fur “slip”

Housing for your chinchilla should:

·      Provide space for a dust box (sheet metal = 6” * 6” * 9”)

·      Include a hiding box in a top corner for sleeping

·      Be separate for each chinchilla

·      Have pine litter as enclosure substrate

·      Have multi-level perches or pesticide free branches for climbing

·      Be as large as possible as chinchillas are active, agile creatures

·      Be located in a cool, dry environment

It is important to prevent a chinchilla access to:

·      Electrical cords

·      Dogs, cats, ferrets and other potential predators

·      Direct sunlight

·      Temperatures higher than 80 degrees

·      Water baths

·      Cedar substrate for enclosure

·      Hay with mold, insects, insecticides or fecal contamination

·       High fat treats

·      Unsupervised freedom in the home