CHINCHILLAS
- Chinchillas are rodents native to South America. They are active and playful and, most, can become tame and bond with their owners. Don't expect them to like being held and cuddled like dogs and cats. They usually don't.
- Chinchillas can be kept singly and will usually do fine as part of same-sex pairs, especially if the two chinchillas are litter mates or are introduced at a young age.
- Chinchillas are largely nocturnal. They prefer a consistent routine. They need a roomy cage for exercise as well as playtime.
- You must be gentle and consistent to gain the trust of a chinchilla.
- Chinchillas are perhaps best known for their incredibly soft, thick, luxurious fur. In the wild, this fur protects them from the elements, but in captivity, it makes them somewhat susceptible to overheating. This must be considered when deciding where to place your chinchilla in the house. A cooler, quiet area of your home is the best place to put a cage.
- Chinchilla cages must be large, multilevel homes with platforms, ramps, and perches. The minimum floor space is about 24 by 24 inches, and a tall cage is best; if possible, get one with shelves and ladders that allow this mountain native to climb. Wire is the best cage material. The tray can be lined with wood shavings, preferably pine; avoid cedar and hardwood shavings, such as aspen, and newspapers.
- Chinchillas require a lot of roughage, and the diet should mainly consist of good-quality grass hay along with pellets made for chinchillas.
- Furry chinchillas need regular access to a dust bath. It takes regular dust baths to keep your chinchilla's soft, thick fur in good condition. Chinchillas should never be bathed in water. The fine chinchilla dust provided for a dust bath penetrates the thickness of the chinchilla's fur, where it absorbs oils and clears away dirt.
- Chinchillas like to chew, run, jump, and hideout. You need a variety of toys. Blocks of wood and tree branches that are free of pesticides make good chew toys.
- In addition to infectious diseases, chinchillas can be injured. Chinchillas' teeth grow quickly, and overgrown teeth can become a problem.
- If your chinchilla is showing signs of illness, bring it to an exotic vet.
- Do not buy a baby chinchilla that's under 3 months old; they are too young to be separated from their mother. Try to find a chinchilla that's about 4 months old, which is an ideal age at which to start taming your new pet.