CARE OF CHINCHILLAS 

The chinchilla is a docile, gentle and lively pet when properly cared for.  They are virtually odorless, easy to care for and live on average for 10 years.

Housing

 Cages should be as large as possible, preferably with multilevels as chinchillas are quite agile and enjoy climbing and jumping.  The best materials for cages are plastic, metal or wire (since they can chew through wood).  Wood shavings or shredded paper make good bedding material.  Providing a place to hide such as PVC piping (approximately 4-5 inches in diameter) will make the chinchilla feel more secure.  Chinchillas require a dry and relatively cool environment.

Provide a daily dust bath to help maintain healthy fur.  Use about 2 tablespoons of dust each day in a pan or bowl they can roll around in.  They can spend up to 1 hour in it.  Keep the dust bath clean and free of feces by removing it from the cage after use.

Diet 

Chinchillas need a high fiber diet.  Good quality hay should be offered in unlimited amounts.  Supplement the hay with approximately 1-2 tablespoons of chinchilla or rabbit pellets daily, as well as fresh vegetables and grains.  Treats such as grains, dried apples, raisins, figs, hazelnuts and sunflower seeds should be limited to 1 tablespoon daily.

Any change in diet should be instituted gradually and clean fresh water must be available at all times.

To keep teeth trimmed provide hard objects for gnawing such as porous stones, pumice and young branches of elm, grapevine, maple and birch.  Avoid poisonous trees such as cedar, plum, redwood, cherry and oleander. 

Exercise    

Chinchillas require daily exercise to prevent constipation.  This will mean time out of their cage to run for approximately 1 hour each day.

Behavior 

Chinchillas need to be handled at a young age to make good pets.  They rarely bite and are most active at dusk and at night but can be active during the day. 

 Chinchilla Facts: 

   Common Problems 

  Malocclusion of teeth - Since the teeth are continuously growing they sometimes overgrow causing drooling and inability to chew.  Other signs you may see are weight loss, wet chin and lethargy.  The teeth need to be trimmed.

Choke - Common in animals offered raisins, fruits and nuts as well as animals which eat their bedding.  You will see drooling, retching, difficulty breathing and they will stop eating.

Fur slip - When fighting or handled roughly a large patch of fur can be released leaving a clean smooth area of skin.  The hair may require several months to regrow.

Heat stroke - Can occur with exposure to high temperatures (higher than 28-30ºC) with high humidity.  Animals lie down, have rapid breathing, bright red mucous membranes, thick stringy saliva and sometimes bloody diarrhea.  The animal needs to be cooled down immediately and call your veterinarian!