- The Pet Cabin -
Chinchillas
Housing
Chinchillas are part of the rodent family of animals and love to chew
everything; it is therefore essential that their cage is made of wire mesh to
ensure that it is escape proof. They need a lot of space because they can be
very active and need room to exercise. This requires a large cage. The cage
should ideally have several levels with a large enclosed nesting box and some
bedding inside.
Branches or cuttlebone should also be made available so chinchillas can gnaw
to wear down their teeth. The bottom of the cage should have a mesh floor set
above a tray that can be filled with Carefresh, shavings or aspen. The cage
must be placed somewhere which does not get damp and is well away from
draughts. Chinchillas can stand cold but suffer if the temperature rises above
20C. A good solution to this would be to purchase a cooling plate.
Twice a week a Chinchilla dust bath filled with Chinchilla sand should be
placed in the cage so that the animal can use it as a bath. This should then be
removed after about 20 minutes to be topped up for the next occasion. Cages
and all equipment should be cleaned and disinfected regularly, at least once
per week.
Diet
Chinchillas originated in the high
mountain regions of South America
(Peru and Bolivia, to southern Chile).
They adapted to the extremes of their
environment by producing their
luxuriant coat. They were originally bred
in captivity for their pelts and then
became increasingly popular as a clean,
odourless pet.
The chinchilla is now a protected species
in many countries and though
controversial, this is partly due to the
establishment of fur farms which have
helped save these animals from
extinction.
Chinchillas have existed in the wild, on
ranches and in zoos for many years;
however, it is only recently that
chinchillas have been considered as
pets. These animals are nocturnal and
become very active, jumping and
climbing during the night, they can
eventually become quite active during
the day. However, these animals are not
normally suitable pets for young
children and its important to remember
they live up to 20 years.
Although chinchillas are more
commonly grey there are many
variations in colour, including beige,
black, grey, or mosaic.
Chinchillas need a very bland diet; they need good quality pellets and long cut
hay for fibre. They need plenty of chews as their teeth are always growing, like
many rodents. Chinchillas suffer mostly from dental problems and this can be
a genetic defect, so if you don’t know about the parents of your animal, then
breeding would not be recommended.
Pellets
60g of good quality chinchilla pellets should be provided fresh each day. This
should be augmented with a supply of fresh hay and water. Chinchillas have a
delicate digestive system and their diet should be as dry as possible. Treats
should be given sparingly. Breakfast cereals, dried fruit and toast make ideal
occasional treats. Do not feed Muesli mixes, sunflower seeds, peanuts or
flaked maize. If the feeding bowl is not secured to the cage it should be made
of heavy earthenware to prevent spills. Feeding bowls and bottles need to be
cleaned and changed daily.
Supplements
Hay: Although many foods are referred to as ‘complete’ none can compensate
for a fresh supply of hay everyday. Hay fulfils many essential functions for
your chinchilla:
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Is an essential fibre source helping to aid digestion.
Chewing hay can help prevent any problems with their teeth, as with
many rodents their teeth continuously grow.
Provide some thing for them to chew on and prevents them from
being bored.
Fresh Foods
Fresh foods such as a small piece of apple or a couple of raisins can be an ideal
treat for your chinchilla.
Chews
Help prevent your chinchilla’s teeth growing too long by providing things to
chew on, such as twigs or wooden chews.
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- The Pet Cabin -
Additional Notes
Handling
When you first take your chinchilla home, give them a day or two to get used to their new surroundings without being
disturbed. You should then start talking to them so that they get to know your voice. The next step is to introduce your hand
into their cage and perhaps offer a treat.
Over time you’ll be able to stroke and gently pick them up. You should hold your pet close to your chest and facing you with
one hand over its back and one hand supporting its bottom. Hold your chinchilla firmly but gently so that it feels secure. Its
important that you can handle your pets regularly to develop their confidence and maintain your relationship with them.
Chinchillas do wriggle a lot but they’ll soon become docile and will enjoy being handled. They’re very sensitive to rough
handling and may occasionally bite. If your pets start to shed their coats, this is a sign that they’re either distressed or that
you’re holding them too tightly.
Playtime
The easiest way to entertain a chinchilla is to keep more then one. They’re very sociable pets and will keep each other
company. Providing toys and stimulating natural behaviour by hiding treats around their cage will keep them amused and
stimulate natural feeding.
Chinchillas are highly intelligent animals and love to play. It is recommended that you let them have a run around on a daily
basis. However, you must supervise play at ALL times and be sure to remove any wires or other items that could cause harm.
Make sure the room is escape proof and doesn’t allow them any access to bathrooms as they shouldn’t get wet.
Chinchillas should be provided with a number of toys in their cage for entertainment, especially toys for chewing. This is an
essential item in their cage to ensure their teeth do not over grow.
Health Care and Tips
Dental: Gnawing toys are essential part of your pets dental routine and should always be available as they help to
prevent overgrown teeth.
Vitamins and Supplements: Vitamins can be added to your pets food or water. Probiotic supplements can help
to help maintain healthy digestion and relieve stress. Getting used to their new surroundings can be stressful for
your chinchilla so consider buying probiotic supplements before you take them home. Hay is essential to aid
digestion and its also good for your pets teeth.
Grooming: Groom your chinchilla once a week to keep their skin and coats healthy and to strengthen the bond
between you and your pet. Regular grooming can also help to highlight health problems.
Cleaning: Chinchillas are very clean pets. You will need to replace soiled bedding daily and clean the entire cage
thoroughly once a week using a pet-safe disinfectant.
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- The Pet Cabin Additional Notes
Shopping List
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Chinchilla cage
Nest box
Hay
Chinchilla food
Sturdy food bowl
Water bottle (Preferably a glass water bottle, to prevent chewing)
Mineral stone
Vitamin supplement
Bottle brush
Dust bath
Chinchilla dust
Large tubes and wooden toys
Gnawing sticks or chews
Chinchilla treats
Cage disinfectant
Chinchilla Book
Sleep ‘n’ Ledge
Leap ‘n’ Ledge
Cooling plate
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