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(printable version) This sheet is designed to cover the basics of pet chinchilla ownership. There is always a lot more to learn. Please check out the rest of www.chincyclopedia.com for more in depth coverage.
Enviroment: Chinchillas should be kept in cool, low humidity room, away from other pets and excessive human activity. They are nocturnal, so you may not wish to keep them in your bedroom. Temperature in the room should not exceed 75 degrees farenheit since chinchillas are prone to heat stroke. Chinchillas do not sweat so a fan will not cool them. This makes air conditioning a requirement. Cage: The cage should be completely set up before bringing your chinchilla home to avoid extra stress. Bigger is always better, and taller is better than wider. Each chinchilla should have at least 4 square feet of space and the bar spacing should be no bigger than 1". Wooden shelves should be mounted in the cage for the chinchilla to jump on, ramps are not necessary. A wooden house to hide in and wood toys to chew should also be placed in the cage. Chinchillas need chew toys to keep their teeth worn down. Use a ceramic or stoneware dish for food and a bottle for water. The water bottle should be mounted externally. .
Diet: Chinchillas have very sensitive stomachs and should be fed a strict diet of pellets, hay, and water. Pellets should be plain pellets with no nuts, seeds, fruit, or vegetables mixed in. Good brands include: Mazuri, Tradition, Kline, APD and Oxbow. Unhealthy pellets include: Charlie Chinchilla, Kaytee, and Sunseed. The average chin eats a couple tablespoons worth of pellets a day. Free feeding is best. Your chinchilla will also either need Alfalfa or Timothy hay depending on the type of pellets you feed. The hay fed should be the opposite of what the base of the pellets are. For example, Mazuri is an alfalfa based pellet, so timothy hay should be fed. Always have hay available to your chinchilla since it aids digestion and helps keep their teeth worn down.
The water in the bottle should be changed every week and washed with soap and hot water to prevent bacteria from forming. Bedding: You will need to change the litter tray in your chinchilla's cage at least once a week depending on the size of the cage and the number of chinchillas. Kiln-dried pine and aspen are all acceptable bedding choices. Newspaper or cedar should never be used as they are toxic to chinchillas. Dust Baths: Chinchillas should not be gotten wet, instead they take baths in dust. You will need a container large enough for the chinchilla to comfortably roll around in for baths. Good brands of dust include Blue Cloud and Blue Sparkle. Do not use scented dust or anything with "sand", "coarse", or "pumice" on the label. Bonding: He will need time to settle into his new surroundings. After the first week you can take it slow, first by sitting next to the cage and just talking to him for a few days. Next you can place your hand in the cage and allow him to climb on it and sniff it. Eventually, see if he will allow you to move your hand while he's sitting on it. Chinchillas by nature are not cuddly lap pets. However, they may enjoy sitting on your shoulder or getting scratched under the chin. Occasionally, you will find a chinchilla who will submit to sitting on your lap and getting pet. It is important to accept that chinchillas definitely have minds of their own, and to enjoy them for what they are.
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Member of MCBA and Carolina Chinchilla Alliance | |||
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