Chinchillas are strange and entertaining pet rodents . They need a great hatful of fundamental interaction and have some specific care requisite . be intimate how to care for a chinchilla includes understand what to tip them , how to put up them , and how to recognize when they need veterinary care .
Chinchilla Care Overview
When turn over achinchillaas a ducky , it ’s of import to know what to expect from their size , life , and basic requirements . critique this condensed chinchilla care usher to get an idea of what to bear from this affectionatesmall pet , then find an in - astuteness templet to each country below .
What to Feed Your Chinchilla
Chinchillas have tender digestive systems , so it ’s important to ply them with an appropriate dieting to keep them goodish . They ’re also herbivores and need a high - character dieting consisting chiefly of in high spirits - quality grass hay , such as Timothy , orchard grass , meadow hay , or oat hay , though it ’s important to confirm the hay islow in calcium .
append this with a small amount of commercial Medicago sativa shot that contain at least10 percent protein and 18 percent crude fiber . Your pet will also do good from a modest amount of leafy greens . With a balanced diet , your chinchilla should n’t need any supplements or additive .
How Much to Feed Your Chinchilla
When to Feed Chinchillas
Chinchillas are crepuscular , so they will do the majority of their eating during the twilight hour around dawn and twilight . Plan to replenish your pet ’s food and water around dusk , so it is uncommitted when they waken up hungry , and remove any remnant Green River first thing in the morning .
Chinchillas Eat Their Own Feces
Many potential chinchilla owners are alarmed to discover these positron emission tomography eat their own feces . This is a natural and sizable riding habit for this mintage . Chinchillas are known as " hind - catgut fermenters , " which stand for they do n’t fully tolerate their food the first fourth dimension it goes through their organisation , so they will eat some of their feces in Holy Order to render all the victuals from it .
The stools they eat up are calledcaecotrophs , and they do n’t reckon like distinctive Chinchilla laniger dung ; instead , they ’re very cushy , sticky , and smelly . You may never see your chinchilla ’s caecotroph because they ’re usually produced and wipe out at Nox .
Housing Your Pet Chinchilla
Make your Chinchilla laniger ’s surroundings safe and comfortable with the following suggestions :
Temperature and Humidity
Chinchillas are also subject to heatstroke , so the temperature in your pet ’s environs should never exceed 75 degree Fahrenheit . A temperature between 60 and 70 degrees is ideal . Always keep a thermometer to measure the ambient temperature in the enclosure .
High humiditycan also be an upshot , because chinchillas fall from an surroundings that is arid and cool , so target to keep the humidity level around 40 percentage and no more than 60 percentage . Excessively high humidity degree can make it severe for your pet to remain coolheaded , so monitor their conduct and condition closely .
If you chinchilla ’s ears deform pinkish or red , they come out to be unusually fatigued or unenrgetic , they are heave or drool overly , or their consistency feel ardent to the touch , your pet may be suffering from heat stroke . If you observe these symptoms , you postulate to represent quickly , yet finely . Even though this situation is pressing , you need to cautiously and gradually deoxidise your Chinchilla laniger ’s physical structure temperature by moving them to a cooler region .
Take tutelage in how you chill your chinchilla down . Some sourcesrecommend stand in front of an open refrigerator ( without cuddle your Chinchilla laniger , to improve airflow ) , or administering a cool ( not cold ) piss bathing tub , but seek professional help as presently as possible . supervise them closely and call your veterinary for advice on how to safely manage this potentially life - endanger circumstance .
Safe Bedding for Chinchillas
reprocess report , aspen sliver , or bedding products likeCarefreshmake desirable bedding , but you should avoid using pine or cedar tree grazing because the fume they pass off can be toxic to chinchillas .
Cleaning the Chinchilla Cage
Remove dung whenever you mark a buildup . Once a week , plan to clean the John Cage soundly with a 50 - 50 result of vinegar and H2O and exchange all bedding . You ’ll require to clean house the cage at least twice a week if you have two Chinchilla laniger housed together .
Chinchilla Grooming Needs
Chinchillas do n’t require much grooming , butdust bathsare all important . A dust bathtub is on the dot what it sound like : chinchillas give themselves a bath in volcanic ash debris . This is your chinchilla ’s natural way of clean their fur and skin . In fact , their pelt is not meant to get wet , so a traditional bath can be harmful to your protagonist . Be sure to buy special chinchilla junk as well as a bath house for your darling , and let them take a debris tub about three times a workweek .
Chinchilla Enrichment
Chinchillas have a lot of energy to burn , so giving them a couple hours of out - of - cage playday each day is necessary . Arrange this in a good area and always supervise them . As for in - cage exercise , you may provide your pet with anexercise cycle , such as theChin Spin , which is designed specifically for a chinchilla ’s body type .
Your chinchilla will also need quid toys ; both for enrichment and their oral wellness . Their teeth grow continuously , so your chinchilla will need to keep their teeth down through chewing . Provide them with plenitude of appropriate Sir Henry Joseph Wood masticate toysmade from secure woods , such as aspen , madrono , willow tree , and bamboo .
Socializing Your Chinchilla
Socializing your pet provides them with much - needed genial and physical stimulation . Chinchillas also want regular fundamental interaction with their human companions to keep them tame . programme to spend at least 30 to 60 hour a day harbor and interact with your favourite .
The Correct Way to Hold a Chinchilla
Chinchillas are wiggly , so it ’s crucial to maintain them correctly to prevent accidental injury . Always pluck your pet up with one hand under their chest and one handwriting under their bum . Hold them nigh to your body so they feel unafraid and do n’t scramble .
Keeping Chinchillas in Pairs
Becausechinchillasare very social puppet , it can be good to have more than one so they always have a companion . you could opt to purchase two chinchillas at the same time , or inaugurate one afterward . They generally do well in pairs of the same sexual practice or opposite sex . Just sleep together , if you have a male and female and one is not alter , there ’s the potential for mating , and you may end up with chinchilla kit .
Beware of Other Pets
Chinchillas are societal and love the company of other chinchillas , but it ’s not safe to let them interact with other positron emission tomography . dog and cats are definitely not safe companions for Chinchilla laniger , so keep them away from your pet , especially if you represent with them outside of their cage .
Chinchilla Health Care Needs
Schedule a medical exam for your chinchilla when you first get them , then follow up with annual wellness exams , unless your pet shows sign of illness . In that typesetter’s case , take them to the vetas soon as potential .
Chinchillas are prostrate to sure wellness outcome , including :
How to Take Care of a Chinchilla
Chinchillas are fascinating creatures , but they are n’t theperfect petfor everyone . Before acquiring one , ensure you’re able to be quenched with a darling you’re able to typically only play with in the even , and the sound of their nocturnal gymnastic exercise wo n’t keep you alert at Nox . Spend some prison term handle one of these adorable little gnawer to see if they ’re a pet you’re able to revel for many years to occur .
