Chinchillas

   Chinchillas are intelligent, charming creatures that quickly become bonded to their owner. They easy to care for and have little odor. Basically nocturnal, chinchillas can be active during the day. They are fast, agile climbers, and they love to investigate everything, chewing up bits of paper, cardboard, or untreated wood along the way.
Although chinchillas tend to urinate in their cage or litter box, they are difficult to litter-train with respect to their small, hard, dry fecal pellets, which are produce in abundance. Fortunately, the fecal pellets are easy to remove and have little odor.
    One peculiarity of chinchillas is their need to bathe in fine dust. Bath dust is commercially available, and at least once or twice a week, the chinchilla should be allowed to roll (bathe) in the dust.
    When chinchillas are stressed, they will chew their fur off, a process referred to as "fur-barbering". Diarrhea (soft droppings) may also occur in an unhappy chinchilla.
    Chinchillas are the most affectionate rodents. They rarely bite and prefer to be cuddle and curried. Only  if they feel trapped or are restrained against their will, they will bite aggressibly. However, a cornered or angry chinchilla will rear up on its hind legs and spray urine at the aggressor.
    A chinchilla that is trying to escape can release clumps of fur from its body, leaving a large bald patch. The fur will grow back with time.

 

Housing

Chinchillas are very active, and able to leap 3 feet straight up in the air. The larger the cage, the better. One that is 3ft x 2 ft x 2ft is a good starting point. Welded wire mesh is acceptable, with solid flooring in one are. Multiple levels should be provided in the cage for jumping and climbing. Wooden perches or non pesticides laden branches work well.

  

         

The following are the most common disorders for chinchillas that need medical attention:

  • Ringworm
  • Trauma ( broken bones, wounds)
  • Diarrhea/constipation
  • Colds/ eye infections
  • Convulsions
  • Tooth problems (abnormal Growth)
  • Penile hair rings in males
  • Fur Barbering from stress
  • Heat stroke
  • Choking/bloating
  • Heart problems
          Although Chinchillas are basically hardy and suffer from few serious illnesses, regular health checks should be scheduled with your veterinarian to prevent problems and to promote a long, satisfying relationship with your pet (life span is 9 - 17 years) .

Gender

Male chinchillas do not have scrotum, and the testes mostly remain in the abdominal cavity. The easiest way to sex these rodents is by anogenital distance: female chinchillas have a very short distance between their anus and their urinary and reproductive opening, while males have a gap between their anus and their penis.
Female chinchillas should be bred young or their pelvis will fuse and they may have difficulty giving birth. Sexual maturity is reach at 7-10 months. their life span is 9 to 17 years.

 

Diet


         A commercial pelleted diet formulated for chinchillas and unlimited timothy hay provide and adequate diet for chinchillas. Adults require 1 to 2 TBS of pellets daily. Small amounts of alfalfa  loose or cubed) may also be provided. Treats such as raisins, fresh carrots or green vegetables may be offered sparingly, but sunflower seeds, peanuts, and other fatty foods should be avoided to prevent obesity.
        A sipper tube or water bottle is the best way to provide a clean, plentiful supply of

 

Tips to keep your chinchilla healthy , happy & safe:

  • Allow chinchilla to sleep in the daytime  (they are nocturnal).
  • Schedule a daily exercise/play time direct contact of 30 to 60 minutes
  • Take special care to keep them cool and dry  optimal temperature is 50-68°F with less than 40% humidity.
  • Provide dust baths only, not water baths.
  • Supervise fully when chinchilla is out of its enclosure.
  • Offer a consistent diet to prevent gastrointestinal upset.
  • Provide safe wood objects or branches for gnawing as their teeth grow continuously through life.
  • Restrain gently to avoid fu r" slip"
  • Their cage must provide space for a dust box  sheet metal ( 6"x 6"x 9"), pine litter as enclosure substrate, hiding box in a top corner for sleeping.
  • Separate space for each chinchilla.

 

 
 

Vital statistics:

Total body length:8-10 in.

Total Body weight: 1-2 lbs(female is larger than male)

Sexual maturity: 7-10 mo

Life spam : 9-17 years.
 

General considerations

Free-ranging chinchillas live in caves under rocks in the South America Andes Mountains.

They thrive in low temperature and low humidity environments. Chinchillas have been raised domestically for fur for many decades, and the pet industry is supplied by hobby breeders. The most common species in captivity is Chinchilla lanigera.

Chinchillas are rodents, and are more related to the guinea pigs than to rabbits. They are characterized by their large hind feet, chubby round bodies, soft dense fur, large eyes and ears, long whiskers and squirrel-like tails. The original silver grey color now shares popularity with color mutations such as black, white, charcoal, beige and tan.

 Avoid:

  • electrical cords

  • other pets  (dogs, cats, ferrets and other potential predators)

  • direct sunlight, temperatures higher than 80°F, water baths

  • cedar substrate for enclosure

  •   insecticides or fecal contamination

  • high fat treats

  • unsupervised freedom at home.