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Chinchilla77

11-28-2004, 07:07 PM

CheekyChinchillas - General Care
Description
These beautiful creatures are members of the rodent family. The Latin word for rodent is rodere which means 'to gnaw'. Fully grown they are about 12 inches long and weigh between 18 - 35 ounces, the female being bigger than the male. They look similar to rabbits with squirrel-like tails. Chinchillas have more fur per square inch than any other known animal.

Chinchillas are nocturnal animals and so they sleep during the day and become more active at night. They are easy to look after, rarely aggressive, very clean and have practically no smell at all. Their fur is so dense that they do not attract fleas or parasites. Once used to the handler they can be very affectionate and love to be scratched under the chin and behind the ears.
Chinchillas are becoming very popular pets, however, it is well to remember that they can live for up to 20 years (the average is about 10 years) and must therefore be accommodated appropriately within the home. If you do not have time for a long-term pet then a chinchilla is NOT for you.
The Cage
Make sure that the cage is big enough. One chinchilla can be kept in a cage approximately 90cm high x 61cm wide x 46cm deep. Cages should remain indoors unless kept in a purpose built, secure outer building. He/she should also have a run outside of the cage for approximately one hour each day. Chinchillas do not like a lot of noise so the cage should be placed in a quiet environment that is well ventilated but not draughty. During hot spells of weather, make sure the cage is shaded from bright sunlight and that there is a constant flow of cool air.
Chinchillas do not like to be too hot and can suffer from heat strokes.
Temperatures above 75ºf can be fatal to chinchillas.
General
There should be a box, usually wooden, for the chinchilla to sleep or hide in and suitable 'play' items.
Chinchillas need to keep their teeth trimmed and so will try to chew almost anything. For this reason chinchillas can not have the run of the house like a cat or dog. Also, let everyone know when your chinchilla is having a run. A good safety feature is a doorhanger to say when your chinchilla is out of the cage. There have been many incidents where chins have been stepped on.

You can buy chew blocks from a pet shop. I put wooden blocks (untreated pine) in for them to chew on and I also have a thick cardboard tube. Again, you can buy a tube, but a good idea, is to get the inner cardboard tube from inside a carpet roll. Cut it into reasonable size sections. The chins love to run in and out and they can also chew it. If you ask at your local carpet store, I am sure they will probably be happy to give you one. It's also a lot cheaper, one roll will make many tubes! But, make sure they are clean. Pumice and cuttlefish are also items that chinchillas like to chew. Cuttlefish is a very good source of calcium. A small carpet square is also useful in the cage.
The chins can chew it, play with it and rest on it. It is a nice soft resting place if you have a wire bottomed cage.

Chinchilla77

11-28-2004, 07:08 PM

Cardboard tubes provide entertainment for chinchillas
When you let your chinchillas out for a run, make sure that there is nothing that they can damage or hurt themselves on. I keep a longer length of carpet tube for when they are out of their cages - they will play for hours, running in and out of it and they will also chew it without doing any damage.
I let my chinchillas have a run for a couple of hours everyday.
Chins don't use bedding as such - they are happy to sleep in their wooden box or on a shelf or even on their wooden blocks. They move objects around a great deal. A piece of carpet can amuse them for ages. One of my chins is forever moving her sleeping box about...
I always say she is re-arranging her furniture. There should also be a water bottle, hay rack and a bowl for food. I find the heavy bowls are better, otherwise they just tip the food and it
falls through the wire bottom.
The Sand Bath
Don't forget the sand bath...
Chinchillas do not bathe in water but sand. You can buy chinchilla dust from a reputable pet shop. They need to bathe in the sand to clean and look after their thick coat. They usually like a bath at least once a day, but do not leave the sand bath in the cage because if it is used too often, their coats will become too dry.
Cleaning
Although chinchillas do not smell, the cage should be cleaned out once a week. Most cages will have a tray at the base which you can pull out to place sawdust etc.in. Personally, I prefer to use woodbased cat litter which is less messy.

Nenya having a bath
Origins
The ancestral home of the chinchilla is South America. They were first discovered by Spanish explorers in the 1500's and were named after the Chincha Indians, who ate them and used their fur for clothing. These explorers were responsible for introducing the chinchilla to Europe and, in doing so, almost caused their extinction. Chinchilla fur became very popular and was used to trim the robes of the European royalty.
M.F. Chapman, a mining engineer in Chile, introduced the chinchilla to the United States. In 1923, he took 11 chinchillas to California and after achieving success at breeding, sold them in pairs to owners of fur ranches. As time went by, because of their endearing, gentle nature, the ranches sold them as pets.

Cheeky Chinchillas - Keeping your Chinchilla Healthy
With the right care, environment and correct diet, a chinchilla can live for up to 20 years, although on average, most live to about 10 years. Chinchillas are generally quite sturdy creatures but there are some health problems to be aware of
The information given below is through research and my own experiences and is only a guide line.
If you are at all concerned about your chinchilla, visit your local vet.
Teeth
Chinchilla's teeth should be yellowish in colour and the top teeth should not overhang the lower set. One of the most common problems that chinchillas have, is with their teeth. This may be due to uneven teeth, overgrown teeth or sometimes spurs which grow and cause great discomfort to a chinchilla. The first signs maybe a discharge from the eye and then the chinchilla will start to eat less, eat softer food and as a result will lose weight. A chinchilla may also paw at his mouth and drool and you may notice that the droppings are much smaller and of an irregualr shape
Fur Biting
Chinchillas will sometimes start chewing at their fur. The fur will appear matted and wet and looks as if it has been cut short. There are various reasons for this. Some owners believe it could be genetic. Others, believe it to be due to stress, poor diet, noisy environments or boredom. It is not considered harmful to the chinchilla but will spoil the chin's appearance. Make sure your chinchilla is in a quiet, well ventilated but not draughty environment. Chinchillas are sensitive to stress and noise, so approach them in a quiet way, handle gently and provide active stimulation
Fungal Infections
Fungal infections can be due to poor housing and ventilation or spores from damp hay. There are two types of infection, one causes the fur to fall out and leave pink, irritated skin beneath, usually around the eyes, nose and genital areas. The other condition causes the fur to 'break', and as a result, the fur will look thin and shaggy and the whiskers may split and break off. The vet will recommend an anti-fungal powder to cure the infection
Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea can be due to overeating in young kits, incorrect feeding in adults or from eating contaminated food or hay. Remove any contaminated food if you think this could be the problem. If the diarrhoea does not clear up within a couple of days, pay a visit to the vet. A chinchilla can soon become dehydrated. Sometimes, a chinchilla may suffer from diarrhoea through stress. For example this may be as a result of moving to a new home. I had this problem with Whisper when I first brought her home. I mixed a little 'shredded wheat' into her food for 3 days and it soon cleared up
Constipation
If your chinchilla is constipated, the droppings will be very hard and thin. This can be due to overfeeding, too many treats or perhaps not enough exercise. Make sure there is plenty of fresh water and hay. Try giving your chinchilla a couple or raisins and make sure he/she has exercise. If the problem continues, visit the vet, in case there is an obstruction
Heat Strokes
Poor air flow, excessive heat, bright sunlight and lack of water can cause heat strokes. Temperatures above 75ºf can be fatal. Cool the animal immediately and cool the air. An air cooler is best, but if only a fan is available make sure that there is a constant flow of cool air, otherwise you will only be circulating the already hot air in the room. Placing blocks of ice in bowls around the room will also cool the air. Try a damp, cool cloth around the chins' ears which will appear very pink and try giving water. In severe cases it may be necessary to dip the chin in water - tepid NOT cold, then wrap in a towel
Seizures
Seizures can cause the chinchilla to become unbalanced making it difficult for him to stand or he may even appear 'dead' or have muscle spasms. These often occur in young chins, pregnant females or chins lacking in minerals, vitamins or calcium. They are sometimes referred to as 'calcium fits'. Cuttle fish is a good source of calcium and it may be necessary to add vitamin drops to the water. Seek advice from your local vet if you think your chinchilla has a deficiency. Make sure there is fresh food, hay and water each day.
Exhaustion and heat can also bring on seizures. Keep the chinchilla calm - the seizures do not usually last very long and he will return to normal. Do not let your chin get over excited.

Cheeky Chinchillas - Feeding your Pet Chinchilla
I give each of my chinchillas 2 tablespoons of pellets, fresh hay and water every day. The amount of pellets given may vary slightly, but I find this amount is ample for my own chins. It is best to keep to a regular feeding time if possible. Most people usually feed their chins in the evening when they are more active. Try to use the same brand of pellets. If for any reason you need to change, it is best to mix a little of the new brand with the old. This allows the chinchilla's digestive system to gradually adjust to the new food.
Ensure that there is fresh hay and water. I give a good handful of hay each day. This is usually more than enough. Chinchillas tend to play with excess hay rather than eat it. If your chin does pull out large amounts of hay, remove it from the cage floor each day. If it is left it may become soiled and contaminated. You may need to shop around for good quality hay. Make sure that it is free from chemicals and is always fresh. Do not use musty, dusty or mouldy hay. Eating mouldy hay could cause health problems. Chopped hay seems very popular in the pet shops at the moment, but I find it a nuisance as it usually falls straight through the hayracks clogging the tray beneath... ...and apart from that, the chins can't pull it out and enjoy making a mess.
Alfalfa cubes are also a good source of roughage and the chins enjoy chewing on them.
Make sure there is always fresh water available. Scrub the water bottles well, to prevent bacteria from forming. An ideal brush, is the long angled type that is used for cleaning baby's bottles.
Chinchillas, like all animals, love a treat. Sometimes when I let Whisper out of her cage, she will run straight to me and beg for a raisin. She looks very cute and it would be very easy to give her too many. But remember, a chinchilla's digestive system cannot tolerate too much sugary food, so limit the amount of sweet treats. My own chins enjoy raisins, apple (small piece), grapes, sunflower seeds and peanuts. They particularly like 'monkey' nuts as they enjoy shelling them. They usually get 3 or 4 treats a week. A treat being a raisin or something similar.
Treats should not become a substitute for pellets, which provide a healthy diet

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