How to Buy a Chinchilla
Chinchillas are small and cute, with soft, silky fur, which makes them popular pets. But chinchillas can be challenging to care for. They have special needs that can make their upkeep difficult and expensive. Before buying a chinchilla, prepare with the right items.
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Instructions
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Buy a large cage with plenty of room for the chinchilla to run around and exercise adequately.
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Purchase large quantities of quality hay and chinchilla pellets to feed the chinchilla. Also, buy a fresh supply of vegetables to supplement the chinchilla's diet. Buy at least one bag of dust to line the bottom of the chinchilla's cage.
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Find a quiet corner of the home to place the cage. Make sure the space is quiet during the day; chinchillas are nocturnal. Keep the area at a constant room temperature free from drafts and direct air from air conditioning and heating vents.
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Construct an area for the chinchilla to enjoy some time out of his cage. Keep the area free of any items that your pet can chew on or damage.
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Acquire a chinchilla from a pet store or a breeder. Choose a breeder that has handled the animal often, if you want a chinchilla that is social.
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Look over the animal carefully-watch for any signs of illness such as watery eyes or dull fur. Observe its behavior and determine whether the chinchilla is tame enough to make an enjoyable pet. Pick up the animal, and see how he interacts with you.
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Comments
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CWilliams
Dec 17, 2008
Great Tips!+5 -
tunes
Feb 26, 2008
7) A good rule of thumb to follow: Pet store chin supplies = unsafe/unhealthy/useless. Very few things in a pet store are usable for chins, other than bedding and the occasional wood chew. Find a reputable breeder and get your food/hay/etc. from them. Run from the runabout balls. They have been the cause of many, many chinchilla deaths.
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tunes
Feb 26, 2008
7) A good rule of thumb to follow: Pet store chin supplies = unsafe/unhealthy/useless. Very few things in a pet store are usable for chins, other than bedding and the occasional wood chew. Find a reputable breeder and get your food/hay/etc. from them. Run from the runabout balls. They have been the cause of many, many chinchilla deaths.
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tunes
Feb 26, 2008
5) Temperature. Just having a chin in a consistent temperature isn't all you need to be concerned about. A chin should be kept in an area between 65 and 70, though some people push it to 75. If you stand in their area in a heavy, heavy winter coat and feel warm, it's too warm for them as well. 6) Find a vet BEFORE you need one. Interview and make sure they have experience. If you don't, when an emergency happens, you could find that they are more hurtful to your chin than helpful.
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tunes
Feb 26, 2008
5) Temperature. Just having a chin in a consistent temperature isn't all you need to be concerned about. A chin should be kept in an area between 65 and 70, though some people push it to 75. If you stand in their area in a heavy, heavy winter coat and feel warm, it's too warm for them as well. 6) Find a vet BEFORE you need one. Interview and make sure they have experience. If you don't, when an emergency happens, you could find that they are more hurtful to your chin than helpful.
