How to Raise a Chinchilla
Chinchillas are low-maintenance, nocturnal, exotic rodents that often are compared to rabbits and squirrels. They are ideal pets, because they can live for 10 to 20 years, with proper care, and don't produce any unpleasant smells or noises. Even though they have a gentle and inquisitive nature, chinchillas are fragile and may bite when they feel threatened. Because of this, they are best cared for by an adult.
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Things You'll Need
- Chinchilla cage -- multi-tiered, wire cage with a solid bottom
- Hardwood shavings -- preferably aspen
- Water drinking bottle
- Hay
- Ceramic bowl
- Chinchilla pellets
- Fruit and vegetables
- Mild soap
- Pumice block
- Chinchilla dust
Instructions
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Provide a cage for your chinchilla. It must be large enough so your chinchilla can run and play -- the larger, the better. The space between the wires of the cage should be a maximum of 1 inch. Lay down a bed of hardwood shavings at the bottom of the cage, to provide bedding. Avoid bedding made from pine shavings and cedar-based products, because these contain resins that may harm your chinchilla when ingested. Aspen shavings are a good choice.
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Place your chinchilla's habitat in a well-ventilated room, out of direct sunlight and away from drafts. Aim for a room temperature of approximately 68 degrees Fahrenheit and no more than 75 degrees. If chinchillas are exposed to high temperatures, they may suffer heatstroke.
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Place a water drinking bottle, hay and a ceramic bowl with chinchilla pellets, in a corner at the bottom of the cage. Clean water, hay and pellets always must be available to your chinchilla. Supplement your pet's diet with daily fruit and vegetables, such as coarse alfalfa, spinach and endive. Remove and discard any uneaten fruit and vegetables from your chinchilla's cage after 24 hours. Avoid feeding it high-fat or sugary treats such as pizza, raisins or nuts because these may bring on digestive problems.
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Scoop out soiled spots from your chinchilla's bedding daily. Clean the entire cage at least once a week with mild soap and water. Dry the cage completely and lay down clean bedding, before putting your chinchilla back into it.
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Give your chinchilla a pumice block to gnaw on. Your chinchilla's teeth grow continuously. If it doesn't have material to gnaw on, its teeth will grow too long and disable it from eating.
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Avoid bathing or washing your chinchilla with water, because this removes protective oils from its skin. Instead, provide your chinchilla with dust bath twice a week. Fill a glass bowl with chinchilla dust according to the packaging instructions. Allow your chinchilla to roll around in the dust for 30 minutes, and then remove it.
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Play with your chinchilla late in the day or at night. Avoid disturbing it during the daytime, because they are nocturnal and this is when they sleep. Cuddle and carry your chinchilla, because they enjoy the interaction.
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Tips & Warnings
Purchase chinchilla products, such as chinchilla pellets and dust, at your local pet store.
Before and after handling your chinchilla and its habitat, wash your hands with soap and water, because chinchillas can carry infectious diseases.
References
- Photo Credit Creatas/Creatas/Getty Images
