Bringing A Chinchilla Home
Chinchillas are crepuscular to nocturnal, although they can be active during the day.
Chinchillas take time to adjust to a new home or moving into an unfamiliar territory, they are reserved and skittish by nature and can take time before they warm up to new people. The best way to establish a good bond with your new chinchilla is to be gentle with them. For the first 48 hours after placing your chinchilla into their enclosure, do not touch and do not handle them, only replenish their food and water. For the first few days your chinchilla will feel nervous and a little disoriented, so give them time to adjust to new smells, sights and sounds.
Do not leave your chinchilla alone with children or other animals unsupervised. Chinchillas require safe,
relaxed conditions and should only be care for by people who recognize and respect their limits. As long as you avoid putting your chinchilla in uncomfortable situations, they will learn to trust you and you will be able to build a close, long-lasting friendship with your pet.
Chinchillas can be housed together, usually a pair can be bonded for life, as they naturally live in herds. Best time to socialize and pair chinchillas up is before they reach sexual maturity. Do not house chinchillas near with rabbits as they can share/transfer diseases with each other.
Enclosure
The larger the enclosure the better, as chinchillas require a wealth of space to climb and explore. The
enclosure should have enough room to house an array of platforms, ramps, and hideouts. They love to run and jump around, with some chinchillas able to jump as high as six feet in the air. A two to three level cage is great for chinchillas. A minimum cage size should be 2 feet wide x 2 feet deep x 3 feet tall for a single chinchilla.
A metal wire cage with a solid plastic bottom is recommended, the wire allows for excellent airflow and cannot be chews through like wood. Avoid galvanized wire as zinc is toxic if accidentally ingested. Make certain the wire bars are spaced close enough that your chinchilla cannot squeeze through. For the bottom of the cage, lay down non-toxic bedding such as fleece. Avoid mixed wood shavings. anything scented, cedar. Paper bedding is also most suitable.
Your chinchilla’s cage should contain a water bottle, food dish, chew sticks, toys, sleeping cottage, a nesting box or hideout, exercise wheel with a solid surface, and piles of fresh timothy hay. Hide boxes should be provided on each level of the cage, majority of the time chinchillas will sleep in the top level of the cage.
Chinchillas also require material for gnawing or chewing to reduce the risk of dental overgrowth. Branches of unsprayed deciduous trees (e.g. hazelnut, willow, birch) are suitable; do not offer branches from stone fruit trees or conifer trees. Toys can be wood toys made for parrots that hang from the cage.
Place the enclosure in a quiet area of your home where your pet won’t be disturbed during the day. Keep the enclosure far from any drafts or direct sunlight since chinchillas are sensitive to humidity. Temperature of the enclosure must be kept between 59-75’F, they cannot survive in temperatures above 80’F due to their thick fur. To manage excess moisture in the room, you can place a dehumidifier in the room.
Chinchillas are naturally very clean and are relatively odor-free. Removed soiled bedding daily and refreshing the entire supply once a week. Wash the fleece liner once a week. Pick up droppings once a day. You can deep clean your chinchilla’s cage with hot water about once a week to ensure your pet’s home remains sanitary.
Please remember whatever containers, water bottles, or toys placed in your chinchilla’s cage will be chewed on. Avoid plastic items. Use a glass water bottle instead of plastic.
Bathing/Dusting
No bathing your chinchilla with water. They have incredibly thick fur that makes it impossible to dry out
after getting wet. If their fur gets wet, it can potentially lead to mold growth and skin irritation. Instead,
chinchillas bathe in dust, which consists of a fin mix of volcanic ash or activated clay. Every two to three days, place a metal container in the cage and fill it with roughly two inches of dust. Do not leave the dusting container inside your chinchilla’s cage for too long, however, since bathing too frequently can dry out their coat.
Diet
Chinchillas are herbivores with sensitive stomachs. An ideal diet for chinchillas include high-fiber, low-fat foods like timothy hay and chinchilla pellets. A constant supply of timothy hay aids in maintaining good oral health, so always have a fresh supply on hand at all times. Ensure the pelleted feed is specially formulated for chinchillas, otherwise supplements such as salt blocks or vitamin C supplements may be needed. Any change in the diet needs to be slow and gradual as they have very sensitive stomachs.
Treats should be provided at a minimum, these include: raisins, dandelion leaves, hibiscus flowers, carrots, apples, oats and rose petals. Best to provide these treats as tiny servings no more than once or twice a week. Avoid sunflower seeds, lettuce, and nuts.
Water
Your chinchilla needs constant access to fresh, clean water. They are sensitive to bacteria and/or chemicals commonly found in tap water. Filtered or spring water is best for your chinchilla. Clean your pet’s water bottle thoroughly with hot water each day to avoid mold and algae growth.
Enrichment/Play Time
If not kept in a room especially set up for chinchillas, animals require at least 30 minutes of exercise or play outside of their cage daily.
“Flying saucer” exercise wheels are preferable over “regular” exercise wheels to minimize the risk of back and limb problems. The larger “flying saucer” wheels do not force the animal into an abnormal hyperextended back position, but individuals can still develop limb problems due to abnormal loading of joints and muscles.