Chin Care Basics

Engineering:


Chin Care Basics


Raisin: a standard female

If taken care of properly chinchillas will provide years of companionship and fun. They are easy to care for and most pet shops carry the supplies you will need. This page is meant as an introduction to chinchilla care and contains an overview of chinchilla care basics, but before getting a chinchilla I'd highly recommend investing in a good chin book and talking to knowledgable owners, breeders, and vets.

Chinchilla shopping list:

Housing:

Wire mesh cages work very well for holding chinchillas. Aquariums don't offer enough air circulation and wood and plastic can be chewed through. Wire mesh allows for air circulation, it's easy to clean, the chins can see what is happening outside and they like to climb the walls! When buying a cage or making your own, try and get the largest one you have room for. Chins are very active and they need the extra room. If you can't get a very large cage, try getting a running wheel (11" or larger) and/or allowing them frequent runs outside of the cage. Cages should have doors that are chin proof and allow you easy access.

Setting up the cage:

There are a variety of bedding types to choose from including aspen, kiln dried pine, carefresh, newspaper, and many more. For chinchillas, aspen and kiln dried pine work well. Never use cedar bedding with chinchillas or other small animals. Cedar is very aromatic and exposure over a long period of time can cause health problems. The cage should be equipped with a nest box for the chinchilla to sleep and hide in. Nest boxes can be just about anything including: parrot nest boxes, ferret balls, cardboard boxes, slightly squashed coffee cans... Shelves and perches are also a good thing to have in a chin cage; chinchillas enjoy jumping, perching, and chewing on them. Also include a food dish and water bottle (make sure both are chew proof) and a few items for the chins to chew on (apple and pine wood, pumice stones) and you have a basic chin cage. Other items that can be added include: parrot toys, running wheel, and ferret hammocks and tubes. With a little creativity you can create an awesome chin cage!

Feeding and Dusting:

The basic chinchilla diet consists of chinchilla pellets and hay. There are quite a few brands of chinchilla pellets available at pet and feed stores. Hay is an important part of the chinchilla diet; alfalfa and timothy are good choices and can be fed loose or as compressed cubes. Chins also enjoy treats. The all time favorite chinchilla snack food is the raisin! Overdosing on treats will upset a chin's GI tract, so restrict their treat intake to no more than a couple raisins a day. Chinchillas should be fed in the evening at the same time each day. Feeding time is a good time to dust your chin as well. Simply place a layer of dust in the bottom of the dust bowl and place it in the chinchilla's cage for 5 minutes or so. The dust can be reused for 2-3 weeks. The dust removes oil and dirt from the chinchilla's fur and is essential for a healthy coat.

Running loose:

Once your chinchilla has gotten used to you and its new home it can be allowed to run outside of its cage. You need to "chin-proof" the room in which the chin will run around in. Make sure there aren't any cords, plants, furniture, or anything else a curious chin might decide to munch on. Chins like to wiggle into tight places so it is a good idea to cover any holes or cracks that a chin could get into. After the room is chin-proofed you can let the chin run. Chins need to be supervised while they are out and about otherwise they can get into all sorts of trouble!.

Home
The Mess Hall: Feeding your chinchilla

This page hosted by GeoCities Get your own Free Home Page