If youre thinking about having chinchillas as pets, learn as much as you can about how to care for them beforehand. Read below to learn what to feed your chinchilla, as well as other important facts that will make you a confident pet owner. There, they were originally bred for their fur, but nowadays in the uk are kept as pets. Today, the freeranging chinchilla is listed as endangered because of hunting and trapping for its pelt. Chinchillas are very regressive animals and will tend to become more antisocial and possibly even aggressive if. Chinchillas need to be housed in a wire cage with openings no larger than 2. Ask a store partner about petco s selection of books on chinchillas and the variety of private brand products available for the care and happiness of your new pet.
The main part of their diet should be made up of good quality, dust extracted, tasty feeding hay which should always be available. About 2 or 3 times a week, fill a clean container with an inch of chinchilla dust, a special powder made for this purpose. Chinchillas have delicate skeletons and love to chew on things like electrical cords, so a safe environment is essential. Small pets 2 caring for your chinchillas blue cross.
Jan 25, 2017 thinking of buying a chinchilla but need a complete guide of what youll have to buy. Many chain pet stores carry chinchillas, as well as many of the supplies youll need to ensure your new pet has the proper care and environment. Chinchilla checklist the ultimate new owner checklist. An owners guide to taking the best care of your pet chinchillas there are many common misconceptions when it comes to chinchilla care. Allow your pet chinchilla to dustbathe only in storebought chinchilla dust. There is a ton that goes into properly raising these little creatures though. So long as the food is fresh, smells good and has pellets only your chin will do very well on it. To pick up your chinchilla, support the whole body on your hand and gently restrain them by holding the base of the tail. To care for a chinchilla is actually a lot of things. If you need additional information, refer to the sources section or contact your veterinarian as appropriate. Taking care of a chinchilla ethically is no more difficult than caring for any other household pet or household rodent if you have a credible source of information to follow. In the united states there are now over 3000 ranchers and growing populations of pet chinchillas. Caring for your pet chinchilla nc state university. Chinchillas are currently captive bred for both the pet industry and the fur trade.
Use a dish that is large enough for your chinchilla to roll in. How to take care of a pet chinchilla these soft, furry creatures can make excellent petsas long as you know how to care for them properly. Chinchilla care sheet always wash your hands after handling your chinchilla or its housing to help maintain sanitary conditions. Below are my 5 top chinchilla care tips you need to be implementing as a chinchilla owner. They are active and playful and, with gentle handling from a young age, most chinchillas become quite tame and can bond closely with their owners. Chinchillas are rather active small pets and should. Includes health, toys, food, bedding on free shipping on qualified orders. Greens contribute to hydration and provide necessary.
Chinchilla foods are available to buy in pet shops. A guide for chinchilla pet owners skip the intro and go straight to the articles in this section this section is dedicated to all things chinchilla formerly this content lived on a separate site called chinchilla planet. The international trade in chinchilla fur goes back to the 1500s and by the end of the 19th century. All private brand products carry a 100% moneyback guarantee. The information on this care sheet is not a substitute for veterinary care. Shopping list for needed supplies chinchilla food ceramic food bowl chew sticks water bottle treats vitamins appropriate sized cage appropriate litter no cedar or pine chinchilla dust toys dust tray book about. The dust will settle near your pets skin, soaking up oil and grime. Once you have decided to add a chinchilla to your family, you want to make sure he is happy, healthy, and safe. History of the chinchilla the longtailed chinchilla chinchilla laniger is native to the mountains and foothills of the andes in south america. Burgess excel chinchilla nuggets is a great complementary feed that can be fed as part of. Chinchilla lafebervet handout pet food from lafeber. A piece of apple wood or rodent toys from pet shops for them to nibble will help prevent dental problems. Chinchillas once scattered the mountains of north central chile in colonies of over 500 individuals, but today there are. Burgess pet care guides chinchillas chinchillas are herbivores and designed to eat a high.
Help your chinchilla keep up its routine by filling a container or bath house about twoinches deep with chinchilla dust available at pet stores, then place your pet chin into it. Find chinchillas available for rehoming on our find a pet page. Chinchilla is one of those that prefer to be alone they may spray urine, bite the other chinchillas fur, or fight with them, causing severe injury and even death. Chinchilla history and care recommendations medvet. Chinchillas love to chew so be careful when using a cage made of wood or plastic. You can find this at pet supply stores and feed stores look for a brand with soymeal as the main ingredient. Im also the author of the digital book ultimate chinchilla care guide, from adoption and on that you can see below or. The pellet type is best because with mixes your chinchilla may pick out favourite bits, leading to an unbalanced diet. To do this you need to have everything necessary for your pets well being.
A waterbottle with a drinking tube that attaches to the cage is the best way to go. Typical runs a system of connected cages used by some breeders are 15 x 21. Chinchilla diets should be 1620 percent protein, 25 percent fat and about 1535 percent fiber. Chinchilla care chinchillas are nocturnal rodents originating from south america, where they are commonly found in the mountains of the andes. Hay can be offered if your chinchilla will not eat timothy hay. Buy ultimate chinchilla care chinchillas as pets the must have guide for anyone passionate about owning a chinchilla. Oxbow offers this basic care guide to help you keep your pet chinchilla healthy and happy. Multiple wooden ledges metal or ceramic food dish glass water bottle a dust bath house chew toys hideaway house hay rackfeeder no plastic optional cage.
They must be fed a highquality, chinchilla specific food or their health will suffer. This program also includes specific standards for instore pet care. Ultimate chinchilla care chinchillas as pets the must have. Petcos selection of books on chinchillas and the variety of private brand products available for the care and happiness of your new pet. Planet chinchilla was started to share our journey with all of you. Let your pet romp around in the powder for 5 to 10 minutes. Im also the author of the digital book ultimate chinchilla care guide, from adoption and on that you can see below or by visiting the ebook store. Feed i recommend a high quality plain pellet feed with nothing else in it. Chinchilla is one of those that prefer to be alone they may spray urine, bite the other chinchilla s fur, or fight with them, causing severe injury and even death. Caring for your chinchilla the natural diet of the chinchilla consists of grasses, cactus fruit, leaves, and the bark of small shrubs and bushes.
Greens contribute to hydration and provide necessary vitamins and minerals, as well as enrichment. Caring for your pet chinchilla nc state veterinary medicine. If youve decided on looking into getting a chinchilla as a pet, youre probably wondering about the best place to find one. We teamed up with the members of lets love chinchilla s and created this ultimate checklist for new owners.
Be prepared for your pets visits by making a list of any questions or concerns you may have ahead of time. Caring for your chinchilla college of veterinary medicine. Chinchillas require a lot of roughage, and the diet should mainly consist of goodquality grass hay along with pellets made for chinchillas. Getting your first chinchilla can be an exciting ordeal. Preventive care whenever you bring a new chinchilla into your home, a new pet exam should be.
Always wash your hands after handling your chinchilla or its housing to help maintain sanitary conditions. Never pick a chinchilla up by the tail this can hurt them and could cause a serious injury. However, sometimes chinchillas decide to chew on their fur, which can cause thinning and even bald. Dont try to catch your chinchilla yet but give the treat and let go again a few times. Offer small, bitesized bits of fresh fruits and veggies daily. They can be friendly docile pets and can live between 1015 years if looked. You should get the biggest cage possible so your pet has lots of room to sleep, play, and move around. Keep your chinchillas health on the right track with a healthy diet, lots of safe exercise, and regular veterinary care. Sadly, even the bestkept chinchilla may develop problems with their teeth and these can become. Chinchillas chinchilla welfare tips, advice, health.
Caring for a pet chinchilla means having the right supplies, housing and food. All pet owners have a responsibility to look after and care for their pets. Oxbow offers healthy treats and supplements for chinchillas, including. Each chinchilla should be allowed at minimum 2 square feet of space. When it comes to feeding a concentrated ration, we recommend alfalfabased pellets that contain more than 18% crude fiber and a minimum of 10% protein. My name is josh and i have a 4yearold female chinchilla named chili. Ask your veterinarian about the potential of spaying or neutering your chinchilla. In fact, taking care of a chinchilla is extremely easy and chinchillas are perhaps one of the easiest animals you can choose to adopt. Chinchillas need correct feeding, fur caring and cleaning of the cage. Chinchilla care here at the exotic animal hospital of orlando, we offer a variety of services in order to prevent diseases in your pet chinchilla. This care guide from oxbow animal health will teach you everything you need to know about keeping your pet chinchilla healthy and happy. The longtailed chinchilla chinchilla laniger is native to the mountains and foothills of the andes in.
Chinchilla fur has the highest density of any land animal with more than 20,000 hairs per square centimeter. Chinchillas have specific dietary requirements that are different from those of other rodents. Place one hand underneath the body and use your other hand to hold her close to you. Thinking of buying a chinchilla but need a complete guide of what youll have to buy.
A setup guide for new chinchilla parents tips for habitat, grooming and fun. Chinchilla housing can be as simple or as complex as you want. They can be friendly docile pets and can live between 1015 years if looked after correctly. Mazuri chinchilla oxbow chinchilla essentials only the garden variety is junk any plain rabbit feed like purina, manna pro, nutrena, blue seal, producers pride, etc. Owning and caring for a chinchilla can be very rewarding, but it is also a big responsibility. Husbandry and preventative healthcare the pet care recommendations provided on our website are based on the most uptodate information. Chinchillas are small rodents native to south america found in rocky, arid areas in the mountains. Chinchillas have an inquisitive and gentle nature, but also have a lot of energy. Learn how to take care of your pet chinchilla with these helpful tips for housing, feeding, grooming, and more. Many chinchilla health problems are preventable with proper diet and care. Greens fresh greens are a vital part of your pets daily diet. They require a special dust bath a few times a week. Diets that include seeds and treats seem to be nicer for your pet, but many chinchillas will only pick out the treats and not eat the pellets. As with all rodents, chinchilla teeth are always growing so they need plenty of hard material to eat and chew on.
These rodents are known for their large ears and soft, luxurious fur. Baby chinchillas, or kits, that have been separated from their mother will require feedings every few hours to maintain their. Chinchilla husbandry and preventative healthcare stahl. Yearly exams after that will help us ensure your pet s continued good health. Multiple wooden ledges metal or ceramic food dish glass water bottle a dust bath house chew toys hideaway house hay rackfeeder no plastic optional. Clean your pets home thoroughly once a week using a petsafe disinfectant. Dental care as with all rodents, chinchilla teeth are. When handling a chinchilla, be sure to secure the animal so that it cannot leap out of your hands and fall to the floor. Fresh, clean water should also be available to your rats 247. The following sites are, in our estimation, the most thoroughly informative substantial coverage on most vital topics and usually factually reliable pet chinchilla care sites on. Before choosing a chinchilla as a pet, you need to consider that they can. But dont expect them to like being held and cuddled like dogs and cats.
This book will tell you the proper way to care for. If you have a wire shelf in the cage, make sure the. Chinchillas are fun, energetic pets that are fairly easy to care for. Below we have listed out everything you need to know in order to raise a healthy chin. Kitten milk can be purchased at pet stores, veterinary clinics, or online. Preventive care whenever you bring a new chinchilla into your home, a new pet exam should be performed. Oxbow pet products chinchilla deluxe provides a good balance of fiber, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and mineral and is. Andrew bean, dvm of pet care veterinary hospital in virginia beach, va, said dust bathing is both a behavioral outlet and an innate behavior which plays an. We teamed up with the members of lets love chinchillas and created this ultimate checklist for new owners. Caging and bedding chinchilla cages should have a flat bottom no wire to prevent foot injuries and should belarge enough for the chinchilla to run and hop in any direction.
The captive diet consists of 12 tbsp of high quality chinchilla or rabbit pellets, freechoice high quality grass hay, and small amounts of fresh vegetables. Greens fresh greens are a vital part of your pet s daily diet. You must be gentle and consistent to gain the trust of a chinchilla. If you own or are responsible for a chinchilla, even on a temporary basis, you are required under the animal welfare act to care for them properly. This book will tell you the proper way to care for your chinchilla to have them for many, many years. Care sheet information on the supplies necessary to care for your pet. This is the best preventive care you can provide for your chinchilla. It can take some time to get any chinchilla used to your hands. Because all small animals are potential carriers of infectious diseases, such as lymphocytic. Height is important since chinchillas are excellent jumpers, and they often do well in multilevel cages. Dec 03, 2016 history of the chinchilla the longtailed chinchilla chinchilla laniger is native to the mountains and foothills of the andes in south america. Plain pellet diets are best, as they offer a complete balanced diet.
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