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Chinchilla Pet Care

  • Posted by admin on June 12, 2010 at 7:45 pm

25/01/2010 RSPCA Awareness

So you’ve found a chinchilla for sale that you want to buy but want to make sure that you can care for your chinchilla as good as possible? Good, that’s just the right attitude. Here are 7 important tips for chinchilla care that every owner needs to know.

1 Chinchillas Are Skittish

Though chinchillas can grow accustomed to human interaction especially if they were handled properly as kits, they are naturally averse to being touched and handled. Just keep this in mind for the first couple of months that you begin your chinchilla care. It’s especially important to let your children know this as many will have a tendency to want to play with the chin too much at first. If you have very small children it is recommended that you don’t buy a chinchilla until your child is old enough to understand proper chinchilla care.

2 Chinchillas Befriend Slowly

Partially because of their general skittishness, chinchillas take time getting to know each other. If you introduce two chins in the same cage, they might start fighting with each other. A slow introduction process is important, as some chins may never get along no matter what. If you introduce your chinchillas at a young age however they are much more likely to interact well. Be careful about placing members of the opposite sex together as they may get along too well and you might have a few extra unexpected mouths to feed.

3 Chinchillas Mimic Roosters

Chinchillas can be quite vocal at times. The noises they make range from squeaks and chirps to coughs and barks. Since they are active in the wild mostly at dawn and dusk, this is usually when they make the most vocalizations. This could mean that you won’t be able to sleep in as well on Saturdays since your chinchilla may start chattering away just before sunrise.

4 Chinchillas Need Space

The natural habitat of chinchillas are mountainous regions, so confining your chinchilla to a cage that is too small will seriously distress it. Chinchillas need room to climb and explore. They also need a diverse environment with different items of interest to keep them stimulated.

5 Chinchillas Need Fresh Dry Air

Also because of their natural habitat, it’s important to keep your chinchilla in a room that has plenty of ventilation. It also should not be too humid as this could lead to fungal infections. Chinchilla fur is susceptible not only to fungus, but also can cause the chinchilla to overheat if stagnant air reaches temperatures that are above 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The best idea is to keep them in an air conditioned room, as this will circulate dry air and regulate the temperature.

6 Chinchillas Are Finicky Eaters

Pellets, hay, and raisins for treats. If you stray too far from this simple dietary plan you will probably be doing more harm than good for your chin. Gastrointestinal problems are common if you don’t exercise good chinchilla care when selecting a proper diet. Overfeeding can also be a problem as bloat and diarrhea can have serious implications for the health of your chinchilla.

7 Chinchillas Need Love

But that’s why you got one in the first place, to give and receive love. As long as you follow the rest of the tips this last one should be easy to practice. Good chinchilla care means having loving compassion towards this small fuzzy being. If you have that then everything else will fall into place. And if you’re reading this then you’re off to a great start already. So keep it up because after you find and buy that special chinchilla for sale you both will be so happy together.

How to Groom Your Chinchilla Properly

  • Posted by admin on June 10, 2010 at 7:50 pm

How to Groom Your Chinchilla Properly

Chinchilla dust allows your pet to stay clean. If they were still living in the Andes Mountains, they would have to use volcanic ash to stay clean. Oils and dirt stay in your pet’s coat because of the dust. The dust then causes the oil and dirt to be released from your pet. This is the process of how the chinchilla’s fur is cleaned.

A chinchilla’s cleanliness relies on regular dust baths. If they don’t have them, they can end up being stressed which can turn into health issues. They can also suffer from behavioral issues as well. When it’s warm, give your pet a fresh dust bath every other day for about ten minutes. Their fur will not be matted and greasy. If their fur stays like that, they can get overheated. When it’s cold, you should dust bath your pet twice a week. When you’re giving them a dust bath, cover the cage with sheets to prevent dust from flying everywhere.

You can give your chinchilla a dust bath every day if their skin doesn’t get dry. They did it when they were running wild. This may help them especially if their fur is continuously matted and greasy. You may want to consult a veterinarian just to be sure.

It’s not good to smoke around your pet. The second hand smoke is detrimental to your pet’s health as it is a human’s health. The tar from the cigarette covers their fur. The chinchilla would be able to taste the smell because they clean their fur with their mouths. The tar is ingested in their bodies. You must give a new chinchilla in your care a wet bath if you find this to be the case for your pet.

Another idea for the dust bath is to mix Arm & Hammer Baking Soda to the mix. This helps your pet to smell fresh. If your pet is urine-sprayed, wipe him with a damp cloth and dry them completely with a towel. Then you can administer the dust bath. Usually the chinchilla learns to roll in the dust bath from their parent. If not, that means that the parent was not throughout in their training of the pet.

If your pet is sensitive or allergic to dust, you should wipe their nose. The sensitivity can result from inhaling particles. You will know this by the chinchilla clearing their nose. Other symptoms include the eyes watering. You must beware when you see this happening to your pet. It could be a sign of pneumonia or an issue with the respiratory system.

If your pet is not using the dust bath, give him a massage everyday. Once your pet starts accepting feeling the cleanliness, he’ll use the dust bath on his body. If they still refuse it, it may mean something more serious, like an injury. You will know this if they don’t move around like they normally do or if they can’t roll without feeling pain. They may also refuse it because of the texture of the dust bath. Some stores carry a heavier texture than others. If that’s the case, check with the pet store to see if they have a lighter texture.

However you do it, make sure that your pet feels clean and fresh at all times.