Chinchilla Fundamentals - Tips & Pointers
Here are some basic tips and pointers about chinchillas. Consider this our informative page.
1. Make sure to change your chin's food and water every day.
2. Make sure your chin always has enough toys to chew on to keep himself/herself occupied.
3. Let your chin out to play and stretch his/her legs as much as you can. Twice a day is best - if you can only manage once a day, make sure it's in the evening.
4. DO NOT neglect your chin. Chinchilla's, in some instances, have been known to hurt themselves in order to get attention.
5. Chinchillas do rather well in male/female pairs. They can be spayed/neutered but we do not recommend this procedure; chinchillas do not do very well under anesthetic. This is something to keep into consideration.
6. Make sure to clean your chin's cage thoroughly once per week.
7. Give your chin treats in moderation. Chinny’s love alfalfa-based treats. Nibble Rings and Loftys are an acceptable choice. Oxbow makes papaya/pineapple tablets that make chins go crazy, you can check them out here: http://www.oxbowhay.com. BE CAREFUL WITH TREATS, ONE PER DAY AND NOTHING THAT CONTAINS SUGAR, i.e., raisins, dried fruit, etc.
8. Make sure to keep your chin in an environment that is at a fairly constant temperature. Their natural environment is high in the
9. Keep your chin out of direct sunlight.
10. Chin's are nocturnal; they sleep during the day. Do not keep the room dark during the day; it is natural for them to experience the natural change from day to night.
11. NO PLASTIC in your chin's cage! It doesn't matter if it's ledges, tubes or clips. Only chinchilla cages are suitable for chinchillas. DO NOT use ferret cages, guinea pig cages or hamster cages as a replacement.
Treat Time!
