How to Care for a Chinchilla: 

Welcome to our in-depth chinchilla care guide! If you're contemplating bringing this pet mammal into your family, or you've recently done so, we're here to guide you on how to take care of a chinchilla. We'll be diving into understanding your pet’s specific needs, creating a safe habitat, and ensuring their overall well-being. We also shed light on the commitment, pros, and cons of owning a chinchilla as a pet. Let's embark on your journey to becoming a top-notch chinchilla caregiver!

What is a Chinchilla: Appearance and Temperament 

Peculiarity of Temperament:

• Chinchillas prefer to be active at night. During daylight hours, they try to leave the shelter less often. Animals have universal vision, allowing them to see perfectly both during the day and at night.

• They feel most comfortable being in a pack. Lonely rodents may become bored and sad, even if they receive enough human attention. According to breeders, rodents living in small groups or pairs are more energetic and cheerful.

The need for socialization of chinchillas dates back to the formation of the species. Mountain animals preferred to live in groups since collective living helped them more effectively resist external threats.

Each group has a leader who controls the way of life. When danger arises, the animal gives a special sound signal. Hearing the warning, the remaining individuals rush to cover.

Like many rodents, chinchillas eat their feces. This behavior is considered normal, so you should not try to stop animals from doing this. The fact is that they produce cecotrophs, which contain many useful substances necessary for the body.

The owner of this rodent only needs to introduce a couple of simple rules into the habit to ensure a comfortable existence for the pet, as well as have a positive impact on life expectancy.

Chinchilla Cage and Care 

One of the key aspects of mammal care is providing a safe and healthy environment. This comprises proper housing, hygiene and health care.

Chinchilla care is not particularly difficult. There are a few important things you should know about keeping these rodents.

The optimal room temperature for living is 19 - 23 °C. Since chinchillas originally lived in mountainous areas, they vitally need coolness. Individuals do not tolerate heat well and may die as a result of overheating. For the same reason, the cage should not be exposed to direct sunlight.

Room humidity is considered suitable if it does not exceed 60%.

Regular sand bathing. For the psychological comfort of the animal and maintaining hygiene, it is necessary to allow the rodent to bathe in special sand purchased at the pet store. The procedure should be carried out several times a week. Usually, it takes the animal half an hour to take a sand bath.

Chinchilla Cage

Particular attention should be paid to the cage and its equipment. Among chinchilla cage ideas we could single out the following:

The design must be high - the higher, the better. The best option would be a dwelling measuring 60*50*100 centimeters.

It is important to have wooden shelves that allow you to jump freely and unhindered. The small pet will chew all the objects in the cage, so it is advisable to avoid plastic shelves because plastic is harmful to health.

The plate and drinking bowl should not be made of wood or plastic. The most suitable dishes are metal ones that have fastenings for secure installation.

For a small animal to sharpen its teeth not only with the help of wooden shelves, it must have access to chalk stone and wooden toys. These things, like volcanic sand, can be purchased at any pet store.

A running wheel would be a great accessory. To prevent plastic and wooden wheels from being eaten, you should give preference to a metal one. To avoid damage to the paws, you should choose an accessory not with rods, but with a mesh.

Wooden devices (tunnels, ladders) and a hammock for relaxation in the cage could become the best chinchilla toys.

Cleaning the Cage 

About twice a week, a rodent’s home needs to be cleaned. It is recommended to fill the cage bottom with a special filler.

Cleaning the cage is done as follows:

• cleaning the bottom of dirt and debris (a small brush and dustpan will help);

• removing dust from shelves, ladders, and toys;

• washing the feeder and drinking bowl.

Experts recommend complete disinfection of the cage and its contents once a month. Treatment of a rodent's home is carried out as part of the prevention of the development of pathogenic microorganisms, to protect against viruses and bacteria.

• cereals;

• flax seeds, pumpkin, milk thistle (limited to avoid liver overload);

• various branches, and leaves (sea buckthorn, maple, lemon balm, cranberry, calendula, mint, thyme);

• dried fruits, berries, vegetables (apples, pears, bananas, rose hips, carrots, cucumbers, zucchini, pumpkin).

In any case, you shouldn’t overdo it with complementary foods. It must be administered in small portions and remember that this is not the basis of nutrition.

You should be especially careful when handling sweets because the liver of rodents does not cope well with large amounts of glucose.

A pet's diet should include fresh hay. It is necessary to collect grass away from highways, and avoid soil contamination and the presence of insects. It is not recommended to select fragrant plants for collection.

The water in the drinking bowl must be changed every day. 

What Foods to Avoid 

Some products are contraindicated for chinchillas. It is very important to learn what you should not feed your pet, because the harmfulness of some foods may not be obvious.

List of foods that can be harmful to chinchillas:

- Nuts.

- Pine and citrus.

- Leaves, stems, and flowers of most houseplants are also poisonous.

- Human food.

- Grapes and persimmons.

- Sunflower seeds.

- Beet.

- Paper, printed matter.

Are Chinchillas Good Pets: Pros and Cons

Pros: 

• Cleanliness;

• No odor;

• Hypoallergenic;

• Lack of insects in the fur;

• Cheerful and friendly disposition;

• Curiosity;

• Mobility;

• Liveliness of character.

If you are wondered are chinchillas loud, we must say that they do not scream and rarely make noise. With proper care, they have a high life expectancy.

Cons: 

• They are timid and react painfully to loud or sharp sounds, unfamiliar smells, strangers, and animals. Severe fear can cause the death of a pet. The reason for this is the sensitive nervous system.

• Keeping chinchillas requires constant monitoring of the temperature and humidity of the room, as well as the presence of a spacious, equipped cage.

• It is not always possible to communicate with animals during the day, because their active time is night.

This mammal can become a true furry friend and a great companion and family member. These animals have a lively, good-natured character and interesting habits. Animals can bring a person a sea of ​​positive emotions. The main conditions for a happy life for a pet are human love and proper care.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

1. Do chinchillas use litter boxes?

Chinchillas, widely recognized for their high intelligence among rodent species, have often been taught by their caregivers to use a litter box effectively. While these trained chinchillas may still leave droppings throughout their enclosure, they can acquire the skill to urinate specifically within the confines of the litter box. However, it is not recommended to use cat litter since chinchillas could eat cat litter and it could pose hazards to their health. 

2. Do chinchillas bite?

These rodents could bite the owner's fingers in case of perceived threat. This type of defensive action is most prevalent when an owner abruptly tries to grasp the chinchilla. Possessing long and exceedingly sharp front teeth, a chinchilla's bite can result in a deep, severe, and painful wound.

3. How much do chinchillas cost?

The cost of adopting a pet can vary significantly based on several factors, including their origin. Adoption fees can start around $75, but chinchilla for sale could even cost up to $400 or even higher if purchased from a breeder.

4. Do chinchillas need a friend?

In their natural habitat, chinchillas are inherently social creatures that thrive in communal settings. Consequently, it's advisable to house your pet chinchilla with at least one other congenial chinchilla, unless a veterinarian or a professional animal behaviorist suggests otherwise.