CHINCHILLAS

Chinchillas are rodents closely related to guinea pigs. In the wild they live in barren and mountainous areas of South America. They are kept as pets but are also raised for their fur.

The average life span is around 10 years. Pregnancy usually averages around 16 weeks. They wean at around 6-8 weeks of age. Like most small mammals, they require close attention to diet and environment in order to remain healthy.

Diet

Commercial chinchilla pellets are available and usually well balanced. Good quality, fresh hay (such as Timothy) can be added. Dried fruits and carrots can be offered as occasional treats. If chinchilla chow is not available you may use a good quality guinea pig or rabbit chow. Water should be clean and fresh – thus changed daily or whenever it appears contaminated.

Housing

Chinchillas should have a cage that is easy to keep clean and well ventilated. It should not be in direct sunlight or be exposed to cold draughts or heavy traffic. The chinchilla comfort zone is 62 – 72°F. The size should provide plenty of exercise area and for a hut into which they may retreat for privacy. Straw or paper may be used as flooring but this should be cleaned out daily. Practicing good sanitation will help your chinchilla enjoy a longer life. The cage should not be made of wood as they may chew this and cause excessive damage.

A dust bath can be placed in the cage, away from the food and water source, but should not be left in for more than a few hours to prevent dust build-up. Larger pet stores often supply specific sands for this use.

Males and females should not be housed together as the females tend to be aggressive.

Never leave your chinchilla alone with dogs or cats as even rough play can lead to injury and stress.

Handling

Chinchillas are generally easy to handle but care should be taken, especially with young children who may be too rough. Rough handling can result in hair loss (fur slip). They may be picked up by grasping the skin close to the base of the tail and cradling the body. Do not suddenly grab at your chinchilla as they may become fearful or even bite.

Health concerns

Check your chinchilla often for hair coat quality, appetite and water intake, stool production and general activity. Changes in these can signify disease.

Fecal production and consistency should be monitored often to ensure that the gastrointestinal tract is working properly. Diarrhea may be a sign of enteritis and small amounts of the stool should be checked for bacterial overgrowth or protozoons such as giardia. Enteritis is often fatal in chinchillas despite treatment.

Pneumonia (bacterial, viral, etc) can occur, especially when the housing and its location are poor. Excessive dust can predispose to upper and lower respiratory problems.

Ringworm is a skin parasite that can cause hair loss and scabs, especially in the face and feet.

Like other rodents, malocclusion (improper tooth growth) can occur. Drooling, loss of appetite and weight loss are cardinal signs. The teeth may need to be clipped often to help control this condition.

Heat stroke can occur if chinchillas are exposed to direct sunlight, high humidity or both. Affected animals are usually found lying down and panting. You should spray cold water on the feet and call the veterinary clinic immediately.

Numerous other disease conditions can occur which may require referral to a veterinarian who is more specialized in dealing with small mammals and who are equipped to do so.

We recommend that you purchase a good reference book for chinchilla care.