Chinchilla

Chinchilla

(Chinchilla)

Chinchillas have a rounded body, large mouse-like ears, short legs, and a long tail. A healthy baby weighs 60 to 70 grams at birth. A mature chinchilla's weight ranges from 450 to 680 grams. Females are usually larger than males.

Origin Chinchillas are rodents that are native to the Andes Mountains of northern Chile.

Lifespan average 10-15 years.

Compatibility Chinchillas can be kept as male/female pairs or single sex groups. They're naturally sociable, living in groups in the wild.

Handling Chinchillas are quiet, gentle animals that require very little care. If handled when they are young, they remain tame and docile with regular handling. Slide your hand under the chinchilla's chest and gently lift while supporting the hind end with the other hand. Cradling the animal next to your chest.

Health checks Chinchillas need a daily dust bath to keep their fur in tip top condition. If they don't have a dust bath their fur can get matted because of the oils their skin naturally produces. Choose a dust bath that's large enough for your chinchillas to roll in, Fill it about 4-6cm deep with Chinchilla bathing sand. Limit their bath time to 10 minutes or they might start using their bath as a toilet! Long dust baths can also cause eye problems. Check your Chinchillas every day and visit your vet if you notice anything unusual.

Common diseases Common conditions of pet chinchillas include bite wounds, respiratory diseases, overgrown and impacted teeth, gastrointestinal stasis, bloat, diarrhoea, skin problems, and heat stroke. 

Diet and water Your chinchilla should always have hay available. Pellets should be plain, hay-based pellets, with no seeds, nuts, or dried fruit. Pellets should be measured, and most adult chinchillas should get about 1-2 tablespoons per chinchilla per day. A water bottle is the best way to provide your chinchilla with water. Glass bottles are recommended because they cannot be chewed, but a plastic water bottle can be used if it is hung in a way that the chinchilla cannot chew on it.

Housing The enclosure should be a minimum of 4x4x3ft for a single chinchilla. Like other rodents, chinchillas love to chew, and therefore wire-mesh cages are preferred to wooden cages. DO NOT use galvanized wire, as it contains zinc, which can be toxic if ingested.

Substrate Hay, shredded paper, recycled wood pulp or cardboard litter are suitable bedding types. Any bedding used should be dust-free. Don't use shredded newspaper because the ink can be toxic for small pets like chinchillas.

General husbandry fresh food and water every day. Health check your chinchillas every day looking at their behaviour and physical appearance. Spot clean every day and full clean every 3-4 days.

Breeding Chinchillas have up to 4 kits per litter (2 is usual) and may have 1 to 3 litters per year. The kits are born with fur and open eyes and should be able to walk within an hour of birth. Weaning occurs at 6 to 8 weeks of age.

Russell McRae