Do you want to pet something with minimal attention? Chinchilla would be the best option for you. Naturally, they are very independent and playful. Unlike many household pets, they prefer to be caged. A chinchilla won’t bother you in your work time.
If you heard of a chinchilla for the first time, you might wonder – Are chinchillas good pets? Well, yes. They are very entertaining and fun. They are lively but not lap-pet. If you’re lucky, you’ll meet one who loves to cuddle. However, Chinchillas are not an ideal pet for any children or teenagers.
But before having it in your home, ask yourself some questions-
The Questions are
- Chinchilla lives for more than 20 years. Are you willing to take care of it for its entire life?
- Chinchilla has 3 floating ribs (not attached to the sternum). Picking them up can be dangerous. Are you a responsible pet owner?
- Chinchillas are clean. Their cage and living space must be cleaned regularly. Are you prepared to dedicate enough time to them?
- Chinchillas are not recommended for children. Children will not get the sensitivity of it. If you’ve children in your house, can you make a safe environment for chinchillas?
If your answer is yes, considering all these facts, then what are you waiting for? Just go for it.
Chinchillas are prey animals. You can’t keep it in any open space in your home; you must buy a cage. There’s a number of chinchilla cages available in the market. So you may get perplexed in which one is best for your Chinchilla.
So, to help you out with that, here are some bits of advice for you.
Chinchilla Cage
The cage for your Chinchilla must be made of metal. You should pick the large and wider one like Prevue Hendryx black feisty cage. It will be helpful for your Chinchilla to play in the cage. Make sure the cage has a solid floor. It will help your pet free from getting hurt.
Usually, chinchillas are very small and covered with fur. Make sure the cage bars are narrow. Otherwise, your lovely buddy may sneak out and escape.
Your Chinchilla might get scared very easily. Provide a nest box in its cage. It can take shelter when it gets scared. It will work as a resting space for it, as well.
Ensuring a proper environment is an absolute necessity for your Chinchilla. Our chinchilla care guide can enlighten you in this regard –
Chinchilla care guide- How to take care of Chinchilla?
- Chinchillas are very social. They are not happy alone, must be kept in pairs.
- They do not like very warm weather and high humidity. Keep the cage in a place where airflow and humidity are on a medium level.
- You already know, Chinchilla likes to stay in the cage. You must clean the bottom of the cage routinely and wash the cage with hot water weekly for its good health.
- Your Chinchilla can get uncomfortable if you handle it too much. They might spray urine, lose fur as part of a defensive mechanism.
- Chinchillas are very sensitive. Don’t squeeze them. Lift it very gently, and do not make it scared.
- Chinchilla has continuously growing teeth. Give your pet something to chew and prevent overgrowth.
- Unlike many household pets, Chinchilla’s fur does not get dry quickly. Therefore, give your one a dust bath. It will clean the excess grease for its fur.
- If you notice a sign of fur chewing in your Chinchilla, it must be from its stress or boredom.
To keep your Chinchilla healthy, you must know the Chinchilla food list, which is different in form. Chinchillas are herbivores. It requires two tablespoons of mixed pellets every day.
Chinchillas are crepuscular. They remain active at the time of dawn and dusk. Try to feed it close to this time. A balanced Chinchilla diet list can be-
- High-quality chinchilla pellets.
- Limited amounts of vegetables and fruits.
- Timothy hay.
- Clean, fresh, filtered, daily changer chlorine-free water.
There are some ingredients that you should definitely avoid putting in your pellet choice, such as:
- Fillers such as Corn or Soy.
- Vegetables or Vegetable products, dried or fresh.
- Fruit, dried or fresh.
- Seeds.
- Nuts.
You must be concerned about your Chinchilla’s health, right? There are some signs through which you can understand your Chinchilla’s health. Signs of a Healthy Chinchilla are-
- Active, alert, and sociable.
- Eats and drinks regularly.
- Healthy fur and clear eyes.
- Unlabored breathing.
- Normal Walk.
FaQ
What do chinchillas need in their cage?
Chinchilla likes to stay in the cage. It requires many items in the cage to feel comfortable. Some “must needed” items are –
- A small pet bedding
- Water bottle.
- Food bowl for hay or pellets
- Chew toys to prevent overgrow of teeth,
- A litter box if your Chinchilla is potty trained
- Hiding nest for the shelter when it gets tired or scared.
How long do chinchillas live for?
Unlike many pets, Chinchilla lives for 20+ years. It depends on the breed you are petting. But for most common ones, you can expect it to live around this age.
Are chinchillas easy to care for?
Yes. They are easy to take care of if you can ensure a safe and proper environment. They need very minimum attention apart from their basic need. They are independent. They will rely on you for some tasks. Such as – keeping the water bottle full, placing food bottles, etc.
They are naturally clean. To keep it healthy, you must clean the bottom of the cage regularly. Frequent washing of the cage with hot water will be good for your pet.
Conclusion
Having a chinchilla as your pet can be an amazing experience. They are wonderful pets, require less money, unlike other household pets. Chinchillas are very clean animals, and easy to care for. It only requires your lifetime commitment and a safe environment. They are one of the cleanliest small animals you can own.
Contents