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- Chinchillas can live anywhere between 10 and 20 years. Owning one is a long term committment.
- Most chinchillas prefer not to be held. They'd rather be running and jumping all over the place than sitting in your lap or arms.
- They require regular exercise. Devoting time to allow them to run outside their cage is important.
- They are rodents & love to chew.
- They are nocturnal & will play through the night. Jumping & banging around in their cage.
- Depending on where you live, you most likely will need an air conditioner to ensure the room temperature does not exceed 80°.
Many chinchillas end up as rescues because they are not what people expect. Be sure to research thoroughly. They are a lot of responsibility, as any pet is.
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You've decided to get a chinchilla. They come in all sorts of colors & sizes for that matter. Here is a list of some color mutations. Follow this MCBA link to find out how chinchillas are classified in shows.
Standard
Mosaic
Pink White
Black Velvet
Brown Velvet
Hetero Beige
Homo Beige
Pastel/Tan
Hetero Ebony
Homo Ebony
Violet
Sapphire
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Buying your chinchilla from a breeder has its advantages over the pet store. The breeder will be able to provide you with a history of your chinchillas genetics & health. Pet store chins could be sick and neither you or the employees may know it. Most breeders will always be willing to answer any questions you may have after your purchase. They will be able to offer better quality and the right chin for your needs.
In addition to breeders and pet stores, chinchillas can be purchased from ranches and rescues.
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The cage should be as big as you can provide. Chinchillas have a great deal of energy and love to bounce all over the place. The cage should be out of direct sunlight and away from drafty areas. Avoid plastic cages. Chinchillas chew anything available to them and the plastic from the cage can make your chinchilla sick. Because chinchillas are excellent jumpers, ramp are not necessary.
They should have a hiding box or sleeping house to make your chin feel safe & secure when he feels the need. In addition to the house, bedding is needed for the bottom of the cage. The most commonly used is kiln-drived pine shavings/bedding. Newspaper is not a good choice because it doesn't absorb well. Cedar bedding is toxic to chinchillas and should not be used.
Ceramic dishes are excellent choices. They are heavy enough so they wont be knocked over. Dishes that attach to the cage are also great.
Water bottles are also a necessity. They need to always have water available to them. Glass water bottles will most likely last longer than plastic as chinchillas seem to reach anything near & around the cage. Cleaning your water bottle regularly is essential to avoid any bacteria from growing inside the bottle.
Their teeth are constantly growing and need to be maintained by chewing. Chew toys are necessary. You can purchase chew toys from pet stores or online. They can come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and flavors. I have a kabob for my chins and use wooden carrots, blocks, lava bites & branch bites.
They are bundles of energy packed into these tiny bodies. When they get excited yo might often catch your chinchilla popping around in the cage or performing what I call a pop & twitch. Devoting an hour of free play outside the cage daily is great for your chinchilla. Granted, time does not always allow for an hour all the time, but that is an ideal time frame. They must be supervised because they will chew on electrical wires, furniture, the floor, books, and anything else they can sink their teeth in. They will also go where you'd least expect so it's important to chin proof the play area beforehand.
Exercise wheels are an excellent source of exercise & fun for your chinchilla as well. Solid wheels are better than wired because there's no chance of your chin's foot getting caught. It is essential there is enough room for your chin to stretch
Chinchillas do not take baths in water. They clean themselves in dust. Sand & Dust baths are sold in stores, but sand is not nearly as good as dust. There is a remarkable difference between the two. I use Blue Cloud and my chins love it.
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Chinchillas should be fed a high quality chinchilla pellet, such as Traditional Feed or Mazuri pellets. Pellets formulated specifically for chinchillas is the best option. Food designed for rabbits & other small animals may have some of the same ingredients, but it's not suitable for a chinchilla. Fresh vegetables, like lettuce, are also bad for chinchllas. They can make your chinchilla sick. Do not use feed with treats. The chin will pick out the treats and leave the pellets.
They should get about a handful of hay daily as well. Pellets & hay are the main source of the chinchilla's diet. They are full of nutrients & vitamins for to maintain the chin's health.
Hay cubes are also a good source of nutrition. They are compressed into hard blocks and provide your chin with something else to chew on.
Chinchillas should not be given treats too often. Once a day is good. They have very delicate digestive systems and could become sick if given too many. Raisins are the most common form of treats. Others include rose hips, dried apples, papaya, chex cereal, and the list goes on.
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