Chinchilla care diet

Chinchillas are such a wonderful pet. Most people have no idea how lovable and cleverly smart these little animals are. This is not a pet to purchase if you are not a long term commitment person because a chinchilla has been known to live for 35 years. Most chinchilla house pets have a life expectancy of 15-20 years. You want to be sure that this pet will be loved and tended to for all these years. This is a new family member and it will need regular care and attention.

Chinchillas really are a special little pet. They have a cheerful disposition and are ready to play upon seeing you. To maintain good health a chinchilla should be on a regular schedule for eating, sleeping, time out of the cage for play time etc. You'll need to spend about 2 or more hours daily with your chinchilla.

Chinchillas are low maintenance and have no foul odors if maintained properly. Chins don't require shots from your vet. It is a good idea though to know of a vet that can treat your chin if it should get ill or have an injury.

Chinchillas are chewers their teeth grow throughout their life and must be worn down so be sure to provide safe nontoxic branches or pumice stones for your pet. Also remember when your chins out playing make sure those electric cords are not accessible because they will chew them !

Chinchillas can be trained to use a liter box and can be trained to go back in their cage upon demand. When you get your new chinchilla spend a lot of time carrying him around with you. Don't let him (her) run free until your sure your pet trusts you (about a week if its previously been handled by the breeder). During this time when you put your chin back in its cage after the door is closed make a crinkling sound from the raisin box foil then give the chin half of a -raisin. When you are ready to let your chin out for free play be sure to give it enough time to really play (at least an hour). Never trick or tease your chin they are smart and have a long term memory and won't trust you. Never Never chase your pet to put it in the cage. Chin psychology is needed! Slowly approach your pet then luring it into a corner , casually talk to it, wave your left hand around slowly to get its attention and gently with your other hand scoop up your pet. If you fail try again but don't get upset with your pet and frighten it.

Yes it is true chinchillas will lick your face or lips as a sign of affection. Yes they learn their name and come when called if you are always patient and gentle with them. And be sure to rub behind their ears, under their chin and on their chest because they adore this!

DIET

The chinchilla diet is very important to keep health in check ! There are many pellet diets available and I highly recommend you talk to a pet chinchilla breeder (such as myself) to get a good fresh pellet and diet information. One important factor in looking for chinchilla pellets is that the product should be checked to be sure there is NO corn in it. Corn has a tendency to have aflatoxins which cause over growth of yeasts in the body and interfere with vitamin absorbtion. This can be deadly to a chinchillas intestinal flora and gut. Im sure there are companies that try their best to use top quality grains in their feed for our pets..

Hay is a must this gives the chinchilla high fiber that it requires. Alfalfa is more beneficial to the chin because it contains higher amounts of protein and calcium. Beware of pressed cubes that aren't rich green and that may contain glues and pesticide--read the labels if it states they are free from these items then the product should be safe. This is true with the loose hay as well. Tmothy hay is safe for chinchillas too and the same rules apply as for the pesticides.

Vitamin supplements such as drops that are added to water are available. Many good breeders use a grain supplement fortified with vitamins instead of or with the drops but again speak to a breeder and get their point of view.

Please take the time to either filter your water or boil it daily to assure chlorine and parasite removal.

A safe, healthy treat such as spoon size Shredded wheat squares without sugar are very much enjoyed by chins. Don't give your pet too many treats you want him to eat it's supper. Avoid sugary treats including fruit, since these are hard on the pancreas .

BEDDING FOR CHINCHILLAS

Cedar (Red chips) are great for storage closets because it is toxic and will kill insects. When cedar is mixed with urine from your pet it puts off a toxic gas. Do not use this products for small pets-ever! Cedar has been known to cause eye irritation, hair loss and upper respiratory problems.

Pine shavings or chips is a good choice if it is kiln dried. This process removes the irritating oils that can cause problems for the animal.

Corn cob bedding is great for some pets but not for chinchillas. They will eat this bedding and it can cause bloating, constipation and obesity possibly to the point of death.

Aspen bedding appears to be a safe choice. It usually costs a bit more but works well and doesnt seem to distress small animals at all.

News paper-NO never use the news for chins. The ink is from veggies BUT it is so concentrated that the chin will have problems from this.

Natural paper products for bedding sold in pet stores should be a safe & healthy product for your chin.

NOTE: Animals can have allergic reactions like people so if your pet shows problems with itching, hairloss not cause by fungus or from using tap water then try changing your bedding to be sure.

Hand feeding baby chinchillas

NOTE: Kitten replacer formula is

safe and an excellent product this is what I prefer to use

Recipe: 1 cup dry milk

1/3 cup Gerber mixed baby cereal

Mix these two ingredients and place them in an airtight container

NOTE: nutrical or dyne should be added to the wet mix for extra calories and vitamins by the ½ teaspoon.

When ready to feed your baby take 1 teaspoon of mix, 2 teaspoons of filtered water heated to very warm (do not use hot tap water this may contain lead) feed through a dropper by the drop. Baby chins chew their food for the first few days. Be patient so the baby doesn't choke on the milk. The tummy should feel full and the chin will refuse any more when it is full. You must keep the milk warm while feeding. I use a coffee cup hot pad. I also check the milk as I am feeding to be sure it is neither to hot or cold. I fill up the dropper and hold it up to my lip to test the temp. For the first week feed the baby 5-6 times daily. Then for the next three weeks 4-5x daily. For the next two to three weeks feed 4x daily. The baby will eat larger amounts at each feeding and wont need to have as many smaller feedings. Beware some babies will over eat-don't let them! If you notice constipation or diarrhea offer the chin some plain yogurt (no artificial sweeteners) Usually they eat it right up.

Keep your baby warm inside an aquarium or the like, with a lid. I use baby receiving blankets or fleece instead of bedding to avoid dust and provide extra comfort. Change the cage every day or two. Roll up a clean sock into a ball for the baby to cuddle with or provide a small, clean plush animal for your chin. Place a small water bottle, small pieces of alfalfa hay and some crushed fresh pellets daily in the cage for the baby to start picking on.

The set up that I use is: a ten gallon aquarium with a wire lid (not plastic). A clamp light with a 60 watt black light bulb for heat. I place it on half the tank not the middle so if it is to warm the chin can go to the other side of the tank. The black light avoids stressing the chinchilla with bright light. I use a self stick thermometer on the outside of the tank (so the baby doesn't chew it) to keep an eye on the temp. 77 to 80 degrees seems to work well.

If you have a high energy baby (3 weeks or so) You can place them in a hamster ball for exercise. I was amazed at the intelligence of my first little chin that I was raising. She was so happy and hyper and too small to let run safely so I placed her in a hamster ball and to my amazement within 10 minutes she was rolling and steering. There was a bump in the rug followed by smooth linoleum. Well she rolled onto the linoleum but couldn't make the bump UNTIL….she realized if she backed up and got a running start she could ride right over that bump and back into the carpeted living room. Well she learned to stop before running into furniture and how to turn quickly to avoid her brother who also mastered this ball. They are pros now as adults. I introduce these balls to many of the young chins and they grow up enjoying the bigger balls available . Of course Seward Breeders carries these! Giant Critter Crawlers