Chinchilla Care

Chinchillas are fun, engaging pets and many are quite social. They can live 20-25 years. While the majority enjoy a companion, aggression issues may arise when the cage is too small, not enough hiding spots are provided, or there is size differences between the chinchillas.  Some chinchillas are best housed individually if they consistently fight with cagemates.  Chinchillas need a dust bath for 10 – 15 minutes several times a week under direct supervision. They do not tolerate heat or humidity well and should be kept below a temperature of 80F.  

Cage:

Enclosure - Their cage should be at least 3 x 2 x 2 feet.  We recommend a cage with a solid floor. While wire mesh flooring (1/2" x 1/2" mesh) can be used but injuries can occur such as torn toenails, broken toes, and foot sores.  The cage should be thoroughly cleaned at least once a week.

Bedding – We recommend bedding made from recycled paper (e.g., Carefresh, Yesterday's News).  Cedar shavings should be avoided as there are issues associated with inhaling the aromatic oils. 

Water – Chinchillas should always have fresh water available in a sipper bottle and this should be cleaned daily in warm soapy water and rinsed several times before being refilled.  At least once a week the bottle and sipper tube should be disinfected with a solution of household chlorine bleach, one tablespoon to one quart of water, and rinsed thoroughly before being refilled.

Diet

Timothy hay should always be available as is it high in fiber and good for their dental and intestinal health.  About 1 /8 cup of a high-quality chinchilla pellet should also be offered daily (e.g., Oxbow Chinchilla Deluxe) to adults. Young, growing chinchillas should always have some pellets available. Treats are not necessary and may cause problems in some chinchillas.  Fruit may cause bloating and diarrhea due to its high sugar content.  Small amounts of fresh dark green leafy vegetables (no more than 1 tablespoon) can be given as treats.  Treats need to be given in moderation and should not surpass more than 5% of their regular diet.

Handling Tips

Always use two hands when picking your chinchilla up to help them feel safe and secure. Use one hand under the abdomen to support the body and the other hand around the base of the tail. Children should not be allowed to handle these pets without strict supervision due to their delicate fur and skin.  Rough handling may cause fur to come out in large chunks and cause bruising of the skin. 

Common Health Problems

• Heat Stroke:  Chinchillas may become overheated very easily and need to be kept in a well-ventilated cage.  Ideally, their surrounding temperature is between 50 – 74°F, but no more than 80°F. Symptoms of heat stroke include lethargy, panting and bright red mucous membranes.  If you see any of these signs have your chinchilla evaluated by a veterinarian immediately.
• Diarrhea:   The most common cause of diarrhea is poor diet and tooth problems, but chinchillas may also have intestinal infections.  If your chinchilla has diarrhea have it checked by a veterinarian quickly as this can quickly lead to severe dehydration and even death.
• Dental Malocclusion:  Malocclusion means that the teeth are not aligned properly and may develop sharp points that cause pain and make it difficult to eat. Symptoms of this condition are drooling, a decrease in appetite, a decrease in size and amount of feces, or diarrhea. Your veterinarian can file the teeth to their normal shape under general anesthesia.
• Fur Ring:  This is a condition that affects male chinchillas and can be life-threatening if not treated right away.  It is caused by a ring of shed fur that becomes stuck and constricts the penis.  Any male chinchilla that grooms this area excessively, strains to urinate, or only produces a very small amount of urine at a time should be checked for a fur ring by your veterinarian.
• Respiratory infections:  Signs include sneezing, drainage from the nose, lethargy, and a decrease in appetite. Left untreated, chinchillas can rapidly become very sick. If you are concerned your chinchilla is ill, seek veterinary care as soon as possible.

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