Content
- the chinchilla cage
- The chinchilla's arrival at home
- Chinchilla Sand Baths
- Exercise
- chinchilla feeding
- chinchilla health
If you have decided to adopt a chinchilla as a pet, it will be essential that you be properly informed about all your needs so that you can enjoy it for a long time.
Good care can directly affect your health and a happy chinchilla will reward you with lots of affection and love.
Find out in this PeritoAnimal article the care of a chinchilla. Do not hesitate to comment or share a photo of your chinchilla so that other users can get to know it.
the chinchilla cage
Before adopting a chinchilla is essential prepare the cage where you will live. You should know that these animals need space, for that reason we recommend that you look for a cage that is tall and big enough (100 x 70 x 100 cm, for example).
In the cage can never be missing:
- places to hide
- ropes or branches to climb
- big wheel
- paper substrate
- stainless pan
- sandbox for the bathroom
- bottle-type drinker
put the cage in a cool place from home without drafts, away from hot spots as the chinchilla tolerates cold well but not heat.
The chinchilla's arrival at home
In the first days the animal will feel scared and even stressed. For this reason, it is essential to avoid touching her and even letting her rest in a shady place to relax and gradually adapt to her new home. If you have other pets at home, avoid them approaching the chinchilla in the first few days, as they can cause fear and a distressing situation.
Yours habits are nocturnal and that is the reason why, we should relate to him preferably at dusk, at night or at dawn. At that time you will be more active and receptive to playing and communicating.
After two or three days of the chinchilla's arrival at home, we can already start giving her some candy or fruit that she likes to get to know us and gain our trust.
Chinchilla Sand Baths
The chinchilla's fur is really peculiar, unlike other rodents, the chinchilla has millions of hairs in each follicle. This allows it, in case it is hunted, to make its predator have a mouth full of hair and it can flee.
Chinchillas need to take care of their fur to keep it shiny and well-groomed. sand baths.
You should put in your chinchilla's cage a sandbox with a very fine substrate specific for chinchillas and you will soon see how your pet starts to enjoy the land.
When you're done with your bath, make sure you don't get any sand left in your eyes.
Exercise
the chinchillas are very active, like to jump, climb and run. These are very nervous animals and for this reason it will be essential to help them burn that energy they have.
In order for your chinchilla to exercise we must add to its cage (or outside of it) a big wheel, identical to the ones hamsters use. In addition, you should avoid using the barbells so as not to get caught by a paw. You can also incorporate ropes and shelves into the cage for climbing and jumping when needed.
Finally, we advise you to create a fenced outdoor area for your safety, a playground in which the chinchilla can move freely and explore new places.
chinchilla feeding
The chinchilla's diet is based on ready-made food specifically for chinchillas, since it is the most complete food it can offer you. Always look for the best quality brands.
You can also include in your diet and in small amounts the following foods:
- hay
- carrot
- green pepper
- cabbage
- broccoli
- natural oat grain
- dandelion
- little insects
- spinach
- tomatoes
- Apple
- pear
- banana
- watermelon
And very occasionally (2 times a week) you can give him treats like:
- sunflower seeds
- Raisins
- hazelnuts
- almonds
- nuts
chinchilla health
Although the chinchilla is a relatively healthy animal, you should know what are the main diseases that can affect it:
- heat stroke: Avoid this by placing your cage in a cool but draught-free place.
- sand in eyes: Check your chinchilla after every bath to avoid this.
- parasites: It is usually the result of poor hygiene.
- stomach problems: They will appear if you give too much fruit that contains too much water or an inadequate diet.
In the event of any serious health problem related to your chinchilla, don't hesitate to go to the vet with it. The internet is full of advice and information about illnesses, but the truth is that only the veterinarian can make a proper diagnosis and indicate the proper treatment.
