Caring for your Chilla
From basics to more in depth, review the things that your chinchilla needs, as well as the things they will love. And keep in mind you can always schedule a care consultation with us to address your individual situation adn the unique personality of your little friend.
Buddies
Chinchillas live in family colonies in the wild of up to 100 animals. They are social creatures with a lifespan of up to 20 years. While you will love and care for your chilla, their mental and emotional health can be greatly improved with a friend of their own species. Please consider a pair of same sex chinchillas, and a habitat large enough for them both.
Handling
It's our opinion that the most important part of caring for your chinchilla is handling them. Our chinchillas have all been raised from birth to be handled, or rehabilitated to enjoy handling as adults.If you've got a baby, be sure to hold and pet them gently every day. If you've got an adult who does not like being handled, start by spending time near them and talking to them. Then offer treats when they come near you. Then offer treats in your palm . Slowly, they will feel comfortable being in your arms. Be sure to keep up a routine of handling your chinchillas every day, if only for a short while.
Habitat
Chinchillas can jump up to five feet! So they must have an enclosure at least 24' by 24'. They like a multilevel enclosure so they can jump and climb. They need tunnels or nest boxes where they can hide. They are adapted to a cool, dry climate, so they need to be kept below 80 degrees and out of direct sunlight. Their bedding should be paper or wood shavings, but not corncob or cedar shavings. Their bedding must be changed once a week, but any soiled bedding should be taken out each day. It's a great habit to get into to take out the dirty bedding, handle the chinchilla, then give fresh food and wateat the same time each day.
Chew Toys
Your chilla needs constant access to a wide variety of chew toys Like other rodents, chillas' teeth continue to grow throughout their lives. They need acess to healthy wood in order to keep their teeth ground down, otherwise they will grow so long they have difficulty eating, or their teeth even penetrate their mouths.
Grooming
Because chinchillas evolved in a hot, dry environment, they are naturally very clean with little odor. Chinchillas need a dust bowl adn specially store bought dust to bathe in; the dust absorbs any excess oil from their fur. Because their hair is so thick, chinchillas cannot get wet. Their fur is very difficult to dry, which can lead to bacterial and fungal infections.
Food, Hay, and Water
Chinchillas need access to high-quality food pellets, Timothy hay, and water at all times. Water should be replaced daily - your chilla loves fresh water! Water should be given in a bottle attached to the habitat. Pellets go into a bowl. Hay goes into a hay rack.
Health
Overheating: Chinchillas can't sweat, so they release heat through their ears. If your chinchilla's ears are turning red, with visible red veins, it may be a sign that they are getting too hot!
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Teeth wearing unevenly: Even though you give your chilla chew toys and hay, their teeth may not wear down evenly. If your chilla is drooling, not eating, and pawing at their face, they make have a tooth concern or have an abscess that you can't see. This requires a vet visit.
Respiratory issues: If your chilla has trouble breathing, has any discharge from the nose or eyes, or is especially lethargic, they may have a respiratory problem that needs to be treated with antibiotics before it turns into pneumonia, which can be fatal.
Go see the vet!
Just like you have a family doctor, the animals in your home - including your chilla - need a family veterinarian. As quickly as is reasonable, after you get your new chinchilla, take them to the vet for a checkup and to establish them as a patient. All of our chillas have been seen by the vet and are healthy and happy before we adopt them out! But it is still important to have a vet established for yearly checkups and in case of emergency - you don't want to be scrambling to find a vet when you're worried about your little friend.
Book a Care Consultation
We would love to meet you and your chilla either in person, or over Zoom. Whether you've just gotten a chinchilla and have no idea what to do with it, or you've been a chinchilla enthusiast for a long time, we are happy to teach you (and your family) how to properly and lovingly care for your chilla.