Having A Happy And Healthy Chinchilla

Chinchillas are fragile and complex animals. Alot of things go into their basic care. They take alot more work then say your average pet cat. But as long as you provide the things they need Chinchillas can give you many years of love and laughter!

• Environment and Caging. A Chinchilla must be kept in a cool dry area that is quiet durring the day. Tempratures above 75 degrees farenheit can be deadly!! We keep our chinchillas comfortable between 60 and 65 degrees farenheit all year round. If the area is too moist then they can suffer from fur fungus. And quiet is essental for them to rest comfortable durring the day. The larger the cage the better! A cage measuring at least 24"x24"x24" is recommended. You could have a smaller cage as long as your chinchilla has plenty out of cage play time. There are alot of choices when it comes to the cage material. We recommend a wire cage with a solid bottom. A wire bottom can lead to sores and arthritis in the chinchillas feet. If starting with a baby chinchilla the wire should be spaced no more then 1"x1/2" ; for adults 1"x1" is sufficient. Make certain to rinse the cage with a solution of water and vinegar to remove any packing or galvanized dust before placing your chinchilla into its new home.  DO NOT USE CEDAR LITTER! This litter contains toxic oils that can harm small animals! We use only non-treated kiln dried white pine shavings. Chinchillas have very little odor. Once a week cleaning should be sufficient for cages housing one chinchilla. Chinchillas love to jump and it is good to either have shelves or a house in their cage.. If your shelf is made out of wire make certain the spacing is no more then 1/2"x1/2". Chinchillas have long skinny back legs and spacing more then 1/2"x1/2" can lead to injuries and breaks. If using wood for houses and shelving be certain to use only non treated kiln dried white pine or other non toxic woods.(safe woods listed under CHEWS)

• WATER Chlorinated water can be harmful to your Chinchilla. Filtered water or bottled spring water is the best and secound is unchlorinated well water. Be careful not to give your chinchilla over processed water because the trace minerals that would be taken out are beneficial. Wash out your chinchillas bottle with hot water and brush regulary. Chinchillas are very sensitive to bacteria.

• FOOD   A high quality Chinchilla pellet is the staple diet for your pet.  We reccomend either Mazuri Chinchilla Pellets or Traditions Chinchilla Diet.  Both provide essential nutrients and are milled regulary to ensure freshness. Most Chinchilla pellets sold in pet stores are past their freshness date. Although they may claim a longer shelf life the pellets start losing nutritional value after 3 to5 months. Please check the bottom of the bag for the mill date and only buy enough to last your pet 3 to 5 months. Also storing your chinchilla food in an air tight container will help keep its nutritional value. Chinchillas love to munch all day and night. Make certain that hay is avalable to your pet at all times. We use both loose hay and hay cubes. It provides your chinchilla the extra ruffage that they need and satisfies the munchies!  We purchase our feed and other chinchilla supplies for very reasonalbe prices from QUALITY FEED AND SUPPLY.  They are located in Elkridge Maryland. Contact Kim for up to date information on prices and shipping. Baltimore line (410)379-0200 or Washington line (301)621-1780

• SUPPLEMENTS We mix our own whole grain supplement for our chinchillas. We use a variety of whole grains and a vitiamin and mineral additive. This ensures our chinchillas get optimal nutrition and conditions their skin and coat.  Also a calcium supplement may be needed from time to time. Check your chinchillas teeth. They should be yellow!! If they are not then a cuttle bone or a tums can be given to add more calicum to your chinchillas diet. If using a supplement be certian to only feed one teaspoon per day per adult chinchilla and lesser amounts for younger animals. Also do not feed it in the same bowl as their pellets or they will waste them all trying to dig for more suppliment.

• CHEWS Chinchillas teeth grow constantly.  They crave and need something to chew to wear down their teeth. Chews should be availiable at all times.  Some safe woods are apple, pear, willow, red willow, bamboo, mulberry, ocotillo, yucca, pecan, cottonwood, and choia.  Also they enjoy natural pumice stone and cuttle bone. Be certain any wood that you give to your pet has been listed as safe, has had no contact with pestisides, and is clean and dry.

• DUST  Chinchillas take baths in dust. No water needed! It is very comical to watch you pet roll around in their dust house.  In the wild chinchillas roll in volcanic ash to take oil and dirt out of their coats. There are many products that simulate this natural cleaning. We recommend Blue Sparkel Dust and Blue Cloud Dust.  An enclosed dust house is also recommended. Do not leave the dust in with your chinchilla.  You should only dust your chinchillas 2 to 3 times a week for a period of 10 min. More or less depending on how humid your area is.

• TREATS  Chinchillas, like most animals and humans, for that matter love treats.  Be certain to ONLY give a few(1 to 2) treats per week to an adult chinchilla or your pet my refuse to eat its regular food. Babies under 6 months should not really have treats except the very limited non frosted shreadded wheat. Treats are a good way to train your chinchilla. Start by taking its treat and breaking it into very small pieces. As you give each piece say your pets name. Before you know it your chinchilla will come when called. You can also use this method to get your chinchilla to sit in your lap and go back into its cage! Good treats to give your chinchilla are:  1 small piece of dried no sugar added papya (aids with upset stomach and digestion) 1 square of non frosted mini wheat (adds fiber and helps with soft stool) 1 to 2 Cherrio's.. Chins love them!! 1 whole or a small amount of crushed rose hips. A pinch of Old fashioned oats (not quick cook).

• PLAY TIME  Play time is best in the evenings when your chinchilla is more active, but they will not turn down a romp out of the cage no matter what time of day or night it is. Be certain your chinchilla has gotten to know you and its name before giving this out of cage time. Also crawl around on your hands and knees to look for any dangers that your chinchilla could get into such as wires, wooden furniture legs that they may chew , and small spaces that they can get caught in.  It is best to use a play yard that is big enough for you and your chinchilla to fit into.  Or another alternitive is to bring your chichilla into the bathroom, after you have chinchilla proofed it, of course! Provide your chinchilla with his dust house , and some wooden boxes to jump on (see safe wood under CHEWS) They also love to crawl in and out of the tunnels that are made for ferrets. Do not leave them unsupervised with ANY plastic and never allow them to chew it.  Chinchillas are very curious and love to play!

• CONSISTANCY IS KEY  Chinchillas are creatures of habit.  They like to be fed, have their out of cage play time, and be dusted on the same schedule each day. If you are late they will be waiting for you! We feed our chinchillas fresh pellets and supplement every morning. In the evenings when they are more active fresh pellets, hay, and sometimes a treat are given. Then it is play and petting time!

IF YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR CHINCHILLA PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US AT

mysticmosaicschinchillas@msn.com