Chinchillas are adorable, soft, and active pets that can make great companions. If you’re considering getting a chinchilla for the first time, there are some important things to know ahead of time to ensure a happy and healthy chinchilla. This beginner’s guide covers everything you need to know before bringing home your first chinchilla.
Choosing a Chinchilla
When selecting your first chinchilla, it’s best to get one from a reputable breeder or rescue organization. Pet stores often get chinchillas from questionable sources. Look for a chinchilla with bright, alert eyes and a full, thick coat. Kits (baby chinchillas) are very active and playful. Adults over 6 months old have calmer temperaments. Females are usually more energetic while males are more laidback. Personality varies among individual chinchillas.
Housing Your Chinchilla
Chinchillas are active and need lots of space to run and jump. A large multi-level cage is ideal. Cage bars should be narrow to prevent escapes. Line the cage bottom with shredded paper bedding or fleece liners. Chinchillas like to hop so provide platforms and ramps at different heights. Include a cozy house or wooden hideaway for sleeping. The cage should be in a quiet room away from direct sunlight, loud noises, and drafts.
Chinchilla Diet
Chinchillas are herbivores and eat fresh hay, pellets, vegetables, and fruits. Provide unlimited access to timothy or orchard grass hay. It aids digestion and wears down teeth. Give a tablespoon of chinchilla pellets daily. Offer a small amount of veggies like kale, carrots, or broccoli 2-3 times per week. Fruits like berries and apples are high in sugar so give sparingly. Provide fresh water in a sipper bottle at all times.
Handling Your Chinchilla
It takes patience for chinchillas to get comfortable being handled. Let them get used to your scent first. Talk softly and offer treats by hand. Once they seem relaxed, pick them up gently with both hands supporting the chest and hindquarters. Never pick up by the tail! Hold them against your chest and talk calmly. Start with short handling sessions and increase over time.
Chinchilla Care Tips
- Cage clean 1-2 times per week to keep odor down
- Provide chew toys to wear down teeth
- Dust bathe 2-3 times per week in chinchilla dust to clean fur
- Trim nails every few months as needed
- Schedule annual vet checkups to keep them healthy
With the right habitat setup, nutrition, and handling, your first chinchilla can thrive and be a fun, interactive pet! Their energetic and curious nature makes chinchillas a truly enjoyable small animal to own.
