![]() The minimum floor space needed is about 24 by 24 inches. A cooler, quiet area of your home is the best place to put a chinchilla cage. This must be considered when deciding where to place your chinchilla in the house. In the wild this fur protects them from the elements, but in captivity it makes them somewhat susceptible to overheating. They are perhaps best known for their incredibly soft, thick, luxurious fur. Choosing the Right Chinchilla CageĬhinchillas are a small rodent native to South America, found in rocky, arid areas in the mountains. Make sure any wood you use has not been treated with pesticides, and do not give branches from toxic trees, including trees whose fruit has pits or stones, or evergreen wood. Twigs from apple trees and other safe trees can be given to your chinchilla. Though we don't normally think of twigs and branches as anything special, your chinchilla will likely view them as a terrific treat. Also, treats must be limited to very small quantities to avoid upset. If you are changing the diet, begin by mixing a small amount of the new food with the older food, and gradually increase the proportion of the new food. It’s recommended that you feed your chinchilla quality chinchilla pellets supplemented with plenty of fresh grass hay. Chinchillas are not designed for rich or fatty diets, and such diets can easily cause serious digestive upsets. In the wild, chinchillas naturally eat a diet of vegetation that is high in roughage. The digestive system of chinchillas is fairly sensitive so any diet changes should be made gradually.Ĭhinchillas have very sensitive digestive systems, and feeding a good quality diet appropriate for chinchillas is essential to their health. Treats should be given in moderation (one teaspoon per day in total). What do Chinchillas Eat?Ĭhinchillas require a lot of roughage, and the diet should mainly be made up of a good quality grass hay along with pellets made for chinchillas. Warm temperatures are more of a concern for chinchillas than cool temperatures, so care must be taken that pet chinchillas do not become overheated. Since they are so active and playful, chinchillas need a roomy cage for exercise as well as their daily playtime. They prefer a consistent routine for handling and feeding times and may be stressed out by changes to their routine. ![]() In any case, they should be kept in a fairly quiet area during the day. Sometimes they are called crepuscular, meaning their activity peaks at dawn and dusk. ![]() Habits: Nocturnal AnimalsĬhinchillas are largely nocturnal so will be most active at night. Chinchillas can be kept singly, and will usually do fine as same sex pairs, especially if they are litter mates or introduced to one another at a young age. With gentle handling from a very young age, most chinchillas will become quite tame and bond closely with their owners, although sometimes they do not like to be held or cuddled. Although they are generally small creatures, their body length can grow from 10-14 inches, and their height about 5-6 inches. However, chinchillas can be very friendly animals if sufficiently acclimated to human touch as kits (babies), making them excellent pets for patient owners.Ĭhinchillas typically live about 15 years, but living between 18-22 years is not uncommon. Because of their high-strung disposition, they are not usually considered to be good pets for small children. Chinchillas are naturally very skittish creatures and generally do not like to be held, although they can become very attached to their owners. Chinchillas are crepuscular (animals that are primarily active at dawn and at dusk), somewhat nocturnal, and typically do not like to be disturbed during the day, which may make them less favorable as pets to some people. Can I have a pet chinchilla?ĭomestic chinchillas can be kept as pets. Learn about chinchillas, how to care for them, and what supplies you need to provide a home for a chinchilla in this chinchilla care guide. Chinchillas can make wonderful pets for the right person, but before deciding on a chinchilla pet, familiarize yourself with their unique characteristics and all aspects of their care.
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