Chinchilla FAQ:
Here is a list of frequently asked questions about chinchillas:
What is a chinchilla?
The Chinchilla, scientific name Chinchilla Lanigera, is a large nocturnal rodent widely known for it's dense, plush coat.
Where do chinchillas come from?
In the wild chinchillas are primarily found in relatively barren areas in the Andes Mountains of northern Chile. Their natural habitat is very cool, 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and has an elevation of 9,800 to 16.400 feet. Chinchillas seek shelter in the mountains holes and rock crevices.
How long do they live?
If well cared for, domestic chinchillas can live to be 20 years old.
What do chinchillas eat?
Chinchillas are herbivores and have specific dietary needs to stay healthy and happy. Domestic chinchillas require a high-fiber staple diet of Timothy Hay and Pellet Chinchilla Food. Be careful when offering treats to ensure they won't make your chinchillas sick. The chinchilla digestive system is not designed to handle foods that are high in fat or sugar.
They should only eat low-moisture and low sugar treats in moderation. Favorite treats include: goji berries, rose hips, dehydrated carrots, dried rose petals/buds, chamomile, or lavender flowers. You can purchase a variety of chinchilla approved snacks from Whimsy's Menagerie.
Remember, not all treats you find at the pet store with a picture of a chinchilla on the package are actually healthy for them to eat. Be safe and Google the contents before feeding them to your fluffy companion.
They should only eat low-moisture and low sugar treats in moderation. Favorite treats include: goji berries, rose hips, dehydrated carrots, dried rose petals/buds, chamomile, or lavender flowers. You can purchase a variety of chinchilla approved snacks from Whimsy's Menagerie.
Remember, not all treats you find at the pet store with a picture of a chinchilla on the package are actually healthy for them to eat. Be safe and Google the contents before feeding them to your fluffy companion.
What is all the fuss about their fur coat?
Chinchillas have a very thick fur coat that was designed by nature to allow them to survive in cold climates. A single chinchilla hair follicle contains an average of 60 hairs! Now that's fluff-power! The down side to having such a thick coat as a domestic animal is that they can easily overheat above 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that their environment stays below 80 degrees Fahrenheit at all times. A chinchilla's dense coat also makes it difficult for them to dry off when they get wet. Because of this, baths in water are not recommended. Fungal infections are a very likely if a chinchilla gets wet.
Chinchillas require "dust baths" to keep their natural coat oil balance in check. If your chinchilla looks greasy or piecey give them a scoop of chinchilla dust to roll around in. Dust baths should be available to your chinchilla at least twice a week.
Chinchillas require "dust baths" to keep their natural coat oil balance in check. If your chinchilla looks greasy or piecey give them a scoop of chinchilla dust to roll around in. Dust baths should be available to your chinchilla at least twice a week.
What temperature do chinchillas need to be kept at?
Because of their dense fur coat chinchillas need to be kept between 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit or they will overheat and get heatstroke. Many chinchilla owners prefer to keep their chinchillas in the basement because of it's tendency to stay cool. Chinchillas use their large ears to help regulate their body temperature. You can tell if a chinchilla is too hot if the veins in their ears are red and enlarged. Some chinchillas appreciate having a Chinchilla Chiller Granite Stone to help them cool off.
How to I pick up and handle a chinchilla?
The first thing you need to know about chinchillas is that most of them dislike being held. This seems unfair because they're so soft and cute, but that's just how it goes! Chinchillas that are from a reputable breeder that handled them often since birth are more likely to willingly accept handling! Because chinchillas are a small animal is is important to keep in mind that they have small bones that can easily break if they are handled too roughly or dropped! Chinchillas have a strong prey instinct and do not like being grabbed from above. The best way to pick up a chinchilla is to scoop and hold gently but firmly around the middle and hold them to your chest to help them feel secure. Be sure to support the back feet or they may feel they are going to fall! Never try to "scruff" a chinchilla (grab them by their fur) or their hair will fall out in patches. This is a natural survival reaction and may leave your chinchilla with a bald patch until it eventually grows back. Never hold them by their legs! In "desperate" situations a chinchilla can be picked up by their tail, HOWEVER, it is important to grab at the base of their tail, NOT the end. The caudal vertebrae at the base of the tail are strong enough to support the chinchilla's weight for a short time. When holding a chinchilla that is struggling you can "anchor" the chinchilla by holding the base of the tail with one hand while supporting their body with your arm. A cooperative chinchilla can be held with one arm by sitting them on the forearm, supporting their chest with your up-turned hand and tucking them into your side (think of cradling a football... that squirms!) When holding your chinchilla try to refrain from holding for long periods of time as your body temperature will warm the chinchilla to an uncomfortable temperature and they can overheat.
Temperament
Chinchillas are very intelligent and have very strong individual personalities, which is half the fun of having them in your family! They are very smart and resourceful animals that can get into a lot of trouble if they are left out of their cage unsupervised! Heck, they can get into a lot of trouble while BEING supervised! They will chew on anything and everything they can get their teeth on! Like other animals, never give them access to chew on electrical cords or other dangerous materials that can injure them or cause digestion compaction (like plastic). Similar to dogs chinchillas can fixate on things they want. If you shoo a chinchilla away from something they shouldn't be chewing on chances are they'll go right back when you're not looking! The best method is to make the item non-accessible! Chinchilla's are "trainable". They won't sit or play dead, but with consistency you can train them out of bad habits. They can also learn word association, like "treat" or "home", and they will respond to their name! Chinchillas love having routine in their lives! Your chinchilla will learn when you come home, when you give treats, and when you give them dust baths. I always give my chinchillas a supplement in the morning, and on days that I sleep in they will stay awake until I give it to them. Chinchillas are nocturnal so they are the most active at night!
Is there a temperament difference between male and female chinchillas?
While there is are many conflicting opinions on this matter the general consensus is that there isn't a huge difference in temperament. During a female's heat cycle they can become moody, and when kits (baby chinchillas) are concerned they can be fiercely territorial to other chinchillas, which is why it's recommended to separate a mother and kits from other cage mates. Males are thought to warm up to human care takers faster than females, but it really depends on a chinchilla's individual personality. Males are notorious for mounting, similar to an un-neutered dog. If this type of behavior bothers you I would not recommend males. Most males grow out of it as they mature, but again, it depends on their personality. Mounting is a natural part of chinchilla social establishment. Both males and females will mount cage mates, but for females is is strictly for establishing dominance over another chinchilla and the behavior will stop once the pecking order is established.
Are chinchilla's territorial?
The answer is YES! Chinchillas can be very territorial!!! When introducing two chinchillas NEVER just throw them together in the cage and expect them to get along. Chinchilla territorial disputes can be FATAL! Chinchilla introduction is a very delicate process whose success depends on the different personality combination! Two very dominant chinchillas are unlikely to ever get along. Two submissive chinchillas will probably have a very easy time. One dominant and one submissive can get along as long as the submissive doesn't decide to take a stab at becoming dominant. Some chinchillas are better suited to be alone in their cage, but will benefit from having a neighbor in a second cage placed next to theirs. Despite the complexity of chinchilla social structure chinchillas tend to do best with a chinchilla friend.
Chinchilla teeth care
Chinchillas are rodents, and their teeth continue to grow throughout their life. It is vital that chinchillas are fed a high-fiber diet and are offered plenty of chinchilla-safe chew toys and surfaces to keep their teeth length healthy. Overly long, or unevenly ground chinchilla teeth are life threatening. Your exotic veterinarian can make sure your chinnie is in good shape!