Chinchilla?

Question

I am babysitting 2 male chinchillas over winter break. Can anyone tell me information about them, so i can be prepared in advnace?

Answer 1

I've had my male chinchilla for the past 2ish years. If you're going to let them out of their cages, which is good to do atleast a little bit each day, make sure it is in a room where they can't go underneath anything, inside anything, and can't chew on any electrical wires. You'd be surprised where chins can fit. They're mostly fluff, so spaces that look too small for them might not be. Also, they'll chew on everything they can see, so if there's anything you don't want chewed...be warned. And be careful if you take them out not to step on them. They're fast and easily find ways to shuffle under your feet...

Their water needs to be changed daily, and their cages get messy really quickly. They poop a lot and often, and somehow mine always finds ways to fling his all the way across the room. The good thing is though, my chin has actually potty-trained himself. He will only pee in one corner of his cage, and he won't pee outside of his cage. So, if you're lucky, maybe the ones you're watching will do something similar.

You have to make sure it's never too hot for them too. Which I guess won't really be a problem during winter break.

They need to have a constant supply of food and hay. Raisins are god to chinchillas. They're an awesome and really effective treat.

Also, they need to take dust baths at least once a week. And they're nocturnal.

Phew...Chins are for the most part really sweet, so have fun with them. :]

Answer 2

That's too much to answer here.

But I can recommend an excellent reference for you to read. Get the 2006 Critters USA Annual (on the magazine stand in BooksaMillion.) It has a blue cover and a photo of a sugar glider on the front. It has an EXCELLENT article on the basic care and behavior of chinchillas. Lots of other interesting and informative articles about other small exotic pets, too. It's only $6.99 (I think.)

Good on you for doing your homework in advance!!!! The people for whom you are chinchilla-sitting are very lucky to have someone like you. :-)

Answer 3

Chinchillas need what is called chinchilla bath it is a white to gray dust that they roll in or else their fur will fall out. They are of the rodent family and have a special diet they eat. They are super fast so don't let them out of their cage unless you feel like running a marathon mad dash to try to catch them. They are cute and cuddly and can bite.

Answer 4

hello. Chincillas are so much fun, especially at night. they are very active at night. THe are very soft and can jump out of you hands easily. Don;t squeeze the hard the will shed all of there fur! Give them there "dirt bath" its hillarious to watch. they chew on anything they can get ther mouth on.

Answer 5

they ant much trouble make sure you don't put them next to your blinds or drapes cause they love to chew and they will reach out and grab any thing they can to chew on

Answer 6

what the hecka is chinchilla anyways? are you trying to spell sometihng like chuahualias those kind of dogs you saying ? well have you talked to the owner about what to do when you are babysitting those dogs over the winter time . well i use do lived in indiana during the winter time , i would put some warm blankets and gave them alot warm water , keep them busy by letting them play alot of toys and buy or hand made winter seasons dogs unitfits you can put on them to keep them warm if they needed go outside . that i did to my dogs , and if u should turn up the heater if the inside of the house is getting really cold , if not then i would get myself a small heater fan to keep them warm .

Answer 7

They are very spoiled puppies. If you have childern, they may not do well with kids. They like to sleep under a blanket. And there barks or so sweet. They get really cold easy. They don't eat alot.

Answer 8

http://members.aol.com/sirchin/chininfo.htm

Answer 9

I hear they make lovely coats! JUST KIDDING!!!! I love all critters equally.