How do you take care of chinchillas?

Question

Diet, handling, living conditions, and maybe breeding tips are needed. Thank you!

Answer 1

It would take way too much to tell you everything you need to know here. Two websites I strongly suggest you go to are chincare.com and chinformation.org/forum. They are both created people with tons and tons of chinchilla experience and knowledge and they will be able to inform you of so much more than anybody here could.

I will say one thing though specifically about chinchillas. Never, ever, ever give them fresh vegetables or fresh fruits. They contain way too much water and can easily (and I really do mean EASILY) give a chinchilla bloat. Bloat is a leading cause of death in chinchillas. The reason they can get bloat from these foods is that they originally came from very dry areas where they ate very dry foods and only got water when they could. Fresh fruits and fresh veggies overload their little systems with tons of unecessary water. Just be safe, rather than sorry. Avoid all fresh veggies and fresh fruits. I have seen so many horror stories about people who fed their pets this without knowing the potential disaster than could come of it.

Answer 2

I suggest before you even get a chinchilla, make sure there is an exotic pet vet near you that can see chinchillas - it's also a huge bonus if they're opened late, or maybe even 24 hours.
My chinchilla died a few months ago, reason unknown. He was perfectly fine, and all of a sudden after my mom went to put him away after play time, he was just sort of stunned. He moved a little tiny bit, and a few hours later he died.
It was sad, and I'm sorry if I made anyone sad here, but I don't want this to happen to anyone else. :/

And, now for the actual question. Chinchillas eat raisins (no more than one a day), hay (bought from a pet store), and also some special pellets that can also be bought from a pet store. They live in average conditions, but during the summer you want to make sure they won't overheat, because they have a lot of fur.

Answer 3

ok well heres somne helpful stuff.

what they need :

a very large cage.
a buddy ( another chinchilla)
wood floor to chew and munch on and sit on.
a water bottle.
a food dish
a hay bucket
3 or 4 hideout boxes
a large wheel (never use a running ball it could kill your chin)
chewy sticks and blocks
a dust pan
lots of ramps


handling your chinchilla

dont take your new chin out of the cage for about 3-5 days so he/she can get used to new home.
hold the tail with one hand and put your other hand under the chins 4 legs for suport.
most chinchilla dont like to be held but some will sit on your shoulder.

chinchillas need special food :

they need a special diet of pellets.
fresh fruits (some)
some vegitables
timothy hay \
fresh water each day

hopes this helps.
i have a 3 year old chin that i love to death she has been by my side sinse she was 8 weeks, good luck





edit:
never gets your chins wet.

Answer 4

You need a large cage with a house that they can hide in they are very shy animals and like there hideaway they also need a large sandbox for there baths this is a special kind of sand and it keeps there coat clean and shiny also the cage must be able to let there droppings fall through to a collection tray underneigh as they can get infections off there own poo and pee there are special cages for this animal they are not ideal pets for young children who want to handle them alot.

Answer 5

google it or yahoo search it.
they are easy to care for but it takes alot
you have to get specific food and dust for their baths.
a large cage to run around in.
you have to provide water too
hadle often to socalize too

Answer 6

get how to take care of "small animals for dummies"

it works