Serilla Chinchillas

Caring For Your Chinchilla

List of all the information that is Below for all new Chinnie owners Please read all the info to help you and understand the care of having a Chinchillas

Chinchillas as Pets
Heat Conditions
Keeping in Pairs
Bedding
Water, Feed, and Changing Feed
Treats
Baths and Chewing'
Play time
Cuts and Dry Feet
Malocclusion
Colors of chinchillas
Droppings
Illness and Parasites your chinchilla can get
Items to have on hand.

In their native habitat, chinchillas live in burrows or crevices in rocks. They are agile, jumping up to 5 feet high. Predators in the wild include Hawks, Skunks, Canines, Owls.

In Nature, Chinchillas live in colonies. Females chinchillas are significantly bigger than the male. Average weight is 500 to 900 grams, males are 450 to 800 grams, Females normally don't get put into breeding until they are 8 months or older. They can breed any time of the year, but mostly fall and spring. Summer may show to be to hot to be pregnant. Females estrus goes every 25 to 31 days, lasting 2 to 3 days. Gestation is 107 to 113 days, normally they are right on at 111 days, most births will happen very early in the morning. They have a long gestation, thus being, kits are born with their eyes open, fully furred, with in days of birth they are jumping around, eating hay, then feed, and water, moms will start weaning kits about 6 to 8 weeks. Litters can be from 1 to 7 kits, though 7 is very rare. Normally they will have any where from 1 to 3 kits. When a chinchilla miscarries, the fetus is frequently absorbed back into the mothers body. Most of the time you wouldn't even know that she was pregnant. Signs of a Chinchilla Being Pregnant, they will start to sleep more, eat more, and in the last month to last weeks, they will start to lay on their side, start to look larger. most of the time you really don't know they are pregnant until the last weeks, if they are having 2 or more kits, if they are having 1 kit you may not know at all. There has been times where I didn't even know when one of my girls was, until I had a little surprise in the morning. If you think your chinchilla is pregnant don't lift or hold or take her out of the cage, unless necessary, this may cause them to miscarriage.

1. Chinchillas as Pets

Chinchillas are generally nocturnal ( up at night time), this is something to remember when wanting a Chinchilla. Chinchillas can make great pets with the proper care. Though for young children they do not make for a good pet. They can be skittish, don't like really like to be held, though they do like to jump on you, if your sitting still, and they like their ears and chin rubbed. They have delicate bones, that can break very easy, Females seem to be more territorial than males. We like to see chinchillas going in pairs, they will be healthier, happier, and live longer. (imagine! you all by your self for the rest of your life, Chins like to live in colonies or small groups). Males seem to do better together than females, as said they are more territorial. though it can be done.

Chinchillas are very intelligent, they can be taught to come out on your hand, arms or shoulder, with patience and practice. By putting your hand in their cage, let them come to you, be very still, and call their name. Don't try to rush this, it will only scary them and it will take longer for them to trust you and to learn. Keep you hand in the cage, once they put their hand on yours they will slowly walk up your arm, there you can take them out of the cage. If they try to run by you to get out, push them back softly, and put your hand back out. should they try to run out again, close the cage door, and come back in 10 to 15 minutes. and try all over again, once they learn this, that they know if they go on your hand, arm or shoulder, they can get out of their cage, or get a treat.. Remember each chin is different, they have their own personality and temperament. Don't try to chase your chin when there in their cage or out, this can really scare them, and cause then to be fearfully of you. if your chin gets out of their cage, and you need to get them back in their cage, either put their dust bath out, most of the time they will came running for it. Then pick up the dust bath with them in it and put them back in the cage. Or as a last resort, get a sheet, and throw it over them and then scoop them up in the sheet and put them back in the cage, they wont see you and they will be back in their cage, thinking what just happened.

Chinchillas can live up to 20 years ( this is another thing to remember when thinking of getting a Chinchilla, will they be able to move were you move.) Depending were you live and the conditions and diet you give your Chinchilla, normal its 10 to 15 years. I believe for a pet chinchilla, that their cage be as large as your budget allows, with many ledges, boxes (homes) and perches. Plenty of room for them to jump and bounce around. NO wire ledges or latter's, if your cage come with wire ledges, ramps or latter's. Take them out. and replace with wood. Their feet, arms and toes, can get caught in the wire and could cause broken bones. Exercise wheels are wonderful for chinchillas, Note, get the size 15" or larger, if its to small, they could hurt their backs and legs. solid metal is the best. No wire wheels. I have found for cages and wheels, go to www.qualitycage.com the chin spin is a great wheel to have, it will last a life time for a chin or more.

2. Heat Conditions

Chinchillas can get hot very fast. Which is very dangerous. They can not sweat, which makes them prone to overheating. A very warm chinchilla can show signs of having very warm to hot feet, visible veins in ears, and lethargy (not moving) this could lead to death very fast. If you See signs of this, cool down the room, put a frozen water bottle raped in a towel or paper towel and place it by your chin, put a few drops of cool water on their lips this may make them lick their lips. Place a cold piece of marble or granite and lay your chin on this. You need to do these things quickly to get your chins temperature back down. Keep the air circulating in the room. but not directly on them. No drafts from windows or fans or heating and cooling vents. This can cause colds or respiratory problems. Do not place your chinchillas cage in front of a window where direct sunlight can hit them, door ways or heating and cooling vents. Temperature should between 60 to 75 Degrees, try not to let it get any higher than that, if your house or room does get hotter, place the marble and frozen bottles in their cage, to keep them cool. Marble and Granite you can get a Home Depot or any other store like this.

Never use a BALL with a chinchilla, the temperature can go up another 10 to 20 degrees high than room temperature.

3. Keeping Pairs

Keeping Pairs Males are normally better for pairing together as pets. As long as they have their own space, their own house to sleep in or get away from the their chin, to have their own time. even if you see that they are always by each other side. Still keep 2 or 3 house in their cage. You can use hammocks or tunnels with the houses. Females can go into pairs but they are more territorial and need more space for them selfs. though it can be done. Remember Chins do better in pairs. Its always best, to do this when they are young, and the best time is when you get a chinchilla, get both at the same time. When a chinchilla gets older they get set in their ways and it may harder or impossible to put another chinchilla with them. Plus its a process to put them together. You have to slowly, put them together. By putting their cages side by side for a couple weeks, then slowly introduce them in a very small area, and watch them very closely, make sure no fur is flying or biting where you see blood, if you do see this, put them back in their own cages and try again in a couple days. if all goes well, clean the cage that you will be using for the both of them. From top to bottom. with vinegar, all wood, spray down and let sit for at least 10 to 15 mins the rinse clean, the same with all wire and pan, then rinse very well and put new bedding in, or you can replace all wood with new wood. So all the smell is gone and its neutral to both chinchillas. put them both in the cage and watch and see how it goes, if they are doing good, Great! still keep a close eye on them. if fighting starts take out the old chin and put him in the other cage, and try again the next day. I have found that taking out the old chin works better. What I have found that works really good, is bring your old chin with you to pick up the new chin, and the ride home will help them bond to each other, but only do this if you get them from the same breeder. and do the same with the cage, so the smell of the cage is neutral. Should you get your chin from another breeder or pet store. you need to quarantine the new chinchilla for at least 4 weeks, just in case they are sick or carrying something. You need to keep the new chinchilla in a different room. After the 4 weeks if your new chinchillas is showing no signs of being sick. Then you can start working them together.

4. Bedding

Never use Cedar, the fumes are to Strong and toxic. Plus the oil is harmful, it contains a substance called Phenols. Pine or Aspen shavings work well, it needs to say that it is Kiln Dried (KD) the same for wood in their cages. Try to get coarse cut bedding, to fine of shavings can cause breathing problems. Bedding should be changed weekly, you can scoop out the are where they pee daily or so. I use a product called Sweet PDZ that really keeps the urine smell down. ( I all so sell this). I really don't recommend Carefresh either since the chinchillas will chew on this and it is made of recycled paper and can get lodged in their digestive track.

5. Water & Feed

Used Filtered or bottled water, No tap water, there many be to many chemicals in it, that your unaware of, if your on a well all so. If you don't drink it, don't expect your chinchilla to. if they don't like the taste they wont drink it. and this can cause them to get dehydrated and up set their digestive system. Change water every to every other day. Clean water bottles 2 to 3 times a week in dishwasher or with bleach water, to sanitize. You don't ever want mold or bacteria to start to grow in the bottle. Wash in dishwasher or by hand with hot soapy water or you can use watered down bleach, just make sure that you rinse very well. Attach to the out of the cage, this way your chinchilla can not chew and put holes in it. and get water all over their cage and then they will have nothing to drink. Do not use bowls they can tip over and get water all over the cage all so and this can cause dampness and mold to start to grow and this can make your chin very sick.

Feed your chinchilla the best feed you can get. The feed from pet stores is not very good. they use poor ingredients, and do not have the proper nutrients in it. If you do get feed from the pet store, use Mazuri. If you get your Chinchilla from a breeder, its best to buy extra and keep you chin on the same feed. Changing feed can upset the digestive system, and cause wet poops,. Most breeder will sell you feed on a regular bases. Do not use a bowl for feed either, since chins like to sit in it and they may pee and poop in it and contaminate the feed. Keep feed in air tight container, in a dry cool place. I free feed my chinchillas, which means, I fill their feeders so they always have feed. I use Hubbards Traditions feed, I all so recommend Maurzi, Oxbow, and Purina Advanced Nutrition Rabbit feed, this you can get at Grain and Feed stores that sell farm and Horse supplies.

Hay, I keep loose timothy hay or a Mix hay, plus timothy/alfalfa cubes in their cages at all time. The loose hay, works on the back teeth and the cubes work on the front teeth. Its very important that your chinchilla has hay and water at all times. I clean up hay from the night before, and give them fresh loose hay every day. they may pee on the hay and you don't want them to eat it. If you smell a mustiness to the hay, or if it feels hot or wet, throw it away, its growing mold, which is very bad for chinchillas and makes them very sick and even cause death. You may be able to get hay and cubes from the breeder or online and some times the pet stores. I all so sell both loose and cubes. Once in a while I will give my chins Alfalfa hay, as a treat, and to my moms and baby's. Store hay in a dry cool place, paper bags with small holes in works very well.

Changing Feed

should you need to change your chins feed.

First 4 days --- 3/4 old to 1/4 new

next 4 days---2/3 old to 1/3 new

next 4 days---1/2 old to 1/2 new

next 4 days---1/3 old to 2/3 new

next 4 days---1/4 old to 3/4 new

next 4 days--- just a little old to mostly all new. Then all new.

If at any time you see your chin having soft wet poops, stop the new food or slow down on the new food, give your chin some brunt toast or shredded wheat. and try in again in a couple days. Chinchillas have a very sensitive digestive systems, you need to be careful when changing feed.

6. Treats

Treats should be limited, I give dried Cranberry, Blueberry, Bing Cherry's, I only give these about every 2 weeks. Rose hips, some herbs, once a week, Shredded (No Frosting), Wood pieces,. To many Treats can upset the digestive track, they may not want to eat their feed, and could cause fatty liver, Vets are seeing this more with chinchillas, do to pet people loving their chin to death. The fat builds up on their livers, and cause many problems, signs are water eyes, Respiratory problem, not eating, dehydration, and then causing the death of your Chinchillas. Most people wont even realize this unless they have a narcolepsy done on their chin to see why they have passed, they may just think they have a cold or phenomena, or teeth. and they get the wrong treatment

7. Baths & Chewing

Chinchillas need to take baths at least 3 to 4 times a week, depending where you live if you live in a area that gets more Humidity,.(Chinchillas need a humanity level of 35 -40 %) they need to take baths more, I always use a Fungal powder year around, I use either Desenex or Tinactin, you can get both of these from any store in the Foot area, and needs to say that it helps cure Athletes foot. Since I have been doing this for 3 years now, I have never had a problem with fungus. Signs of Fungus, around the nose, eyes, eyes brows, will start to look rough, (messed up) the hair will start to fall out, the skin will look red and scabby. at the first signs of this, get the fungal powder, and take a Qtip and put a little bit of the powder on the area, 2 times a day for the first 3 days, avoid the eye area, you don't want to get in their eyes. then place 2 teaspoons in the 1 pound of Dust and let them dust 2 times a day, for week, Replace powder, Second week, 2 teaspoon in a pound of dust, let them dust every other day, and continue on third week, every 3 day. until it is complete gone, and cleared up. For follow up. on a regular basis, put 1 teaspoon in 1 pound of dust, for their regular dusting. IF you notice that your chins fur looks dry, cut down on the baths, if your Chins fur looks oily, up the baths. Baths are very important to Chinchillas, they love to take them and it relaxes them, when stressed. A great place to let your chin take a bath is the shower stall, this will keep the dust contained, in a small area, then you can just rinse it down when they are done.

Chinchillas always need something to chew on, they will Chew on any thing they can get their little hands on. Its important that there is no plastic, rubber, or cloth, (Fleece is Safe) that they can chew on and get in their digestive track and block it up. Chinchillas will chew on their wood house's, ledges or any other wood parts in the cage. Try to have toys or some type of wood pieces for them to chew on. I have a page that list safe and unsafe woods. Most bird toys are safe, as long as they don't have plastic on them. I all so sell items for the chews to chew on. Chewing keeps their teeth down, Keeps the boredom down, gives them something to play with. keeps their minds busy. At No time get your chinchilla wet, their fur is very dense and can not dry properly at base, at their skin ,and this can cause a Fungus to start to grow.

8. Play Time

Most Pet People will let their chins out to play, give your chin a safe place to run and jump. Most people will use the bath room. with the toilet set down. This area with not have wires or furniture that they can chew on, or wood furniture that has vanishes or paint on them that can make your chin very ill.

9. Cuts & Dry Feet

If your chin gets a cut on their nose, feet etc. Use antibiotic ointment that we use. use a small amount, make sure you don't get up their nose, this may block their nasal passage.. For dry cracked feet, you can use Bag Balm, you can get this at most stores in the dog area or the Grain and Feed stores and Tractor Supply, it comes in a green tin with a cow on it. It works great for dry feet, and ears, I have used this for many different things.

10. Teeth / Malocclusion

This a Teeth problem that chins could have, its not common, but it does happen. Its where the teeth are not wearing down properly and their teeth are growing in to their sinus and lower jaw, this is very painful. Signs are watery eyes, drooling from the month, not eating, little pieces of feed left behind (though this is not always a sign, I have chins that will pick up a piece of food, smell it take a bite and then drop it) weight lose. Sometimes this is past down from family, or poor diet. If you see any signs of this, take your chinchilla to the Vet.

This information is from the Al and Alice Kline Book, Plus information that I learned at the MCBA Shindig 2007.

Cause that lead to teeth problems: # 1 being the most working down to 6. Heredity

Diet
Accidents
Sickness
Heavy Littering
Improper Baby Care
Heredity

Diet:

It is important to keep you Chin on a maintained well balanced diet, Good quality Feed, Hay, Water. proper nutrient of A, D plus Calcium and trace minerals, but its important to have this in the proper amounts. Some Breeders and Ranchers, will supplement their Chins with grains, and Vitamins that contain these property's. You always want your chin(s) have a nice yellow to dark orange yellow front teeth, if your chins teeth get very light yellow or white, they are have a Calcium, A, D, Mineral defiance, Some people will give Tums, or Calcium supplement. Cut out a lot of treats, no more than 2 times a week of a a soft treat, like dried cranberries. I dont give Raisins, do to they are very high in sugar. It will stick to their teeth and my cause cavities.

Accidents:

This may be cause by a fall from your hands, cage door, being on furniture thats to high, and hitting, their month on the floor. Or getting their teeth caught in the wire of cage. When you are holding your chin, make sure you have a good grip on the base of their tail so they cant up out of your arms, when having the cage door open make sure you are right there with your chin if the cage is up high. Always keep a good eye on your chin when they are running about for free time, so they don't chew on things that they should'nt or get up on furniture and jump off and hit their months

Sickness:

Chinchillas teeth are always growing, they can grow form 8 to 12 inches a year. When a chin is sick and they are not eating or chewing on items. the teeth will continue to grow, and even make more difficult for your chin to eat. It does take time for this to happen,. Check your chins front often, to make sure they are not over growing, though its very hard to check the back teeth. and a vet can only do this.

Teeth Problems ( Malocclusion), is very painful, the bottom molars well grow into the bottom jaw, the top will grow into the upper jaw and sinus, eye socket, brain. If you have a chin that is having teeth problems, its a very sad heart breaking and very expensive to have their teeth grind down, you must have this done about every 3 to 4 weeks, its very painful for chin to have this done. its a important decision that you need to make, in either keep your chin alive in pain, or putting them to sleep and putting them out of pain, You may love your chin very much, but remember this very painful on chins, think when you have a tooth ache or sinus head ache and times that by 100.

Signs of teeth Problems: Color, Weepy eyes, Fur in teeth, Spaces between teeth, Chin is getting thin and Slobbering, wet paws, their fur looking really ragged, and the chin not eating well.

11. Colors of Chinchillas & Mutations

Standard Grey, Pink White, White, Beige, Ebony's, Violet, Sapphire, White Ebony, Tans, Tov's (which can be in any color) TOV meaning a touch of Velvet. thats where there is Black Velvet in the chin and they are show the mask, feet strips, or dark back. Chocolate, Mosaic, Black Velvet, Tov Tan, Brown Velvet, Beige Mosaic, Wilson White,. There are many mutations of colors, when putting different mutations together.

12. Droppings

They are normally small longer than round. Soft like a sponge, They wont smash when stepped on and Lots, Lots of Them. If you notice that dropping are getting wet or when stepped on they smash, take away all feed, give lost of hay and water, Give shredded Wheat (no frosting) or very Brunt toast, 3 times a day for 2 to 3 days or until it clears up. Plus give Acidophilus, This will put the good Flora back in to their Gut. You can get this at a Health food store, it comes in Powder or wafer form. If you give the powder, give 1/4 teaspoon, every day for 4 days. you can put this on the toast or shredded wheat. If this continues for many days, call your vet and have them test the drooping for any bacteria growing which could be Giardia or Coccidia these are types of Parasites, the Vet will have to do a poop test to see if there is any Parasites. If there is, your Chinchilla will have to go on Medications to treat this. Make sure your chinchilla is getting plenty of fluids, you can use a electrolyte mix that you can get from a Grain and Feed store, Tractor Supplies. or you can try Pedilyte, I have found that the Electrolyte mixes work the best. they come in a little packet and you would mix 1 teaspoon to 8 oz Purified water, change every other day. Give your chin plenty of hay to eat. Take way all feed, For a couple days, and just feed hay, this will get the fiber back in to their system. Any time that your Chinchilla is on medications, give Acidophilus, to keep and put back the good flora in their digestive system.

If you notice very hard and small poops, increase hay, fiber, water, with Electrolyte in it. Give about 1 teaspoon of flax seed with 1 teaspoon of Psyllium Seed Husk ( you can get this from the health food store) it comes in a herb form. 1/2 teaspoon of Peppermint leafs, mix these together and give 1/2 teaspoon 2 times a day, for 2 days, place in a feed dish or right on the wood shelf. if they don't go back to normal with in a couple days or your chin stops pooping, take them to the Vet they may have blockage, they will have to do a X-ray to see this. Do not wait or put off if your chin stops pooping, when you notice this get them right to the vet, once your chin stops pooping, their digestive systems will start to shut down, and once a chinchillas systems shuts down sometimes its hard to get it going again, and they will start to get a blockage of poop or increase the blockage if there is one. Your chin will start to get Bloat , this is very dangerous to your chinchilla, and sadly to say its a very good chance your chinchilla will pass away from this. Signs of Bloats, is not eating, drinking, stretching with their back feet out behind them almost like dragging them, dragging their belly, grinding their teeth, ( this is sign of dealing with pain), and you will notice that they will start to look like a ball shape, and that is a very dangerous sign when you see them looking like a ball. This means that all the fluid and fecal matter is building up and starting to ferment in them. and at this point death is a 90% possibility. So its very important that if your chins poop doesn't go back to normal with in a couple days or your chin stops pooping, get them to the Vet Immedityly....

13. Illness & Parasites

Illness and signs

Enteritis - Loss of appetite, Teeth grinding ( sign of being in Pain), bloat, diarrhea, lethargy (not moving)

Pasteurella - Sneezing, may have some nasal discharge, (clear, white, green), eye discharge (clear, white, green), respiratory problems.

Liver - Weight loss, hunchback, very dark urine, almost brown,. ( this can be caused by improper diet, to many treats)

Giardia - Bad smelling diarrhea, Large wet poops that are covered in mucous, decreased activity, increased appetite,

Coccidiosis - Diarrhea, increased appetite, with weight loss, lethargy, dehydration,

Cryptosporidia - blood in poops, diarrhea, weight loss.

All of these can be prevented, by clean environment that your chinchilla lives in, clean bedding, clean house's, shelfs, wall of the cage,. Keep your hand sanitized, any one else touching your chin should have clean hands,. Feed should be kept in a clean container, hay should be kept dry clean, bug and rodent free, water bottles should be cleaned at least 3 times a weeks, and at least once a week cleaned with Bleach water, ( rinse completely clean of bleach), feeder and bowls, should be cleaned the same way at least once a week,. If your chinchilla comes down with any type of illness, take the cage out side, and spray down with 40% bleach to water, Lysol concentrate ( its a dark red color) 30% Lysol to water. Spray on and let sit for 30 minutes, then rinse throughly. the same with feeder or water bottles.

Use only Purified water, or bottle water. Well and city water can contain many unlikeable things in it, pesticides, fluoride, Parasites, ecol, lead, copper, mercury, cryptosporidium, Giardia, asbestos, benzene, and many other chemicals in the water.

14. Items to have on Hand

Keep a written or mental diary on your chinchilla(s). I do this with all my chins, even the baby's, so when you do see something change or not normal for your chin, you will know to watch them to see if they are coming down with a illness, digestive, teeth, and so forth. (Chinchillas are very good at hiding illness, so its best to nip it in the bud when you first notice something going on)
Critical Care - you can get this at your Vets or www.oxbow.com , this is used when your Chin is not eating and sick, you mix with water or Cranberry juice or honey and water. If your chin is sick or not eating, give 3 cc or mls, in a syringe every 2 to 3 hours. You can all so grind up my Health Mix to a fine powder and mix the same as Critical Care.
Dyne - this is a high fat care. You can give with Critical Care, or in water, or juice or straight up. You would use a syringe,. when your chin is loosing weight, give 1 teaspoon 2 times a day, or put 1 tablespoon in 8 oz of water. You can get this at www.jefferslivestock.com
Syringes- you can also get these at Jeffie's livestock or Tractor Supply, get the ones that have a tip at the end. Not the ones with a hub,.
Probiotics- (Acidophilus) this maintains the good flora in your chins digestive track. give 1/2 teaspoon once a week on a normal basics, when sick or on meds, give 1/8 teaspoon daily, when giving meds, and 1 week after meds.
Fugues Powder - you can use Tinactin or Destine Foot powder, use 1 teaspoon, every pound of dust bath. year around.
Q-tips
Kao-Pectin - for Diarrhea, you can get this at any pet store.
Activated Charcoal- you can get this from a health food store. some chins will eat this start up, this helps with Diarrhea, and toxins in the system
Betadine and or Peroxide - to clean cuts.
Saline - to wash wounds and eyes.
Triple Antibiotic Ointment - for cuts or scraps.
Bag Balm - use for nursing moms, when nipples are sore and red. Rub on 2 times a day. Use on dry feet.
Rhue Fennel - This is used for eye discharge. you can get this at the Health Food stores, 3 drops in 2 tablespoons of Distilled water, mix and use a dropper. 2 drops in eyes, 3 times a day, for 3 days then 2 times a day for 4 days, then 1 times a day for 1 week, even if their eyes look better, continue the drops.

Information is from what I have learned, through the MCBA, forums, Wikipedia, and Animal Diversity Web. Being breeding Chinchillas,

Chinchilla Breeder in Michigan