Chinchilla Care Sheet

Chinchilla Level of Care

Medium

Chinchilla Lifespan

10+ years

Chinchilla Roommates

Chinchillas can be housed in same sex, trios, or small groups. They should not be housed in the same enclosure with different species of animals.

Handling Considerations for Chinchillas

Chinchillas have a delicate skeleton. Never grab a chinchilla by the tail or limbs, and be careful not to hold them too tightly. To safely pick up and hold your chinchilla, wrap them in a towel, gently grasp around the butt and tail, and place a second hand around their chest to fully support them. When chinchillas are frightened or held too tightly they can shed patches of fur.

Recommended Home for Chinchillas

Environment

Chinchillas are social and friendly animals and like to be around you. Ideally, you should house your chinchilla in an area where you spend a lot of time, like your living room or bedroom. Avoid placing their enclosure in direct sunlight or a drafty area. The optimal temperature is between 55-70 F, and should never reach higher than 80 F. Humidity should be below 40-50%.

Pet parents

Chinchilla pet parents should be able and willing to provide the proper housing, diet, daily exercise, and routine veterinary care. As social animals that require daily care, chinchillas are not ideal for people who travel often and are frequently away from home. If children are the main caregiver, a parent should be actively involved with the chinchilla’s care. Keep in mind that chinchillas are more active at night.

Other Pets in the Household

Chinchillas can be housed in pairs of the same sex or opposite sex. They should not be housed with other animals, and they especially should not be housed near rabbits.

Family Friendliness Level

Chinchillas enjoy daily interactions with their family. This provides both exercise and helps your chinchilla bond with you. If your chinchilla is barking or showing aggression, do not try and handle them.

Chinchilla Habitat

Enclosure

A single chinchillas requires a minimum enclosure of 2 feet by 2 feet by 4 feet. The ideal habitat has wire sides no more than 1 inch apart with a flat bottom such as a plastic tray to prevent pressure sores on their feet. The habitat should have multiple tiers, ramps, and shelves for climbing and playing.

Bedding

Provide 1-2 inches of high-quality paper bedding or crumbled paper. Wood shavings should not be used because they can be ingested and may cause an intestinal blockage (chinchillas cannot vomit). Cedar shavings may cause skin and respiratory tract inflammation, so they should also not be used. Newspaper is another good alternative for bedding.

Feeding dishes

Chinchilla pellets can be provided in a ceramic or stainless steel dish. Free-choice hay can be provided throughout the enclosure or in a hay trough.

Other

It is important to provide hide boxes for your chinchilla made out of edible material like hay. Wooden chinchilla safe blocks are also very important because their teeth continuously grow—this helps wear them down naturally.

Chinchilla Diet

Chinchillas are herbivores and require an unlimited, continuous supply of high-quality hay such as timothy, oat meadow orchard, or any other low calcium hay. Alfalfa should only be provided to young chinchillas or nursing mothers because the high calcium can cause bladder stones. In addition to the hay, provide 1 tablespoon per day of chinchilla pellets in a bowl and small amounts of fresh vegetables. Too many pellets can lead to obesity and diarrhea.

Water

Your chinchilla requires unlimited fresh clean water every day from a bowl or bottle.

Treats

Some chinchilla-friendly treats including low-calcium vegetables such as carrot tops, green peppers, and leafy greens. Small amounts of fruit such as apples can be offered occasionally, like once a week. You can also offer high-fiber treats like apple wood sticks. Treats should be no more than 1-10% of the diet.

Supplements

Chinchillas do not require vitamins or supplements unless otherwise directed by your veterinarian.

Foods to Avoid

Chinchillas should not be fed chocolate, caffeine, or alcohol. These are toxic to chinchillas. Seeds nuts and dried fruit should also not be offered because they are high in sugar and fat.

Daily Care for Chinchillas

Feeding

You can offer 1-2 tablespoons of chinchilla pellets per day, preferably in the morning or evening. Any fruits or veggies not eaten should be discarded within 1-2 hours to prevent spoiling. Water and hay should be offered at all times in an unlimited supply.

Grooming

Chinchillas require dust baths at least a few times a week. They also should be brushed with a soft-bristled brush in the direction of their fur. Do not bathe your chinchilla or get them wet because their fur takes a while to dry and the skin can become inflamed. Since chinchilla teeth grow continuously, it is important to provide them with chinchilla-safe chew toys such as wooden sticks or blocks for them to wear down their teeth appropriately.

Chinchilla-safe dust like Oxbow Poof! is very important for your chinchilla’s coat health to keep it clean and oil-free. P lace a dust bath in their enclosure daily for at least 30 minutes, or you can leave it in the enclosure. If you leave it in, clean the dust bath every day and completely replace after one week. A dust box should be about 6 inches x 6 inches x 9 inches with 1-2 inches of dust.

Exercise

Chinchillas should get daily exercise in their enclosure and outside of their enclosure. Flat 15-inch exercise wheels are a great way for them to exercise inside their habitat, which should also include lots of ramps and levels for them to run around and climb on.

Disinfecting/cleaning

Cages should be emptied and cleaned at least weekly with soap and water. Bedding should be replaced weekly. Food bowls and water bowls should be cleaned daily with soap and water. The cage should be spot cleaned once a day to remove and feces, wet/soiled bedding, and leftover food.

Enrichment

In addition to dust baths, provide your chinchilla with pet-safe wooden chew toys, PVC pipes for climbing, cardboard boxes, and flat 15-inch exercise wheels.

Veterinary Care for Chinchillas

Annual Care

Chinchillas require annual checkups with your primary veterinarian to make sure they are healthy and thriving in your care. In addition to a physical exam and dental exam, bloodwork and dental work may be performed at these appointments.

Signs of a Healthy Pet

Signs of a healthy chinchilla include:

• Eating and drinking well

• Healthy fur

• Bright eyes

• Walking and climbing without limping

• Breathing comfortably without nasal discharge

• Acting active and playful

When to Call the Vet

 Signs that you should schedule an appointment with your veterinarian include:

• Soft/loose poop

• Not eating or drinking well

• Fur loss

• Breathing difficulties

• Lethargy

• Eye or nose discharge

• Drooling

• Limping

• Weight loss

• Overall decreased activity

If you have any concerns, it is better to be safe and consult with your veterinarian right away.

Common Illnesses in Chinchillas

• Dental disease

• Barbering

• Fractures

• Fur rings

• Urolithiasis or urinary calculi