Before Buying a Chinchilla

First, chinchillas live to be 15 years old or more. Are you ready for the responsibility of caring for an animal that long? Chinchillas are nocturnal, which means that they sleep all day, and are active at night. The noise of them playing and going about their activities may keep you awake. Sometimes the chinchilla will need to see a vet, and it can be expensive. It can also be difficult to find a vet who is knowledgeable about chins. There is also the matter of chins being social creatures who like to have lots of time with their owners. You need to have at least 2 hours per day to devote to your chinnie. They need daily care, so who will watch the chin while you are on vacation? All of these are very important matters that must be considered before you purchase a chinchilla. If after reading this, you still think a chinchilla is the right pet for you, please continue reading. We are always glad to help and will answer any questions. We can help you become ready for a chinchilla.

Basic Requiremnets:

Cage:
I feel that a minimum size for housing one chinchilla is 24"x24"x18", but that is the absolute minimum, chinchillas need as much room as possible to play. They spend most of their awake-time running and jumping about like crazy. I personally use and recommend a cage of 48"x24"x30" with many shelves for most of my chins. You can see a picture of them on the sales page. I also don't recommend cages with wire flooring or shelves, even though they are easier to clean. I feel that too many injuries come from toes and feet getting stuck in the grating, not to mention that the wire causes severe dryness of the foot pads.

• Sleeping House:
  All chins like their privacy, and need someplace to get away from everything. a sleeping house is somewhere they can go that offers them a little security inside their cage. I use wooden houses that are solid on 5 sides, with the front open for easy viewing and cleaning. There are some on the market which have several entrance holes in them, and my chins like these as well, the only drawback to them is that if your chin's cage has a wire floor (which I DO NOT recommend) it doesn't afford any opportunity for relief because the bottoms are open, so the chin will still be on a wire surface.
  
  
• Exercise Wheel:
  If you cannot let your chin out of his cage for lots of free play, I recommend getting a wheel for him/her to run in. Although at first it may seem cruel to you, the chins actually love their wheels and spend hours playing on it. Refrain from buying a cheap wheel at the pet store. These are DANGEROUS! First, they are not big enough to allow for proper stretching of the chinny's back while running. Second, little feet can and often do get caught between the wire rungs of the wheel, or in between the support structures and the wheel itself. This will not only cause your chin a great deal of pain, but you a large sum of money for vet fees. In most cases, the foot will have been injured so badly that amputation is necessary. There are many available that are sutible, and although seem expensive at first, they are better for your chinchilla. We recommend several.
  
• Food Dish:
  I like the large ceramic crocks for my chins. They aren't easily tipped, and are very easy to clean. I also like the bin feeders that attach to the outside of the cage. The only drawback to them is that they aren't that easy to clean, and you have to cut a hole in the cage to install them. Plastic crocks are a bad idea as the chinchilla will chew it. There are some on the market that attach to the side of the cage. However most chinchillas will see this as another ledge or place to hop and sit. They can be easily injured if the attachment is not sturdy enough.
  
  
• Water Bottle:
  I like the glass water bottles sold by chin world, or the Edstrum Water Buddy. The glass bottles have a large mouth for easier cleaning, and can be put in the dishwasher. They have a rubber stopper with either a straight or bent metal tube. The straight tube requires a special bottle holder, also available from the same resources. The plastic water bottles sold at Wal-Mart or pet stores are also acceptable, although not as desirable. Your chin will try to eat the plastic, so you must take precautions to ensure he doesn't or you'll be replacing the bottle often. They also tend to leak at more. You can put a soup can over the bottle, or you can make or buy a mesh or metal bottle guard. The Edstrom Water Buddy, Animal Water Bottle is made from rugged, transparent, blue PVC plastic and is equipped with our reliable Drinking Valve. The positive closing Edstrom Valve means no leaking or dripping! Animals and cages stay dry! Ideal for use on cages used for transporting animals, since it will not leak water due to movement and/or bouncing of the cage.
  
  
• Bedding:
  I use soft pine shavings, kiln dried. Aspen bedding is also acceptable.  NEVER use cedar bedding as it is toxic to chins. Also, corn cob bedding is unacceptable, it carries mites that will infest your chinny. Cat litter isn't a good idea either. The scented kind is toxic, and the clay kind will stick to the chin's fur.
  
  
  
• Extras:
  Your chin should have shelves inside the cage to jump onto. I use dried white pine for mine. NEVER use plywood, it contains glues which are toxic to chins. Keep in mind, anything inside the cage will be chewed on, at least a few times, so it all needs to be safe. Some chins like to play in the ferret tunnels sold in pet stores. I buy 4 or 5 inch PVC white PVC pipe at my local hardware store. It is safe for them to chew and they love running on it and through it. Wooden toys made for parrots are also good toys for chins. Keep away from the ones with leather or rope. These aren't good for your chin. Branches from unsprayed fruit trees such as apple or pear are OK as are birch, hazelnut and willow. Don't give them branches from trees that have pitted fruit, such as peach and plum, cherry, etc. they are also toxic.
  
  
• Dust Bath:
  Your chinchilla will need to bathe in a special dust at least 3 times a week. This dust is available in pet stores or at Chinworld. We have found Blue Cloud Dust to be the best, but it can be hard to find. Put about an inch of the dust mixed with about 1 tablespoon of Desonex(athletes foot powder) in a container big enough for the chin to comfortably roll around in. I use a e a one gallon glass penny candy jar available at Wal Mart for a dust bath if I am giving it in the cage. A fish bowl will also work and there are several bath houses made by Super Pet..