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Caring for your chinchilla is relatively easy. With proper care, a domestic chin can live as long as 15 years. Chinchillas are nocturnal and sleep much of the day. Because of their thick fur coat, they do not tolerate high temperatures well and do best when indoor temperatures are between 65 F and 75F. (If you feel comfortable - they are comfortable). Chinchillas reach maturity at about 10 months of age and shoult not be bred until then. Gestation is generally 111 days. Females can become pregnant immediatley following the birth of a litter but this is not good practice and should only be allowed on a limited basis. To prevent this "breed back" after a litter is born, males should be removed for about seven days. Once reunited with their family, the male chinchilla can make a wonderful father.
Chinchillas generally have two babies on an average. But thir litters can span anywhere from one to four babies. The young are born fully developed with fur, open eyes and teeth. They look like a miniature duplicate of their parents. Weaning age is at about six to eight weeks, depending on overall development of the kits and the condition of the mother.
BASIC CARE:
Water - Water from your tap is fine, however, bottled or filteres is best. Change your chinchillas water daily. Chinchillas are sensitive to giardia - a parasite commonly found in drinking water. The main sympton is diarrhea and may be fatal in not treated immediately. So fresh water is an important factor to your chinchillas health.
Food - Pellets! Adults eat about one to two tablespoons of pellets per day. Because they are nocturnal, it is best to feed them in the evening. Be sure to wash food and water dishes at least a couple of times each month.
Treats - Your chinchilla loves to be fed treats, but only in moderation. Also, since chinchillas have sensitive digestive systems, it is best to select only two or three of their most eagerly desired treats and consistently offer them. Commercially packages chinchillas treats are sold in many local pet stores. A teaspoon of treats made from rolled oats may be offered daily. Raisins and unalted sunflower seeds may also be offered several times per week, but no more than oe or two per day.
Housing - Chinchillas enjoy a fairly larage area in which to play and jump around. Try to keep their cage out of direct sunlight and away from house plants and drafts - not too hot or too cold. Place your chinchilla cage in a quiet location where they may rest during the day and will not be in trouble when they are noisy at night. Temperatures should never get above 80 F or below 40 F. Their most comfortable temperature is between 65 F and 75 F.
Dust Bath - Chinchillas have a large amount of lanolin in their fur and must be provided with a dust bath on a weekly basis (at the least). Special chinchilla dust may be purchased at most pet and feed stores. A glass bred pan or metal bread pan works great. If a plastic container is chosen, watch to make sure they do not eat the plastic.
Something to Chew - Chinchillas love to gnaw - and need to in order to keep their teeth worn down to the proper length. A healthy chinchilla will have yellow teeth. Keep appropriate items for them to chew on such as small pumice blocks or pieces of untreated pine wood.
Hope this information is helpful and your chinchilla has a long, healthy life.
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