Is A Chinchilla The Right Animal For You?

Chinchillas are nocturnal rodents native to South America. You can find them at the top of the Andes Mountains. Originally bred for their fur there, they are now enjoyed as pets in the UK. If properly cared for, they can make friendly, placid pets that live between 10 and 15 years.

Chinchilla Accommodation

In order to allow for their natural jumping and climbing behaviour, chinchillas should be kept in multi-level wire cages that are at least 2 x 2 x 1 metres in size. Nesting boxes, branches, shelves and hammocks should be included in the cage.

To help with disease prevention, the enclosure needs to be cleaned out at least twice a week, and to keep the fur healthy, a daily dust bath should be offered. It is important that the Chinchilla does not get wet.

Chinchillas will suffer heat stress, so they should ideally be housed in a low-humidity environment between 10 and 20 degrees Celsius (50-68F).

Companions

Chinchillas are highly social, and are best kept in pairs, single sex groups, or one male with several females. If the sexes are housed together, it is possible to castrate male chinchillas.

What Chinchillas Eat

For gastrointestinal and dental health, hay or grass should make up the majority of the diet.

There are other commercial pellet diets that can be part of a chinchilla's diet. Raisins, nuts and dried fruits can be offered as a special treat.

Each day, clean water must be provided in a water bottle to prevent them from getting wet.

Vaccinations

No routine vaccinations are currently recommended for chinchillas.

Neutering

Male chinchillas may be castrated in order to reduce fighting, or prevent reproduction.

Parasites

No routine parasite prevention is currently recommended for chinchillas.

Signs of Ill Health

Since chinchillas are a prey species, they will hide disease, so as soon as you see any symptoms, you must take immediate action.

Dental disease: Because their teeth are continuously growing, chinchillas require a diet high in fibre to prevent dental issues. Dental disease might be suspected if your chinchilla is losing weight, drooling, eating less, or passing less faeces than normal. A comprehensive dental examination should be performed (often under general anaesthetic).

Fur slip – a patch of fur may be lost if a chinchilla is stressed out by handling or fighting.

Bleeding or discharges from anywhere should be assessed by your vet.

Limping, change in grooming behaviour or wounds should be assessed by your vet.

If you have any concerns contact your vet as soon as possible.