Chinchillas are a special type of pet that have managed to gain worldwide appeal, making solid information on responsible chinchilla care especially important. They are perhaps one of the cutest, cuddliest types of rodents, and many prefer them over their “creepy” counterparts like rats and mice. Chinchillas are particularly playful, so they tend to seem more “interactive” than other rodents.
Others happen to like chinchillas for far different reasons. The chinchilla fur is quite unique, and the high value placed on the skins led to these creatures becoming almost extinct in the recent past. While this isn’t the most useful chinchilla care information, learning about their coat is helpful for reasons I’ll mention in a moment.
The primary reason for the chinchilla fur being so popular may be linked to the fact that it is so soft. The hair is extremely dense, with there being about 55 or so hairs for each hair follicle. By contrast, and to put things in perspective, people only have a single hair in each follicle. It’s an amazing fact that fleas are not even able to access chinchillas, because their thick hair prevents them from getting in. Even if they did, they would likely smother under the mass of hair!
Speaking of fur, in general, chinchillas are grey in color. This is how they are commonly found in the wild, for instance in Peru where they are native. However, breeders have been able to manipulate things quite a bit, and today you can find a rainbow of options. In fact, chinchillas have turned up with fur that is white, violet, black velvet, brown velvet, and a black and white mix that looks like a Panda.
Now, let’s cover some key aspects of chinchilla care. Chinchillas are highly susceptible to being wet. They do not have any so-called “guard hairs,” so the under fur can become wet, which can become a veritable breeding ground for fungus growth. As a result, chinchillas can end up with things like ringworm, which grow well in such a moist condition.
To deal with this weakness in the wild, chinchillas stay clean by “bathing” in ash from volcanoes. This helps to remove all of the excess moisture, along with dead skin and oil. To mimic this in captivity, chinchilla owners periodically give them a “dust” bath. The dust bath may very well be one of the most important things you ever do in your repertoire of chinchilla care.
Having covered their aversion to being wet, let’s look at some chinchilla care information that directly impacts how many chinchillas you should have, as well as their gender. In their native habitat, chinchillas live in colonies.
Because of this, they tend to do well when kept in captivity with a “roommate” in the cage. It’s best, however, for this to be a same-sex chinchilla. Alternately, you can add additional females with a single male. The bad combination would be to put more than one male in with a female, since they would tend to fight. It’s also important to give them sufficient amounts of room, because they can become territorial if cramped.
A final note on chinchilla care is that they have a sensitive digestive system. Pet stores tend to offer special chinchilla food for this reason. A basic building block of the chinchilla diet is hay, and it’s okay for them to have pretty steady access to it. They do not do well on sugar, however, so it’s important that they not get treats with sugar. They can actually become diabetic or fat. As with any captive animal, good clean water is a must. Water bowls get dirty, so a bottle is best.
Want more useful chinchilla care information?
Westin Alexander is an exotic pet enthusiast and chinchilla aficionado. Visit his chinchilla care website at http://www.chinchillacaredepot.com today and get your mini-course free!
Spring Contest!
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30″ Bird Ferret Chinchilla Sugar Glider Cage Cages F3BK $65.99 |
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Small Animal Cage,Sugar Glider,Chinchilla Ferret 701 $69.99 |
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Small Animal Cage,Sugar Glider,Chinchilla Ferret 705 $79.99 |
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*GIANT* Sugar Glider~Ferret~Rat~Chinchilla Bonding Bag $24.90 |
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5Level Ferret Chinchilla Sugar Glider SmallAnimal 2493S $109.95 |
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5 Level Ferret Chinchilla Sugar Glider Large Bird 2493S $109.95 |
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Medium 3 Level Ferret Chinchilla Sugar Glider Rat 3923 $59.95 |
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32″ Bird Ferret Chinchilla Sugar Glider Cage Cages F32 $79.99 |
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Large 3 Level Ferret Chinchilla Sugar Glider Cage 0482 $129.95 |
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Pet Rat Hammock,Ferret, Rabbit, Chinchilla,Cat, 5 Sizes $11.99 |
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5 Level Ferret Chinchilla Sugar Glider Cage 94_4114PLBK $199.99 |
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5 Level Ferret Chinchilla Sugar Glider Large Bird 2493S $108.95 |
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5 Level Ferret Chinchilla Sugar Glider Cage 2494S $129.95 |
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X Large 3 Levels Ferret Chinchilla Sugar Glider 3997 $249.95 |
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*GIANT* Sugar Glider~Ferret~Rat~Chinchilla Bonding Bag $24.90 |
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*GIANT* Sugar Glider~Ferret~Rat~Chinchilla Bonding Bag $24.90 |
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*GIANT* Sugar Glider~Ferret~Rat~Chinchilla Bonding Bag $24.90 |
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*GIANT* Sugar Glider~Ferret~Rat~Chinchilla Bonding Bag $24.90 |
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Large 3 Levels Ferret Chinchilla Sugar Glider Rat 3973 $69.95 |
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5 level Ferret Chinchilla Sugar Glider Rat Cage 2493S $109.95 |
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Midwest Critter Nation with Stand Designed with Critters and Owners in Mind; We watched very closely how small animals play, eat, sleep, interact – attending to their every need for maintaining a contented, happy and safe lifestyle. Then we began designing the best environment as well as the most user friendly small animal cage in the world. The result being a complete and feature filled habitat offering the very best. No Tools Re… |
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EXOTIC PETS: CHINCHILLA $0.99 Some animals are more preferable to have as pets, some aren’t legal and some are, is the chinchilla one of them? Read this eBook learn about this animal and find out!… |
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*NEW* EXOTIC PETS GUIDE FOR BUSY MOMS $4.75 The unique and comprehensive guide to exotic pets for “Busy Moms”. Written in our easy to read format without the jargon, this superior publication will answer all those burning questions and includes the following chapters:-An In Depth Look At Siamese CatsBengal CatsBobcatsBottle Feeding Exotic CubsDiet For Exotic PetsExotic Pets: Capuchin MonkeyExotic Animals: AlligatorsExotic Pets: ChameleonExo… |
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Chinchilla $20.8 Chinchilla |
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Ferret $7.96 Ferret |
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PVC Ferret and Chinchilla Cage – 30 in x 18 in x 24 in $79.99 Promote airflow and give your ferret or chinchilla a comfy place to live with a PVC-coated wire cage. Complete with a ledge and easy access-door, your pet won’t know how to act with all the extra room. PVC coated wire is safe on delicate paws, while a 3″ deep galvanized tray removes easily for cleaning. Constucted of 1 in. x 2 in. 14 gauge PVC wire mesh. |
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Carefresh Chinchilla Food – 2 lb. $5.98 Carefresh Chinchilla food is made with natural Timothy hay and natural grasses such as orchard and brome for superior nutrition. Peas and bananas are added for flavor without overloading your chinchilla with sugar. Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids support your chinchilla’s immune system and coat. Preserved naturally with vitamin E. Supplemental fiber aids with digestion. No artificial colors. |
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Nupro Ferret Supplement $10.49 Nupro Ferret Supplement Treat your ferrets to a healthier life! NUPRO is an all natural ferret supplement specially designed to provide balanced protein, vitamins, minerals, and digestive enzymes. The perfect supplement to fortify their typical diet. Features: Sprinkle over your ferret’s food daily, or add water to it to make a tasty ferret gravy. Boosts immmune system and regulates digestive system. Enhances coat. Contains no sugar. Item Specifications: Size: 1lb Ingredients: Norwegian kelp, flaxseed, primary grown yeast, desiccated liver, bee pollen, garlic concentrate, steamed bone meal, lecithin, lactobacillus acidophilus. |
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Marshall Bandits Ferret Treats $2.75 Ferrets literally beg for Bandits. They’re made with fresh meat protein and are the healthiest treat for your pet. Avoid dairy and sugar based treats that may cause health problems in ferrets and trust the meat based treats your ferret loves. |
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Totally Ferret Baby Ferret Formula 3.5 lb $14.99 Totally Ferret Baby Ferret Formula This is the only super-premium food developed, tested, and proven to support the rapid growth and development of baby ferrets from weaning to one year of age. It has 92% animal-based protein sources, DHA for brain development, Methionine for coat and skin health, Lysine for tissue growth and Taurine for heart and eye health. Item Specifications: Size: 3.5lb Ingredients: Chicken By-Product Meal, Wheat Flour, Whole Dried Eggs, Chicken Fat (stabilized with Mixed Tocopherols, a natural source of Vitamin E), Beet Pulp (sugar removed), Poultry Fat (mixture of chicken and turkey fat, stabilized with Mixed Tocopherols, a natural source of Vitamin E), Chicken Liver Meal, Catfish Meal (source of DHA), Whole Ground Flax Seed, Lecithin (source of essential Omega-6 fatty acids), Fish Oil (source of essential Omega-3 fatty acids including DHA), Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Chloride, Essential Vitamins (oil soluble: A, D3, E, K; water soluble: C, Inositol, B1, B2, B6, B12, Biotin, Choline, Folic Acid, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, B-Carotene), Essential Minerals (Proteinated, also known as a chelate: Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Iron and Yeast Selenium, Chlorides, Sulfates and Oxides of Zinc, Iodine), Taurine, DL-Methionine, L-Lysine, L-Carnitine. Guaranteed Analysis: Protein (min) 42%, Fat (min) 24%, Fiber (max) 2%, Moisture (max) 10% |
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NUPRO Ferret Supplement (1 lb) $11.5 Treat your ferrets to a healthier life. NUPRO All Natural Ferret Supplement is specially designed to provide balanced protein, vitamins, minerals, and digestive enzymes to fortify their typical diet. Can be mixed or sprinkled on daily food or add water for a great gravy. What do ferret owners say about NUPRO ? Stimulates appetite Helps digestion Promotes a healthy and full coat Helps strengthen immune system Fertility and potency in breeding Excellent for all ages Ingredients Include: Norwegian kelp, flaxseed, primary grown yeast, desiccated liver, bee pollen, garlic concentrate, steamed bone meal, lecithin, lactobicillus acidophilus. NO Preservatives – Sugar – Fillers – Corn – Wheat or By-Products |
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Ferret Fun $12.22 Ferret Fun |
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The Ferret Handbook $10.26 The Ferret Handbook |
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The Ferret’s a Foot $5.9 The Ferret’s a Foot |
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A and E 3-Level Ferret Cage Sandstone $179.99 A&E Cage Company 3-Level Ferret Cage Calling all pampered pipsqueaks! Tall and spacious, this enclosure is decked out with multiple play platforms and connecting ladders, so every day becomes a little adventure. Super convenient details help make care and cleaning a whole lot easier. Welded steel wire construction is blasted with a pet-safe black finish for lasting durability. Features: · Ideal to house a variety of small animals · 4 sturdy wheels for easy movement · 3 large front-access doors on each level · 2 slotted ladders connect all 3 levels · Slide-out tray and grate for easy cleaning and waste removal · 4 swing-out feeder doors · 4 stainless steel feeder cups · Bottom shelf for storage · Non-toxic, durable and safe powder-coated finish Item Specifications: Overall Dimensions: 33”L x 22”W x 63”H Inside Height: 35” Bar Spacing: ½” Animal Type: Rats, Sugar Gliders, Guinea Pigs, Chinchillas, Ferrets |
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A and E 3-Level Ferret Cage Black $179.99 A&E Cage Company 3-Level Ferret Cage Calling all pampered pipsqueaks! Tall and spacious, this enclosure is decked out with multiple play platforms and connecting ladders, so every day becomes a little adventure. Super convenient details help make care and cleaning a whole lot easier. Welded steel wire construction is blasted with a pet-safe black finish for lasting durability. Features: · Ideal to house a variety of small animals · 4 sturdy wheels for easy movement · 3 large front-access doors on each level · 2 slotted ladders connect all 3 levels · Slide-out tray and grate for easy cleaning and waste removal · 4 swing-out feeder doors · 4 stainless steel feeder cups · Bottom shelf for storage · Non-toxic, durable and safe powder-coated finish Item Specifications: Overall Dimensions: 33”L x 22”W x 63”H Inside Height: 35” Bar Spacing: ½” Animal Type: Rats, Sugar Gliders, Guinea Pigs, Chinchillas, Ferrets |
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