Looking for a smaller sized, furry, long-lived pet? Think about the chinchilla. This rodent can reach a length between ten and fourteen inches (with another six inches for tail) and can live more than twenty years!
Chinchillas are perfectly happy to live alone or in same-sex pairs — especially if the pairs are littermates, or have lived together from an early age. They are active and playful, but most often at night; chinchillas are nocturnal by nature. With gentle handling, most chinchillas will become tame and bond very closely with family.
Your chinchilla will be active when he’s awake, so make sure he has plenty of room to roam around his cage. The more levels, platforms, ramps, and perches… the better! A tall cage is best, so your chinchilla can climb. Wire is best, as chinchillas can chew plastic and wood to bits, but a wire floor can be hard on the feet. At least part of the cage floor should be solid. Make sure your chinchilla has lots of toys to gnaw on to keep teeth in good shape. Your chinchilla will also need access to a dust bath and a nest box for sleeping.
Don’t forget the food and water! A glass water bottle can’t get chewed to pieces; a plastic water bottle may need a chew guard. Hopper style feeders that sit outside the cage are easy to refill and stay cleaner than in-cage bowls.
Most of your chinchilla’s diet should come from quality grass hay and commercially prepared chinchilla pellets. They need a lot of roughage to keep the digestive system in good working order. Don’t be too generous with the treats — your chinchilla should only get about one teaspoon of treats per day. Your chinchilla may enjoy treats like fresh or dried apples, grapes, raisins, carrots, celery, sunflower seeds, and rolled oats.
Important chinchilla care notes:
- Chinchillas need a quiet place to sleep during the day.
- Chinchillas are happiest on a consistent routine. Any changes to the routine can cause stress and make them more susceptible to illness.
- Warm temperatures can lead to health problems, so make sure your pet chinchillas don’t get overheated. Keep the cage in a cool but not drafty place that isn’t exposed to direct sunlight.
- Chinchillas have a sensitive digestive system, so make any diet changes slowly.
- Keep the cage on a table or stand — chinchillas can be frightened if a person leans over the cage.