Back to Basics

Chinchillas live in large cracks and crevices high up in the mountains of South America. They are mainly nocturnal and are accomplished climbers. They are famous for their soft dense fur.

Company

Chinchillas are gregarious among their own kind. Mixed pairs work best, although the introduction should be a gradual process, with the two chinchillas side by side in separate cages for some time before it is safe to house them together. Obviously mixed pairs will mate. Two males or two females should never be housed in the same cage. For novice owners it is best to start with just one chinchilla.

Stimulation

More than any other small animals, chinchillas are very much creatures of habit, and need a routine. Although mostly nocturnal, they are quite happy to adapt to suit their owners’ routine, as long as the routine is then adhered to.

However, routine doesn’t mean boredom, just consistency. There are many ways to ensure that a pet chinchilla has an interesting and stimulating life. For a start, Charlie Chinchilla provides considerably more interest and variety that traditional chinchilla pellets. Chinchillas in the wild forage for their food, and choose a varied diet, so why shouldn’t they in domesticity? Rather than simply offering food in a bowl, much enrichment and stimulation can be provided by hiding it around the cage. Hiding treats or food in a cardboard toilet roll tube, burying it in hay, or attaching it to the top of a tall branch are all ways to add interest and to prevent boredom. Charlie Cracker Treats from Supreme are wholesome, crispy, crunchy nuggets and very low in fat, so are perfect for hiding around the cage to encourage foraging.

Chinchillas are energetic and inquisitive and need lots of room in which to run around and play. Metal cages are a must, as anything plastic or wooden will be quickly chewed through. Cages with mesh floors and slide out trays at the base make cleaning much easier. Chinchillas are energetic and inquisitive and lots of room in which to run around and play. Metal cages are a must, as anything plastic or wooden will be quickly chewed through. Chinchillas should never come into contact with soiled bedding, as it will spoil their fur. As with all small animals, a cage can be too small but never too big. A nesting box is also advisable, filled with Russel Bedding, which is suitably soft and fluffy. The cage should include a branch for climbing and possibly a raised shelf, as chinchillas are happier resting above ground level. Wooden toys to chew are also vital.

Quite apart from the need for socialisation and stimulation, daily handling is important to check for any signs of injury or ill health, i.e. cuts, lumps, runny eyes, dirty bottom. Like all rodents, chinchillas need plenty of safe things to chew – i.e. hay, untreated wood, cardboard – and teeth should be checked regularly for signs of dental overgrowth.

Chinchillas are very clean, and have no odour as long as the cage hygiene is adhered to. Cages should be thoroughly cleaned once a week. Supreme’s Home Help is a spray-on hutch and cage cleaning solution that works by eliminating the bacteria and germs which cause odours and can be harmful.