Author: Pet Care Veterinary Hospital, Virginia Beach, Virginia

Internet Article: http://www.petcarevabeach.com/chin.html Referenced: 10/27/05 Author: Pet Care Veterinary Hospital, Virginia Beach, Virginia

Chinchillas

Chinchillas are affectionate, intelligent, playful animals that bond quickly to their owners. They rarely bite and, in general, like to be cuddled and carried. Chinchillas are basically nocturnal but may play during the day. Some chinchillas can be litter trained, but this takes a lot of patience and persistence. Chinchillas are essentially odor-free and are easy to keep clean. Silver-gray is the most common hair coat coloration, but black, beige, charcoal, and white varieties are also seen.

The chinchilla's gestation period (length of pregnancy) of 105-155 days is substantially longer than the dog's or cat's in contrast to that of many other members of the rodent family (e.g., rats, mice, hamsters, and gerbils) that typically have 21-to 28 day gestation periods. This longer period results in well-developed (precocial) offspring that have open eyes and full hair coats when born and eat solid food within several days. The average litter size is 2 but can be as high as 5.

Chinchillas need spacious enclosures to accommodate plenty of activity and acrobatic behavior. Caging should be tall enough to allow them to jump. Chinchillas love to be up high and may even climb to the top of their food dishes for extra height. Enough space should be provided inside the cage to accommodate a dust box and a wooden nest box. You can also purchase a solid surface exercise wheel appropriately sized for chinchillas. Avoid wire wheels, because a chinchilla's feet can get caught between the wires. Regardless of the cage size, chinchillas will also appreciate a chance to run outside of the cage as often as possible.

Dust baths are necessary to counterbalance the chinchilla's naturally oily skin and to maintain beautiful soft fur. If baths are not offered, your chinchilla's fur may start to look unkempt. Commercial chinchilla dust is available at pet stores and is so fine that there is no aappropriate substitute. Dust should be 2-3 inches deep in a plastic dishpan or other suitable container with a minimum size of 5"x6"x9". Dust baths should be offered for 15-30 minutes at least 4-6 times per week. Just place your chinchilla in the dust box, and let your pet take care of the rest. Chinchillas love their baths.

Bedding can be shredded paper (avoid shiny ads that can contain toxic substances), certain hardwood shavings, or composite recycled newspaper pellets. Cedar and pine shavings are not recommended, because they contain resins that can be irritating to your pet's skin, eyes, and mucous membrances. Aspen shavings, such as Oxbow Pet Product's Aspen Fresh, is the preferred bedding material for your chinchilla. Hay can also be used as bedding.

Water is the number one nutritional requirement for all animals, and fresh, clean water is a must for your chinchilla. A water bottle with a sipper tube works better than a water bowl, which can be tipped over or contaminated with waste and bedding. Hanging the water bottle on the outside of the cage so just the tip of the spout is inside discourages chewing of the sipper tube. Water needs to be changed daily, and the sipper tube should be cleaned weekly.

Seeds have a high fat content and poor nutritional balance and so are not recommended for your chinchilla. Oxbow's Chinchilla Deluxe provides a balance of fiber, protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals and is the pellet diet of choice for your pet chinchilla. Conversion from a seed/pellet mixture to this highly palatable diet is usually simple, but a gradual conversion (1-2 weeks) is recommended to avoid digestive upset. Pellets can be fed in a sturdy crock bowl. Dishes should be cleaned daily, and any leftover food should be discarded.

Free-choice grass hay is also an essential part of your chinchilla's diet. Hay provides essential fiber, which helps maintain intestinal and dental health. Pet Care Veterinary Hospital recommends you feed your chinchilla unlimited quantities of grass hay such as timothy, brome, orchard, or oat. Hay also prevents boredom by satisfying the chinchilla's innate desire to chew, which is an important means of dental health maintenance.

Many owners want to offer treats to their pet chinchillas. A treat should be enjoyable to eat and should provide interaction between you and your pet. When fed in limited quantities, herbs (fresh or dried) and vegetables can be offered as treats. Herb choices include mint, basil, oregano, and thyme. Oxbow's Nature's Treat provides all these herbs in a dried ready-to-use form. Fresh greens might include romaine, butter crunch, or red leaf lettuces or cilantro, carrot tops, and dandelion greens. In order to prevent digestive upset, feed the same treats consistently, and avoid gas-forming vegetables such as broccoli or cauliflower. Chinchillas are prone to serious dental problems such as malocclusion, molar root overgrowth, and molar spurs. Improper wear of teeth secondary to a diet in fiber and a lack of suitable chewing material can result in sharp points on the upper and/or lower molars, which can be painful to the cheek and tongue. Chinchillas with dental problems often have a depressed appetite, and you may observe food dropping from their mouths as they attempt to chew. Irritation from the molar spurs may also cause increased salivation, which results in a wet matted chin (slobbers). A visit to the vet is in order if you see these abnormal signs. Provide plenty of hay and blocks of wood for chewing to help prevent this painful condition.

Chinchillas may cut their own hair! This is called "barbering," and they do it when they are stressed from crowding or improper housing, when they are malnourished, or if they are not receiving proper dust baths. A barbered coat will appear uneven and ragged. Some chinchillas may even appear to be balding, because the hair might be chewed off at the base. Changes in your chinchilla's fur warrant a visit to your veterianarian, because lice, mites, or ringworm can also cause hair loss.

Feeding Recommendations at a Glance

Growing Chinchilla

Unlimited amounts of Chinchilla Deluxe along with unlimited quantities of grass hay

Mature Chinchilla

1/8-1/4 cup Chinchilla Deluxe with unlimited quantities of grass hay

Gestating or Lactating Chinchilla

Unlimited amounts of Chinchilla Deluxe along with unlimited quantities of grass hay

Chinchilla Facts

 Chinchillas are cousins to the guinea pig and originated in South America.

 A group of chinchillas is called a colony.

 "Chin" is a nickname for chinchilla.

Average life span 10 yrs Maximum reported life span 20 yrs Average adult male weight 400-500 g (0.9-1.1 lb) Average adult female weight 400-800 g (0.9-1.3 lb) Gestation period 105-118 days Pups per litter 2 avg. (up to 5) Optimal weaning age 3-6 wks Sexual maturity 7-10 mos

References 1. Lightfoot TL: Clinical examination of chinchillas, hedgehogs, prairie dogs, and sugar gliders. The Veterianary Clinics of North America, Exotic Animal Practice 2(2):447-469, 1999.

2. Johnson-Delaney C: Special rodents: chinchillas. Exotic Companion Medicine Handbook, Lake Worth, FL, Zoological Education Network, 1996.

3. Hillyer EV, Quesenberry KE, Donnelly TM: Biology, husbandry, and clinical techniques [guinea pigs and chinchillas]. In: Quesenberry K, Hillyer E, eds: Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery. Philadelphia, PA, WB Saunders, 1997, pp 243-259.