If a Chinchilla is right for you, you should know about it.
Chinchillas are well-known for their eccentricities, like their weekly dust baths and small hands.It is important to know how to care for a chinchilla before purchasing it.If you want to know if a chinchilla is right for you, learn about their needs, lifestyle, and long life spans.
Step 1: Prepare for a nocturnal pet.
Chinchillas are usually awake from 8pm to 8am.The animals can be awake during the day, but they won't want to interact or play with you.They may make noises at night.Chinchillas can become aggressive or have health issues if their time clock is disrupted.Since your chinchilla will be awake at night, you should place it in a cage that won't disturb people who are sleeping.
Step 2: If your plans for the future can accommodate a chinchilla, gauge it.
Chinchillas live for anywhere from 15 to 20 years, so purchasing this pet is a long-term investment.It is not very good with children or other animals.If 15-20 years is too much of a commitment, consider adopting an older chinchilla.If you're interested in an older chinchilla, you can visit humane societies or an exotic veterinarians office.
Step 3: Make sure you don't have an allergy to the chinchilla.
While you don't have to worry about being allergic to the chinchilla's fur, many people can be.Ask your doctor if a chinchilla is the right pet for you if you have asthma, dust allergies, or other medical concerns.
Step 4: The costs of a chinchilla must be accounted for.
The cost of buying a chinchilla from a breeder, getting a cage, and investing in food, bathing dust and toys can range from $250 to $400.After you have made the initial investment, the general upkeep for paying for food, bathing dust, and cage cleaning supplies is around $22 a month, depending on where you live and what products you are purchasing.An optional cage upgrade and trips to the vet could be included in additional long-term investments.
Step 5: If you want to handle a chinchilla, learn to do it.
Chinchillas are fragile and need to be picked up and handled carefully.Chinchillas don't like to cuddle, but once comfortable, it may enjoy climbing on you.It is not recommended for children.Put a treat on your palm and feed it for a few days.When you are ready to pick up the chinchilla, slowly reach toward it, then pet it a few times on the back.Pick up the chinchilla with both hands.Take it to your chest.
Step 6: If you like it, you can find a friend with a chinchilla.
Chinchillas are wonderful pets.These animals love playing with you and can bring a lot of joy to your life.Before you make a decision on your own, you should find a friend with a chinchilla, a local breeder, or a rescue that will let you hold and play with them.
Step 7: Prepare to maintain the correct temperature.
Chinchillas can't live in hot weather without the risk of getting sick or dying from heat exhaustion.It should not live in environments with high humidity or high temperatures.Their temperature should be between 50 and 65 F.It's possible to keep the A/C on during warm days if you live in a warm area.
Step 8: There is a nearby vet that can treat a chinchilla.
Only vets who have specialized training in treating small animals are prepared to care for chinchilla health.Make sure your local vet has the skills to care for your pet.
Step 9: Make a large cage for them.
The larger the chinchilla cage, the happier it will be.A chinchilla cage should have several levels and a dust bath.Chinchillas like exercising, climbing, and burrowing.Chinchilla cages need to be cleaned.Specialty bathing dust is needed to keep Chinchilla baths healthy.
Step 10: Put your chinchilla in a quiet and enclosed place to sleep.
Chinchillas need to be kept away from daytime noise in order to maintain their health.A place for your chinchilla cage to sleep can be found.If you can't find a place for your chinchilla in the daytime, consider moving its cage into the living room at night and keeping it in a secluded bedroom or bathroom during the day.It's a good place to keep chinchillas during the day.
Step 11: A chinchilla-proof room is necessary.
If you want to let your chinchilla out of its cage, you need a room where it can't harm itself.Chinchillas can jump as high as 6 feet (2 m) if you remove all accessible wiring.Chinchillas like to leave their cages so they can explore once a day.Chinchillas like to gnaw, so remove all exposed wiring or place them in piping above the cabinet level.Make sure there are no holes or hiding places in the room.If you leave anything accessible that you don't want ruined, be prepared to have any remaining furniture gnawed on.If you are in a chinchilla-proof room, always keep your eyes open.
Step 12: You can find a way to buy the toys, food, and bedding you want.
Chinchillas play with toys that rodents like, but they need specific food and bedding.Chinchillas can eat limited vegetables and fruits.Timothy hay should be used in their bedding.Before you buy a chinchilla, make sure you have access to the goods at your local pet store or online.