Chinchillas.org






                                  

Chinchilla Community Forums

Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
Advanced search  

News:

Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: New to Chinchillas  (Read 2155 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

GitaBooks

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Appreciation points: 1
  • Offline Offline
  • Gender: Female
  • Posts: 4
  • Status: Pet owner
  • member
    • View Profile
New to Chinchillas
« on: October 01, 2015, 05:37:06 PM »

Hi everyone!

I don't currently have any chinchillas, but I love them and I hope to get some soon. I'm doing research so that I know how to properly care for them and what to expect.

Thanks so much for letting me join.  :)
Logged

BLS Chins

  • Global Moderator
  • *****
  • Appreciation points: 103
  • Offline Offline
  • Gender: Female
  • Posts: 265
  • # of Chins: 35ish
  • Status: breeder
  • member
    • View Profile
    • BLS Chins
Re: New to Chinchillas
« Reply #1 on: October 01, 2015, 05:54:30 PM »

Welcome. Feel free to ask any questions your might have!
Logged
BLS Chins
Hobby breeder and rescue in south central pa
specializing in ebony, tan, goldbar, standard and black velvets

GrayRodent

  • Chinchilla Club and CBO Forum Administrator
  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Appreciation points: 153
  • Offline Offline
  • Gender: Male
  • Posts: 2761
  • # of Chins: 2
  • Status: pet owner
    • View Profile
    • Chris Hamilton
Re: New to Chinchillas
« Reply #2 on: October 02, 2015, 05:56:53 AM »

That's great. Welcome to our board. Research is very important. The big things you have to look out for is room temperature (below 75F), food quality, avoiding pelleted diets with mixtures in them, nuts, fruits, vegetables, or treats, providing constant access to loose hay, and not feeding treats unless you know what you are doing. Chinchillas require dry things to eat.
Their cages should be made of metal only, have no plastic toys or parts, and be fitted with wooden shelving, preferably shelves that you can easily make yourself with simple tools. Chinchilla wheels should be a minimum of 14" in diameter.
Your pet should be weighed at least once a week to monitor its health for weight loss. You should have a veterinarian that sees chinchillas specifically closeby and be able to afford a vet visit at any time.
The initial change in environment for chinchillas is stressful when you relocate them and the room should be fairly quiet and free of pets such as dogs and cats.
Chinchillas should never be let out of their cage to roam in any area that is not safe for them. One of the biggest hazards is electrical cords. They are attracted to them like magnets and can chew through them instantly. Drowning and poisoning are not unheard of.
They should be dusted no more often than every other day for no longer than 15 minutes at a time. Chinchillas are active mostly at night although socialized chinchillas will interact well during the day.
Logged
I'm a programmer not a chinchilla breeder. I learn by asking questions just like you.

GitaBooks

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Appreciation points: 1
  • Offline Offline
  • Gender: Female
  • Posts: 4
  • Status: Pet owner
  • member
    • View Profile
Re: New to Chinchillas
« Reply #3 on: November 07, 2015, 04:19:49 PM »

Thanks for the tips! Those are very helpful!  : )

Did you mean feeding loose hay constantly is good or bad?
Logged

BLS Chins

  • Global Moderator
  • *****
  • Appreciation points: 103
  • Offline Offline
  • Gender: Female
  • Posts: 265
  • # of Chins: 35ish
  • Status: breeder
  • member
    • View Profile
    • BLS Chins
Re: New to Chinchillas
« Reply #4 on: November 07, 2015, 04:20:40 PM »

Hay is always a good thing, either cubed or loose is fine
Logged
BLS Chins
Hobby breeder and rescue in south central pa
specializing in ebony, tan, goldbar, standard and black velvets

GrayRodent

  • Chinchilla Club and CBO Forum Administrator
  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Appreciation points: 153
  • Offline Offline
  • Gender: Male
  • Posts: 2761
  • # of Chins: 2
  • Status: pet owner
    • View Profile
    • Chris Hamilton
Re: New to Chinchillas
« Reply #5 on: November 07, 2015, 09:38:52 PM »

Yes, chinchillas must have constant access to hay. It is mandatory for their survival as it keeps their teeth properly trimmed and condition. A chinchilla with tooth problems is as good as dead. Pelleted diets are tricky. If you have any questions feel free to ask here about what brands to feed. There are some really bad ones out there and some are very popular. Chinchillas should be able to live ten years without any major issues if they are getting the right diet. Chinchillas on bad food fall far short of that. Their needs are very simple but they are also very specific.
Logged
I'm a programmer not a chinchilla breeder. I learn by asking questions just like you.
Pages: [1]   Go Up