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(1) | Before you decide to get a chin, do some serious research on them,
learn all you can. Find out if you and your family style are suitable
for the demands of a chin. They are loads of laughs, and laughter is
good, but they are a big responsibility. |
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(2) | Find out if there is a vet in your area that specializes in exotic pets,
most vets are not experienced with chinchillas. |
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(3) | Shop around before you purchase your chin. Most pet shops are over
priced (what you would pay $300 to $400 for in a pet shop, can usually be
purchased from a breeder for $125 or $150). A good breeder will always
be there to answer any questions, even about minor health problems. |
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(4) | Make sure you have ALL supplies and needs ready and set up before
you bring your chin home. Make his home the room that is usually the
quietest during the daytime (this is when he sleeps the most). His cage
MUST be out of direct sunlight and away from any drafts (hot or cold)
and is best placed at eye level. -- Chinchillas get nervous when their cage
is placed on the floor. |
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(5) | Do not use plastic water bottles, food bowls, shelves or igloos -- your
chin will gnaw on these, ingesting the hard plastic, which may cause
internal damage to your chin. Pine wood shelves and huts are best. I recommend wide based
ceramic food bowls and glass water bottles. They may be a little more
expensive at first, but in the long run, will save you money. |
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(6) | Find a local pet store or feed store that carries or will order chin
pellets
and calf manna for you. Be sure it is fresh -- check for sediment in
the
bottom of the bag. Keep unused portions in the freezer or a cool dry
place for freshness -- the same with Timothy hay. |
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(7) | Go to your local hardware store or lumber yard and get a 1"x4" pine
board (be sure to use UNTREATED pine).
Cut it into 1" strips to make chew blocks. These are more economical than the fancy
flavored ones
in the pet store. - I find my chins prefer them! |
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(8) | If you will remember your first night away from home and from your family
and how frightened and insecure you felt -- this is how your chin feels
when
you first bring him home. Remember the strange sounds and voices,
sudden noises and even shadows on the wall? Keep this in mind before
you decide to invite your whole family or friends in to see your new
chin.
Give him a chance to know you are there to love and protect him before
the introductions to others begin -- including your other pets. |
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(9) | Keep your chin treats in an air tight plastic bottle and shake it each
time
before he gets his treat (raisins or dried cranberries, etc.). This
becomes a
'dinner bell' for him. This is especially useful if your chin gets
loose -- no
respectable chin will turn down a treat -- he'll come running! |
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(10) | CHIN-PROOF, CHIN-PROOF, CHIN-PROOF (if there is such a thing)
Electric wires = Crispie Critters - they will chew anything -- cover
the wires with 1" PVC pipe to protect the chin and the wiring.
Furniture, cabinets, baseboards, or anything made of wood m-u-s-t be
redecorated by your chin if left alone even for a few seconds.
Aren't papers and books made from wood? Scrump-didily-isous!
Your favorite piece of clothing isn't "fashionable" without a few
extra holes or pulled threads -- according to all chins!
And those plastic framed glasses simply won't do without a gap or two,
says Chin (along with anything else that is plastic).
If your chin room also happens to be your computer room buy some
dust covers for the computer and it's accessories. (Pig Pen's dust
cloud in the Charlie Brown cartoons doesn't hold a candle to the dust cloud
the chins make while bathing!). It might be a good idea to have a
good
air filter near by, also.
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(11) | Never leave the sent of the apple you've just eaten on your hands then
handle the chins. They will think your fingers are apples (a favorite
treat
of theirs) and your Mothers' words will come back to haunt you, "wash
your face and hands." |
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(12) | Never, never, never chase a chin. This may be fun
for you and funny for your friends to watch you lurch and grab and miss
again, but while you are all laughing and squealing with delight at
the
antics, your chin is scared, maybe even to death. Use soft, gentle
words
and the 'dinner bell' treat bottle to lure him out. Shaking the dust bath
around will also bring your little guy running. |
