Author Katie Goulet
of katiegoulet@yahoo.com
Chinformation:
Eight things about chinchillas the books won’t tell you
Pet dogs, cats and hamsters, are a dime-a-dozen, but one pet that is still a little unusual, is a chinchilla. Chinchillas make great pets for people who want a playful creature who needs lots of attention. They are little balls of luxurious fur, with wonderful personalities as unique as humans. Before getting a chinchilla there are a few things to know and prepare yourself for. In my experience, even after reading extensively about them, there was a lot that I discovered only when I became an owner:
1. Chinchillas are not lap animals!
Chinchillas may like to run laps, but not sit on them. They like to bounce on and off furniture- and possibly you- but are not interested in cuddling for hours while you watch “Animal Planet.” Chinchillas are hard- wired to hop, rock ‘n roll, so let them out of their cage as often as possible to work off their energy and stretch their bodies.
2. Chinchillas don’t do daytime.
Chinchillas are nocturnal. The best time to be with them is later in the evening or very early in the morning. Even in the daytime, they seem to suffer from permanent insomnia, because they bounce to attention as soon as you enter the room. During the day, they should be left in their cage with a place to sleep, like a little box or house. This allows them to feel safe and undisturbed.
3. Chinchillas like the beach not the ocean.
Chinchillas take baths, only not in water. They use sand or “dust” to bathe in. This absorbs any oils or sweat from their fur and skin and returns the fur to its natural soft state. Water is not good for chinchilla’s fur- it will leave it matted and stuck together.
4. Can you stand the sand?
You could charge admission to watch a chinchilla bathe in sand- it’s that entertaining. Just watching them make like a whirling dervish makes you laugh. What’s not funny is the way they shake it all off. I have found that the sand ends up on everything from the couch to the floor. If you are not prepared to deal with the constant crunch of grit between your toes, then a chinchilla is probably not for you.
5. Chew- proof everything but the roof.
Chinchillas have large front teeth that they need to grind down to a comfortable length. It is important to give them pieces of wood or specialty chew toys for them to gnaw on. Many times, even when they have stuff to chew, chinchillas are naughty and will chew other things when they are out of their cages. Corners of walls and cabinets, table legs, leather, and sometimes even carpet are especially tempting. I’ve seen phone cords neatly spliced in two in a single bite. Be prepared, remove anything chewable from the room when they are out, and put plastic protectors over the edges and corners of the walls. The bottom line: watch their every move.
6. Picky can be tricky.
In many chinchilla books, they say that chinchillas will eat almost any fruit and possibly some vegetables. These can actually kill a chinchilla. Chinchillas are not like rabbits, hamsters or guinea pigs: they won’t chow down on whatever you give them. Chinchillas smell it first, think about it, then decide whether or not they want it. They also follow a vegetarian diet, which consists of hay (alfalfa or timothy,) and small pellets that are full of the nutrients that they need.
7. Luxury condo, loft, or cage?
Chinchillas are naturally skittish; they do not sit in one place for a long time. They need plenty of space to bounce around in and a wheel to keep them moving. A chinchilla’s cage should be tall and roomy with different levels, connected by ramps to make it easy for them to access. Be prepared to take out a small mortgage to buy this luxurious multi-level chilla -villa. Install a wheel to allow them to run when they are not out.
8. Back attack!
Chinchillas have very sensitive backs. They do not like to be patted directly on their back because it makes them think that you are going to grab them or hurt them. (Chinchilla’s natural enemies – owls or other large birds – swoop down from above.) They most like being rubbed under the chin or behind the ears. As they get older, they may become more comfortable with being stroked on their backs, but approach them carefully at first.
Are chinchillas particular? You bet – but they are also playful and love attention- and they can live upwards of 12 years! As long as you know what they like and how to care for them, you are sure to enjoy being part of a chinchilla’s life.
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