Questions about owning a pet chinchilla?

Check out this site and it will help you out a lot:

http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/chinchillas/p/Chinc...

I own 2 Chins. They don't smell bad. They really don't have a smell to them because they do not have glands like a ferret does. The only thing that might smell would be there cage if not cleaned out weekly.

Chins don't really require to much. You should let them run about in a enclosed area every day for about 20 minutes but it's not life threatening if you don't. They do need their cages cleaned out once a week. They should have something to chew on like a pumice stone because their teeth do keep on growing.

They need dust baths. Usually one every 5-7 days which isn't hard because Chins like taking dust baths. You just buy an enclosure, fill it with dust and that's it.

I found out that the only way you can pick up a Chin is by holding onto their tail and sliding your hand underneath them because their bones are so delicate that if you go to pick them up like a cat or a dog you can break their ribs

Cedar is toxic to Chins. So Cedar is not a good bedding for them.

Chins also need to be in temps under 75 degrees. They can die from anything over that. You can usually tell when it's too hot for a Chin because their blood vessels in their ears become very red.

Chins also have a very sensitive stomach so they recommend only feeding them Chin food and bottled water or tap water that has been purified. They also require hay

They also have a pretty good life span. I believe it's like 10 -15 years. Somewhere around there.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head. They do make wonderful pets. They are almost kinda like a dog. Mine has a "Sweet spot" where if you pet them at that spot they go completely limp and they are very sweet animals. Sometimes mine will lay on my lap when I am on the computer.

I hope this information helps

Chinchillas are interesting creatures to own. They do not typically have a strong odor like ferrets, provided you keep the cage clean. I would STRONGLY urge you to find a breeder- pet store chinchillas aren't always well socialized and may bite. Daily care includes removing uneaten foods and replacing them with fresh ones, refilling the dust bath (chins bathe in special dust formulas sold at pet stores, NEVER in water), refilling water bottles, spot-cleaning the cage, and at least 1 hour of human interaction. Weekly maintenance includes full-cage cleaning, washing out of the water bottle with soap and hot water, washing of the food / treat bowls, washing out any toys, hiding spots, etc., and emptying and refilling the dust bath. I would say 1-2 hours daily, max, and an extra 1-2 hours once a week for cage cleaning. Overall, they're pretty easy to care for once you do the research and learn their needs. And their fur is SOOO soft and cuddly!! :-)

Here's some sites to check out:

http://www.chinchillaclub.com/caresheet.html

http://www.chin-chillas.com/chinchilla_care.htm

http://www.greenwoodchinchillas.co.uk/basiccare.ht...

http://www.caresheet.com/chinchilla.html

Good luck!

My friend has 2 chinchillas and she keeps them very clean. They aren't allowed to bathe in water, but they have this wierd bathing ritual where they roll around in ashes. They have NO smell whatsoever.

They are a good pet for night hawks as being nocturnal you rarely see them in day time. They smell ok and the cage is like any other- uncared for it will smell eventually. They don't like to be handled too much so are useless for kids. Thhey are damned cute though so go for it if you really want.

They are like fat fluffy squirrels. They like freedom to run around the place. They dont like to be held. They take "baths" in dust- (which is extremely funny to watch) They are intelligent and like to be scratched under the chin usually. Iv'e had two. They dont smell. O yeah and nocturnal.

Wont smell as long as you keep it clean

No, they don't smell as loing as their cage is cleaned often enough

I ownded one. They are great pets :)

Heres a bit more info for you

Housing

Provide the largest cage possible for your chinchilla. A minimum size appropriate would be around 3 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet. Galvanized wire cages are good (plastic will be chewed to bits), with mesh small enough to keep your chin's feet from slipping through. Solid floors are best for your animal's feet, but must be cleaned daily. Wire bottomed cages (the most common) can be cleaned weekly, but place wooden platforms placed over some parts of the wire to allow your chin a solid floor to move to. The "condos" with multiple levels and platforms are ideal, because they offer more usable floor space and allow your chinchilla some room to climb. A pull out tray under each level will make cleaning easier, and should be filled with a dustless absorbent litter, such as aspen shavings or paper-based commercial bedding. If your cage doesn't have platforms for climbing, a sturdy branch or other climbing toy should be provided. You should also give your pet a hide box or cave for inside its cage. This will give your pet a secure place to hide when it wants to sleep or feels upset. Wooden ones are most common because they offer more chewing material, but they may need to be replaced regularly if they can't be cleaned properly. The entire cage and all accessories should be cleaned weekly, or more often if needed. Disinfection should be a monthly task, or after an illness.

Cage Location

The chinchilla cage should be located in a quiet part of your house. It should have good ventilation, be free of hot and cold drafts, and be away from direct sunlight and other heat sources. Because of their thick fur, and mountainous native climates, chinchillas are susceptible to overheating in captivity. The best temperature for your pet is 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, which is typically room temperature. Keep in mind that anything on or near the cage has the possibility of being chewed and eaten, so keep things like curtains, cage cleaning supplies, and electrical cords at least 12 inches away from the cage.

Diet & Feeding

The best food for your chinchilla is a commercially made pellet diet specifically for chinchillas (not rabbits or other mammals). It can be found in the small mammal section of almost any pet store. Also provide constant access to timothy and alfalfa hay, which can also be found where other small mammal foods are sold. Food containers and a hayrack that attach to the side of the cage will keep both from getting soiled on the bottom of the cage. Any regular food dishes should be cleaned daily, or more often if used as a toilet. Adult chinchillas can be given treats in small amounts. Ideal treats include a few raisins, small chunks of apple, bits of lettuce etc. Avoid high-fat treats like nuts or seeds, and limit fruits to special occasions they are high in sugar. Fresh water should be provided at all times in a drip-free, water bottle with a stainless steel spout. Clean the water bottle regularly to keep bacteria from getting into the water.

Toys

Chinchillas love to chew, and will try to chew on just about anything they can get their mouth on. So for entertainment, as well as to keep their teeth short and healthy, your chinchilla will need plenty of chew toys. Wooden toys made for rodents or birds will work well. There is also special "chinchilla block" or pumice stone that can be used and will help keep its teeth in shape. There are also toys that will encourage exercise for your chin. For example, you may try a running wheel in the cage. The wheel should be of the 15 inch size, and should have a solid bottom (not wire). There are also large plastic running balls that you put your pet inside and allow for safer running in the house. These must have plenty of ventilation holes, and should be kept away from stairs and other pets (who might try to play with the ball).

Dust Bath

To clean themselves, chinchillas will roll around in a container of dust, which removes excess oil and dirt from their fur. You will need to provide a container large enough for your chin to roll in, and a special dust made just for chinchillas. Do not try to substitute with another type of powder or sand. Chinchilla dust can be bought in most good pet stores. Fill the container with about two inches of dust and let them go. If you have more than one chinchilla, provide each one with its own dust tray to prevent the spread of illness or bacteria. Give your chin a bath once or twice a week, and remove the dust tray when he or she is done.

Handling & Exercise

While many chinchillas don't care for too much handling, interaction is important for healthy bonding. You may even find your pet to be a little demanding, which is why some people buy two or more. When playing with your chin, you must be very gentle. Chinchillas are very delicate, and their fluffy fir sometimes make it difficult to know how hard to grab. Only hold your chinchilla by the tail when necessary, and be sure to grab near the base of the tail. Then put your other hand underneath to support its weight. Chinchillas need plenty of time outside their cage to run around. Supervise them at all times: block any small openings that your chin could crawl into (e.g., under or behind furniture) and remove anything breakable or dangerous. Remember that chinchillas are nocturnal, and may only be interested in playing in the evening.

Sickness

Chinchillas can live for fifteen to twenty years with proper care. So to keep your chin healthy, it is important to recognize signs of illness and learn how to treat them. A veterinarian specializing in small mammals or exotic pets will be the best source of health information for you pet, but here are a few common problems you may run in to.

General signs of illness:

- change in consistency or amount of the droppings (diarrhea or constipation, diet change)

- watery eyes (dust or irritation, other illness)

- patches of missing fur (fur biting from stress, fungus)

- irregular teeth and/or drooling (lack of chewing material, calcium deficiency)

- lethargy and/or loss of appetite (possibly serious illness)

- runny nose and/or coughing or wheezing (respiratory illness)