Buying a chinchilla
Before buying a chinchilla, find out about their breeding, how they've been cared for and how they've been fed. Make sure you know if they've had any health or behaviour problems before buying them, and ask a vet if you're not sure.
Caring for your chinchillas
Make sure you feed your chinchillas the right diet - this should be mainly hay and grass, which help prevent lots of common problems such as dental and gut disease.
Check your chinchillas are eating every day and that they're passing plenty of dry droppings. Keep an eye on the amount and types of food they eat, and how much they drink. If their eating or drinking habits change or the number of their droppings reduces or stops, ask your vet immediately, as they could be seriously ill.
Give your chinchillas a shallow tray filled with clean, fine sand or chinchilla dust to bathe in and keep their fur in good condition. Remove or sieve clean after use to stop it from getting soiled.
Chinchilla health checks
Chinchillas have similar pain thresholds to people but aren't good at showing outward signs of pain and may suffer a lot before you notice it. Changes in their normal behaviour can be early signs they're ill or in pain, but because chinchillas sleep during the day, you may not easily notice if they're unwell. If your chinchillas aren't eating or are quieter than usual, they're highly likely to be ill or in pain.
Check your chinchillas for signs of illness or injury every day, and get someone else to check them if you're away. Observe their behaviour in the evening or at night, when they're most active.
Signs of illness or injury include:
- Sore feet
- Wetness around the eyes or mouth
- Fur loss
Consult a vet immediately if you suspect your chinchilla is in pain, ill or injured. Take them for routine vet check-ups at least once a year, and consider taking out pet insurance to cover any unexpected vet bills.
Only treat your chinchillas with the medicines recommended for them by a vet, as medicine intended for other animals is dangerous to chinchillas.
Signs your chinchilla is stressed
Chinchillas that are frightened or in pain may change their behaviour or develop unwanted habits, such as aggression or hiding. Stressed chinchillas are more likely to become ill.
Here are some signs to look out for that may show your chinchilla is stressed:
- Patches of fur coming away during handling
- Making noises, such as barking or whistling
- Hiding
- Chewing their own or other chinchillas' fur
- Changes to their feeding or toileting habits
- Over-drinking or playing with water bottles
- Reluctance to move
- Repetitive movements, such as racing back and forth on the cage bottom
If your chinchilla's behaviour changes or shows regular signs of stress or fear, ask a vet or clinical animal behaviourist for advice.
