Chinchi… what? The sound of its name almost reminds you of a Mexican delicacy. It’s either that, or a Spanish dance. Before you dip your fingers in some salsa, you must know that chinchillas are among the breed of small pets which are worthy of finding their way into your home. Chinchillas are rodents native to South America which have been domesticated and are fast becoming a popular choice for a pet. The chinchilla’s adorable features and charming personality make it an excellent addition to your family.
The first step in caring for your pet chinchilla is finding it a suitable and comfy habitat. These small pets love to run around, so be sure to make them a habitat that’s roomy. For a single chinchilla, a cage of 24x24x18 inches will suffice. If possible, make it more than one level. Fill it with natural pine shavings which have no tar or oil. Be sure to change these once a week. For cages with a mesh bottom, the mesh in the wire should be small enough, so the chinchilla won’t accidentally get its foot caught in the holes. A tiny house and chinchilla wheel are perfect additions to the habitat. Don’t use a hamster wheel, as this has gaps which could catch your chinchilla’s legs.
Give your chinchilla fresh water in a bottle. Make sure that any part of the bottle which is plastic is covered with a metal guard, to keep the chinchilla from chewing on the plastic. The water has to be changed daily, of course.
Twice a day, feed your chinchilla with especially prepared chinchilla food. Serve it in a dish which they can’t chew on. One to two tablespoons of food each day is enough to keep your chinchilla happy. Fresh hay is likewise important in their diet. Just keep it dry, as it easily catches mildew.
Regularly give your pet some chinchilla dust or sand to bathe in. Put 1/4 cup of dust in a container and leave it in its habitat. For extra entertainment, you’d want to give your chinchilla toys to play with. A popular choice is a hanging block with bells at the bottom. Since their teeth never stop growing, chinchillas need safe wooden blocks to chew on.
Your chinchilla will also need to exercise in a wider but enclosed space. You could use the bathroom for this. Be sure to supervise your pet as it roams around the room.
Take good care of your chinchilla, and it could keep you company for as long as 20 years.
Jessy is a family and lifestyle blogger writing about lean cuisine diet and sharing her dieting tips 4 day diet. You can follow Jessy’s health advice on twitter at @JessyTroy
