Fun Facts
- Chinchillas can live up to 20 years. The oldest chinchilla to date lived to be 29 years old.
- Chinchillas have open-rooted teeth, which means they continue to grow throughout their lives. Because of this, make sure to provide plenty of chew toys for your pet.
- A chinchilla’s fur is considered the softest in the world: 30 times softer than human hair! Chinchillas also have 50 or more hairs per follicle as opposed to humans, who only have one.
- Dust baths are used for chinchillas to remove any oil or moisture from their thick fur; this will also help keep their fur soft. You should not bathe a chinchilla in water as this may cause them to lose their fur.
- “Fur slip” is known as the chinchilla’s natural defense against predators. This allows the chinchilla to release large patches of fur, leaving their would-be predator with a lump of fur.
Nutrition
Commercial pellets for chinchillas such as Oxbow Essentials or Sunburst will be fine. Their diet should also include high-quality grass hay. Timothy and alfalfa are popular choices.
Dried rose hips, hibiscus, and dandelions are popular treats. Chinchillas also love nuts, seeds, and dried fruit but these should be fed sparingly.
Salt blocks provide essential minerals that chinchillas typically lack. Vitamin C supplements are also beneficial for chinchillas and can be easily added to your pets’ water.
Basic Hygiene
Chinchillas self-bathe much like cats, but should not be submerged in water. To keep their skin clean and fur soft, they take what is called a dust bath. These dust baths help distribute the oils on their skin, as well as clear away dirt or debris stuck to their fur.
Dust for the dust paths should be purchased from a pet store or reputable sellers to avoid knock-offs that could cause infections or illness. Dust baths should occur every two to three days at least.
Living Conditions
To make sure your chinchilla lives the best possible life, there are certain things you will need. Some of the necessary items are 16″ x 20″ x 16″, chew-proof cages, small animal bedding which can be pelleted or shredded, untreated wooden chew toys, an exercise wheel, and hide areas such as tunnels, nest boxes, etc.
If you are considering adopting a chinchilla, consider checking local shelters or pet shops before going to breeders.