How To Select The Right Vet For Your Chinchilla

When an owner is looking for the right veterinarian for their exotic pet, they want someone who can relate to their pet's special needs.  They must also have the available resources to take care of their pet on an ongoing basis. 

Just because they may like exotic animals doesn't mean that they're qualified to take care of them.  They must have special training to medically care and treat them.  You will probably have to do a "Sherlock Holmes" number in searching for the right one to treat your chinchilla.  It's best to search for a veterinarian that specializes in exotics and exotic animal medicine or one who is board certified in it).  You can ask veterinarians what kind of training they've had.

You can also check through certain organizations, such as the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV) and the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV).  If you still need assistance, try a regular veterinarian with an interest in exotic animals that can consult with an exotic animal specialist.  It's better if they're experienced, but if not, this would be the route to go.

You can also try finding one through recommendations.  You can ask people that you know or search out some breeders.  You can also try other organizations that are into exotic animals.  Search for forums online that discuss chinchillas and exotic animals.  Try the yellow pages, your state veterinary directory or on the web to look for local veterinarians that specialize in exotic animals.

You should try to find one as soon as you can.  It's not best to wait until your chinchilla has an emergency where you'll need someone right away.  Then you'll be taking more time away trying to find someone.  It could be a matter of life and death for your pet.

When you do find one that specializes in chinchillas and other exotic animals, set up an appointment.  Check to see how the veterinarian handles your pet and see if your pet takes to the veterinarian.  That's very important in establishing a relationship.  If there's not bonding between the two and yourself, then that's probably not a good match and may not result in a quality relationship.

A good veterinarian will sit down and talk with you about your chinchilla's care, health and diet.  This is also important because they should be comfortable in talking with you as well.  Besides, it's your pet and you are the owner.

During the visit, you should evaluate the facilities to see if they are up to standards for taking care of exotic animals.  Find out how frequent do they have exotic animals for patients.  Do they have special equipment or facility to accommodate them?  Have they had much experience with exotic pets?

What kind of training was involved?  If your veterinarian can answer these questions, then you may have yourself a winner.  It's not easy to find the right person to fit the bill.  Even though looking for one may be a challenge, when you find the right person, it will be worth it for you and your chinchilla.

How To Re-home Your Chinchilla

Re-homing your chinchilla is not necessarily a delight to accomplish.  However, if you are in a situation where you can no longer properly care for your chinchilla, the best thing to do is to seek out someone who can give it the love and care that they need.  It will break your heart to let your pet go, especially if you've become bonded to it.  It's also better if you let someone else handle it rather than let it suffer and die. 

You can start your search by placing classified advertisements in the section designated for exotic animals or chinchillas.  Make sure you let them know that there is an adoption fee attached.  You should set the fee at a starting price of $50.00.  It has been advised that you should set it higher than that.  This way, you will weed out the freebie seekers or cheapos.  These types of people are usually not interested in taking care of a chinchilla; they just want to purchase it for their own corrupt whims.

The purpose of the adoption fees are to see if the candidate can properly and is financially able to take care of an exotic pet such as a chinchilla.  Chinchillas need routine care not only from you, but also from a specialized veterinarian.  When you're dealing with specialties, that usually costs more than general things.  If the interested person has an adverse reaction to the fees, then that's a strike against him.  You'll know that they're not interested in the chinchilla's well being.  You want to make sure that the person getting your pet is the most qualified.

Find out how long this person has been taking care of chinchillas.  Did they keep them healthy and active?  Ask them what kind of food did they feed them.  Let them know what brand of pellets and hay you used, in the event it's different from what they use for their pets.  If they already have a chinchilla, will they try to get them together as mates?

How To Keep Your Chinchilla's Cage Clean And Safe

Before you put your pet chinchilla in their cage, it must be cleaned thoroughly.  Once they've made it their home, you should clean it at least once a week.  To keep the cage smelling fresh, you can use baby cornstarch powder or baking soda (preferably the Arm & Hammer brand).  It should be sprinkled in the areas where they urinate.  Usually, your pet won't venture into those areas, but if they do, they may contact a fungus.

If your pet's cage has solid flooring, the bedding needs to constantly stay fresh.  Keep the flooring area clean and use a disinfectant for the area.  Pull-out litter pans that have a wire mesh may be in conflict with solid flooring.  If the flooring is wire-based, make sure that you have shelves and mats installed to give your pet relief from standing on the wire mesh. 

If you're cleaning your pet's cage at in your shower or outside, you must use disinfectant by scrubbing the cage with pet-safe cleaner soaked brush.  Make sure you scrub the cage thoroughly and with lots of elbow grease.  Only use hot water to rinse; it is easier to use something that sprays it off, like a hose or a shower attachment.  Be sure that the cage is completely dry after rinsing.  Any damp spots can produce mold or fungus, which would be detrimental to your pet.

It is strongly suggested that an opaque sheet is used around your pet's cage.  This is to contain the dust and other mess that is in the cage.  It is also used as a barrier to chinchilla conflicts, in particular from the opposite gender.  The sheet gives them the assurance that their area is safe and secure.  It also shields them from some of the light during the daytime.

The mesh in the chinchilla's cage should be no more than 1" by 1/2" on the sides and 1/2" by 1/2" on the flooring area.  Do not get any mesh that exceeds those measurements; it is dangerous for your pet.  If you're not sure about the cage measurements or recommendations, do a search online for assistance.  Because they're so active, having ample room to run around is crucial.  If you install mesh that is more than what's required, you risk the chance of your chinchilla breaking the leg or foot bones if it gets caught in the mesh.  The legs and feet are the most fragile parts of their body.

If your pet does experience difficulty with the mesh, they can suffer the loss of their legs and feet.  They can also experience stress from being in the state of being caught up in the mesh.  If this stress is not relieved and they remained trapped, your pet can succumb from shock related to the stress.  Some chinchillas won't even run around in the cage if they sense that there is too much mesh in there.  Somehow they have a sense of their surroundings and know when they can move about freely.  Not until they know their area is safe will they resume activity in the cage.   

How To Keep Your Chinchilla From Suffering In The Heat

Heat and high humidity are not kind to chinchillas.  Their bodies cannot survive grueling heat and high temperatures.  Their thickness of their fur is higher than other animals.  In fact, they have the highest thickness of fur than any land animal worldwide.  It is the thickness of their fur that causes them to be resistant towards heat, especially high heat and humidity.  If they come in contact with this, they can suffer from brain damage or heat stroke. 

It is important that your pet chinchilla be kept inside a controlled climate in order to survive.  You will need an air conditioning unit if the temperatures reach 70 degrees or above.  The air conditioning unit should also have an auto function, where it will turn on and off by itself.    Having fans is not enough to cool them.  However, a ceiling fan is good for cold air circulation. 

If your chinchilla takes in too much heat, they can suffer from heat prostration.  Heat prostration is when your pet is lying on their side with labored breathing.  They feel like they want to give up because this is too much for them to bear.  Don't allow your pet to stay in that position.  Pick up the chinchilla carefully and gently.  Keep your pet mobile and moving.  Provide massages and head rubs.  In the interim, while you're still trying to keep your pet going, make sure you have the temperature lowered; otherwise, they may not make it after all. 

Use a cloth and make sure it is not fringed or has any loose strings.  Put it in the freezer to cover your frozen items.  Then put your pet in there for few minute intervals. Leave the door slightly ajar.  Put your pet's feet on the cloth so it won't touch the metal in the freezer.  Spray mists of lukewarm or cool water on your pet's body, stopping at the neck.  After your pet becomes alert, use a towel to lightly dry their body.  Make sure you're in a cool room while you're doing this.  Provide a dust bath after they are completely dry.

If you keep your chinchilla in the basement, they will need a dehumidifier.  They cannot stay anywhere where the humidity is high because it will create a fungus, which is harmful.  The pet will also need an instrument like a thermometer that measures the temperature and humidity levels.  These levels must be continuously watched to make sure they stay at a comfortable temperature for your pet. 

During the winter season, the temperature should not be more than 70 degrees.  The humidity should not be more than 80 percent where your chinchilla is existing.  The sum of the two is not to go past 150.  If it does, your pet is in danger for brain damage and death.

Other ways you can keep your chinchilla cool are providing them with frozen fruit bars.  These are good for them to take small nibbles from.  Ice cubes put in a bowl that won't spill are good, also.  Your pet should have a consistent supply of fresh water.  No matter how you do it, make sure that your pet is properly cared for during the times of heat and humidity.

How To Keep Chinchilla Coats Healthy

Chinchilla coats have to stay healthy and clean.  In order to do that, your pet chinchilla must have dust baths on a regular basis.  The dust baths also help to keep their coats silky, shiny and keeps the coats looking thick.  Your pet enjoys these types of baths because they get to roll and flip in the dust.  As long as they get to move around, they're fine, hence the reason for rolling and flipping in the dust. 

The best type of bath dust to use should be bought from the store.  That is because the product is tailor made for chinchillas.  As they roll and flip in the dust, the dust infiltrates through the coat and goes in their skin.  This causes the dust to soak up oil and dirt from their fur.  The bath dust for your pet should reach several inches deep in a container.

Two types of dusts used most often are "Blue Cloud Chinchilla Dust" and "Blue Sparkle Chinchilla Dust".   Make sure the bath dust you purchase is specifically tailored for your pet chinchilla.  You risk not having the same effect on your pet if your purchase something other than bath dust.  Chinchilla bath dust should work similar to what they would have in their homeland.

For a container, you can use a heavy bowl that won't tip over.  Get one that is larger than your pet.  Some good suggestions are glass fish bowls or canisters.  Another suggestion is a plastic house type container.  This type of container should have a round bottom.  You should put the bath in the chinchilla's cage each evening as the chinchillas are moving around. 

You can't bathe your pet chinchilla too much with the dust bath.  This can cause their skin to dry out.  The dust should not be left in the cage because the animal will sit in it and utilize it as a litter box.  Give your pet a dust bath at least twice a week.  It's better to administer it in the evening, when they're the most active.

However, if you determined that your pet's fur looks dull or moist, you can give them the bath more than twice a week.  Of course, when it gets hot and humid, your pet should get more frequent baths.  The baths should last about 10 - 15 minutes.  If you find that your pet's skin is dried out, flaky or itchy, cut back on the frequency of the dust bath.

The bath dust can be reused several times before changing.  After you've bathed your pet, check for any waste and scoop it out.  You should also use fresh bath dust if you find the current dust to look dirty or clumpy.  Throw it out and use a fresh batch of dust.  You may find it useful to try a covered bath, but the downside is that your pet will still move around and shake off the dust.  So a covered bath may actually defeat the purpose.  You should get a good duster and continue to provide regular baths.

How to Groom Your Chinchilla Properly

Chinchilla dust allows your pet to stay clean.  If they were still living in the Andes Mountains, they would have to use volcanic ash to stay clean.  Oils and dirt stay in your pet's coat because of the dust.  The dust then causes the oil and dirt to be released from your pet.  This is the process of how the chinchilla's fur is cleaned. 

A chinchilla's cleanliness relies on regular dust baths.  If they don't have them, they can end up being stressed which can turn into health issues.  They can also suffer from behavioral issues as well.  When it's warm, give your pet a fresh dust bath every other day for about ten minutes.  Their fur will not be matted and greasy.  If their fur stays like that, they can get overheated.  When it's cold, you should dust bath your pet twice a week.  When you're giving them a dust bath, cover the cage with sheets to prevent dust from flying everywhere. 

You can give your chinchilla a dust bath every day if their skin doesn't get dry.  They did it when they were running wild.  This may help them especially if their fur is continuously matted and greasy.  You may want to consult a veterinarian just to be sure.   

It's not good to smoke around your pet.  The second hand smoke is detrimental to your pet's health as it is a human's health.  The tar from the cigarette covers their fur.  The chinchilla would be able to taste the smell because they clean their fur with their mouths.  The tar is ingested in their bodies.  You must give a new chinchilla in your care a wet bath if you find this to be the case for your pet. 

Another idea for the dust bath is to mix Arm & Hammer Baking Soda to the mix.  This helps your pet to smell fresh.  If your pet is urine-sprayed, wipe him with a damp cloth and dry them completely with a towel.  Then you can administer the dust bath.  Usually the chinchilla learns to roll in the dust bath from their parent.  If not, that means that the parent was not throughout in their training of the pet. 

If your pet is sensitive or allergic to dust, you should wipe their nose.  The sensitivity can result from inhaling particles.  You will know this by the chinchilla clearing their nose.  Other symptoms include the eyes watering.  You must beware when you see this happening to your pet.  It could be a sign of pneumonia or an issue with the respiratory system. 

If your pet is not using the dust bath, give him a massage everyday.  Once your pet starts accepting feeling the cleanliness, he'll use the dust bath on his body.  If they still refuse it, it may mean something more serious, like an injury.  You will know this if they don't move around like they normally do or if they can't roll without feeling pain.  They may also refuse it because of the texture of the dust bath.  Some stores carry a heavier texture than others.  If that's the case, check with the pet store to see if they have a lighter texture. 

However you do it, make sure that your pet feels clean and fresh at all times.

How To Get Your Chinchilla To Trust You

If your chinchilla is not tamed, it may take them a while to get used to you.  Just like with human relationships, you will have to earn their trust before they allow you to form a close bond with them.  You will have to provide your pet with a lot of love and care.  Don't get discouraged if after a few months, they still don't reciprocate.  It just means it may take a little longer than you thought.  It is much easier to get a baby chinchilla to trust you than it is an adult. 

Chinchillas have more of a problem with being tamed than say, dogs or cats.  They are filled with a lot of smugness and they demand your respect.  They don't pay attention to you when you call their name.  If you want your pet to really trust you, try doing some of the following:

- Provide treats for your pet as they come to whatever side of the cage you're located on. 

- Talk to them in a calm tone to keep them calm.

- You will know when they no longer fear you if they remove the treat from your fingers in the cage. 


There are other things you can do to get your pet's trust.  There are also some things you shouldn't do in order to get their trust:

- A Chinchilla's body is delicate and you must handle it with care.  If you pick them up, avoid grabbing their ribcage.  You could injure it or possibly fracture a bone.

- Your pet should be close to your body if you're carrying it.

- Like humans, chinchillas need to breathe easily.  Don't squeeze or hold your pet tight.  They will let you know when you are by squealing loudly or biting you.

- Help your pet feel safe by allowing it to bury their head under your arm or cover their face with your hand.  Chinchillas like to know that their owners like to keep them safe in any way possible.  They want to know they have a protector at all times. 

- Hold your pet by it's tail base and hold your pet's weight with your other hand.  Don't hold on to the tip of its tail.  If the chinchilla tries to get free, that part will come off. 

- You can also hold your pet as though it were standing up.  Use one hand for its hind legs, and your other hand to hold his body.  Your pet's hands should rest on yours.

You will know when your pet trusts you when they start doing these things:

* Snuggling up to you
* Allowing you to stroke their body
* Follows you around
* Comes to see what's in your palm
* Sniffs your clothing and other items on your body
* Allowing you to curl their tail
* Sniffs your nose

It is an honor to have a pet such as a chinchilla that is fond of you and you have gained their trust.  You must remember to continue doing things with your pet to continue that trust.