Diet

A well-balanced chinchilla diet consists of:

• High-quality chinchilla pellets and limited amounts of vegetables and fruits.
• Provide Timothy hay at all times.
• Clean, fresh, filtered, chlorine-free water, changed daily.
• Do not feed chocolate, caffeine or alcohol as these can cause serious medical conditions. Avoid sugar and high fat treats.

Normal Behavior

• Play during the night and rest during the day (nocturnal).
• A well-socialized chinchilla likes to be cuddled and carried.
• Chew on objects to maintain all their teeth, which grow continuously; ensure they have plenty of wood chew sticks or mineral chews.
• Chinchillas have a very fragile rib cage. Be gentle when handling them and do not squeeze their rib cage.

Feeding

Things to remember when feeding your chinchilla:

• Fresh food (pellets and hay) and water should always be available.
• A limited amount of vegetables and fruits can be given daily, but should not exceed 10% of their total diet.
• Vegetables and fruits not eaten within 24 hours should be discarded.

Habitat Maintenance

• Clean and disinfect the habitat and its contents at least once a week with a 3% bleach solution. Rinse and allow to dry completely before placing the chinchilla back into the habitat.
• Remove wet spots daily; change bedding at least once a week, or more often as necessary.

Housing

• Chinchillas acclimate well to average household temperatures, not to exceed 80°F; be cautious of extreme temperature changes. The habitat should never be in direct sunlight or in a drafty area.
• A large multi-tiered habitat is recommended because chinchillas love to jump and play; wire habitats with a solid bottom are required to protect their feet. The space between the wires should not be bigger than one inch. It is best to provide the largest habitat possible.
• 1-2″ of bedding should be placed in the habitat; proper bedding includes high quality paper bedding, crumbled paper bedding, or hardwood shavings. Cedar-based products are not recommended.
• Different types of small animals should not be housed together.

Grooming & Hygiene

• Chinchillas require a dust bath at least twice a week
• Fur may be brushed with a soft brush.
• Avoid getting your chinchilla wet.
• Consult with a veterinarian if a chinchilla’s teeth seem too long.
• Chinchillas are born with white teeth, but over time, their teeth turn yellow; cleaning is not necessary.