Chinchillas

• Large and secure – chinchillas are active and athletic, meaning they need plenty of space to run and jump in their enclosure. They also tend to be curious, so their enclosure should be safe and secure to prevent injury.
• Free from draughts, humidity and inconsistent temperatures – these animals are used to the dry environment of their natural habitat, meaning a too-humid home could cause illness. Be sure to keep their enclosure at a consistent, comfortable temperature too.
• Multi-leveled – chinchillas love to explore, which means you should provide safe and secure places for them to jump up and investigate. Just be sure that these don’t exceed 60cm of uninterrupted height, as such a large jump could cause injury.
• Cosy and safe to sleep in – it will be important to provide some safe areas for sleeping and resting for your chinchilla. Housing within their enclosure will give them a space to retreat to and will be a great way to keep your chinchilla feeling safe and calm. Be sure to provide chinchilla-safe bedding, like clean hay, for them to snuggle into too.

Choosing the right food for your chinchilla

Like all pets, chinchillas need the right diet to maintain good health. Typically, chinchillas need:

• Good quality hay – this tends to make up most of their diet
• Grass-based pellets – developed to meet the needs of chinchillas, grass-based pellets can be a great way to supplement their diets and can be given daily
• Fruit and root vegetables – while chinchillas don’t necessarily need these in their diets to stay healthy, they can be provided as an occasional treat, just make sure you don’t overdo it

It will be important to avoid overfeeding your chinchilla, or giving them the wrong type of food (such as too many nuts and seeds), as this could cause your pet to become overweight. Obesity can cause a range of health problems, so be sure to monitor your chinchilla’s weight closely.

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Spotting the signs of illness or injury

It’s not always easy to know when your pet is ill, and with chinchillas it can be even more difficult. As prey animals, chinchillas are adept at keeping any signs of injury or illness well hidden. That’s why it will be essential to keep a close eye on your pet and visit your vet immediately if you have any concerns.

Some signs of illness or injury in chinchillas can include:

• Changes in toilet habits – if the number of or size of droppings your chinchilla is passing reduces or stops completely, it will be important to visit your vet, as this could indicate that your pet is unwell.
• Changes in eating habits – chinchillas typically eat at night and can eat for long periods of time. If you find that your chinchilla is not eating as they normally would or isn’t drinking water (or is drinking too much), it could be a sign of injury or illness, so seek veterinary advice.
• Changes in behaviours – chinchillas are active animals and tend to be busy during the night. If you find that they are quieter than usual or are behaving differently than they would normally, it could be a sign that something isn’t quite right.
• Changes in appearance or movement – Your chinchilla’s appearance is a good indicator of their overall health. If you see a drastic change in the way they are moving or in their appearance, such as fur loss, wetness around the eyes and mouth or a reluctance to move, it could be a sign that something is wrong.

If you are concerned about your chinchilla’s health, it’s important to visit your vet. They will be able to advise if there is anything you need to change about your pet’s environment or diet, or whether there is an underlying illness that could be affecting their health. It’s always a good idea to take your chinchilla for an annual check with the vet, even if everything seems fine.