Chinchillas make excellent pets! They have SO much personality! They are the goofiest animals I have ever had and provide so much love and entertainment.

Chinchillas have a dense, soft coat, which makes them sensitive to heat, so they should be kept in a cool environment like a basement. The density of their coat also means that they cannot get wet, or they will not dry and can get fungus, Instead, they take dust baths! Dust baths should be provided several times a week. The dust can be bought at any pet store, or online. It is both amazing and hilarious to watch them roll around in the dust to get themselves clean. I suggest an enclosed dust bath house. The powder is very fine and will cloud into the air in an open bath.

The chinchillas eat Manna Pro rabbit food and Timothy hay. They are cave dwellers, so it’s important to have hiding spots in their enclosures. Places for them to jump and climb are also good! There are a lot of toys available for chinchillas, and I highly suggest enrichment activities for them. I am not a fan of wheels however, chinchillas can overheat by running on the wheel too long. Plastic items should never be in a chinchillas cage. They have sharp, constantly growing teeth and will chew and most likely eat the plastic.

If you have any more questions about our chinchillas, or chinchillas in general, feel free to contact me!