File :-(, x, )
Chinchilla's Anonymous
Hey fellow /an/on's.
I used to have a friend who used to own chinchilla's and ever since then I've always wanted to own one. However, I have NO idea how to look after one yet alone its cage and feeding requirements.
So, could anyone give me advice on how to look after chinchillas, its housing or anything to help me raise my chinchilla? Websites will be a great help to.
>> Matt
Get them fixed.
I hear they are similar to rabbits in their care process. I have also heard they are skitish, so they wont cuddle you like a bunny does.
*gets mad that his apartment wont allow a bunny*
>> Anonymous
>>220436
I'm intending just to get one chin, so should I fix him/her anyway?
I used to own a few bunnies so thats helps alot. damn your apartment not allowing bunnies. ¬¬
>> Anonymous
aren't they nocturnal?
And social? Just one seems bad.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
If you are only getting one then don't get it fixed. I have a male and they do not spray like rabbits. However, they are very social and will need a lot of attention from you. They will chew on everything and anything and they poop all the time. You would need a multi level cage and a big wheel. They don't smell and they don't really mess up their cage. They only liked to be held if they were hand held as babies, so if you get yours from a pet shop then you have more work cut out for you. I love my chin and they are worth the time and effort if you can afford to give them that.
>> Anonymous
They are very shy animals, but they will warm up to you once they get used to their new surroundings. It is recommended that they have a lot of time out of their cage, but you will have to chinchilla-proof your house (the same as rabbit-proofing). I had one growing up, they are very fun and endearing but they have certain quirks - they are noisy at night, and will kick their poops out of the cage.

They need regular dust baths, but they don't get pests on them since their coat is so dense. They love raisins, but it's easy to make a chinchilla sick or obese on treats, so moderation is necessary.

You will need a cage that is either multi-level or large enough for a very large wheel (chinchilla wheels have a radius of about a foot and have very large, heavy bases). When their prey instincts to run are triggered, this gives them a great outlet to get out their energy without running away from you.

Use paper bedding like carefresh or aspen, no pine or cedar. And of course, food that is meant for chinchillas, and timothy hay.
>> Anonymous
Chinchillas usually live in desert envrioments where bacteria and fungus are quite rare, so you will have to wash them regularly or else they might get sick.
>> Anonymous
you should go to pet-co or any other store that sells them, and either ask, or buy a book
>> Anonymous
>>220480

don't listen to this asshole.
Wet chinchilla = sick chinchilla.

I have owned several Chins. They live a very long time! My first chin lived to be 19 years old.

Chins do get stressed easily. You need to keep them in a relatively calm enviornment. Chins are not good pets if there are young children around or in public areas. Don't get a chin if there's a lot going on at your house/apartment. They do not do well in loud, active settings, and they are much more delicate than say, a rabbit. They could get hurt playing with young children who aren't careful.

As for care, it's easy. Chinchilla food is available at most pet stores. They drink water from a water bottle (like rabbits). They also eat Alfalfa hay. Nuts, rasins, etc, make good treats (in moderation, of course). You also need to provide a dust bath on a daily basis, and items for them to chew on--such as pieces of wood.

This is a good site for care info: http://www.chin-chillas.com/chinchilla_care.htm

I like cages that have a removeable tray underneath the floor. I put newspaper in the tray, and when it gets dirty I simply pull out the tray, dump out the newspaper, and replace it. It makes cage maintenance very easy.
>> Anonymous
>>220465
As I live in the UK I've only seen (so far) adult chinchilla's. I'd like to get a baby but I think chinchilla breeders here are hard to find though.

>>220467
chinchilla proofing I can easily do so that shouldnt be much of a problem. I'd love my chin to get lots of excercise but if I need to put him/her back in the cage, It wouldnt be to much hassle will it? I dont wanna like crush my poor chin by accident. Carefresh and Aspen bedding I'll look out for as well.

>>220488
I will be living with people (as I go to uni) from July onwards but I don't think were gonna be like having house parties 24/7. Also the chin will be in my bedroom and it definatly will be quiet in there. If I couldnt have the chinchilla in my uni house my dad said he doesnt mind it being in his own house in my bedroom. Also we wouldnt have kids in the house, so children wont be holding or scaring the chinchilla.
>> Anonymous
>>220501
Where are you going to college? I'm in almost the exact situation: going to uni, want a pet, chinchilla is one of the ones allowed. I'm heading to University of Florida. :3 I could technically get one now because my parents like pets, but I figured it'd be easier to wait and check out my roommates and the actual lifestyle of college then get one if I still think it's a good idea after I'm acclimated.
>> Anonymous
>>220653
I'm going to University of Reading. But as were living in proper houses not by the uni the rules are different. I'm going to check out the roomates just to be sure that they are ok with one. :)
>> Anonymous
You need to check with the landlord too, some can be so up their own arses and think that an animal will destroy their house.

Also if you keep any caged animal in your room at night you will be woken up a lot, as I found out when I tried it at uni, broken sleep caused by an animal bounding around is not good for your studies.

Unless you can clear it with your house mates to allow the animal to be kept in a communal room that you know it will be safe in don't get one.

You're likely to be in a different house each year you're at uni too so you need something easily portable too. Good pets for students are bugs like stick insects, preying mantis or armoured millipedes. If you do want an invertebrate then say in a reply and I'll post a link to the mail order websites of the best breeders and deelers I know in the uk (and I can reccomend species too as I keep lots of inverts myself and write for an exotic pets magazine too).
>> Anonymous
>>220751
I'm going to ask the landlord about keeping a chin in the house. If he says no then it will have to stay at my parents house or if that's not the case, i'll have to wait until my uni studies are over.
I do have an interest in invertebrates and I think praying mantis's are pretty. My boyfriend (Is a female anon) does keep some insects as pets and they are pretty good company to have. Also it be great of you recommending some. What exotic pet magazine you write for?